***** Beth’s Burger Bar, 24 East Washington Street, Orlando, Florida 32801, (407) 650-4950.

Real simple fast food concept…order at the counter/stuff is delivered to your table. Inside booth/table seating for about 50–maybe 10 seats outside. Real simple menu- flat top grilled hamburgers, chicken sandwich, vegetarian burgers, french fries, sweet potato fries, “tons” of canned/bottled beers, handful of wines and all kinds of toppings for the burgers.

A recent outing had Jeff Eats doing a single cheeseburger ($4.48) and French fries ($1.99) and Mrs. Jeff Eats doing a chicken sandwich ($5.49) and sweet potato fries ($2.99).

Real simple review -we really enjoyed the food.

Jeff Eats knows that some of you guys are dying to know how Beth’s stacks up against players like Five Guys, BurgerFi, Shake Shack? Let’s just say, that she held her own very nicely. Like I said 2 seconds ago, we really enjoyed the food.

Beth’s Burger Bar is open Monday-Friday 11am-midnight, Saturday-Sunday noon-3am.

You can check menu/prices at www.bethsburgerbar.com.

* South Florida Theatre League.

Every now and then, Jeff Eats tells you guys about theatre- shows/plays/productions that are “playing in”-or “coming to” in South Florida. To be perfectly honest with you, my-listings are pretty limited, but I do what I can do- to keep you abreast of what’s-doing.

I just wanted you guys to know about South Florida Theatre League…www.southfloridatheatrekeague.com, (954) 557-0778.

South Florida Theatre League describes itself as “…an alliance of theatrical organizations and professionals dedicated to nurturing, promoting and advocating for the growth and prestige of the South Florida theatre industry.”

For those of you who really want to know the whats-whens-wheres—put SouthFloridaTheatre.com on your computer’s “favorites list.” No fooling around, this site-has up to date information on every South Florida theatre production playing/coming.

Consider this “tip” as Jeff Eats’ good deed for the day.

***** Zinburger Wine & Burger Bar.

If you guys check- Jeff Eats has already done something like 9,000,000 “stories” on Zinburger Wine & Burger.

Real fast, waitstaff gourmet hamburger joint with a full bar. Jeff Eats “knows” the chain-having eaten a number of times in its Tucson outpost.

The gist of the 9,000,000 stories, Zinburger was coming to South Florida and that when it does–you gotta try it…because it’s really good.

To make a long ssssssssttttttoooooorrrrryyyyy short, Tomorrow- May 20, 2014 Florida’s first Zinburger is opening for business in Sawgrass Mills.

Just so you know, Jeff Eats, Mrs. Jeff Eats and something like 400 others–got to try the new joint out- last Friday night…and yes, everything was COMPED–and I have to tell you, the food and service were dynamite.

So if you want to be one of the first guys in…

Printed below is PR piece which Jeff Eats received concerning the May 20th Grand Opening.
*****

Zinburger Wine & Burger Bar Expands to the Sunshine State with Sunrise, Florida Grand Opening on May 20

10 Percent of Sales from May 20-23 to Benefit the Broward Education Foundation

Sunrise, FL – May 13, 2014 – Zinburger Wine & Burger Bar, the upscale burger restaurant offering gourmet burgers combined with perfectly paired wine selections, will open its first Florida location on Tuesday, May 20 at The Colonnade Outlets at Sawgrass Mills in Sunrise.

As a way to give back to the local community, Zinburger will donate 10 percent of sales from May 20-23 to the Broward Education Foundation, a nonprofit organization that supports public schools in Broward County by developing, promoting, and funding emerging initiatives that benefit the community.

Since opening the East Coast’s first Zinburger in Clifton, N.J. more than three years ago to much fanfare, stellar reviews and packed crowds, Zinburger has developed an almost fanatical customer following who enjoy made-to-order gourmet burgers, hand-dipped shakes and floats, decedent pies and 23 wine varieties.

“We are pleased to bring Zinburger’s brand of gourmet burgers, salads, sides, shakes, desserts, and a carefully crafted selection of wine to South Florida,” said Brad Honigfeld, chief executive officer of The Briad Group, a licensee for Zinburger.

Zinburger has seven locations in New York, New Jersey, North Carolina and Virginia. Additional restaurants are slated to open in Boca Raton and Atlanta in the next six month.

All the gourmet burgers at Zinburger are scratch-made and cooked to order on a griddle in their own juices. The Certified Angus Beef and American-style Kobe Beef are ground fresh twice a day. Signature burgers include the Zinburger (with Manchego Cheese & Zinfandel Braised Onions) and the Kobe Burger (with Vermont Cheddar & Wild Mushrooms).

Zinburger’s décor is sleek, contemporary, upbeat and playful featuring rich wood and earth tones and stylish, comfortable seating. The 5,421-square foot restaurant features 11 high definition televisions located throughout the restaurant and bar with a seating capacity of 257. Zinburger also features a huge patio with a fire pit, lounge seating and dining tables.

Zinburger offers a full bar with cocktails, 17 beer selections including 8 on tap and a wine menu that includes 23 varieties affordably priced from $5 to $15 a glass. On Wednesdays, guests can enjoy half-price bottles of wine. Happy Hour, weekdays from 3-6 pm, features discounts on beer and cocktails, $5 Plain and Simple Burger, and half-price sides including Double Truffle Fries, Zucchini Fries, Sweet Potato Fries and Hand-cut Fries.

In addition to gourmet burgers, Zinburger also offers a Turkey Burger, Turkey Sloppy Joe, Ahi Burger, Veggie Burger, two chicken sandwiches and five hearty salads.

A dessert menu features old fashioned, hand-dipped shakes, floats and malts as well as banana cream and chocolate cream pies.

Zinburger is located at The Colonnade Outlets at Sawgrass Mills, 1800 Sawgrass Mill Circle, #2460 in Sunrise.

Operating hours are Sunday through Thursday from 11:00 am to 11:00 pm and Friday and Saturday from 11:00 am to midnight.

For more information, call 954-846-9360 or visit http://zinburgereast.com.

* Win 2 Tickets To See Nick DiPaolo At-Fort Lauderdale Improv.

Way back on May 16, 2014 Jeff Eats told you guys about comedian Nick DiPaolo’s upcoming appearances at the Fort Lauderdale Improv.

This morning, Nick’s representatives contacted Jeff Eats and as a result, WE GOT OURSELVES A CONTEST.

Printed below is the email from Nick’s people and the original Jeff Eats’ writeup. ***PLEASE CAREFULLY READ THE TERMS OF THE CONTEST CONTAINED IN THE EMAIL!

All you gotta do to enter -is go to “CONTACT” on the Jeff Eats’ site- fill in the required info/Subject-Nick’s Tickets…indicate the date and time of show you’d like to see…and provide a contact phone number.

The 14th email that Jeff Eats receives is the WINNER! Just that simple.

Just so you know, to make it “more” fun–you can enter up to 3 times–Just remember the 14th email wins!
*****
EMAIL:
Hi Jeff-
If you would like to do a contest for a pair of tickets, that will be fine.
Please offer the winner their choice of any of the following shows:
FRI, 6/13: 8:00pm or 10:30pm, SAT, 6/14- 7:00pm; or SUN, 6/15- at 7:00pm
Once complete, please email me the name of the winner, and showtime that they choose, and I will enter them into our system.
They will just need to show up on the night of the show, at the box office window, with photo ID.
Please remind them that there is a 2 drink minimum purchase in the showroom (doesn’t need to be alcoholic beverage)
Please let me know if any questions…
Thanks! Cheryl
*****
“…Finding the best joints in South Florida”
BlogAboutFoodCitiesDealsArchivesContact M
OtherNick DiPaolo (Fort Lauderdale Improv-Hollywood)
Posted on May 16th, 2014 · Hollywood Other ·

* Nick DiPaolo (Fort Lauderdale Improv-Hollywood).

You know and Jeff Eats knows that stand-up comedy is purely a subjective thing. What I might find to be “berry” funny–you might not and vice versa.

With that in mind…

On Friday, June 13th (8pm & 10:30pm)–Saturday, June 14th (7pm & 9:45pm)–Sunday, June 15th (7pm)- Nick DiPaolo one of America’s funniest “LIGHT BLUE” comics is scheduled to appear at the Fort Lauderdale Improv, 5700 Seminole Way. Hollywood, Florida 33314, (954) 981-5653.

Jeff Eats has seen DiPaolo and he is REAL GOOD–if this guy doesn’t have you cracking up-subjective or no subjective…you got not sense of humor!

Trust me on this, the odds are slight to none that your HOA, Condo, Country Club is gonna book this guy…he’s just a drop too controversial-and will scare the pants off “your” Social Director–so don’t plan on later this Summer -thumbing through your 2014-2015 “Entertainment Schedule” and finding DiPaolo’s name there-because it won’t be.

Just so you know, tickets are 20 bucks and there is a 2-drink minimum. Friday-Saturday it’s 21+, Sunday it’s 18+.

You can check DiPaola out at www.nickdip.com.

You can order tickets online at www.ftl.improv.com.

Finally, on this “subjective” thing…Jeff Eats has his own comic rating system…Clean, Light Blue, Blue, Dark Blue. Personally, I rate DiPaolo’s act “LIGHT BLUE”-then again, you might rate it “BLUE” or for that matter “DARK BLUE”–hope you appreciate how silly rating systems are!

***** Nino’s Pizzeria & Restaurant, 7120 Beracasa Way, Boca Raton, Florida 33433, (561) 392-9075.

Way back on March 20, 2008 Jeff Eats told you guys about Nino’s Pizzeria & Restaurant in Boca Raton.

Time for a little update on what is definitely one of the best “mom & pop” red sauce Italian joints in South Florida.

For your convenience the “original” story is printed below…gonna save you the trouble of scrolling around.

Anyway,

Just for background, Nino’s opened for business in Boca Raton in 1983-you mathematicians can do the math–for the rest of you-that’s 31 years ago. In something like 2005, it opened a second location in Delray Beach. Partners fall-out, one gets Boca Raton, the other gets Delray Beach. So now you know, the business angle here.

Now-just so we are straight, we are talking about Boca Raton- here. Absolutely-positively nothing wrong with the Delray Beach location–Jeff Eats (1) lives closer to the Boca joint and (2) Jeff Eats thinks that the food, service, ambiance are better in Boca Raton- but trust me Delray Beach ain’t exactly chopped liver either.

Anyway,

Jeff Eats has never “officially” counted the number of times-I’ve eaten in/taken out from Nino’s–but I’m guessing 70 maybe 80, let’s just say it’s a lot. I want to tell you, that not- even- one- time was the food not right on the money–same for the service. Real simple… its soups, salads, pizzas, calzones, subs, pastas, entrees are all delicious. Off the top of my head, I would match Nino’s veal chop parmigiana ($22 soup/salad, pasta side, garlic rolls), its chicken cacciatore on the bone ($17.95 soup/salad, pasta side, garlic rolls), its chicken scarpariello on the bone ($17.95 soup/salad, pasta side, garlic rolls) and its shrimp scampi ($22.50 soup/salad, pasta side, garlic rolls) up against South Florida’s best “mom & pop” and “upscale” players. While I’m on the subject of food, Nino’s plain pizza is always on the money and the joint makes what it calls an “upside down Sicilian” pie that is a work of beauty–if you go, get it!

You maybe wondering why the sudden “gushing” about Nino’s?

Last night, Jeff Eats, Mrs. Jeff Eats and some dear friends- ate dinner at Nino’s and we got to discussing “various” Italian joints–and like a bolt of lightening–it hit me as to how really good Nino’s stuff is! Just that simple! Real fast-right off the top of you head, other than Nino’s–name a “mom & pop” red sauce Italian joint that does chicken cacciatore and chicken scarpariello on the bone…you do know, that’s the only RIGHT WAY to make those dishes–but that’s just my take-on the-thing!

You can check menu/prices at www.ninosofboca.com.

Nino’s Pizzeria & Restaurant is open 7 days a week 11am-10pm.
*****
March 20, 2008
***** Nino’s Pizzeria & Restaurant, 7120 Beracasa Way, Boca Raton, Florida 33433, (561) 392-9075—&—13900 South Jog Road, Delray Beach, Florida 33445, (561) 499-3988

Nino’s is one of my favorite “mom and pop” Southern Italian joints in South Florida. I could be going out on a limb here, but I think that after you have tried this joint, you will also become a big fan.

Just so you know, the Boca Raton location has been around for something like 25 years…the Delray Beach location has been in business for about 3 years. Over the years, I have eaten in the Boca location something like 30 times and the Delray location twice…although the menus are almost identical, I like the food, ambiance and service in the Boca restaurant better…call me a creature of habit, but I really feel at home when I enter the Boca joint…from the way I am greeted at the front door, to Nino the owner waving and talking from behind the pizza counter to the customers…the food and service in Delray Beach is just fine, but there is something “special” about the Boca location.

Although Nino’s seemingly “follows” the standard pattern…Soup or salad, garlic rolls, entree with a pasta side…this joint makes some of the most delicious dishes and pizza that you have ever eaten. I would personally match its veal chop parmigiana—bone in chicken cacciatore— bone in chicken scapriello—shrimp scampi entrees against any Italian restaurant down here in South Florida.

Like I said before, Nino’s has been around for something like 25 years. The Boca Raton joint is jammed for dinner 7-days a week and has a takeout business that seems to be never ending. The Delray Beach spot has also developed quite a following…but my heart belongs to the Boca joint. Both joints are open 7 days a week for lunch and dinner.

Great food. Great service. Pizza joint prices…

By the way, Nino and his wife Josephine own Josephine’s Italian Restaurant which is located on Federal Highway in Boca Raton. That’s a story for another day…but Josephine’s is a very good “white table cloth” joint.

***** Don’s Italian Restaurant, 419 East Sheridan Street, Dania Beach, Florida 33004, (954) 923-6555.

Not exactly sure about the “ownership-machinations” of this red sauce Italian joint…

I think–it was first called Don & Sal’s Italian Restaurant, then it was Don & Vinny’s Italian Restaurant, now it’s just Don’s Italian Restaurant…Whatever!

Anyway…

Jeff Eats, Mrs. Jeff Eats and another couple recently-did Don’s Italian Restaurant for dinner…large plain pizza ($12), chicken parmigiana (soup or salad, pasta side, garlic rolls- $13), veal marsala (soup or salad, pasta side, garlic rolls- $16), shrimp scampi (soup or salad, pasta side, garlic rolls- $15) and I have to tell you that Don’s was just what the doctor ordered…good solid food, pleasant service, big portions, very reasonable prices.

Now, you know and I know, that this food reviewing-thing is one gigantic subjective game–what I might like, you might hate and vice versa. With that in mind, a joint like- Don’s Italian Restaurant is exactly what Jeff Eats looks for when- I’m thinking- loads of garlic rolls, mucho glasses of Coca Cola, red sauce galore, tons of food, real casual-easy going outing. If what I just said makes sense to you, great…if not, not!

Jeff Eats really enjoyed Don’s Italian Restaurant which is open Monday-Thursday noon-10pm, Friday- Saturday noon-11pm, Sunday 4pm-10pm.

You can check menu/prices at www.donspizzapasta.com.

* Ribs By Jeff Eats.

And you thought that Jeff Eats was just a pretty face.

Ribs from Publix.
Bbq sauce by Sweet Baby Ray’s.
Mustard by French’s.
Gas grill from Lee’s Barbeque Center-Boca Raton.

***** The Backyard Of Boynton Beach, 511 Northeast 4th Street, Boynton Beach, Florida 33435, (561) 740-0399.

Got an absolutely terrific joint for you…The Backyard Of Boynton Beach.

Now if you can, imagine a gigantic OUTDOOR TIKI BAR that has 2 -full service bars, loads of tables/booths, loads of craft beers, a raw bar, appetizers, salads, burgers, tacos, fajitas, sandwiches, desserts, wings, tvs and a stage area that has blues/country/rock/folk bands-performers working almost all of the time–you got The Backyard Of Boynton Beach. Oh! One other thing, the joint’s kitchen is a converted Airstream trailer.

Jeff Eats has been hearing about The Backyard Of Boynton Beach for a couple of years…Mrs. Jeff Eats and I finally got there today for lunch. Very eclectic crowd–bikers, young families, handful of 60ish formerly from Brooklyn Jewish lawyers, 2 plumbers, some guys who looked like they played football for Notre Dame Football in 1991, 10 former US Navy Seals circa 1987, handful of 50ish women who looked like they were Dollywood Dancers circa 1994 …to the man-woman, everyone was in shorts/tee shirt/sneakers-flip flops (except the bikers who were wearing boots/closed toed shoes) and everyone was having an absolute blast–drinking, eating and enjoying a pretty decent folk singer.

Jeff Eats did a cheeseburger/French fries, and Mrs. Jeff Eats did a chicken fajitas–we split an order of honey garlic wings-Caesar salad-slice of key lime pie. Now trust me here, top-notch sports bar stuff at sports bar prices. Real cool pierced and tattooed waitresses.

At this stage of the game if you want, you can check www.TheBackyardBoyntonBeach.com for menu/prices/music schedule/other info.

Like I said earlier-or maybe I didn’t-although there is some “cover”-The Backyard Of Boynton Beach is basically an outdoor joint…so if it rains, your up SC or SOOL!

If you are some fancy dancy–this joint ain’t for you.

Jeff Eats and Mrs. Jeff Eats LOVED–The Backyard Of Boynton Beach…I think you will too! By the way, the joint is extremely dog friendly.

The Backyard Of Boynton Beach is open Sunday-Tuesday 11:30am-midnight, Wednesday 11:30am-2am.

* Palm Beach Outlets. 1751 Palm Beach Lakes Boulevard, West a Palm Beach, Florida 33401, (561) 515-4400.

Jeff Eats is gonna assume that you know what Palm Beach Outlets is- for those of you who don’t, where the hell have you been? In a nutshell, a humongous-gigantic outlet mall which opened a few weeks ago in West a Palm Beach.

Anyway,

Yesterday afternoon, Jeff Eats and Mrs. Jeff Eats took a ride up-to Palm Beach Outlets getting there around 2pm. Like I said before, humongous-gigantic with a ton of construction still going on. You can check the mall’s website www.palmbeachoutlets.com for the tenant roster-but trust me, it’s all of the usual suspects like GAP, NIKE, Auntie Anne’s-so on and so forth.

Now -because the mall is still under construction, Jeff Eats is gonna cut Palm Beach Outlet’s food court a break…maybe there are plans to enlarge it (it didn’t look that way to me) but a Subway, a Sbarro. A Chickenow and a Tobu’ Oriental Eatery don’t exactly spell STRONG to Jeff Eats. Like I said, let’s see if the 4-horseman get more shall we stablemates!

Finally,

Yesterday was Saturday. The weather was gorgeous. At 2pm the Palm Beach Outlets was literally a ghost town. Just maybe this outlet mall is in the wrong place or maybe people are all “outleted out” or the weather was too nice, or the Snowbirds were gone–we’ll just have to let this story play out a bit longer.

One other thing, the mall in Jeff Eats’ personal opinion is BORING! If you get there, the outdoor color scheme and signage looks like something right out of an old 1942 prison yard movie. No fooling around, I was expecting to see Edward G. Robinson and Peter Lorre to come walking out of the Nike store at any moment. For crying out loud, this is freaking South Florida- bright colors, Art Deco furniture, cool looking sculptures-not stuff like you find in those dark- finster New Jersey, Pennsylvania and New Hampshire outlets.

Oh, by the way the chicken tenders “samples” that Chickenow served up were dynamite. Check out www.chicken-now.com. AND Mrs. Jeff Eats saved 51 bucks in the GAP outlet, thank God!

* Old Jews Telling Jokes -Broward Stage Door Theater, 8036 West Sample Road, Coral Springs, Florida 33065, (954) 344-7765.

Here’s a heads-up for you guys…

Last year Jeff Eats caught “Old Jews Telling Jokes” during its Off- Broadway run. No fooling here, one of the funniest shows that I have ever seen. By the way, the New York show as SRO.

Anyway,

Old Jews Telling Jokes is coming to Coral Springs- The “show” is- set for a 11/1/2014-1/4/2015 run at the Broward Stage Door Theater.

Jeff Eats is telling you, DON’T MISS IT! No question in Jeff Eats’ mind that the production will be a sell-out!

Checkout the theater’s website www.stagedoortheatre.com for details.

Tickets can be purchased by phone or at the box office.

Once again, I’m telling you…GO!

Printed below is the theater’s description of the show.
*****
Old Jews Telling Jokes: November 1st, 2014 – January 4th, 2014.
Theater 1
Get ready for an outrageous evening of one-liners, double-entendres and hysterical routines sure to triple you over with laughter! OLD JEWS TELLING JOKES showcases five actors in a comedy that pays tribute to and reinvents classic jokes of the past and present. The show also features comic songs—brand-new and satisfyingly old—as well as tributes to some of the giants of the comedy world and to the Old Jews Telling Jokes website, which inspired the show. Like rye bread, kosher pickles and bagels, this show is for everyone! You’ll laugh ’til you plotz.