* Inside Fort Lauderdale (insidefortlauderdale.com).

Inside Fort Lauderdale is a food-blog that reviews restaurants all over South Florida.

Jeff Eats has been reading this site for years. To say that its “reviewer” gets around would be an understatement. Just guessing here, but it looks to me, like the guy eats in a new joint every day.

You guys know, that this food-reviewing game is a very subjective thing. What I might like, you might hate and vice versa. In actuality, food reviewing is nothing more than some guy/gal (do people still use this term?) voicing an opinion…and like “assholes” (pardon the vulgarity) everyone has one.

Anyway,

Like I said 2-seconds ago, Jeff Eats has been reading Inside Fort Lauderdale for years. I enjoy the reviews and I also find it to be an excellent source for “new” restaurants in the works.

Jeff Eats has never met the-guy running the show, but based on his writing style, reviews and the tone of the site…I’d swear that -Dennis The Menace’s next door neighbor- Mr. Wilson is now a food blogger.

Checkout- Inside Fort Lauderdale (insidefortlauderdale.com) it is definitely an interesting read.

* 3rd Annual Top Turkey Thanksgiving Dinner Challenge.

Jeff Eats is a traditional kind of- guy!

What Thanksgiving Day Means To Me…
1. try and freeload at somebody’s house every year on the 4th Thursday in November,
2. watch football,
3. fight with my family,
4. watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade…

Anyway,

Jeff Eats’ buddies over at Burger Beast (burgerbeast.com) apparently have a different take on the holiday…
1. they start celebrating-something like 2 weeks before the holiday’s actual date,
2. somehow they get food trucks involved,
3. stage a contest with a panel of judges,
4. throw a charity food drive into the mix.

The whole EVENT sounds cool to me, so here’s the details for you…

Can’t believe it’s time for our 3rd Annual Top Turkey Thanksgiving Dinner Challenge!

The last couple of years Top Turkey has been held in Broward County BUT this year it makes its first Miami-Dade County appearance on Saturday Night November 15th from 5-10PM at Magic City Casino (right near the Miami International Airport).

How does Top Turkey work? The participating Food Trucks have created Thanksgiving-inspired Savory and Sweet dishes which will be available to the public for sale. Don’t worry, they will also have their entire regular menu for sale too if you’re not in the Holiday spirit.

A judges’ panel comprised of Nedal Ahmad (CEO of Pincho Factory), Paula Echevarria (Editor of Tasting Table Miami), Gio Gutierrez (ChatChow TV) and Steven Scharf (The Chowfather) will be choosing a best Savory and Sweet dish. Those winning Food Truck(s) will be named Top Turkey for the 2014 Thanksgiving Dinner Challenge.

Feeding South Florida

We will also be hosting a Thanksgiving Can Food Drive with the help of our friends at Feeding South Florida and ask that you PLEASE bring Cans of Food and Non-Perishable Food Items which will be distributed to South Florida families and those in need during the Thanksgiving season.

If you donate 10 or more cans of food these select Food Trucks will give you 10% off of your entire order as a Thank you: 2 Jive Turkeys, Boba Station, Chacos, Crazy About Chew, Don Mofongo, El Rey de las Fritas, FOAR, King of Racks BBQ, Liquid N2 Ice Cream, The Lobsta Guy, *Main Stop Grill, Sugar Yummy Mama, Taco Fresh, Tum Tum’s & Woody’s Burgers.

Here are the participating Food Trucks and what they will be serving:

2 Jive Turkeys –
Savory Dish: Turkey Pot-Pie Empanada served with a Sweet Potato Mash.
Dessert Dish: Pumpkin Pie Ice Pop.

Arepas Las Gorditas –
Savory Dish: Pocahontas Arepa (Turkey + Stuffing marinated on Gravy/Cranberry with a Venezuelan twist…Homemade White Cheese (Guayanes).

Chacos –
Savory Dish: TurPHucken (Caja China Roasted Turkey stuffed with Pork Belly, Ham, Duck & Chicken, Served with Chorizo-Cornbread Dressing & Curried Sweet Potatoes).

Cold Stone Creamery –
Dessert Dish: Classic Pumpkin Pie Shake.

Crazy About Chew –
Savory Dish: Thanksgiving Flatbread (House-made Sourdough Flat Bread with Smoked Turkey, Sweet Potato, Brie Cheese & topped with Craisins and Whipped Cream Cheese with Chives).
Dessert Dish: Pumpkin Waffle (Pumpkin Belgian Waffle topped with Cinnamon Butter & Apple Cider Syrup).

Don Mofongo –
Savory Dish: Picadillo de Pavo Caribeño (Picadillo de Pavo con Sun Dried Tomatoes, Especias Caribeñas y Tostones).

FOAR –
Savory Dish: The Paco-hantas (Stuffing is mixed in with our Pancake Batter and formed as a Taco. The filling is Sweet Potato Puree, Turkey kept warm in Gravy, Cranberry Sauce, a sliver of melted Brie, a little more Cranberry and then either a drizzle or a few dots of Marshmallow on top).
Dessert Dish: The Fall Guy (Our regular Paco “Pancake Taco” with added Caramel to sweeten it up. The filling is Apple Butter Cream, fresh Apples sauteed in Butter & Cinnamon, our own wet Walnuts, Whipped Cream dusted with Cinnamon).

King of Racks BBQ –
Savory Dish: Gobble Gobble Turkey Parfait (A Parfait layered with low and slow cooked Turkey, homemade Stuffing, our homemade Mash then drizzled in our Gravy). Served with our famous Cream of Corn.

Liquid N2 Ice Cream –
Dessert Dish: Sweet Potatoe Pie Ice Cream in a Flakey Crust topped with Marshmallow Meringue & a Pumpkin Pie Ice Cream in a Flakey Crust topped with Whipped Cream and Cinnamon Dust.

Main Stop Grill –
Savory Dish: Yuca Bowl topped w/Turkey Confit & a side of Green Bean Casserole, Fried Turkey, Chorizo Stuffing Balls & Cranberry Sauce.
Dessert Dish: Pumpkin Cheese Flan

Marlie’s Delights –
Dessert Dish: Chocolate Pecan Tart

MV My Food Truck –
Savory Dish: Thanksgiving Pie (Pizza w/Wood Fired Oven Roasted Turkey, Sweet Potato Puree, Pickled Green Beans, Cranberry, garnished with Fried Onions).
Dessert Dish: Sweet Potato Creme Brulee with Brûlée Marshmallows.

Poblanos Mexican Fusion –
Savory Dish: A Turkey Cupcake topped with a Sweet Potato Puree.

Purple People Eatery –
Savory Dish: Thanksgiving Burrito (Herb Roasted Turkey, homemade Stuffing, Ham, Swiss Cheese, Kale & Carrots with Sweet Potato Gravy) with a side of Cornflake Potato Casserole.

Sugar Yummy Mama –
Savory Dish: Puff Pastry with a Turkey Bacon Glaze.
Dessert Dish: Turkey Bacon Pie Crust with a Cherry Filling.

Taco Fresh –
Savory Dish: Thanksgiving Turkey Tamales with Tangy Cranberry Pico de Gallo & our Fan-Favorite Green Tomatillo Salsa.

Tum Tum’s –
Savory Dish: Thanksgiving Ramen

Woody’s Burgers –
Savory Dish: Turkey Burger (Smoked Tomato Jam, Wood Grilled Parsnips, Pancetta Bacon, Smoked Cheddar, Fresh Thyme & Maple Mayo accompanied by 50/50 Fresh Cut Idaho and Sweet Potato French Fries and Chorizo/ Fresh Sage Gravy).
Dessert Dish: Woody’s Ice Cream Burger (Vanilla Bean Ice Cream, Banana Pineapple Salsa, Maple Butter Caramel and Raspberry Ketchup garnished with Dark Chocolate Shavings & served in a Donut/ Beignet).

More details at the Top Turkey Challenge website.

The Details:

Thanksgiving Dinner Food Truck Challenge @
Magic City Casino
Date: Saturday November 15th
Time: 5PM – 10PM
Location: 450 NW 37th Avenue Miami, FL 33125
Admission: FREE
Age: All Ages Welcome
Parking: Plenty of FREE Parking

*Main Stop Grill’s discount will be on certain dishes

***** Nelson’s Diner, 438 South Cypress Road, Pompano Beach, Florida 33060, (954) 785-3646.

Thank you very much!

Nelson’s Diner…”mom & pop”- 1950’s-1960’s décor- booth/table/counter seating diner. The joint is open Monday-Friday 6am-3pm, Saturday-Sunday 7am-2:30pm.

Jeff Eats recently did breakfast and really enjoyed the joint. Before I get into the breakfast, I’m thinking that Nelson (or whatever the owner’s name is) must really “love” Elvis Presley…pictures- posters all over the joint. Like I said 1-second ago…. Thank you very much! So if you aren’t into the King, anyway…

You can check Nelson’s menu/prices-at nelsonsdinerpompano.com. For you guys who like things handed to you, loads of breakfast stuff, appetizers, sandwiches, burgers, salads, lunch entrees.

Now, about that breakfast,

Jeff Eats was there on a Tuesday morning around 7:30am and the joint was jammed. Just an eyeball call, but I’m thinking that Nelson’s seats maybe 40…

Jeff Eats’ party of four…ordered- Belgian waffle with bacon ($5.99), country fried steak/2eggs/hash browns/toast ($7.99), biscuits and gravy ($3.99), French toast ($3.99), pancakes (3-$4.69), western omelette/hash browns/toast ($6.79)…and I gotta tell you, Nelson’s makes real good breakfast food. Nothing for nothing, I’ve eaten in my fair share of mom & pop diners and Nelson’s definitely holds its own against the best of them.

Let me wrap this up for you,

You guys know by now, that Jeff Eats is a huge fan of the mom & pop-neighborhood diner “concept”…I really enjoyed Nelson’s Diner. The food was right on the money, the prices were reasonable, the service was pleasant, the décor was “whatever”-and Jeff Eats left Nelson’s Diner knowing that America was built brick by brick by guys like Nelson -or whatever the owner’s name is. By the way, I know, a bit over-dramatic, but hey!- last Tuesday was Veterans Day.

Nelson’s Diner is a winner. If you live or work in Nelson’s neighborhood give it a shot, you won’t be disappointed!

* GREAT OLDIES SHOW.

Tickets go on sale at 10am.
You can buy tickets at poprockdoowopp.com or by calling (561) 859-0846.

Trust Jeff Eats on this, this is a- tremendous lineup and will be a SRO show. If you want to go-don’t, dick-around!

* Little Anthony & The Imperials.

One of the greatest doo-wop groups of all-time…January 31, 2015-FAU-Boca Raton.
Tickets go on sale at 10am.
You can catch tickets at–poprockdoowopp.com or by calling (561) 859-0846.

* Joseph’s Classic Market.

Take a look at this e-mail that Jeff Eats received the other day.
*****
Jeff Eats,

My family (me, my husband and 2 teenagers) just moved into our new home in the Broken Sound Country Club in Boca 2 weeks ago. My husband and I were born and bred 5-Towners.

I like shopping at Publix but find Whole Foods and Fresh Market overpriced and borderline disgusting. I also like shopping in The Boys Market in Delray but their parking lot and narrow aisles are a scary proposition. I am also not a fan of Doris Italian Market in Boca. Its good for baked goodies but the rest of its stuff is not too good.

I was turned onto jeffeats.com by a neighbor who swears by you. She said that you have great restaurant picks and you really have an ear to the ground as to what’s doing here in south Florida.

Can you recommend a really good specialty supermarket to me? Hopefully it will be close to where I live as I’m not that good on driving I-95 or the Turnpike.

By the way, your Nino’s Italian Restaurant and Chris’ Taverna picks were terrific.

Thanks again.

MO (Broken Sound CC)
*****
MO:

Welcome to South Florida.

Reprinted below is a Jeff Eats’ “story” date June 22, 2009 on Joseph’s Classic Market. Joseph’s currently has 1-location in Boca Raton and 1-location in Palm Beach Gardens.

Trust Jeff Eats on this one, Joseph’s Classic Market won’t disappoint you. By the way, the Boca Raton joint is about 5-minutes away from your home.
——-
June 22, 2009.
***** Joseph’s Classic Market, 5250 Town Center Circle, Boca Raton, Florida 33486 (561) 347-2314.

Unitl yesterday, I had never heard of Joseph’s Classic Market…anyway, this “upscale” food-market has three locations…Boca Raton, Palm Beach Gardens and Royal Palm Beach.

Today, I gave the Boca Raton location a “shot”…the joint has 9,200 square feet and opened on June 11, 2009.

I gotta tell you, that this Joseph’s joint is terrific…fruits/vegetables, baked goods, prepared foods, meat-seafood counters, pizza/sub counter, fresh juices, wines, salad bar…it even has outdoor seating for those who want to eat right-then-and-there.

At this point of the discussion, I would suggest that you check Joseph’s website at www.josephsclassicmarket.com for locations/menu. The store is neat and clean… the food is beautifully presented…the staff is sharp…and amazingly, the prices are neighborhood supermarket prices…a pound of chicken salad runs $7.99…a whole roast chicken goes for $5.99…a quart of fresh squeezed grapefruit juice $2.50.

Take it from this born and bred Bohack and Waldbaums’ boy…you will be impressed with Joseph’s Classic Market. The food in this joint “looks” absolutely incredible…a sampling of roast chicken, pizza, chicken salad, tuna salad, bbq ribs… all delicious. The breads,pastries and cakes are made-in-house…and the “prepared food” (heavy on the Italian stuff) will have you drooling on the display cases.

The joint is open Monday-Saturday 8am-8pm and Sunday 8am-6pm.

***** 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.

* Spanky & Dino.

A recent e-mail from reader Linda E.

Jeff,

Maybe you can help me and my husband out.
We are planning my husband’s 65th birthday and are looking for a musical duo that could play at the party.
We have already reserved our Boca Raton country club’s ballroom for February 2015.
We are planning on having give or take 150 people.
Most of our guests will be in the 60-75 range but there will be a number in their 30s-50s.
Can you recommend a duo or even a trio that can play 50s-90s?
We are thinking that $_________ is within our budget for 4 hours.
We would greatly appreciate your input here.
Thank you very much,
Linda E
*****
Linda E:

Got the perfect duo for you, Spanky & Dino (spankyanddino.com).

Two guys -both sing…one is on keyboard the other is on drums-that do terrific covers of 40s-90s hits.

Spanky & Dino have been around for years and seemingly- on any given day/night can be found-working at a South Florida- country club/restaurant/festival/party/casino. Not to give away my age or nothing, but Jeff Eats first caught the “duo” at Dinopetes (which was a night club located right across the road)- 5 years before the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood opened for business. Spanky & Dino killed it back then and today-are still right on the money!

No question in my mind, Spanky & Dino will do you proud at the 65th birthday party…

My best wishes to your husband and tell him that I recommend buying Supplement “F” when Medicare rolls around in a few months.

* Odyssey Road.

Jeff Eats has been kicking-around the music business for over 45 years. Trust me when I tell you, I’ve literally seen thousands of cover-tribute bands.

Now to the point,

South Florida based- Odyssey Road-has to be one of the best Journey-tribute bands that I have ever seen. These guys aren’t just good, they are outstandingly good. In the cover/tribute band business it is quite a feat for an act to draw 100s of people to its shows…amazingly, Odyssey Road consistently draws 1000s. A month or so ago, the band played Boca Raton’s- Mizner Park Amphitheater and you would have sworn that The Beatles were there (well, that may-be a drop over-dramatic) but I will tell you, that parking was so hard to find, that lawn-spots right outside of Mizner were fetching 10 bucks a piece. Just between you and me, something like 5,500 (a Mizner Park Amphitheater attendance record) showed up to watch Odyssey Road -so Jeff Eats is thinking, that just maybe I’m not so crazy about how good this band really is!

Just an observation, Journey’s music (70s-80s) seems to transcend age. Jeff Eats has been to all kinds of events-and amazingly 10 year olds, 20 year olds. 30 year old, so-forth and so on…all know the words to Journey’s hits. The band’s fan base is gigantic.

Jeff Eats has previously mentioned and highlighted Odyssey Road’s-appearances…

Just a suggestion:
*****
ODYSSEY ROAD
November 14, 2014
Delray Beach Center For The Arts-At Old School Square

Free Friday Concert, 7:30 p.m.; Outdoor Pavilion. The ultimate Journey tribute band, Odyssey Road was formed with only one intention: To perform the greatest hit songs ever recorded by the legendary rock group Journey, as a tribute to the amazing music they created.

There is no intention of trying to pass off as a look-a-like to the original artist. Odyssey Road possesses the passion to perform Journey material with the feel and energy that would have even the most loyal purist begging for an encore. As fans of Journey, this five-piece powerhouse vocal quintet captures the influence of the music and style of the legendary group “Journey.”

Rain or shine; bring your blankets and chairs, and bring the family… but PLEASE, no pets or outside food or beverages. Food trucks and cash bar available.

* The Concert For Valor.

Live Concert At The Mall, Washington, D.C.
November 11, 2014
On HBO-7pm.

Starring:
Bruce Springsteen
Rihanna
Eminem
Metallica
Jessie
The Black Keys
Dave Grohl
Zac Brown Band
Jennifer Hudson
Carrie Underwood

Should be an absolutely amazing “concert”…sure have come along way from those Bob Hope-Jerry Colonna shows!

To every- Veteran out there, thank you!