* Insane Cookies, 9924 Pines Boulevard, Pembroke Pines, Florida 33024, (954) 800-0350.

Real fast…

Mrs. Jeff Eats has a real-good friend (let’s call her Mrs. Baker) who is an absolutely phenomenal “home” baker…over the years, Mrs. Baker has baked pies, breads, cakes, cookies–that rival some of the best stuff that I’ve eaten/gotten in South Florida’s best bakeries/restaurants.

To make a long story short…

The other day Mrs. Baker told me that I had to check out–Insane Cookies in Pembroke Pines. Insane’s story…it’s a “fresh baked” cookie business (owned by Brandy Cohen) that shares space with a kosher/retail bakery- Master Cake Bakery in Pembroke Pines. You can order cookies 1 of 3 ways, place the order at the store, order online (www.insanecookies.com), or call the store ((954) 800-0350). All of the cookies are baked to order-and Insane Cookies usually needs 48 hours lead-time. Mrs. Baker told me that Insane Cookies were absolutely incredible. Mrs. Baker also told me, that Insane Cookies will “bake” any combination–that your mind can conjure up. On the delivery front, Insane Cookies–pickup at the store, or Insane for a fee will have the cookies delivered to you.

Based on the “source” and some “internets” checking, Jeff Eats-placed a phone order with Brandy Cohen. I’ll have the cookies in a day or so–so I’ll let you guys know if Mrs. Baker came-up with a winner for us.

One final thought, just so you know- Jeff Eats “knows” his cookies…not to be a name dropper-or nothing, but in my day I’ve gotten from the best-like, Sutter’s Bakery, Glaser Bake Shop and William Greenberg Desserts–so I’m qualified to make the call-here!

In the meantime, take a look at the “list” of cookies- Insane Cookies has:

Cookie Flavors:
A – Cannibal – Classic Cookie with Mini Oreos
B – Chocoholic/PMS* – Chocolate Brownie Dough with Dark Chocolate Chips
C – Daddy Issues* – Chocolate Chips with Pecans
D – Day Dreamer (Piña Colada)*- Rum, Coconut Flakes & Pineapple Chunks
E – Delusions of Grandeur*- White Chocolate Chips, Macadamia Nuts & Caramel Bits
F – Exhibitionist* – White Chocolate Chips, Cranberries & Pistachio Nuts
✩ – Family Dysfunction*- Pumpkin Spice Dough with Creamy White Chocolate Chips (Seasonal Cookie)
G – Feeling Blue* – Lemon Dough with White Chocolate Chips & Blueberries
H – Homesick*- French Toast Dough topped with Cinnamon Sugar
I – Identity Crisis*- Peanut Butter Dough with Chocolate Chips, Peanut Butter Chips & Mini Reese’s Cups
J – Imposter* – Chocolate Brownie Dough with Raspberry Filling
K – Insomniac* – Coffee Flavored Dough with Extra Espresso Powder & Jumbo Dark Chocolate Chips (Mocha Espresso)
L – Martian Abduction* – Red Velvet Dough with White Chocolate Chips
M – Masochist * – Spicy Chocolate Brownie Dough with Chocolate Chips (Crushed Red Pepper added for “inferno hot”)
N – Mommy Issues* – Classic Chocolate Chip
✩ – Narcissist *- COMPLETELY CUSTOM- Choose Your Dough and Up To Any 3 Add-Ins
O – Peter Pan Complex* – Mini M&Ms & Sprinkles
P – Procrastinator* – Coffee Flavored Dough with White Chocolate Chips (Caffé Latte)
R – Shopaholic* – Classic Dough with four kinds of chips: Chocolate, Butterscotch, White Chocolate & Peanut Butter
S – Simply Nuts* – Peanut Butter Dough with Macadamia Nuts, Unsalted Peanuts & Walnuts
T – Sunshine Addiction – Butterscotch Chips & Pretzel Sticks
U – Thrill Seeker – Chocolate Brownie Dough with Green Mint M&Ms & Chocolate Covered Mint Pretzels
V – Wallflower – Cinnamon Oatmeal Dough with Raisins & Walnuts

Assortments:
Custom Assortment* – Choose any three cookie flavors per dozen
Sol’s Crazy Assortment – 2 dozen cookies, which includes 4 of each of these flavors: Cannibal, Chocoholic/PMS, Delusions of Grandeur, Identity Crisis, Mommy Issues and Procrastinator
Sol’s Kooky Assortment – 2 dozen cookies, which includes 4 of each of these flavors: Day Dreamer, Family Dysfunction, Feeling Blue, Homesick, Thrill Seeker and Wallflower
Sol’s Wacky Assortment *- 2 dozen cookies, which includes 4 of each of these flavors: Daddy Issues, Exhibitionist, Insomniac, Martian Abduction, Peter Pan Complex and Simply Nuts
Marta’s Loco Assortment *- 3 dozen cookies, which includes 36 of the most popular flavors

* Rosa Mexican Does Passover!

Just got the “below” email from the “upscale” – Rosa Mexicano (www.rosamexicano.com) which currently has 3 New York City, 2 Los Angeles, 2 Washington D.C. and 2 Miami locations.

For those of you who celebrate Passover! What’cha think?

Just so you know, years ago (1981-1991) long before Jeff Eats moved to South Florida–Jeff Eats and Mrs. Jeff Eats use to eat pretty regularly at Rosa Mexicano’s original outpost on 1st Avenue and 58th Street in NYC. The food and service were dynamite and “my” Brother-In-Law and Sister-In-Law who lived 1 block away from the restaurant always treated–a win win, all the way around!

Just a gut-call- as I haven’t been- but I’ll bet that the current Miami-outposts are real-strong…way back when in NYC the food was top-shelf.

Anyway…

“Hi Jeff,
I wanted to gauge your interest in Rosa Mexicano’s (www.rosamexicano.com) 12th annual Mexican Passover, April 14-22, celebrating this favorite-food holiday with a Latin twist on classic Passover dishes, from haroset to brisket. Blending Jewish tradition with current culinary trends in Mexico City, highlights from this year’s menu include:
· Sangria Haroset: Herradura blanco tequila, honey, cinnamon, lemon, cold-pressed apple and Manischewitz reduction
· Matzoh Ball Pozole Soup: Jalisco-style with chipotle-marrow matzo balls
· Matzoh-Breaded Chicken Breast: with an arugula, tomato and jicama salad, tamarind vinaigrette and salsa verde
· Banana Leaf-Wrapped BBQ Beef Brisket: with dried fruit tsimmes and glazed baby carrots
· Copa de Mango: Fresh whole mango scooped and filled with dice mangoes and coconut ice cream. Topped with raspberry sauce and buñuelos.
Happy to provide additional info or images should this spark an interest. Thank you for your consideration.
Best,
Alex”

***** Kings County Pizza, 18228 West Dixie Highway, North Miami Beach, Florida 33160, (305) 792-9455.

Kings County Pizza–real simple concept…basically a takeout/delivery joint doing pizza/subs/wings/salads/handful of entrees.

Jeff Eats and Mrs. Jeff Eats recently got to “try” Kings County’s stuff while watching some “March Madness Basketball” at our friends’ home in North Miami. Coming and going–I’m thinking about 25-30 people were enjoying the event. For the record, the Jeff Eats Family’s- dogs in the fight- are the University of Connecticut and the University of Arizona…and as of this morning, we are looking-good! Just in case you are wondering how we got those two “teams”–one of these days I’ll show you the student loans I’m still paying-off for Daughter Jeff Eats and Son Jeff Eats.

Anyway…

Our friends picked up a ton and I do mean a ton of food from Kings County Pizza–pizzas, calzones, stromboli, garlic knots, salads, subs, pastas.

Just so we are straight with each other…you guys do know- that “ITALIAN STUFF” always tastes good–at “events” like this…good friends, good sports, beer/liquor/soda–it’s all good!

Putting the excitement on the side burner…

“Tasted” items included–Caesar and caprese salads, margherita pizza, grandma pizza, chicken parm/meatball parm/sausage peppers subs, meat lasagna, baked ziti, garlic knots…and I gotta tell you, Kings County Pizza’s food was delicious. If this joint was by- my house, it would definitely be on my takeout/delivery list. For those of you who insist on “particulars”–the garlic knots were off the chart as were the margherita and grandma pizzas…I liked the Caesar better than the caprese, but Mrs. Jeff Eats saw it just the opposite way (see how stupid this micro-reviewing is?)…

Let me wrap this up for you…you guys in North Miami Beach got a winner! You can check menu/prices at www.kingscountypizza.com

One final thought, Jeff Eats was born in Kings County, lived in Kings County from 1949-1979, went to elementary school/junior high school/high school/law school in Kings County and my first legal job was with the Kings County District Attorney’s Office–(you guys can now show your creativity and fill-in a cute tie-in with Kings County Pizza).

Kings County Pizza is open Tuesday-Saturday 11am-9:30pm, Sunday noon-9pm, closed on Monday.

***** Candy Kitchen, 13711 Gulf Boulevard, Maderia Beach, Florida 33708, (727) 392-6803.

Before we-talk on this one… you should know- that geography isn’t exactly Jeff Eats’ “strong suit.” For the record, I know that Maderia Beach “isn’t” in South Florida…that said-Candy Kitchen in Maderia Beach is an ice cream/candy store that you-gotta know about.

Real simple concept…a small freestanding joint that makes its own ice cream, fudge, Italian ices–and literally stocks every nostaligic-candy that you can “remember”…order/pickup at counter, a couple of outdoor benches for seating.

I’m gonna make this short and sweet (pun intended)..the ice cream, fudge, ices blew me away. The candy selection was off the chart–when was the last time that you saw all-kinds of Pez (you do remember Pez Candy don’t you?) dispensers/refills?

Here’s a suggestion…go check Yelp and TripAdvisor-reviews for Candy Ktchen…I’m thinking that their reader-comments are pretty legit for this joint…you’ll also find a bunch of photos—with one or two exceptions–people raved about Candy Kitchen.

If you live in Maderia Beach or close-by…you probably already know about Candy Kitchen…for the “rest” of you guys–Candy Kitchen is a MUST TRY–if/when you are in the Maderia Beach area.

Candy Kitchen is open 7 days a week.

* If Jeff Eats Can Teach You Just One Thing!

You’re never too old to hold your mother or father’s hand.

***** Abracadabra Ice Cream Factory, 520 North Main Street, Kissimmee, Florida 34744, (407) 201-2509.

Back on March 6, 2014 Jeff Eats told you guys about Private Island Ice Cream Company in Orlando, Florida–I also “threw” in a small bonus discussion as to the ” business-future” of liquid nitrogen ice-cream. That “article” is reprinted below.

Anyway…

I recently “tried” Abracadabra Ice Cream Factory in Kissimmee–which is “also” in the liquid nitrogen ice-cream business.

Just like Private Island Ice Cream Company–Jeff Eats loved Abracadabra Ice Cream Factory. Real simple, the ice cream is made using liquid nitrogen–and the number of flavors/combinations is literally endless. You can check www.abracadabraicecream.com for menu/prices/info. The joint is open 7 days a week 11am-10pm.

Personally, I could eat this liquid nitrogen ice cream stuff all day long—that said, if you can’t see a disturbing “pattern” forming-then you need some heavy duty eye glasses. What Jeff Eats sees–is video stores/is self serve yogurt stores/is gourmet fast food hamburger stores/is cupcake stores…it’s call “musical chairs” and eventually the music ends and most of the “players” lose.

TOO MANY GUYS GETTING INTO THE SAME BUSINESS!!!
*****
***** Private Island Ice Cream Company, 14650 Gatorland Drive, Orlando, Florida 32837, (407) 433-9545.

Got something real cool (no pun intended) for you “Bill Nyes” out there…Private Island Ice Cream Company in Orlando.

Private Island Ice Cream Company…order at the counter-ice cream store…handful of tables inside/outside.

Kicker here–using liquid nitrogen, each flavor ordered is freshly made on the spot.

Now nothing for nothing, if Jeff Eats had paid more attention to what Mrs. Munna in 7th grade Science was talking about–I’d be in a much better position to explain to you- how, starting with a vanilla base, then adding whatever combination of fruits/candy/syrups/cereals/other stuff you’d like–then “zapping” it with liquid nitrogen, Private Island Ice Cream Company “makes” whatever flavored ice cream your mind can imagine.

Like I said 14 seconds ago…real cool.

Not going to bore you with all the clever combos Jeff Eats created–trust me, the ice cream was creamy-smooth- delicious. Otay! (courtesy: Billie “Buckwheat” Thomas) -How about this one: Nutella/fresh strawberries/pistachio nuts?

You can read all about Private Island Ice Cream Company on its website www.privateislandicecream.com.

Private Island Ice Cream is open Sunday-Thursday 1pm-9pm, Friday-Saturday 1pm-10pm.

One final note…

I just wanted you guys to know that Private Island Ice Cream Company “didn’t” invent the- liquid nitrogen ice cream-business…for our purposes, just off the top of Jeff Eats’ head- I can name two similar type “operations” with Florida outposts- Chill-N and Subzero (Chill-N currently has 1 joint in Miami and Subzero has 2 joints in Sarasota). For what it’s worth, I love the concept–as it’s a new spin on the old ice-cream store game. Now, for the $64,000 question: Will this latest ice-cream concept- become an over saturated/over franchised business–that will end badly for most of its operators? “Que sera, sera” (courtesy:Doris Day), wink-wink…you smart guys out there “already” know what lies -ahead!

* Burger Beast Burger Brawl.

Just got the “below” email from my pals over at Burger Beast www.burgerbeast.com

The email is self-explanatory…

Jeff Eats and Mrs. Jeff Eats are going–
*****
Burger Beast Burger Brawl sponsored by Miami Lake Auto Mall & presented by Burger Maker.
What if I told you that after 5 and a half years of writing about Burgers that I was putting together what I believe to be the Best Burger Competition line-up in South Florida ever? Yeah, that’s the idea behind the Burger Beast Burger Brawl or 4B for short.
On Friday May 9th from 7 to 10PM at Magic City Casino, come out and celebrate National Hamburger Month with us at the inaugural Burger Beast Burger Brawl sponsored by Miami Lakes Auto Mall and presented by Burger Maker.
Your vote counts! That’s right, every attendee will cast one vote for their favorite Burger Joint. Whoever receives the most will be named Burger Brawl Champion and receive a soon to be coveted one of kind trophy that can be displayed at their restaurant.
You must be at least 21 years of age to attend.
The $50 all inclusive tickets will get you:
-Samples from 20 great Burger Joints, featuring Miami Smokers‘ Bacon:
A&G Burger Joint
BITE Gastrotruck
Bread + Butter Counter
Buddha Burger
Burger & Beer Joint
Charm City Burger Company
Cheeseburger Baby
Eating House
Gilbert’s 17th Street Grill
Graziano’s
Jefe’s Original Soul Shack
Jersey Dawg
Josh’s Deli
Latin House Grill
MEAT Eatery & Taproom
Pincho Factory
Shake Shack
Swine
Tucker Duke’s Lunchbox
Vega’s Burger Bar
-2013 Frita Showdown Champion El Rey de las Fritas‘ Frita Cubana
-Sakaya Kitchen‘s Chunk’d Tot Bar
-Desserts from Azucar Ice Cream Company, HipPOPs Handcrafted Gelato Bars,Marlie’s Delights, & Sugar Yummy Mama
-Beer Samplings from Samuel Adams
-CAWY Soft Drinks (Jupiña & Materva)
-Wine from Cerdà Llanos y Cià
Get Ur Tix NOW Before They Sell Out

***** The Wow Factory, 5891 Lyons Road, Coconut Creek, Florida 33073, (954) 380-8600.

As a former CEO of a Discovery Zone franchise-company…let’s- just say that Jeff Eats is kinda- familiar with Family Entertainment Centers.

If we-forget about “national” chain Chuck E. Cheese’s- I seriously doubt that you guys can name even-one Family Entertainment Center in South Florida.

With the above in mind…

I recently came across- The Wow Factory in Coconut Creek-and I gotta tell you that I was super-impressed.

This 22,000 sq. ft. facility has all-kinds of interactive games/arcade games/food court–that will keep toddlers-10 year-olds… busy for 2-3 hours.

Trust Jeff Eats on this one…I know “my” family-entertainment-centers and The Wow Factory is a clean/well staffed/well planned out facility.

Check out www.wowfactoryfun.com for admission charges/activities/birthday parties/hours/photos/other info.

The Wow Factory is open Monday-Thursday 10am-6pm, Friday-Saturday 10am-10pm, Sunday 10am-8pm.

* Tim Hortons Inc.

Here’s a “restaurant” and a “stock” call for you guys…Tim Hortons Inc (NASDAQ:THI: $55)

We all know about Dunkin’ Donuts, Krispy Kreme Doughnuts, Starbucks…but I’ll bet you a buck, that a-good-number of you guys don’t know what–a Tim Hortons “is”-and that most of you have never been to one.

Here’s a call for you…Tim Hortons (which is basically a Canadian doughnut chain) in the coming years–is going to develop into a major-force in the United States coffee/doughnuts/quick serve restaurant segment.

Right now THI is trading at 55 bucks a share. I’m looking for the stock to go much higher…as Tim Horton “stores” pop-up all over the United States.

You want a “growth story” in the restaurant business?–then you should look at Tim Hortons Inc. (www.timhortons.com).

Printed below is Yahoo’s “profile” for Tim Hortons Inc.
*****
Tim Hortons Inc. develops and franchises quick service restaurants primarily in Canada and the United States. Its restaurants provide coffee, espresso-based hot and cold specialty drinks, iced cappuccinos, teas, cold beverages, fruit smoothies, home-style soups, chilies, grilled Panini and classic sandwiches, wraps, yogurt and berries, oatmeal, breakfast sandwiches and wraps, and fresh baked goods. As of December 29, 2013, the company had 4,485 system wide restaurants, including 3,588 in Canada, 859 in the United States, and 38 in the Gulf Cooperation Council. Tim Hortons Inc. was founded in 1964 and is headquartered in Oakville, Canada.

Charlie Thomas’ Drifters

* Malt Shop Memories Cruise–2014!.

I don’t know about you, but Jeff Eats doesn’t know anyone who’s getting any younger…

With that in mind, take a look at “Malt Shop Memories Cruise” (www.maltshopcruise.com)– which is a 7-nights/ Rock N’ Roll Cruise that leaves from Fort Lauderdale on Sunday, November 2, 2014 and returns Sunday, November 9, 2014. Ports of Call include, Fort Lauderdale– Falmouth, Jamaica– Grand Cayman Island– Cozumel, Mexico– Key West, Florida.

Jeff Eats knows that you guys are smart…so I’m pretty sure that I’m not telling you “something” that you don’t already know about–that being, major cruise-lines holding-huge “MUSIC” events on the hi-seas. For the “younger folks” out there- Electronic Dance Music cruises…for the “sophisticated folks” out there- Jazz cruises–so on and so forth. Could say something about the Country Music cruises, but why start trouble!–let’s just leave it–that the last time Jeff Eats was on a horse (actually it was a pony) was in 1955–on a pony ride at the intersection of Cortelyou Road and East 8th Street, Brooklyn, New York–when Mr. Peters who also had a traveling-ferris wheel charged -neighborhood kids 25 cents a ride. I’m sure some of you guys remember “your” Mr. Peters, as well as your soda man, your milkman, your knife sharpening man, your ice cream man, your vegetable man…sure was a simpler time, don’t cha think?

Anyway…

Jeff Eats just wanted to tell you about Holland America’s “Malt Shop Memories Cruise–2014” …this is for the 1950s-1960s “oldies” crowd out there. Now- I’m just roughing this out for you–but figure that the cruise is gonna run you something like $2,500 (some cabins are more/some less). Now nothing for nothing–$2,500 is some heavy change, but when you really think about it- you are getting a “room” for 7 nights, 21+ meals, concerts/special events…do the math–and that $2,500 number really isn’t all that terrible–actually, it’s a bargain!…and like I said a few seconds ago, Jeff Eats doesn’t know anyone who’s getting any younger.

Here’s the list of the performers that will be onboard…
Dion
The Temptations
Brenda Lee
Herman’s Hermits starring Peter Noone
Lloyd Price
Jan & Dean’s Beach Party starring Dean Torrence
Martha Reeves & The Vandellas
Charlie Thomas’ Drifters
Kenny Vance & The Planotones
The Duprees
Ricky Nelson Remembered with Matthew & Gunnar Nelson
The Legendary Teenagers
Little Peggy March
The Excellents
Al ‘Lil Fats’ Jackson
The Cameos
Elvis Tribute Artists
Comedian Joe Piscopo
Jerry Blavat

Before I wrap this one up…let’s run the “numbers” for this cruise…

Now follow me, for argument sake let’s say that a hotel room is worth $75 a night–so 7 X $75= $525…let’s figure 21 breakfasts at $10 each (too high? let’s make it 8 bucks a piece) that’s $168…let’s figure 21 lunches at $10 each that’s $210…let’s figure 21 dinners at $20 (too low? let’s make it $25 a pop) that’s $525—so right off the bat we got $1428 for room & board. That means we got to justify roughly another $1072 for entertainment. Now “fun” is -purely a subjective thing–but in checking the “internets” I found that a Dion ticket for an upcoming show at a New York Indian Casino is fetching 72 bucks–and a joint appearance with Charlie Thomas’ Drifters in June at the Beacon Theatre is going for $113—now we can play with the numbers all we want–ALL I KNOW is that none of us is getting any younger–and just maybe “you” would enjoy eating dinner with Dion and his wife SUE (you can ask her), or talking to Charlie Thomas about Ben E. King, or finding out from Llyod Price how he recorded Stagger Lee. Nothing for nothing…to paraphrase that MasterCard commercial …”Somethings are Priceless.” Capice!

Malt Shop Memories Cruise will draw something like 2,000 people for this cruise. Past-Malt Shop Memories Cruises in 2011, 2012, 2013 were sold-out affairs.

This cruise is going to be an absolute “oldies” blast.

Check www.maltshopcruise.com for itinerary/cabin pricing/other info.