***** Laurenzo’s Italian Center, 16385 West Dixie Highway, North Miami Beach, Florida 33160, (305) 945-6381.

Like Perry Como, Jeff Eats gets letters, well in this case, an e-mail.

Got this one-from new reader Harry Rose…
*****
Love the blog glad I found it
October 21, 2014 at 6:02 AM

Just stumbled on your blog and I need your help. Right now I am having trouble adjusting back to EST so I have an extra 2.5 hours each morning. Just got back from my first trip to Italy. Rome, Tuscany, Florence. While walking through Siena I came across the place below. I know it is too much to ask for a place like this in SF. But I basically had fresh meats and cheeses every day for over a week. I am already jonesing for a fix Jeff Eats where do I go?

BTW a plate of meats and cheeses with wine of course, for two, was 52 euros served on a cutting board with paper. They had no tables or place to eat you walked back out on the street and sat wherever. It was enough for four as I did not realize everyone else was getting a serving for one. I had it wrapped up and we ate it for the following two days as well.
——————–

Harry Rose:

Glad you found Jeff Eats.

Your e-mail doesn’t tell me exactly where in South Florida you live…so I’m shooting in the dark here!

That said, checkout Laurenzo’s Italian Center in North Miami Beach.

Jeff Eats’ review from 10/25/12 is reprinted below.

Nothing for nothing, but I’m thinking that- Laurenzo’s will get the job done for you. You can play Italian all-day-long in this joint…it’s sort of like Toys R Us, its got every base covered at reasonable prices!

Jeff Eats and Mrs. Jeff Eats have been shopping/eating at Laurenzo’s for years and it has never disappointed.

Finally, if Laurenzo’s doesn’t work geographically for you…I’d suggest “looking around” Jeff Eats- there are a number of other South Florida Italian joints listed- that-will also fit the bill.

Thanks for reading.

October 25, 2012
***** Laurenzo’s Italian Center, 16385 West Dixie Highway, North Miami Beach, Florida 33160, (305) 945-6381.

Let’s call Laurenzo’s Italian Center an “Italian Specialty Supermarket”…terrific selection of fresh fruits/vegetables, wines, cheeses, pastas, fresh meat/seafood/chicken, baked goods, prepared foods. You can check http://laurenzositalianmarket.com for full details.

I’m gonna let you in on a-little secret, Jeff Eats loves joints like Laurenzo’s…great selection, top quality stuff, reasonable prices, hustle-bustle atmosphere. The bet here is that Laurenzo’s “must” be doing something right…its been around for something like 60 years.

Laurenzo’s also has a really-cool “cafeteria” type setup going on right in the middle of the joint…a handful of checkered oil-cloth covered tables—recently tried the joint’s brick-oven pizza, sausage & peppers sub, chicken parm sub—delicious.

Laurenzo’s Italian Center is open Monday-Saturday 9am-7pm, Sunday 9am-5pm

* Russell Peters.

Jeff Eats has seen him live.

Very-very funny guy!

Peters’ recent “stint” as a judge on this years- Last Comic Standing tv show-introduced him literally to -millions of viewers.

The bet here, a complete sellout!

You can catch tickets right now…before they go on sale to the general public…

* Sweet Dewey’s BBQ, 9181 Glades Road, Boca Raton, Florida 33434, (561) 488-9688.

Jeff Eats is practically flying blind here…

I’m hearing that sometime in mid-November, 2014 Sweet Dewey’s BBQ-a hole in the wall bbq- joint is set to open in Boca Raton. Sweet Dewey’s is owned/operated by Dwayne Hooper who in past-lives “cooked up” some real delicious food at Boca Raton’s… Polo Club, Saint Andrews Country Club and La Vieille Maison. Looks- to Jeff Eats, like Mr. Hooper is now going for the gold- with his own “shop.”

So what do we know?

1. Sweet Dewey’s BBQ is gonna be a bbq restaurant…thus the name Sweet Dewey’s BBQ.

2. Sweet Dewey’s is gonna be a hole in the wall. How do we know this? We know this-because Jeff Eats knows the exact location where the joint is being built…tiny, would be kind!

3. In 3-prior outings, Dewey’s owner, Dwayne Hooper showed that he can-cook! Jeff Eats has tasted the- Man’s food-and he can cook!

Now, what we don’t know, is whether or not Dwayne Hooper can cook/and run a restaurant all-on-his-own.

Stay tuned- these are the type of “ventures” Jeff Eats loves to follow.

Finally, just a gut call here, but Jeff Eats will bet you a quarter- that when all is said and done…Sweet Dewey’s BBQ ends up-a home run joint, turning out top notch bbq ribs, bbq chicken, wings and other stuff. Now mind you, this is just a gut call, but I’ll cover all the bets that you guys might like to lay down.

For those who may care, Jeff Eats is thinking that -decent location, decent rent, decent food, decent prices, weak to no competition within 3 miles N-E-S-W of Sweet Dewey’s location could spell “winner” for this hole in the wall joint.

Like I said, stay tuned…sweetdeweysbbq.com

***** 4 Alarm Pizza.

Recently came across a real- good food truck…4 Alarm Pizza.

Now, you know and Jeff Eats knows that pizza-joints are a dime a dozen down here in sunny South Florida…for that matter, so are food trucks. With that in mind, IF I was in the “food business”- I’d want to own a restaurant/food truck which had terrific- reasonably priced food AND a hook/look to draw people “in”…well, I guess the folks behind 4 Alarm Pizza took the same- University of Food Business classes that Jeff Eats did–because, 1. they purchased and retrofitted an old-big-red-fire truck with a Baker’s Pride Gas Pizza Oven and a huge flat screen tv, 2. they baked-up delicious thin crusted/sweet sauce New York Style Pizza, 3. they priced slices and whole pies at local pizza joint prices.

Now, Jeff Eats has “done” his fair share of food truck events and I gotta tell you, that-that RED FIRE TRUCK definitely catches your-eye. Just so we are straight, I’m not saying that your “purchase” is gonna be made from 4 Alarm Pizza-but I guarantee you, that in a row- full of food trucks, you will at least give 4 Alarm Pizza’s firetruck a real-hard look and- that’s half-the-battle right there!

Anyway,

Delicious pizza, cool looking truck, reasonable prices…

4 Alarm Pizza works food truck events/private parties all over South Florida. You can follow/book the truck at 4alarmpizza.com- (561) 487-5026.

By the way, 4 Alarm Pizza has a steady gig Monday-Friday 5pm-7pm- a “drop” WEST of the intersection of Palmetto Park Road/441 in Boca Raton…

One final thought, if I was the owner of 4 Alarm Pizza- I think that I would buy-me some red fireman-hats for the staff…and if I could swing it, hire a couple of good looking 25-30ish aged fire GIRLS and dress them in black shorts/white tee shirts/red suspenders/big red fireman hats to help dish the pizzas out-but that’s just me! For those of you now screaming Jeff Eats The Sexist – throw in a couple of good looking 25-30ish aged fire GUYS (same dress), if that-floats your boat!

***** The Good Humor Man.

This is a real-simple “story” to tell…

Yesterday afternoon Jeff Eats and Mrs. Jeff Eats were guests at a block-party in Boca Raton. Handful of food trucks, band, tables & chairs–and a 1969 Good Humor Ice Cream Truck stocked with all kinds of Good Humor Ice Cream with The Good Humor Man in a white Good Humor uniform/hat/metal change-maker handing the stuff out.

Nothing more to say, other than the Chocolate Eclair, Toasted Almond and Candy Center Crunch ice cream pops that I devoured- were absolutely delicious and for a few-seconds took me back to 811 Cortelyou Road Apt: 6M, Brooklyn, New York where I grew up as a kid in the 1950s-1960s. All I can tell you, Good Humor Ice Cream was great back then and it’s still-great today!

Let me wrap this up, The Good Humor Man works food truck/festivals/private events all over South Florida. You can follow/book “him” at thegoodhumorman.net–(561) 289-8169.

* Jay & The Americans, Drifters, Belmonts, Chiffons, Tufano.

Trust Jeff Eats on this one, I know my “oldies shows”…with that in mind, I just heard about-one that is coming to FAU-Carole & Barry Kaye Auditorium on Saturday Night- March 28, 2015 that should absolutely kill-it!

For the record, I’ve seen all 5-acts on the bill-and I am telling you, if you’re an Oldies-fan…you will absolutely love this show.

Now, Jeff Eats knows that 3/28/15 is 5-months away…but I’ll bet you a buck, that when-tickets go on sale at fauevents.com and poprockdoowopp.com they sell-out in one day.

Just a drop of info-for you guys, the current Jay And The Americans features three original members (Sandy, Marty, Howie), The Drifters are lead by original Drifter-Charlie Thomas, The Belmonts are fronted by original Belmont-Angelo D’Aleo, The Chiffons got original lead singer-Judy Craig upfront and Dennis Tufano was the original lead singer of The Buckinghams (by the way Dennis is a relative “newcomer” to the Oldies’ circuit–and has a tremendous voice!)…

Like I said before -trust Jeff Eats when I tell you-that when these 5-acts take to the stage you’ll swear you’re at one of Murray The K’s Brooklyn Fox 1960’s shows.

No bs-ing here, all of the acts still “got it”…and you will be be blown away by their performances.

TICKETS ARE NOT YET ON SALE…so if you wanna go to this show, you’re gonna have to keep a close eye on the two websites I gave you above. By the way, the poprockdoowopp.com site has a sign-up “thing” that keeps you informed as to when tickets go on sale- and about future shows-coming, so you may want to sign-up on the site.

***** DISH OF THE WEEK (Sunday-10/19/14- Bamboo Wok- Boca Raton)

One of Jeff Eats’ favorite menu items…

Boneless Bar-B-Q Spareribs
$6.85

Bamboo Wok
9181 Glades Road
Boca Raton (also Boynton Beach and Coconut Creek)
(561) 218-6003
bamboowok.com
Last Reviewed: 5/7/10

Trust Jeff Eats when I tell you that this joints’ boneless ribs are off the chart. A small order runs- $6.85 and it’s plenty big- I usually mix the boneless ribs with a quart of white rice and I’m good to go. Just so you know, Bamboo Wok is strictly a takeout joint-and definitely one of the best Chinese joints in South Florida.

* JEFF RICHMAN AKA JEFF EATS.

Thought you guys might like to read what Boca Life Magazine (bocalifemagazine.com) had to say about Jeff Eats in its July, 2014 issue…if not, my mistake!

By the way -you can read the whole article online -or the next time you are in your doctor or dentist’s waiting room…

*****

STARS OF THE SUMMER

Meet eight local bloggers at the top of the digital publishing game. These media gurus have carved out their own space on the web. They’ve branded themselves, and they’ve built audiences of loyal followers. Some of their sites make money and some don’t, but each has a unique voice that keeps bringing visitors back for more.

JEFF RICHMAN

“I love going to places no one else has heard of – someplace where you say, ‘I’m not walking in there.’”

Jeff Richman writes the way he speaks – straightforward, to the point, in-your-face talk that immediately brands him as a New Yorker, and more specifically as a Brooklynite. This 64-year-old Boca Raton Renaissance man has gained a national following for his writing – something that was somewhat of an afterthought after his successful legal career and business ventures involving Discovery Zone, Hardee’s restaurants and the entertainment industry. His blog, Jeff Eats, attracts about 15,000 visitors a month for his “real simple” style of reviewing local “mom and pop” shops that doesn’t involve a rating system (“How can a guy say three stars versus two stars,” he says.). Richman knows that what he likes might not be what his next-door neighbor likes, but that doesn’t worry him. “I call it as I see it,” he says. If the food is comped, he’ll say that. If the burger was great, but the fries – not so much, he’ll say that. He receives weekly invitations to review restaurants from Miami to North Palm Beach. How does he narrow that list? “My focus is on the little joints,” he says. Some of his favorites: Nino’s of Boca, Barone’s La Pizzeria in Margate, Matteo’s Ristorante in Boca, Zinger’s Deli in Boca and Granger’s Grille in Delray Beach. – H.C.

***** The Boys Farmers Market.

Jeff Eats first “reviewed” The Boys Farmers Market on 5/6/2009.

That review is reprinted below.

It is now some 5 1/2 years later- and I just wanted to tell -new as well as old- Jeff Eats’ readers that I LOVE this joint-and if you live or work anywhere-near The Boys Farmers Market make it your business to shop there…trust me, you will be thrilled that you did!
*****
May 6, 2009

***** The Boys Farmers Market, 14378 Military Trail, Delray Beach, Florida 33484 (561) 496-8123.

If you can “handle” its parking-lot…with senior citizens “backing in and backing out” non-stop…The Boys Farmers Market is an absolutely great place to shop for fruits, fresh squeezed juices, vegetables, baked goods, cheeses, wines, candies, seafood, meats, coffees and prepared chicken/seafood/meat dishes.

Just guessing here, but The Boys’ probably has something like 30,000 square feet of indoor space jammed with top quality FOOD. All the free samples that you’d like…and everything sold, runs circles around joints like Publix, Winn Dixie and Albertsons, not to mention-probably cheaper.

My family has been shopping at The Boys Farmers Market for years…and I have been amazed by two things…namely, that we have never been involved in a fender-bender in its parking lot & the great stuff that it sells.

The Boys has its own bakery, squeezes its own juices and prepares its own “take out” food. This joint is an absolute-winner. If you live in the Delray Beach area, you probably already know about The Boys…for those of you who don’t, you got to go shopping there…just be careful in the parking lot.

The Boys Farmers Market is open 7 days a week.

* Meatball Room’s Homemade Meatball Contest.

Tomorrow-Saturday, 10/18/14 at 1pm Jeff Eats will be one of the guest judges at Meatball Room’s Homemade Meatball Contest.

Originally told you guys about this event on 9/30/14 (story printed below)…so this is just a reminder!

Jeff Eats “did” the last Meatball Room’s meatball contest and it was an absolute blast.

See- if you can make it out there tomorrow. If you do and aren’t a bill-collector, IRS Agent, disgruntled reader, disgruntled anything–be sure to say hello.
*****
September 30, 2014
* MEATBALL ROOM’S HOMEMADE MEATBALL CONTEST.

Got a fun event for you guys…Meatball Room’s Homemade Meatball Contest scheduled for October, 18, 2014.

Now, since you are literally the first people hearing about this CONTEST- you got a good shot of being one of the contestants-if that’s your game.

Last Spring (4/26/14) Italian restaurant-Meatball Room held its “first”- charity-best meatball contest on its outdoor patio. There were 25 contestants, a panel of judges (Jeff Eats was one of the judges), live music, kids’ entertainment, complimentry beverages–something like 300 spectators…it was an absolute blast, not to mention that Meatball Room made a nice-monetary donation to a local charity!

Anyway,

Two minutes ago, Jeff Eats received the below-email/press release. In a nutshell-“round” 2 is set for October 18, 2014 at 1pm. Just so you know, Jeff Eats is gonna be a judge again…but this time, I’m gonna be prepared and have a pack of TUMS in my pocket–just between you and me, some of those meatballs gave a whole new meaning to the expression “home made.” Not to beat a dead horse or nothing, but Jeff Eats is wondering if there might be a connection between American teenage runaways and meatballs?-anyway, later today- I’m gonna research Teenage Runaways In Italy!

Finally, back in April- way more than 25 people tried to enter-so if you want to be a contestant, move fast-registration info is in the press release.

Whether you’re a cook or just a watcher- you’ll have a real fun afternoon…catch you on the 18th!
*****
Hi Jeff,
We are at it again – 2nd Meatball Contest at MR! Can you be a judge again? Many thanks! Kim

For Immediate Release

BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND!

MEATBALL ROOM’s HOMEMADE MEATBALL CONTEST

Benefitting the American Cancer Society Hope Gala

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 18 at 1:00 PM

Hosted by Sid Rosenberg of 640 AM Sports

Boca Raton, FL –Meatball Room (www.meatballroom.com), Boca’s hottest Tuscan Italian restaurant, is looking for the ultimate meatball recipe that is missing from their already impressive meatball menu.

The contest will take place at the restaurant on Saturday, October 18, 2014 at 1PM. Contestants must pre-register and bring the recipe and finished dish ready to taste by the panel of judges.

The limit is 25 contestants with one meatball recipe and dish per contestant.

Celebrity judges will include Sid Rosenberg of 640 Sports and other surprise guests.

PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED, LIMITED TO FIRST 25 CONTESTANTS

Contestants must call (561) 210- 4411 or email kim@simplythebestpr.com , Kim to register

Grand prize winner will receive:

His or her winning meatball will be put on restaurant menu
$500 gift card
And more

The party atmosphere will include live entertainment, a balloon maker for the kids, wine tasting and drink and food specials on the outdoor patio.

A portion of all sales from the day will benefit The American Cancer Society’s Hope Gala, to take place on March 14, 2015 at the Boca West County Club.

The Regency Court
3011 Yamato Road
Boca Raton, FL 33434
www.meatballroom.com

To Register for the Contest or for further information contact:

Kim Morgan
561-210-4411
kim@simplythebestpr.com

Kim Morgan Vagnuolo l President
301 Yamato Road Suite 1240, Boca Raton, Florida 33431
CELL: 954.261.2149