* Andrea Bocelli.

God only know what these tickets are gonna go for!

A recent e-mail received from reader Susan about Shanghai City Chinese Restaurant in Boca Raton.

Susan says…
C’mon ,,, give the place another shot. Sure, subbing tofu for anything is wrong, but lots of dishes were ALMOST New York quality. And they do have chairs, lol, so you can dine-in.

_________

Susan:

Jeff Eats’ “review” dated February 21, 2011 on Shanghai City Chinese Restaurant is re-printed down below.

To answer your question…Only a fool would give a restaurant that tried to cheat him a second chance…and Jeff Eats is nobody’s fool!

Thanks for reading.

Posted February 21, 2011
Shanghai City Chinese Restaurant, 7860 Glades Road, Boca Raton, Florida 33434, (561) 482-1321.

At the suggestion of a few of you guys…Jeff Eats gave this Chinese joint a shot.

Mediocre Chinese food at best.

What really pissed me off…one of the dishes ordered- “Seafood Hot Pot” ($19.95) was to “contain” shrimp, scallops and lobster meat. When the dish arrived, the kitchen had substitued cubes of TOFU for the lobster. When questioned, the waitress after checking with the kitchen said– “The kitchen was out of lobster, so they put tofu in instead.”

This joint won’t ever see Jeff Eats again.

***** Giant Pizza, 7019 Taft Street, Hollywood, Florida 33024, (954)-963-2273.

Got a real good pizza joint for you guys…Giant Pizza in Hollywood.

Real simple tale to tell,

Yesterday, Jeff Eats and Mrs. Jeff Eats’ friends Richie and Lynn- had something like 30 people over to their Hollywood-house to watch- some Sunday football!- the food served came from Giant Pizza in Hollywood! Just so you know, Giant Pizza is basically a “takeout” but does have a couple of tables inside/and a couple outside if you insist on eating there.

The food ordered included…philly cheesesteak/ meatball parmigiana/ chicken parmigiana/ sausage & peppers parmigiana/ tuna salad subs- chef/antipasto salads- NY Style cheese/Sicilian pizzas- garlic rolls, boneless breaded buffalo wings, zeppoles, cannolis and I gotta tell you, I really enjoyed Giant Pizza’s food! I’m also thinking, that everyone else- also liked the food because they were like Mahatma Gandhi- breaking a fast! Now for sure, free is always good- but Jeff Eats and Mrs. Jeff Eats did contribute a cheap bottle of red wine and a large Publix fruit-platter to the mix- so it wasn’t exactly a free-outing! To their credit, everybody – brought something- cakes, wine, booze, beer, pastries…and a real-real good time was had by all! Like I said, I enjoyed Giant Pizza’s stuff- with its 30″ New York Style cheese pepperoni pizza being -a really cool “sight”…the freaking thing was huge and delicious!

Now- Jeff Eats appreciates that my “eating” was done buffet style- with a load of friends-a load of noise-but trust me, the food was real solid…no ifs, ands or buts- I would definitely “patronize” Giant Pizza if the joint was in my-neighborhood!

For menu/prices/info- giantpizzaflorida.com.

Giant Pizza is open:
Mon, Tues, Thurs 11:30am-9:30pm
Fri, Sat 11:30am-10:30pm
Sun 12:00pm-9:00pm
Wed Closed

* 13th Annual Feast of Little Italy.

Jeff Eats has been going to this “feast” at the Abacoa Town Center in Jupiter, for years…terrific food, rides, crafts, entertainment.

This year the Feast takes place on:

Friday- November 6, 3:00 pm to 10:00 pm
Saturday- November 7, 10:00 am to 10:00 pm
Subday- November 8, 10:00 am to 8:00 pm
Admission $7.00
​Discounted Multiple Day Passes Available
Children 12 & Under Free
Free Parking

For information check feastoflittleitaly.com.

I do have one question for the Feast’s-organizers…

How in the world- other than for the fact that he’s Italian and looks like his brother Sylvester Stallone- did you end up with Frank Stallone as your headline act? In a million years, I can’t picture anyone on your entertainment committee-waking in the middle of the night saying, “We gotta book that Frank Stallone right away, people will go nuts when they hear he’s coming.”

* Stephan.

Real short story,

Last night Jeff Eats and Mrs. Jeff Eats went to a terrific Bar Mitzvah Party at the Woodfield Country Club in Boca Raton…

During the cocktail hour- one of the best slight of hand/closeup magicians that I have ever seen- kept the crowd of 200 absolutely amazed!

The magician’s name- Stephan.

From what I understand, the guy works restaurants/clubs/casinos/festivals/amusement parks/private events all over Florida.

Trust Jeff Eats, this Stephan- guy is off the chart good!

Just between you guys and Jeff Eats, later to day I’m gonna call Stefan and see if he can make one of my pain in the ass neighbors disappear! If he can’t or won’t -I got some old friends in Brooklyn who are also sort’a in the “disappearing” business-that I can call!

You can check Stefan out at… mybagoftricks.com.

***** DISH OF THE WEEK (Sunday- 10/18/15).

One of Jeff Eats’ favorite menu items…

LARGE CHEESE PIZZA (16″)
$13.95

Thick & Thin Italian Restaurant & Pizzeria
23062 Sandalfoot Plaza Drive
Boca Raton
(561) 482-7020
thickandthinpizza.com
Latest Review: 8/17/14

Real easy story to tell you guys, Thick & Thin makes an outrageously delicious New York Style Pizza- thin crisp/sweet sauce.

The joint is an absolute hole-in-the-wall with a handful of tables/booths.

Thick & Thin has been around since 1979- so Jeff Eats is thinking that “people”-must really like its pizzas, pastas, subs, calzones, meat/chicken/seafood entrees!

When you eat there, don’t let the “takeout” traffic bother you- it’s sorta- like the Lincoln Tunnel going to Jersey- on a Friday night around 5:45pm!

Try Thick & Thin- it’s real good!

__________

Thick & Thin Restaurant & Pizzeria (Boca Raton)
Posted on August 17th, 2014 · Boca Raton Italian Pizza

***** Thick & Thin Restaurant & Pizzeria, 23062 Sandalfoot Plaza Drive, Boca Raton, Florida, (561) 482-7020.

Just got back from eating dinner at Thick & Thin.

The last time Jeff Eats ate there was 5/10/2008…talk-about out of sight, out of mind!

If you check Webster’s Dictionary under Terrific-Mom & Pop-Hole In The Wall-South Florida-Red Sauce-Italian-Joints…you will find Thick & Thin’s picture listed!

Looking for delicious pizza, veal parmigiana, meat lasagna, garlic knots, meatballs and spaghetti?- then make it your business to eat at Thick & Thin!

With the above in mind, printed below is Jeff Eats’ review from 5/11/2008.

*****

Thick & Thin Restaurant & Pizzeria (Boca Raton)
Posted on May 11th, 2008 · Boca Raton Italian Pizza

***** Thick & Thin Restaurant & Pizzeria, 23062 Sandalfoot Plaza Drive, Boca Raton, Florida, (561) 482-7020.

Thick & Thin has been around since 1979.

There is an old saying, “Out of sight, out of mind.” When I first moved down to South Florida 16 years ago, Thick & Thin was one of the regular “mom & pop” red-sauce joints that got my business at least once or twice a month. Over the years, for one reason or another, Thick & Thin became an “out of sight, out of mind joint.” Now don’t hold me to this, but until last night, I think the last time I was in Thick & Thin was something like 7-8 years ago. Why I forgot about this joint?…I don’t know.

Anyway…last night I ate dinner in this hole-in-the-wall and I have to tell you, that the food is as good as when I was a regular customer. Great pizza…veal parmigiana…veal francese…veal marsala…You know the drill, soup or salad, entree, side of pasta and garlic rolls…

Thick & Thin is located in a shopping center on 441 in Boca Raton. The CVS is out of business…The Winn Dixie is out of business…Many other vacancies, yet this little joint which seats about 50 was jammed and the take-out business was booming.

This is a real casual joint, so tee shirts/shorts are the dress of the day. Like I said before, Thick & Thin has been around for something like 29 years, so obviously even without my patronage it has been doing just fine.

This joint is open 7 days a week for lunch and dinner and by the way, in the center there is a great car wash Express Car Wash that for 8 bucks gives you one of the best exterior washes going.

Great NY Style Pizza and a Great Car Wash…courtesy of Jeffeats.com

***** DaVinci’s of Boca, 6000 Glades Road, Boca Raton, Florida 33431, (561) 362-8466.

First things first…

DaVinci’s of Boca is located in Town Center of Boca Raton- which is a regional mall. Just between you guys and Jeff Eats, this Italian joint couldn’t be in a worse location- no visibility from any road, no foot traffic to speak of…whatever real estate agent/mall representative “convinced”- or – “allowed” Davinci’s owners to open in this spot, should be ashamed of his/or herself and seriously consider taking a business ethics course at FAU!

Anyway,

Jeff Eats and Mrs. Jeff Eats recently “did” dinner-and I gotta tell you that DaVinci’s which opened about a-year ago is a great looking “semi”- upscale Italian restaurant with both indoor/outdoor patio seating. In addition, the joint has a full bar area, private party room! On the food front- the calamari fritti, lasagna bolognese, chicken parmigiana, zuppa di pesce which we ordered, were real good!- The wait service was as professional/pleasant as could be. Just so there is no misunderstanding, DaVinci’s of Boca isn’t a “mom & pop” red sauce joint (soup or salad, garlic rolls, entrée with pasta side $14.99)- its prices aren’t bargain basement, but trust Jeff Eats- I’m thinking that-you won’t need a second job to pay the bill!…Oh! by the way, though DaVinci’s of Boca is semi-upscale, your tee shirt/shorts/flip flops ensemble works!

Let me wrap this up for you guys, Jeff Eats and Mrs. Jeff Eats-really enjoyed the food/service. The real story here- as crazy as it may seem…it pisses me off no end-when I see restaurant owners who obviously went for some heavy cash-to build a joint- who do a real nice job in serving up solid food/service- get “hoodwinked” into locations that stink!

Give DaVinci’s of Boca a shot…

The joint is open Monday-Thursday 11am-10pm, Friday-Saturday 11am-11pm, Sunday noon-10pm.

You can check menu/prices at davinciofboca.com.

***** Country Feed Store, 1171 Howell Avenue, Brooksville, Florida 34601, (352) 796-6449.

Got a real good breakfast-lunch joint for you guys…Country Feed Store Café in Brooksville.

Real easy concept here…counter/table seating, open 7 days a week 7am-2pm.

Jeff Eats and Mrs. Jeff Eats recently ‘did” breakfast and the joint absolutely killed it! No bs-here, both the western and meat (pig pen) omelettes- we had, were outrageously delicious! Between you guys and Jeff Eats, it is amazing as to what-delicious food can be cooked-up on a flat-top grill!

Country Feed Store Café is a winner. The joint bakes its own bread- and from the way plates “come-out”- to the super pleasant staff…you easily sense that the folks who own Country Feed Store Cafe are looking to do the right thing!

If you need-info countryfeedstorecafe.com.

* The Lovin’ Spoonful, Gary Puckett & The Union Gap, Dennis Tufano, The Classics.

Gonna be some show!- that’s assuming you like 60’s Rock n Roll, of course!

The Skinny:

The Lovin’ Spoonful, Gary Puckett & The Union Gap, Dennis Tufano, The Classics
Thursday, February 4, 2016 (7:30pm)
Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall
13350 FSW Parkway
Fort Myers, Florida 33919
(239) 481-4849
Tickets: bbmannpah.com/

from bbmannpah.com
Legends of all-American rock and roll return to the Barbara B. Mann… Rock & Roll Hall of Famers The Lovin’ Spoonful (“Do You Believe in Magic?”, “Did You Ever Have to Make Up Your Mind?”, “You Didn’t Have to Be So Nice”, “Daydream”, “Summer in the City”), Gary Puckett & The Union Gap (“Young Girl”, “Woman, Woman”, “Lady Willpower”, “This Girl is a Woman Now”) and – back by popular demand – Dennis Tufano, the original lead singer of The Buckinghams (“Don’t You Care”, “Kind of a Drag”, “Hey Baby! They’re Playing Our Song”, “Susan”, “Mercy, Mercy, Mercy”). Sixties hit-makers The Classics will open the show.

***** Killer Melts Food Truck, (941) 928-2666, killermelts.com.

Got a real good one for you guys…Killer Melts Food Truck which works Dade, Broward, Palm Beach Counties…

Real simple concept going on here- handful of -gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches, handful of -fresh hand-cut French fries/different toppings and a “Create Your Own Killer Melts” game!!

Long tale short,

Jeff Eats and Mrs. Jeff Eats recently “found” Killer Melt Food Truck at the Magic City Casino in Miami- and I gotta tell you, this “truck” makes some awesomely delicious sandwiches and fries. Just between you guys and Jeff Eats, most food truck events are like “A box of chocolates, you never know what you are going to get.”-I know, Forrest Gump! Anyway, Jeff Eats and Mrs. Jeff Eats definitely picked a winner-as Killer Melts Food Truck- absolutely killed- definitely two of the best grilled cheese sandwiches that we’ve had in years! By the way, those French fries were no slouches either!

Like I said a few seconds ago, Killer Melts Food Truck works Dade, Broward, Palm Beach Counties- so if you wanna try-out some of its great sandwiches and fries- you are gonna have to follow the TRUCK’S schedule at killermelts.com or call (941) 928-2666 and ask where it is- or heading!