* Burger Beast Burger Brawl- 2015.

Jeff Eats’ buddies over at Burger Beast (burgerbeast.com) are doing some kinda best burger contest…look, you and I both know, that in any given year- South Florida has more best burger contests than there are Chins in a Chinese phonebook…that said, Jeff Eats is willing to bet-that Burger Beast is gonna put on a tremendous event…why?- because the guy behind this particular curtain- I mean “outing” does tons of food-events, is passionate about food, enjoys people- and isn’t obsessed with the All Mighty Dollar- so he makes sure that YOU get exactly what you paid for with no drama, no skimping and no assorted bs!

Jeff Eats and Mrs. Jeff Eats are going…

Check burgerbeast.com for Full Details and Tickets.

From burgerbeast.com

If you didn’t attend last year’s Burger Beast Burger Brawl you did indeed miss the BEST Burger competition to feature great locally owned businesses.

This year we’re moving the event indoors to Stage 305 at Magic City Casino, the same space where we hosted Croquetapalooza. Don’t worry, all the cooking is done outdoors and the Burgers are brought inside.

We’re also bringing in some restaurants from outside the 305 and 954 but you’ll just have to wait and see who those are on Monday April 6th for the big competitors reveal.

I’ve allotted a portion of the tickets for PRE-SALE at $25 and once those are gone. Guess what? Yes, they’re gone.

***** DISH OF THE WEEK (Sunday- 3/1/15).

One of Jeff Eats’ favorite menu items…

CHICKEN EMPANADA
$2.25

Pizza Chef Italian Bistro
23269 State Road 7
Boca Raton
(561) 477-5252
Latest Review: 4/25/14

I know! Pizza Chef Italian Bistro- EMPANADA…the owner is originally from Argentina! Mystery solved.

Long story short, this joint makes delicious empanadas…4-kinds…meat, chicken, spinach, ham & cheese- they’re all dynamite. Like I said up-top $2.25 a pop, but if you buy them like Jeff Eats does-12 (that’s a dozen) at a time, they run a buck & half a piece! Betcha didn’t know that being a mathematician was a prerequisite of being a food-blogger!-that’s why there are so few of us.

This Pizza Chef Italian Bistro joint is an absolute hole-in-the-wall…I’m thinking maybe on a good day it seats 30…

In addition to those empanadas- its- got… the full-boat mom & pop red sauce Italian joint menu and I am telling you that- Pizza Chef’s food is really good.

For what it’s worth, since I first found the joint- I have recommended it to a ton of people and not one single person-yelled at me for making a bad-call here!

Printed down below is Jeff Eats’ 4/25/14 review- for a bit more color…
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***** Pizza Chef Italian Bistro, 23269 State Road 7, Boca Raton, Florida 33428, (561) 477-5252.

You know…being in the restaurant business is an absolute bitch…

Jeff Eats’ mantra–“You want to eat in restaurants, you don’t want to own them. You want to eat in restaurants, you don’t want to own them. You want to eat…

To make a long story short, way back on September 8, 2008 I told you guys about Tony’s Authentic Brooklyn Pizza- a terrific “hole in the wall” mom & pop- red sauce Italian joint in Boca Raton. To make a long story short, Tony’s and the “pizza guy” (don’t recall the joint’s name) who came after him–are no more. Jeff Eats has absolutely no idea as to why Tony’s didn’t work…what I do know is- that Tony’s made real good pizza and other stuff.

Anyway,

About a year ago, Pizza Chef Italian Bistro opened where Tony’s use to be. Based on a recent Jeff Eats’ outing, décor-wise nothing changed–the joint seats 30. The one kitchen change, the Pizza Chef Italian Bistro installed a char-gas grill.

Jeff Eats and Mrs. Jeff Eats recently tried Pizza Chef Italian Bistro and I gotta tell you that this restaurant is GOLD! Now, not trying to sound melodramatic or nothing, but it’s joints like Pizza Chef Italian Bistro that make being- Jeff Eats fun!

As expected, Pizza Chef’s menu has the full boat of Italian pizzas, pastas, subs, entrees–but now for the kicker, it also has a ton of Argentinian dishes…Not sure on this, but Jeff Eats’ money says the owners are “of” Latin/Spanish heritage and not Italian–but that’s just a guess.

Anyway,

The recent eating- outing that I mentioned above- “netted” Jeff Eats, Mrs. Jeff Eats and another couple…cheese pizza, penne ala vodka, veal parmigiana, chicken marsala, zeppoles and I’m telling you–the stuff was delicious. For those of you wondering, Pizza Chef Italian Bistro has soup/salad-entrée-pasta side “specials” galore and neighborhood pizza joint prices. Oh! before I forget, we also had meat and cheese empanadas that were off the chart and a char-grilled sausage sub that I’m sorry I shared with my friend Norman

Pizza Chef Italian Bistro is a winner. I am telling you, go there! You’ll thank Jeff Eats for the heads-up!

Just so you know, your tee shirt/shorts- ensemble is the dress of the day.

Pizza Chef Italian Bistro is open Tuesday-Thursday 11am-9pm, Friday-Saturday 11am-11pm, Sunday noon-9pm, closed on Monday.

***** A little Bit of Philly, 3940 Curtiss Parkway, Virginia Gardens, Florida 33166, (305) 456-0481.

Another- Jeff Eats “out of sight out of mind” joint for you! First told you guys- about A Little Bit Of Philly on 2/17/2014 (“review” is down below), hadn’t been back until yesterday…

Gotta tell you, that this joint’s stuff is delicious…Philly Cheesesteak Sub and Meatball Sub were off the chart!

The big bitch I got with this A Little Bit Of Philly joint, it’s some drive from my home in Boca Raton!

Hopefully you live or work nearby-so you can go there a-lot!
_____
February 17, 2014
***** A little Bit of Philly, 3940 Curtiss Parkway, Virginia Gardens, Florida 33166, (305) 456-0481.

Real simple concept here…order at/pickup at counter joint, that makes pizza, calzones, stromboli, hot/cold subs.

Just so you know, Jeff Eats was turned onto -A Little Bit Of Philly by my pals at food blog Burger Beast www.burgerbeast.com who did a story on August 20, 2013.

You know and I know that pizza/sub joints are like Chins in a Chinese phonebook…literally, one in every South Florida strip center…not sure if the Chins/Chinese phonebook/strip center “theme” is working here–but you guys know what I mean.

Anyway…

The other day Jeff Eats gave -A Little Bit Of Philly a shot-and I gotta tell you that the plain pizza, sicilian pizza, philly cheese steak sub, meatball sub that I “sampled” were off the chart. No fooling around, everything-was amazingly delicious.

Let me wrap this up for you…this joint is an absolute grand-slam must try–that’s assuming, that you enjoy great subs and pizza…and other than my friend Hank (a story for another day)-who doesn’t?

A Little Bit Of Philly is open Monday-Saturday 11am-9pm, Sunday 11am-8pm.

***** The Griddle Restaurant, 475 Northeast Spanish River Boulevard, Boca Raton, Florida 33431, (5610 395-4929.

Got a good “mom & pop” diner for you guys…The Griddle Restaurant in Boca Raton.

Absolutely- positively nothing fancy-going on there…counter/table/booth seating.

Real simple menu- breakfast stuff, burgers, sandwiches, salads, entrees, desserts.

Like most of its South Florida diner-buddies, The Griddle doesn’t do dinner…the joint is open Monday-Friday 7am-3pm, Saturday-Sunday 7am-2pm.

By the way, in one form or another (it was formerly in another location)- The Griddle and its flat-top grill have been around since 1945…so I’m thinking, that just maybe- it’s doing something right! That said, I will tell you, that its “western décor” looks kinda strange to this Brooklyn Boy’s eyes- can’t ever remember seeing a bull or cow or a sheep walking down Flatbush Avenue…now I do remember horses on Ocean Parkway-anyway, I’m more into stainless steel/chrome!

Gourmet food (what exactly makes something gourmet?) nope!- just good solid diner food. This is the kinda joint where you go for big hearty breakfasts, loads of coffee, French fries soaked in ketchup and flat-top grilled cheeseburgers.

Just so you know, over the past 10 years-or so, Jeff Eats must have eaten breakfast/lunch in The Griddle Restaurant something like 20 times…the latest outing was yesterday- western omelet, pancakes, Belgian waffle-and as usual- everything was right on the money!

If you’re a “diner-fan”- you’ll like this joint…

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

* Tribute Music & Food Truck Festival.

Jeff Eats has seen all of the scheduled-tribute bands/artists in action- and they are all dynamite!

Jeff Eats has already “done” some of the listed-food trucks and- I and Mrs. Jeff Eats are gonna do our best to try- the others when we are up there on Saturday night.

This is going to be a terrific 3-DAY FREE ADMISSION EVENT…all you need is yourself, maybe a blanket, maybe a chair!

For more info- wellingtonfl.gov.

* Deli Man.

Jeff Eats has seen- Deli Man and it’s terrific.

The film opens tomorrow, Friday-February 27th in select South Florida theaters (see list down below)…Right about now, some of you guys may be saying- Hey Jeff Eats, if the film is first opening tomorrow how’d you already see it? To you guys, I say, I know somebody!

Let me wrap this up for you, if you love, like, hate “Jewish” delicatessens- you will love this fast paced documentary that explains why every 9-days or so, Jeff Eats craves -a pastrami with a shmear of chopped liver on rye!

Go see this movie, it’s fun!

delimanmovie.com

THE FILM “DELI MAN” SERVES UP A HEAPING ORDER OF DELI SPECIALS WITH A SIDE OF JEWISH CULTURE AND HUMOR FOR ALL!

FILM “DELI MAN “ Opens February 27th at these area theaters:

Miami-Dade: AMC Aventura 24-Aventura, AMC Sunset Place24-South Miami, Cosford
Cinema-Coral Gables

Broward: The Classic Gateway Theatre-Ft. Lauderdale, The Last Picture
Show-Tamarac

Palm Beach: Regal Shadowood 16-Boca Raton, Living Room Theaters-Boca Raton,
Movies at Delray, Movies at Lake W

“Jewish culture reflects the heart of a vital ethnic history. As that culture
continues to shift and adapt alongside mainstream America, delicatessen food –
as its name suggests – remains a beloved communal delicacy.”

Director Erik Greenberg Anjou’s “Deli Man” is a lively new film about
delicatessens that will especially appeal to S. Florida audiences. In fact,
Ben’s Kosher Delicatessen (S. Fla. has its own in Boca Raton) is one of several
delis featured in the film! This “reality show” styled documentary is a
fast-paced, fun-filled look at the men behind the food, behind the tradition of
the deli!

Third-generation deli man Ziggy Gruber moved from NYC to Houston, Texas, where
he built arguably the finest delicatessen restaurant in the United States.
Ziggy’s story – augmented by the stories of iconic delis including Katz’s, 2nd
Avenue Deli, Nate ‘n Al, Carnegie, and the Stage – embodies a tradition
indelibly linked to this savory, nostalgic food now enjoyed by mainstream
America.

“Deli Man” also features appearances by famous deli-lovers Larry King, Fyvush
Finkel, comedian Jerry Stiller and others. This film offers a revealing
behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to serve plate after plate of
jaw-dropping pastrami sandwiches, big crunchy garlic pickles, and steaming hot
matzo ball soup to hungry, discerning diners … who speak their mind about the
food! Filled with raucous humor, “Deli Man” provides insight into the hectic,
crazy lives of the men who run these restaurants, and made them famous.

Scene after mouthwatering scene is filled with succulent brisket, golden baked
chicken, overstuffed sandwiches with grainy mustard, and other delicacies that
will prompt foodies and film audiences alike to rush out to their favorite deli
… with new found appreciation for the “Deli Man”!

Vonda Shepard.

Who?

I said the same thing, Who?

If you are interested in tickets or just curious check-coralspringscenterforthearts.com.

By the way, Jeff Eats was curious- curiosity didn’t kill the cat (or something like that!)-No interest here!

Now the question, Why?

* Pita Pit- Can’t Blame A Gal For Trying!

Jeff Eats recently received the below e-mail…A reply to the e-mail is also below.
_____
From: Michelle Levy
Subject: Pita Pit Review

Message Body:
Hello Jeff! I have been reading some of your reviews. I am manager at the Pita
Pit in Coral Springs and was hoping I could offer you a free meal in return for
a free meal. I am looking for more ways to get our name out there and this
seemed like a great way to help in doing that. Please email me back and let me
know if this is something you would be interested in doing and if so I can get
you set up with whatever other information you will need.
Thanks!
Michelle Levy
_____

Michelle Levy,

Jeff Eats doesn’t barter reviews for free meals.

Thanks for reading…

* DO RADICAL ISLAMIC TERRORISTS REALLY BELIEVE THAT…

They can “beat” guys like those pictured in Joe Rosenthal’s iconic picture?

You know and Jeff Eats knows they can’t, time to take care of business!

Go to the malls, go to the restaurants, go to America!

***** Charm City Burger Company, 1136 East Hillsboro Boulevard, Deerfield Beach, Florida 33441, (954) 531-0300.

Last night Jeff Eats and Mrs. Jeff Eats ate at fast-food burger joint, Charm City in Deerfield Beach.

Nothing for nothing, we have been eating at this- order at/pickup at the counter joint since April 17, 2008-so last night’s terrific- bacon cheeseburger, turkey burger, French fries, onion rings came as no “surprise”…

Seeing all of those New York, New Jersey. Ontario license plates on the road,

Just thought I’d mention Charm City to you guys- who have yet to eat there…this joint is an absolute winner! Trust Jeff Eats when I tell you that Charm City runs circles and I do mean circles around fast food burger players like Five Guys and BurgerFi -now, there is absolutely nothing wrong with either of them (Jeff Eats is a real steady customer of both chains), but they are cookie cutter mold type operations, like-you’ve seen one, you’ve seen them all!…Charm City is a one-shot-deal, there is only one…so on and so forth.

Great food. Super reasonable prices. Cool vibe!

Printed down below is Jeff Eats’ “review” from October 20, 2009.
_____
October 20, 2009
***** Charm City Burger Company, 1136 East Hillsboro Boulevard, Deerfield Beach, Florida 33441, (954) 531-0300.

Back on April 17, 2008 I did a review on a “burger” joint named Charm City Burger Company. If you check that review, I absolutely loved the food. At that time, the joint had only been open for something like 3-months…and I questioned its “longevity” based on its piss-poor location. To make a long story short…the joint is still around– has new owners– has a cult-like following—and the food is absolutely DELICIOUS.

At this stage of this re-review check www.charmcityburgers.com for menu/prices.

All I can tell you, is that I was in the joint last week…delicious bacon cheeseburger, terrific french fries, great sweet potato fries, incredible chicken wings. sensational grilled chicken and soft shell crab rolls.

Order/pickup at the counter. Absolutely nothing fancy here. Just…outstanding food.

Charm City is open 7 days a week for lunch and dinner.