***** Wei’s Long Gong Chinese, 11920 Southwest 8th Street, Miami, Florida 33184, (305) 553-4644.

It’s the day before Christmas- Jeff Eats knows that a whole bunch of you guys- me included, are gonna be eating a ton of Chinese food over the next 2-days 🙂 – that said, here’s a real good Chinese joint for you guys in Miami!

Merry Christmas!
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Posted November 12, 2014
***** Wei’s Long Gong Chinese, 11920 Southwest 8th Street, Miami, Florida 33184, (305) 553-4644.

Look!

Jeff Eats is a simple (left myself open there, didn’t I?) guy-who was born in Brooklyn in 1949. I was raised on “American” Chinese food…you know- wonton soup, bbq ribs, steamed dumplings, roast pork fried rice, egg rolls, sweet & sour pork, General Tso’s chicken, pepper steak, chicken chow mein, shrimp in lobster sauce with a drop of black bean sauce mixed in, pineapple chunks, vanilla/strawberry/chocolate/pistachio ice cream, fortune cookies. Like I said, I’m a simple guy!

Long story short,

I got friends-my age- who were born in Brooklyn, who for some reason think that- the “American” Chinese food we all grew up on-is now beneath them…when they eat Chinese, they have to have- REAL CHINESE stuff like…pepper salted quail, lambchoy minced with green bean, spicy fish with tofu, yam in sour sauce.

Being a pretty easy going guy, Jeff Eats is willing to try almost any restaurant “recommended” by friends to “accommodate” friends.

With the above in mind, Jeff Eats, Mrs. Jeff Eats and three “former” Brooklyn couples recently- did Wei’s Long Gong Chinese. Real simple- the wonton soup, egg rolls, steamed dumplings, General Tso’s chicken, roast pork fried rice, shrimp in lobster sauce with a drop of black bean sauce mixed in- were all delicious. I have absolutely no idea how the pepper salted quail, lambchoy minced with green bean, spicy fish with tofu, yam in sour sauce- tasted…but Jeff Eats’ Brooklyn friends said to tell you, these dishes were terrific. By the way, the pineapple chunks and the fortune cookies-were, pineapple chunks and fortune cookies!

Trust Jeff Eats with this one, Wei’s Long Gong Chinese’s “American” Chinese food is very-very good…if this joint was in my neighborhood, I’d be a real steady customer. Just a gut call, but I’m thinking that you guys who like REAL CHINESE FOOD will also- really enjoy Wei’s Long Gong Chinese.

You can check menu/prices at weislonggong.com.

Wei’s is open Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, Thursday 11:30am-9:30pm, Friday 11:30am-10pm, Saturday 11:30am-11pm, closed on Tuesday.

***** Grimaldi’s Coal-Brick Oven Pizzeria, 11701 Lake Victoria Gardens Avenue, Palm Beach Gardens, Florida 33410, (561) 625-4669.

Jeff Eats knows that this week-a ton of you guys, got a ton of out-of-town friends and family visiting…

If you’re looking for top-notch coal oven pizza/salads…Grimaldi’s Coal-Brick Oven Pizzeria in Palm Beach Gardens is a great place to feed them at-or take out from!

In addition to the Palm Beach Gardens’ joint that Jeff Eats frequents, Grimaldi’s has 5-other Florida locations…Clearwater (27001 US Highway 19 N., Clearwater, (727) 725-1200),
Fort Myers (13499 S. Cleveland Ave Ste. 201, Fort Myers, (239) 432-9767), Miramar Beach (780 Grand Boulevard, Miramar Beach, (850) 837-3095), Tampa (7990 Citrus Park Town Center, Tampa, (813) 920-5858), Tampa (218 West Shore Plaza, Tampa, (813) 287-2500)

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Grimaldi’s Coal-Brick Oven Pizzeria (Palm Beach Gardens)
Posted on November 16th, 2015 · Italian Pizza Palm Beach Gardens

***** Grimaldi’s Coal-Brick Oven Pizzeria, 11701 Lake Victoria Gardens Avenue, Palm Beach Gardens, Florida 33410, (561) 625-4669.

No bs- people are always asking Jeff Eats where they can get terrific coal oven pizzas/wings and salads…

Now- you guys and Jeff Eats know that there are a handful of Sunny South Florida joints that fit-the bill…

With the above in mind, seeing that Jeff Eats and Mrs. Jeff Eats just got back home from eating at Grimaldi’s Coal-Brick Oven Pizzeria in Palm Beach Gardens- I’m thinking, actually I’m knowing- that “it” is definitely one of the best coal oven pizza joints in South Florida!

For all you guys who have never eaten at Grimaldi’s- trust Jeff Eats when I tell you…if you’re into delicious coal oven pizza/wings and salads, then you gotta try Grimaldi’s stuff- absolute dynamite!

Here’s Jeff Eats’ 9/19/11 “review” on the joint…

Grimaldi’s Coal-Brick Oven Pizzeria (Palm Beach Gardens)
Posted on September 19th, 2011 · Italian Palm Beach Gardens Pizza

***** Grimaldi’s Coal-Brick Oven Pizzeria, 11701 Lake Victoria Gardens Avenue, Palm Beach Gardens, Florida 33410, (561) 625-4669.

Grimaldi’s Coal-Brick Oven Pizzeria is a “coal oven” pizza chain…there are currently locations in Arizona, Florida, Nevada, New Jersey, New York and Texas. For our purposes, there is currently 1-location in South Florida (Palm Beach Gardens) with announced plans to open a second spot at 1 North Clematis Street, West Palm Beach.

You can check menu/prices/locations at www.grimaldispizzeria.com.

Over the years, I’m gonna guess- that I have eaten in the Brooklyn location 10 times and the Tucson joint 8…Last night, I had dinner at Palm Beach Garden’s restaurant…same menu, same delicious pizza. The only problem I have with Grimaldi’s is that its menu is extremely limited…like try- pizza, a handful of salads, handful of calzones, handful of desserts…end of story. So–if pizza and salad ain’t your bag, you’re in for a serious problem while the rest of your party stuff their faces.

The Palm Beach Gardens’ joint is located in DOWNTOWN AT THE GARDENS…a gorgeous white elephant outdoor mall, which has more empty stores than there are Chins in a Chinese phonebook.

Grimaldi’s pizza is outstanding…it’s right up there with the best of breed. The joint’s caesar and caprese salad are also delicious. The Palm Beach Garden’s joint has a full bar, indoor and outdoor patio seating.

So what we got here…one of the best coal fired pizza/salad joints in South Florida albeit with a very limited menu…great looking indoor wood decor/outdoor patio seating…full bar—in a huge ghost town complex.

Grimaldi’s is open Sunday-Thursday 11am-10pm and Friday-Saturday 11am-midnight.

***** Pizza Time, 1001 Southwest 2nd Avenue, Boca Raton, Florida 33428, (561) 391-9240.

Real simple story to tell you guys…

Jeff Eats and Mrs. Jeff Eats got some family (two cousins on Mrs. Jeff Eats’ side of the family) visiting from New York. Now, I’m not counting anybody’s money but- they must have some cash, because they are staying 5 nights in a huge suite at the Boca Raton Resort and Club in Boca Raton (which ain’t exactly a chopped liver “situation”) during “Christmas Week” down here in Sunny South Florida…

Anyway, last night “we” got together and Jeff Eats knowing I/he was going to be picking up the check- took them to Pizza Time which is one of my favorite-reasonably priced “mom and pop” red sauce Italian joints (which by the way is 3 minutes from the Boca Raton Resort and Club) for dinner!

Not much more to tell you guys, other than Jeff Eats has been eating at Pizza Time since 2008, the joint makes outrageously delicious food and it’s probably no more expensive than your favorite “mom & pop” red sauce Italian joint! For those of you who maybe wondering- large cheese pizza, veal parmigiana, chicken parmigiana, veal marsala and meatballs & spaghetti- and like I said before, outrageously delicious food- and Jeff Eats didn’t have to “consult”- an ATM Machine to pay the bill!

If you haven’t eaten in Pizza Time in Boca Raton…GO! You will really-really enjoy this joint!

Pizza Time is open, Monday-Saturday 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM, Sun 12:00 PM – 10:00 PM.

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Pizza Time (Boca Raton)
Posted on November 24th, 2008 · Italian Boca Raton Pizza

***** Pizza Time, 1001 SW 2nd Avenue, Boca Raton, Florida 33428 (561) 391-9240.

Do me a favor and read the writeup (June 30, 2008) that I did on Pizza Time (Coral Springs). Go ahead, I’ll wait…

Rather than rehashing the details…suffice it to say, that the guy who originally owned the Pizza Time in Coral Springs sold the joint and has now “resurfaced” in Boca Raton (in what was formely Sal’s Italian Restaurant) in a new Pizza Time.

This “newest” Pizza Time is terrific. It is as good as the original Coral Springs’ joint. Great pizza, pastas, meat/seafood/chicken entrees.

Pizza Time is open 7 days a week for lunch and dinner.
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Pizza Time Italian Restaurant (Coral Springs)
Posted on June 30th, 2008 · Italian Pizza Coral Springs

***** Pizza Time, 11504 West Sample Road, Coral Springs, Florida 33065 (954) 753-7828.

If you live in Coral Springs you probably know all-about Pizza Time…the joint is or should be a landmark.

Rather than beating around the bush, Pizza Time is one of the best “mom and pop” Southern Italian Red Sauce joints in all of South Florida. There is nothing fancy whatsoever about Pizza Time…terrific pizza, pastas, fish-seafood, chicken and veal-meat entrees. Good prices.

This joint is open 7 days a week for lunch and dinner. While you are waiting to get in, checkout the takeout business that Pizza Time does. Pizza Time’s website is at www.pizzatimeinc.com.

By the way, in Parkland there is a joint called Pizza Time Caffe, 6620 Parkside Drive, Parkland Florida (954) 345-8665. Rather than going into lengthy detail (because I have forgotten the whole story), this joint was in the past somehow connected/related to the original Pizza Time Italian Restaurant, but isn’t anymore. Anyway…I just wanted to let you know, that this Pizza Time Caffe isn’t half-bad. As a matter of fact it was pretty good the 2 times that I tried it. So you now have two joints for pizza etc., in the Coral Springs/Parkland area to choose from…the Pizza Time Caffe website is at www.pizzatimecaffe.com.

***** Uncle Joe’s Chinese Restaurant, 4367 Northlake Boulevard, Palm Beach Gardens, Florida 33410 (561) 799-9883.

Just in case you guys were wondering- following the Old Jewish Christmas Eve Custom… tonight- Jeff Eats, Mrs. Jeff Eats, Daughter Jeff Eats, Son Jeff Eats and a whole bunch of friends- will be “dining” at Uncle Joe’s Chinese Restaurant in Palm Beach Gardens!

By the way, if you haven’t been to this joint- GO! Jeff Eats has been eating there for years and the food is dynamite!

Merry Christmas!

Posted August 1, 2008
***** Uncle Joe’s Chinese Restaurant, 4367 Northlake Boulevard, Palm Beach Gardens, Florida 33410 (561) 799-9883.

If you live in the Palm Beach Gardens’ area, I got a real good Chinese joint for you…Uncle Joe’s Chinese Restaurant. No frills decor…No frills prices. Very good Chinese food…The joint passed my… wonton soup/egg roll/spare ribs/pan fried dumplings/roast pork fried rice/sweet and sour chicken/moo shu pork/shrimp in black bean sauce/pineapple chunks test with flying colors.

You can check menu/prices at unclejoeschinesefood.com

By the way, I drove a total of 69.4 miles (from my home to Uncle Joe’s) round-trip to eat at this joint. Call me a wild and crazy guy, but the food was worth the ride.

Uncle Joe’s is open 7 days a week for lunch and dinner.

***** Village Tavern, 1880 North Congress Avenue, Boynton Beach, Florida 33426 (561) 853-0281.

Let’s consider this one- a PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT!

Jeff Eats knows that at this time of the year…a ton of you guys got a ton of out of town relatives and friends visiting…

Village Tavern with 2- Florida locations (Boynton Beach and Pembroke Pines) is a terrific- reasonably priced American-Style joint to feed everybody at!

Jeff Eats and Mrs. Jeff Eats have been eating at the Boynton Beach joint for years- never even once, anything even close to a bad meal!

You can check menu/prices/info at villagetavern.com.

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Village Tavern (Boynton Beach, Pembroke Pines)
Posted on March 21st, 2010 · American Pembroke Pines Boynton Beach

***** Village Tavern, 1880 North Congress Avenue, Boynton Beach, Florida 33426 (561) 853-0281.

Last night I gave Village Tavern an “American Style” joint located in Boynton Beach a shot…there is also a Village Tavern in Pembroke Pines—when you check the joint’s website www.villagetavern.com for menu/prices you will find that there are a handful more in several other states.

Village Tavern seats something close to 300. There is a dining room and separate bar area.

The best way to describe Village Tavern’s decor—think Cheesecake Factory, Houston’s, J. Alexander’s and you got the picture.

Last night, this joint was jammed. I will tell you, that an 8pm reservation for 4–was honored.

Now let’s talk food…the menu is loaded with appetizers, salads, pastas, sandwiches, burgers, pizzas, meat-seafood-chicken entrees. This evening I “did” bbq pulled pork sliders (3-with french fries $8.50), bacon cheeseburger ($9.95), grilled talapia ($16.95), grilled chicken & penne ($14.50), shrimp scampi ($15.95)…I enjoyed all of the food, except the french fries which were on the “limp” side.

Village Tavern is a WINNER. Nice sized portions. Very reasonable prices. Pleasant and competent waitstaff.

Village Tavern is open Monday-Thursday 11am-10pm, Friday-Satyrday 11am-11am, Sunday 10am-11pm

***** PDQ, 2341 North Federal Highway, Pompano Beach, Florida 33062, (954) 785-6285.

Real simple story to tell…

PDQ’s chicken tenders are absolute dynamite! They come either “crispy” or “grilled.”- 25 tenders run $31.80 and 50 go for $57.50.

Just wanted you guys to know, that on New Year’s Day 2016- Jeff Eats and Mrs. Jeff Eats are having a whole bunch of people over to our house…

We just placed an order for 100 crispy- and 100 grilled tenders with PDQ’s Pompano Beach joint – we also got other stuff ordered… For the “math challenged” 2 x $57.50= $115.

When Jeff Eats sees a good deal, I like to tell you guys about it!

PDQ has 23 joints in Florida. You can check locations/menu/prices/info at eatpdq.com.

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Posted May 4, 2013
***** PDQ (People Dedicated to Quality), 2015 Okeechobee Boulevard, West Palm Beach, Florida 33409, (561) 594-1906.

On April 30, 2013 Jeff Eats told you guys about PDQ a “new” fast-food/casual chicken chain–that is scheduled to open its West Palm Beach location on Sunday, May 5, 2013. The April 30, 2013 writeup is reprinted “after” today’s “thoughts.”

For the record, this afternoon Jeff Eats “ate” at a Family & Friends outing in the West Palm Beach store and I gotta tell you, this joint is going to be an absolute homerun.

Before I tell you about my “meal”—for what it’s worth, I don’t really care for the name PDQ. To me, the letters P D Q really don’t convey what this joint is all about. Nothing for nothing, but the owners of this business have created a fast food/casual hybrid…think Panera Bread and you may appreciate where I’m going with this. What they “got” is an order at/pick up at the counter fast food restaurant that looks like an upscale sports bar. I loved the look of the joint (and yes, it’s got a load of large flat screen TVs) but if you do some checking, many people use the term PDQ to mean “fast” or “right away”…that said, I think the last thing that PDQ wants is for you to think of its food as being “fast food” The store is logoed with big letters that say, “People Dedicated to Quality”–so Jeff Eats sees where the PDQ comes from (actually if we wanted to get technical here it should be PDTQ)…personally, I wouldn’t have used PDQ because to a great number of people PDQ means “other” things. Jeff Eats’ personal favorites -Pretty Damned Quick and Pennies Dimes Quarters.

Now that Jeff Eats has pontificated on the PDQ name…let’s talk food.

First let me start by saying, this 4,200 square foot free standing building is absolutely great looking…it has a drive thru and looks like something right out of the Florida Keys. There is also a huge open kitchen and you can see everything being prepared. In talking with the its founders (who by the way, created the Outback Steakhouse chain) everything is freshly made and the restaurant has no freezers. While there, Jeff Eats got a kick out of watching the staff squeeze 100s of lemons for the fresh-squeezed lemonade—For you wise-guys out there, yes! I got a kick out of watching, nothing sinister, lewd or whatever your devious minds maybe thinking!

Jeff Eats “tried” the tenders, hand cut fresh French fries, chicken Caesar salad, fried chicken sandwich, turkey breast sandwich, grilled chicken sandwich, chocolate shake, apple slices with toffee—and I’m telling you, every item and I do mean every item was delicious. For the record–the food was “on the house”…which made it “easy” to literally order almost every menu item. If I got one bitch, I thought that the fries had just a drop too much salt on them—trust me, that one little itsy bitsy “problem” is easy to cure. Just a quickie, if you take a look at Jeff Eats’ 1/19/2007 Outback Steakhouse “review” note the salt-complaint… Goes to show you, Jeff Eats and the guys running this joint are consistent, if they are anything.

Check www.eatpdq.com for menu/prices/locations/pictures.

In talking to management, there are currently 4 Tampa, 2 North Carolina, 1 Oakland Park, 1 West Palm Peach PDQs…and “for” our purposes-2013-2014 planned locations-Wellington, Boca Raton and Pompano Beach.

Let me wrap this one up this way…

Based on what I saw, ate and heard PDQ is going to develop into a major national chain. The guys behind this deal know exactly what to do and how to do it…that is if they–

Just lose the salt shaker…

*****
April 30, 2013
PDQ’s menu features lightly fried chicken tenders/sandwiches, grilled chicken and turkey breast sandwiches, salads, French fries and shakes.

Just a quick heads-up…Jeff Eats is “hearing” tremendous things about a brand new-fast food chicken chain PDQ which currently has 4 Tampa/1 Oakland Park/1 West Palm Beach/2 North Carolina locations.

Haven’t tried the joint out yet, but some buddies of mine-told Jeff Eats that PDQ (Oakland Park) makes amazingly delicious grilled chicken/fried chicken tenders/turkey/salads/fries/shakes. One caveat, three of those buddies way back when- thought that the Edsel was going to be a homerun and the fourth guy to this very day-claims that aliens abducted him in 1989.

As I mentioned 4 seconds ago, there is one location in Oakland Park…this coming Sunday-May 5th, PDQ is opening a second South Florida location in West Palm Beach.

Check www.www.eatpdq.com for menu/locations.

For what it’s worth–the chain is owned by one of the guys who created the Outback Steakhouse chain. Nothing for nothing, a few quick conversations with a handful of fast food/casual restaurant developers–had them figuring that PDQ had a real shot to develop into a major chain. The consensus was, that PDQ may appeal to a huge segment of Chik-fil-A’s customer base that is looking for a more diversified menu. Throw in 4,500 square foot stores/with drive thrus that are open on Sunday—and just maybe, PDQ has the formula to be a homerun-chain.

Jeff Eats is gonna check this one out…if you get there before I do, let me know what you think.

* The Drifters, The Platters And The Cornell Gunter Coasters.

Now you guys and Jeff Eats both know that “not-even-one” of the performers on the stage- sang on any of the hit records! That said, the music is infectious- and the show is gonna be a whole lot of fun!

The Skinny:

The Drifters, The Platters And The Cornell Gunter Coasters

The Pavilion at the Seminole Casino Coconut Creek
5550 Northwest 40th St, Coconut Creek, Florida 33073

Thursday, January 14, 2016 (8pm)

Tickets: seminolecasinococonutcreek.com

***** J. R. Pizza Bella Restaurant, 7868 West Sample Road, Margate, Florida 33065, (954) 753-1300.

Let’s consider this one- a PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT!

Jeff Eats knows that at this time of the year…a ton of you guys got a ton of out of town relatives and friends visiting…

J.R. Pizza Bella Restaurant in Margate is a terrific reasonably priced “mom & pop” red sauce Italian joint to feed everybody at- or to takeout food from!
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Posted January 15, 2015
***** J. R. Pizza Bella Restaurant, 7868 West Sample Road, Margate, Florida 33065, (954) 753-1300

Got a really good (actually make that a terrific) hole in the wall mom & pop red sauce Italian joint for you…J.R. Pizza Bella in Margate.

Nothing for nothing, Jeff Eats already “GOT” this one- for you way back on January 29, 2013-the writeup is down below.

Real simple story, Jeff Eats hadn’t been back since that 2013 outing…ate there last night with Mrs. Jeff Eats and another couple- and the food/service absolutely blew me away…no ifs, ands or buts, one of the best hole in the wall mom and pop red sauce Italian joints that I’ve eaten in down here in South Florida.

Let me throw some color into the mix here- since Jeff Eats or for that matter Mrs. Jeff Eats weren’t raised in Italian American households-for me to tell you that J.R. Pizza Bella’s food tastes like the stuff our mothers-made, I’d be lying to you…that said, the-food we had last night (pizza, veal parmigiana, veal pizzola, garlic rolls, minestrone soup, chicken scarpariella, mussels marinara, house salad) tasted like it came-out of someone’s home kitchen- and her name wasn’t Anna Goodman or Rhoda Eisenberg. Hopefully you get what I’m trying to say, if not, not!

If you are looking for fancy schmancy, stop right now- but if your game is dynamite food, terrific service, wearing a tee shirt/shorts/flip flop ensemble, big portions, very reasonable prices EAT at J.R. Pizza Bella Restaurant.

You can check menu/prices/other info at jrpizzabella.com.

The joint is open Sunday-Thursday 11am-10pm, Friday-Saturday 11am-11pm.
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J. R. Pizza Bella Restaurant (Margate)
Posted on January 29th, 2013 · Italian Margate Pizza Subs/Salads

***** J. R. Pizza Bella Restaurant, 7868 West Sample Road, Margate, Florida 33065, (954) 753-1300.

Got a real good “hole in the wall” mom & pop–red sauce Italian joint for you…J. R. Pizza Bella Restaurant in Margate.

Rather than beating around the bush with all kinds of stories—J.R. Pizza Bella has to be ranked right up there with the best of the Italian red sauce “mom & pop” joints Jeff Eats has “tried” down here in sunnny South Florida. Trust me- I know that’s quite a statement for me to make–based on the number of joints I’ve hit, but what is-is! This little joint, really cranked out some delicious stuff.

J. R. has the full-boat of pizzas, pastas, hot/cold subs, seafood/chicken/meat entrees. You can check menu/prices at www.jrpizzabella.com.

Like I said a few seconds ago, this is a “hole in the wall”—handful of tables and booths, that’s it. I know it isn’t really necessary to tell you, but—your shorts/tee shirt ensembles will work well at this joint.

Tried J. R. out for dinner the other night…large cheese pizza ($13.95), veal parmigiana ($16.95), meat lasagna ($11.95), chicken marsala ($14.95), zuppa di pesce ($22.95)—every “item” was right on the money. The joint’s garlic rolls, minestrone soup, ziti with marinara sauce and house salad were also delicious. Good size portions, super pleasant service, reasonable prices—nothing really missing from this outing.

Let me close this one out by saying…J. R. Pizza Bella Restaurant is a winner.

J.R. Pizza Bella Restaurant is open Monday-Thursday 11am-10pm, Friday-Saturday 11am-11pm, Sunday 11am-10pm.

* The Duprees with Joey Dale & The Gigolos and Joey & The Paradons.

Got an absolutely terrific doo wop -show for you guys!

On Saturday Night- February 20, 2016- the legendary 60’s vocal group The Duprees will be joined by two of South Florida’s premier doo wop groups, Joey Dale & The Gigolos and Joey & The Paradons at The Plaza Ballroom (111 US Highway 1, North Palm Beach, (561) 842-0111) for 2 shows (5:30pm, 9pm)…If memory serves me correctly, The Plaza Ballroom only seats 400 so I’m thinking SRO for both shows! Jeff Eats has seen all-three groups and trust me, this show will absolutely kill!

* Steve Harvey’s Brilliant Mistake!

Now be honest…

Yesterday, how many of you guys- knew that the Miss Universe Pageant was being aired on FOX TV- or for that matter, even if you did know, gave a good crap?

Then, Steve Harvey makes a mistake and walla!