***** Madisons New York Grill & Bar–$10 Meals.

Real simple story…

Back on January 14, 2014 Jeff Eats told you guys about Madisons New York Grill & Bar which had just opened in Boca Raton. That “story” is reprinted below.

To make a long story short,

Last Spring-Madisons started a promotion where it offered 10 different lunches for 10 bucks. That “deal” is still running.

Anyway,

Last week Madisons “added” to the promotion and now offers 10 meals for 10 bucks for dinner Wednesday-Sunday (3pm-10pm).

Listen very carefully,

Since my initial “writeup” Jeff Eats has eaten at Madisons 6 times. The food and service were right on the money…throw in these lunch/dinner deals- and you get top stuff for ridiculously low prices.

Be smart, give Madisons a shot.

***** Madisons New York Grill & Bar, 2066 Northwest Executive Center Circle, Boca Raton, Florida 33431, (561) 994-0808.

Last night, Jeff Eats and Mrs. Jeff Eats and a couple of friends gave “American-Style” Madisons New York Grill & Bar in Boca Raton a shot–and I gotta tell you, the joint literally blew our socks-off. No fooling around here…Madisons food and service were terrific!

Real quick, Madisons is a Canadian based restaurant chain that currently owns/operates 14 restaurants in Quebec, 1 in Boca Raton and has 1- under construction in Pompano Beach. If you think–Houston’s, J. Mark’s and J. Alexander’s you’ll be on the right décor page. The Boca Raton joint opened about 1-week ago, in a completely renovated building that at one time or another housed California Pizza Kitchen, Wolfie Cohen’s Rascal House, Copper Canyon Grill and Stephane’s Steak & Seafood. The restaurant has both indoor/outdoor patio seating and a separate full-bar area with something like 9 flat screen tvs.

As I mentioned 16 seconds ago, Madisons’ food and service were terrific…no ifs or buts, but the guys who own Madisons-know how to run a restaurant. Every dish that hit our table was exactly as ordered, glasses were continuously refreshed by Dave “The” Waiter-and during the evening we were “visited” by GM-Charles, Front Of The House Manager-Juan and Owner-Steve. Just so you know, Jeff Eats’ eagle eye caught- that every table in our section got the exact-same management treatment.

Let’s talk food…

Real simple menu–8 appetizers ($8-17), 6 meal salads ($15-$20), 5 sandwiches/burgers ($14-$18), 12 entrees ($16-$37), handful of salads/sides ($4-$8), handful of desserts ($5-$8).

Our table “had”–Three Cheese Garlic Bread, House Salad, Mykonos Style Greek Salad, Quinoa Caprese Salad, Cheeseburger With French Fries, Crab Cake Sandwich, Baby Back Ribs, Key Lime Pie, Brownie With Vanilla Ice Cream…everything was delicious. Just so you know, the garlic bread appetizer easily fed 4-people, the salads and desserts large enough for 2-people to share.

For you-guys who like more “review detail”…the French fries weren’t as delicious as everything else–but Owner-Steve told me, that fresh-handcut fries would soon be replacing the frozen product being used. I must tell you-that the garlic bread appetizer topped with melted Monterey Jack/cheddar/parmesan cheese was off-the-chart. To be perfectly honest, 2-orders of that garlic bread with a 2-liter bottle of ice-cold Coke and Jeff Eats could do some serious damage to himself…a definite must order.

Look! I could go on and on–as to how the ribs were basted with a delicious sweet bbq sauce, or how the crab cakes were loaded with crab (what else?) with virtually no filler, or how the cheeseburger which came on a lightly toasted bun-was topped with shredded lettuce/tomato slice/pickles spears and a mustard/ketchup/mayo dressing, but I won’t.

At this stage of the game, you may want to check www.madisonsnewyork.com for menu/prices.

The truly amazing thing about Madisons was that the service was impeccable…to be honest with you, Jeff Eats went into this thing-thinking a hiccup or two, afterall it was a brand new joint…but au contraire (hey! I told you that the chain is out of Quebec!)—the food and service couldn’t have been better.

Let me wrap this all up for you,

Madisons is going to be a huge winner. Mark these words–perfect for the business lunch crowd–perfect for the happy hour crowd–perfect for both Boca Raton’s young families and its 55+ crowd.

No question in Jeff Eats’ mind, Madisons can definitely hold its own against local “American Style” players–The Cheesecake Factory, Houston’s and J. Alexander’s.

A cursory “menu-look” found Madisons’ price-points $2-$5 lower than its “next door” neighbor Houston’s…..Hey! I already told you- The guys who own this joint know how to run a restaurant.

One final thought, a little bird told Jeff Eats that Madisons owns the Boca Raton property/building–so, to paraphrase poet Ernest Henley – Madisons is the master of its fate, captain of its soul (I know, I know a bit dramatic).

Madisons is open Monday-Sunday 11am-11pm.

* Wellington Amphitheater (7/19/14).

Check-out the July 19th lineup..,

Zirconia is one of America’s best Neil Diamond tribute acts.
Lazy Bonez is a terrific 80’s cover band.

This should be a tremendous FREE CONCERT.

Throw in some great food trucks…and you got a fabulous night out -in the works.

One final thought, look at Wellington’s flyer…personally, Jeff Eats thinks that whoever prepared this flyer–should have at least spelled Lazy Bonez’s name correctly. But that’s just me!

***** DISH OF THE WEEK (Sunday-7/13/14)

One of Jeff Eats’ favorite menu items.

2 1/2 Chicken Plates includes potato and garlic toast…
$14.49 (eat in/take out with coupon on website)

Shorty’s Bar-B-Q
9858 Clint Moore Road
Boca Raton (there are 4 other South Florida locations)
(561) 487-0024
shortys.com
Latest Review: 10/8/12

Jeff Eats loves this “deal”- I usually get 1-order with french fries and 1-order with a baked potato.

***** Spadini’s Mizner Pizzeria.

Real quick and simple story for you guys…

Back on July 2, 2014 South Florida blog-worstpizza.com did a story on Spadini’s Mizner Pizzeria…the article focused on an upside down pizza that Spadini’s makes. In a nutshell, the site raved about the pizza and gave it 7 out of 8 stars. If you know anything about worstpizza.com, you know that to get any-score even close to “perfection” is a near-impossibility. Now nothing for nothing, you and I both know that “rating systems” are usually meaningless–that said, over the years Jeff Eats has found worstpizza.com to have “tastebuds” similar to Jeff Eats’ buds-so when it-yaps, I make mental notes!

Anyway,

You guys do know that-at heart- Jeff Eats is really a big old Sheep…

So last night, Jeff Eats and Mrs. Jeff Eats ate at Spadini’s ordering an upside down pizza (sicilian pie/with cheese on the bottom and sauce on top) and I gotta tell you it was amazingly-delicious.

The pie ran $17.95. The pie is huge–I’m thinking it easily feeds 3-4 adults even if they are college football players who haven’t eaten in 24 hours. Just so you know, last night’s pie was “crafted” by pizza maker Mitch–and the crust, sauce, cheese and bake time were-right on the money!

I’ll leave you guys to check worstpizza.com for its “story.”

You can check JeffEats.com for other Spadini’s articles.

In closing, this upside down pie is a must try!

* JOURNEY–FRIDAY & SATURDAY- Oh My!

Got something really cool for you- Journey fans out there.

Tonight… Friday 7/11 at Mizner Park…Odyssey Road.

Tomorrow… Saturday 7/12 at Meatball Room…Chain Reaction.

In a nutshell, tonight-at Mizner Park’s Amphitheater-Odyssey Road one of America’s top Journey tribute bands is performing a FREE CONCERT.

In a nutshell, tomorrow-at Meatball Room-Chain Reaction a “brand” new Journey tribute band is performing a FREE CONCERT.

If you do some checking, Jeff Eats is very familiar with Odyssey Road. Trust me, when I tell you that the group is one of America’s top Journey bands, because they really are that good.

On Chain Reaction, Jeff Eats has never seen the group live but has watched some video on this relatively new tribute act. To be honest with you, can’t make a call on the band just yet-but I do plan on seeing them at Meatball Room and “hear” what the band has to – play for itself. In any event, Meatball Room has a great outdoor patio area for bands and some pizza/pasta/Coca Cola while watching the show should make for a real pleasant evening (assuming this dumb rain goes away)-and if the band “works out” it will be a win-win all the way around!

So there you got it…

JOURNEY on FRIDAY NIGHT and SATURDAY NIGHT…TWO FREE SHOWS- Oh My! (courtesy-Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz).
Just so you know, Odyssey goes on at 7:30pm.
Just so you know, Chain Reaction goes on at 8pm.

***** The Beach Break, 2617 South Federal Highway, Boynton Beach, Florida 33435, (561) 503-1335.

First things first…The Beach Break is a CASH ONLY JOINT!

Absolutely loved The Beach Break… mom & pop-neighborhood diner that has indoor table-counter seating/outdoor patio seating.

If you are looking for fancy-schmancy…stop reading- because this joint ain’t gonna work for you. Or in the famous words of Officer Joe Bolton (or someone else)- Do not pass Go-Do not collect $200!

The Beach Break which is open Tuesday- Sunday 7am-2pm, (closed on Monday–also closed Tuesday during the Summer) does breakfast all-day and has a lunch menu of burgers, sandwiches, wraps, salads, soups, entrees.

As you probably guessed by now (maybe not!), shorts/tee shirts/flip flops-sneakers are the dress of the day.

The Beach Break is a real-neighborhood joint. Real cool location…”surrounded” by NO TELL MOTELS–trust me, you won’t be-finding-too many tourists or folks from The Breakers-shall we say “dining” there.

Like I said 1.5 seconds ago, the joint does breakfast and lunch…

Jeff Eats did a breakfast “trying” “North Swell Breakfast Burrito” ($7.95- 3 eggs scrambled, jack cheese, onions, red peppers, sausage wrapped in a flour tortilla–with black beans, cole slaw, sour cream), “Bananas Foster French Toast” ($7.25), “The Nomad Biscuits and Gravy” ($5.95- 2 biscuits topped with homemade gravy) and I gotta tell you, The Beach Break absolutely killed-it (that means they did-good with it!)…Jeff Eats really enjoyed every dish.

So,

You guys now know about a breakfast/lunch joint with delicious food/pleasant service/reasonable prices/no frills décor/inside-outside dining/that’s on Federal Highway/ that’s cash only!

* TripAdvisor’s 2014 Best Burger List.

Now you and Jeff Eats both know that this food-reviewing “thing” is awfully subjective.

If you got a minute or two, not that it means anything, take a look at what TripAdvisors’ readers think are America’s 10 best burger joints.

Like I said 2 seconds ago, its just a list–but just maybe you’ll get an idea or two from it. If not, not!

One other thing, I see that 2 Florida joints made it…

*****
The list of joints spans the nation, but burger lovers in the Northeast may be disappointed. There’s not a single restaurant from that region that made the top 10 cut.

Check out the top 10 below. Did your favorite make the list?

1. Black Hills Burger and Bun Co. – Custer, South Dakota
Crafted using beef that’s ground daily and served atop house-baked buns, this Black Hills eatery serves up blissful burgers from an inventive menu, including “The Hot Granny” – a perfectly cooked beef or bison patty topped with bacon, cream cheese, and sweet and spicy jalapeno sauce.

2. Nic’s Grill – Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
It’s pretty typical to see lines that snake outside the door of this 16-seat eatery at lunchtime. Owner and chef Justin ‘Nic’ Nicholas dishes out massive hand-formed patties that are seared before finishing slowly on the griddle, resulting in a burger that’s crispy on the outside with a tender and juicy middle.

3. Sparky’s – Hatch, New Mexico Forty miles northwest of Las Cruces, burger enthusiasts can tickle their taste buds as they bite into a green chili cheeseburger made from Hatch’s famous peppery topping. Guests will also enjoy the joint’s kitschy decor that features a collection of fast-food themed statues. One TripAdvisor reviewer wrote this about the green chili burger: “‘WOW’ words cannot describe the mellow heat and great taste!”

4. Grill-A-Burger – Palm Desert, California
This tasty haven in the desert claims to have the “best burger under the bun.” Crafted using all-natural beef, cleverly named menu options include the “Bacon Me Crazy” burger and the “Chili Chili Bang Bang,” topped with chili, melted cheddar cheese, and diced sweet onion.

5. MEAT Eatery and Taproom – Islamorada, Florida
Located within an unassuming strip mall, this Florida Keys eatery serves up all-American, gourmet fare, including baskets of French fries prepared in duck fat, house-made root beer, and mouthwatering burgers sandwiched between fresh buns that are emblazoned with the restaurant’s “MEAT” logo.

6. Brook’s Gourmet Burgers and Dogs – Naples, Florida
With a menu boasting outrageous options like the “Donut Burger,” a beef patty wedged between two glazed donuts and topped with cheese and bacon, it’s clear that the creative burger juices have been flowing at this Florida favorite. It also serves delicious Vienna beef hot dogs, deli sandwiches, and creamy milkshakes. The flavors were a hit with one reviewer who commented,“It tantalized my taste buds. I didn’t know that hamburgers could be that good!”

7. Mussel & Burger Bar – Louisville, Kentucky
Since opening in 2013, this upscale eatery has quickly gained notoriety with its mussels and burgers menu – the restaurant’s unique take on surf ‘n’ turf. The restaurant tempts with 13 burgers, from the classic “Good Ole” cheeseburger to the truly luxurious “CEO” that comes topped with Gruyère cheese, truffle aioli, and the option to add foie gras.

8. Big D’s Downtown Dive – Roswell, New Mexico
Owner and chef Don Nason uses garden fresh ingredients to grill up burgers that are out of this world. Hungry customers flock to Big D’s for tantalizing creations like “The Tomahawk,” which is topped with aged cheddar, red chili, and avocado lime mayo.

9. Casper & Runyon’s Nook – Saint Paul, Minnesota
A small spot with big burgers, this Twin Cities establishment has been serving up more than 30 enticing beef and bun variations since 2000. Meat lovers frequent the Nook for its signature cheese-stuffed burgers – the joint’s take on a recipe native to Minnesota known as the “Juicy Lucy.”

10. Village Burger – Waimea, Hawaii
In the Aloha State, this island eatery serves up traditional beef burgers made with locally sourced ingredients. Scrumptious options include the “Big Island” burger and “Kahua Ranch Wagyu” burger, described as “big, rich and bossy.” Travelers can also try a fresh ahi tuna or vegetarian burger. Apparently the local ingredients make all the difference. One TripAdvisor stated: “You really can taste the difference with fresh local beef. I am forever spoiled now that I know how a burger can taste

* Martin & Short!

Two of the greatest sketch comedians of all-time.

Just guessing, but my money says they haven’t done “standup” in years.

In any event, Jeff Eats and Mrs. Jeff Eats will definitely be there!

* TGI Fridays.

Jeff Eats just read the “below” story in USA TODAY (usatoday.com).

I know from your various “Comments”- that some of you guys are real prima donnas when it comes to eating in chain joints like TGI Fridays. So if you are one of the prima donnas, just “skip” this thing…as for the rest of you guys, this “deal” sounds real good to me. Just thinking of the “damage” that certain folks could do-there.

Finally, there are literally tons of TGI Fridays in South Florida, so you guys are-good-to go!

You can check tgifridays.com for menu/locations/other stuff.

Just a heads up, the promotion ends August 24, 2014 and the appetizers you can choose from are…loaded potato skins, pan-seared pot stickers, mozzarella sticks, garlic & basil bruschetta, Tuscan spinach dip, boneless buffalo wings, crispy green bean fries.

*****
TGI Fridays takes a chance on “endless” appetizers

There all-you-can eat buffets. No-limit salad bars. And even eat-’til-you-drop dessert bars.

But this may be a first for a national restaurant chain: endless appetizers.

TGI Fridays, whose signature item is arguably its appetizer line, today launches a high-profile but risky “Endless Appetizers” summer promotion that offers all-you-can-eat appetizers for $10 per person. Guests can choose one appetizer from a list of the the chain’s most poplar starters — including loaded potato skins, boneless buffalo wings and mozzarella sticks — and receive unlimited refills. And while sharing is discouraged, that rule will not be enforced by servers, says Brian Gies, chief marketing officer at Fridays.

“At the end of the day, our servers aren’t policemen,” says Gies of the promo, which runs through Aug. 24. “We’re not going to slap someone’s hand if they reach over and share someone else’s mozzarella sticks.”

The unusual move comes at a time that business at Fridays — and much of the casual-dining industry — has been challenged for years. Many Millennials have moved away from the big casual-dining chains in favor of more esoteric, often-local options or more budget-conscious fast-casual chains, such as Panera or Chipotle.

For 40-year-old Fridays, which was one of the first national singles-bar-with-burgers chains, it’s been tough keeping up with the times. The 900-unit global chain was recently sold to the private investment firms Sentinel Capital Partners and TriArtisan Capital Partners for a reported $800 million, even as it tries to update its menu, its stores and its image.

To lure customer back during the tough summer season, Fridays will offer the all-you-can-eat promo of its most popular appetizer selections. One restaurant analyst doubts it will work. “Never ever discount a signature branded item,” says Chris Muller, hospitality professor at Boston University. Instead of attracting new business, he says, that typically rewards the frequent guest who already is willing to pay full price, but will gladly take the bargain instead.

The other problem, Muller says, is the guests who will try to take unfair advantage of the promotion.

“The risk comes when a crowd of six, or more, decides to get together and pool their resources, all ordering one item and sharing,” he says. “Then it is easy to predict that everyone will order at least six refills each, with plates being passed around.”

But that rarely happened when the promo was tested earlier this year in Cincinnati, says Gies. A very small percentage of customers tried anything like that, he says, and traffic and food and drink sales at the restaurant jumped nearly double-digits during the promotion.

Even then, says Gies, Fridays will respect whatever tack customers take — even if it bends the rules of the promotion. “No one should be embarrassed for coming into Fridays and ordering whatever they want to order,” he says. “They will not be bawled out. There will be no policing or hand-slapping.”

***** Anthony’s Coal Fired Pizza, 520 West Avenue, Miami Beach, Florida 33139, (305) 674-8100.

Way back on February 7, 2008 Jeff Eats did a story on Anthony’s Coal Fired Pizza. If you like, you can read that story, if not, not!

In a nutshell-back in 2008 I was yapping about a new pizza segment “namely” coal fired pizza and how Anthony’s Coal Fired Pizza was developing into a major player in Florida. In that story I also “reviewed” Anthony’s food–really enjoying everything but finding its cheese pizza sauce- bitter -to my taste. I also commented that the pizza was good but far from being great.

Anyway,

Here we are 6 1/2 year later…Anthony’s has loads of restaurants in Florida, not to mention Connecticut, Delaware, New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania.

Just so you know, in the ensuing 6 1/2 years Jeff Eats may-be ate in “an” Anthony’s 3-4 times.

To make a long story short,

Yesterday Jeff Eats and Mrs. Jeff Eats were in Miami Beach visiting family and we decided to give the Anthony’s located at 520 West Avenue a shot…the joint has only been open a couple of months.

Great looking joint with dark wood look. Full bar area. Staff dressed in black looked great and the service was terrific. When we (party of 6) got there about 6:30pm Anthony’s was kinda empty but by the time we left an hour later every table was taken. This location also has outdoor patio seating.

Food ordered…Italian salad, pork ribs with vinegar peppers, coal fired chicken wings, roasted cauliflower, meatballs with ricotta, cheese pizza, white pizza (ricotta, mozzarella, romano), soda by the bottle (forget about free refills).

First let me tell you, service couldn’t have been better…salad, appetizers, pizza…in the right order-and timely done–water glasses were never even close to being empty. Second, this location has a real-good GM (Tolga Ece) who stopped by the table twice during the meal to see how ever-thing was going-I also noticed that he was all over the restaurant checking on tables etc. Third, the salad and appetizers were all- right on the money. Fourth, the white pizza was good. Fifth, the cheese pizza was fair-I found the sauce bitter.

Let’s wrap this up…

All 6 of us enjoyed the meal.

By the way, you can check acfp.com for menu/prices/locations.

Finally, just like 6 1/2 years ago, the cheese pizza just-didn’t do it for Jeff Eats. Goes to show you, if anything, that Jeff Eats and Anthony’s are both consistent!

Anthony’s Coal Fired Pizza is open Sunday-Thursday 11:30am-10pm, Friday-Saturday 11:30am-11:30pm.