Pete Best on drums

* Know Nothings!

Ever wonder why Condo Associations, Home Owner Associations, Country Club Boards, Condo Boards–seem to always get into jams with contractors, vendors and many times with residents of their respective communities?

Jeff Eats thinks that the main reason is that a good number of the people who “join” these governing bodies–have absolutely no experience or knowledge concerning the issues/business that they have to make decisions about. Think about it, just because you owned and operated a 50 store chain of dry cleaners in Vermont, doesn’t mean that you know a damn thing about how to build a guard house or run a catering facility–Capice!

This morning Jeff Eats got a dose of Know Nothings!

A guy who lives in my neighborhood says to me and I paraphrase…The band you picked for so and so’s party wasn’t very good…how can a rock n roll band be good when all they had were 3 guitar players and a drummer- you need a keyboard player in a rock n roll band.

Anyway…

Jeff Eats replied to the guy and said, “What was the name of The Beatles’ keyboard player?”

As they say in the legal-business…I rest my case.

So the next time you’re thinking of joining or running for some board seat or whatever, ask yourself…Do I really know anything or am I just a bored Know Nothing?

Thanks for listening…

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

Back on March 25, 2014 Jeff Eats told you guys about Insane Cookies in Pembroke Pines…

In a nutshell, Insane Cookies custom bakes cookies–you name it and it will bake it for you. In addition it has a huge “playlist” of some really wild/cool cookie-combinations. Cookies can be ordered online at www.insanecookies.com or by phone at (954) 800-0350.

Anyway…

On March 25, 2014 Jeff Eats placed a phone order with Brandy Cohen- the owner of Insane Cookies. Printed below is Jeff Eats’ original Insane Cookies write-up. No fooling around here, but I ordered… every “flavor” listed on Insane Cookies’ A-V List. I also ordered a cookie cake–two 9″ chocolate chip cookies (1-on top, 1-on bottom)-I’ll leave you guys to check as to “what” each cookie and the cake consisted of. On pricing…figure 15 bucks for a dozen cookies-the cake was on-special for 29 bucks but usually fetches $36.99. Just so you know, you can have the cookies delivered to your home/office/or wherever for an extra charge…I picked-up my order at Masters Bakery which was mentioned in the original article.

Now for the verdict on the cookies/cake…

Jeff Eats, Mrs. Jeff Eats, Daughter Jeff Eats, Son Jeff Eats really enjoyed the cookies and cake. For sure, some of the cookie combinations were better than others…but that’s a subjective call. Nothing for nothing, all of the aforementioned Eats-couldn’t agree on which cookie was the best–but thought that the cookie cake was dynamite-and that Insane Cookies were top stuff.

Before I let you run, just wanted to tell you- that this “Family Polling” stuff may have worked for Ward Cleaver and Ozzie Nelson- but Jeff Eats knows that cookie “B”-hands down was the best!

*****
March 25, 2014

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.

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

***** Howie’s Top Dog, 5021 South State Road 7, Davie, Florida 33314, (954) 792-8686.

Let me start by saying, Jeff Eats loved- Howie’s Top Dog in Davie.

Real simple concept…fast food-order at/pickup at the counter/20 seats—hot dogs (All-Beef-Vienna…either boiled or grilled), burgers, stuffed baked potatoes, salads, handful of sandwiches/sides.

A recent outing had Jeff Eats “doing” –breaded chicken filet sub with ketchup, mayo, lettuce, tomato, grilled onions, pickles ($4.99)—-grilled hot dog with mustard/sauerkraut ($3.29)—-cheese stuffed (American/cheddar/mozzarella/feta) baked potato ($4.99)—- Greek Salad ($6.99)…Do you know what pigs in sh@t are? Well Jeff Eats and to a lesser extend Mrs. Jeff Eats were two of them.-Give you two guesses and the first one doesn’t count- as to who ordered the Greek salad!

Real Easy,

Howie’s Top Dog’s food was delicious. I must-tell you, that- breaded chicken filet sub was worth the drive alone–just outstanding! Loved it!

You can check Howie’s Top Dog’s website www.howiestopdog.com for menu/prices/photos/other info.

Howie’s Top Dog is open Monday-Saturday 10:am-4pm, closed on Sunday/

* LeAnn Rimes.

Just heard that tomorrow-April 18, 2014 tickets go on sale for LeAnn Rimes who will be appearing at the Mardi Gras Casino on Saturday- July 19, 2014 at pm.

Check www.mardigrascasinofl.com for info/tickets.

Jeff Eats knows the “concert venue”-trust me, every seat is good. Not sure what the tickets are gonna run, but if history is any guide–Mardi Gras Casino won’t force you to take a second job to pay for them-and there won’t be absurd- Ticketmaster type handling fees attached.

Now not looking to start any debates or nothing, but you country-western fans gotta admit that it doesn’t come any bigger or better than LeAnn Rimes. Jeesh! Even- Brooklyn Boy Jeff Eats and Brooklyn Girl Mrs. Jeff Eats are huge fans–and we haven’t been on a horse (or shall I say pony) since we were 5-year olds.

Here’s some background on country western superstar LeAnn Rimes.
*****
LeAnn Rimes has sold more than 40 million albums, won two Grammy® Awards, three Academy of Country Music Awards and 12 Billboard Music Awards. Rimes is the youngest recipient of a Grammy® Award, and was also the first country recording artist to win in the “Best New Artist” category. Rimes has placed 42 singles on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, 13 of which are top-10 hits, and has scored numerous hit singles in her career, including “Can’t Fight the Moonlight” which went #1 in 11 countries, and “How Do I Live,” which is the second longest charting song ever on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Having released more than ten studio albums, three compilation albums and two greatest hits albums in her illustrious career, Rimes set her sights and released her most personal album yet, Spitfire, in spring 2013. Her first single from the new album, “What Have I Done,” was released December 10, 2012.

Rimes is as an accomplished actress and author, including writing two children’s books Jag and Jag’s New Friend, as well as the novel, Holiday in Your Heart and the inspirational book What I Cannot Change. She also has a new book in its beginning stages focusing on life’s crossroads.

LeAnn has long-supported a variety of charity organizations including advocating for the National Psoriasis Foundation, The Coalition to Salute America’s Heroes and StandUp For Kids. She most recently began work with The Trevor Project, an organization that provides crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning youth.

LeAnnRimesWorld.com



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***** Dreamette, 3646 Post Street, Jacksonville, Florida 32205, (904) 388-2558.

Every city/town-has a legendary “this or that”…from what Jeff Eats understands- Dreamette is Jacksonville’s legendary soft-serve ice cream joint.

Dreamette has been around since 1948.

It is housed in a stand-alone “shack.”

You order at/pickup at the window.

There is very limited outdoor seating.

Dreamette features vanilla and chocolate soft serve and a plethora (like that word?) of toppings and flavored “dips” that coat the soft serve. It also has milk shakes and stuff like banana splits.

A recent outing had Jeff Eats doing a chocolate soft serve covered in a peanut dip, Mrs. Jeff Eats doing a vanilla soft serve covered in caramel dip and a “joint-effort” of a chocolate soft serve with a strawberry dip. No fooling here, all 3-cones were amazingly delicious.

Like I said a few seconds ago, Dreamette has been around since 1948. Based on Jeff Eats’ birthdate this joint was in business before I was even a twinkle in my parents’ eyes. Based on the what I saw, I seriously doubt that Dreamette’s exterior has been remodeled or fixed-up since 1948–which makes the joint even cooler to Jeff Eats way of thinking.

The best way to sum Dreamette up…delicious soft serve/in a real McCoy old location.

Jeff Eats loved Dreamette which is open 7 days a week noon-8:30pm.

***** Tommy’s Brick Oven Pizza, 4160 Southside Boulevard, Jacksonville, Florida 32216, (904) 565-1999.

Got a terrific pizza joint for you…Tommy’s Brick Oven Pizza in Jacksonville. Real simple concept-order at counter/pickup at counter/handful of tables.

You can check Tommy’s menu/prices at www.tbopizza.com.

You know and Jeff Eats knows that this food reviewing game is purely subjective…what you like-I might hate and vice versa.

With that in mind, Tommy’s makes a thin crust/sweet sauce New York slice that’s delicious. No fooling around, this pizza could hold its own- against the best stuff served-up by NYC’s pizza joints.

You now know about Tommy’s–where, if your taste-buds are like mine…you can get a terrific slice of pizza.

Tommy’s Brick Oven Pizza is open Monday-Thursday 11am-9pm, Friday-Saturday 11am-10pm, closed on Sunday.

***** The Donut Shoppe, 1535 University Drive North, Jacksonville, Florida 32211, (904) 743-1844.

Trust Jeff Eats on this one…I know my donuts–I seriously doubt that there is anyone in America who knows donuts better than I do–except maybe for some current/and retired members of the New York City Police Department.

With the above in mind, Jeff Eats would match Jacksonville’s–The Donut Shoppe’s donuts against any player in America. Now nothing for nothing-as I just recently found this joint, but I understand, that for the past 52 years it has been cranking out donuts Tuesday-Sunday 5am-1pm (closed on Monday) to a constant line of customers (I know that sounds a bit over dramatic)–by the way, don’t tell the IRS (look at today’s date) but The Donut Shoppe is a cash-only joint.

Not going to bore you -telling you about the mixed dozen I “had”…suffice it to say, after eating these donuts you’ll know that Dunkin’ Donuts and Krispy Kreme (to a lesser extent) got you hooked on-shall we say -g a r b a g e…there I said it!

One final thought, just so we are straight with each other, garbage is ok-unless real-good stuff is available nearby. You know, “any port in a storm.”

While I’m on Dunkin’ Donuts and Krispy Kreme, Dunkin’s donuts are made in a central commissary and then delivered to its stores- Krispy Kreme is now building a “small foot print” store which follows the Dunkin’ commissary model. Obviously- the economics of baking in house, doesn’t work for these huge chains. Finally, I don’t know about you, but I find Dunkin’s donuts to have an oily after-taste and Krispy’s glazed donuts don’t taste so-hot (pun intended) when they aren’t straight out of the oven.

The Donut Shoppe is a great joint to know about. The only problem that Jeff Eats got with the joint–it’s only open until 1pm and a drive from Boca Raton every morning would be a bit nerve racking.

End Of Story!

* Rodeo Clowns.

Jeff Eats recently received the following e-mail:

Jeff,
Love your site. You really do have some great picks.
I know that you closely follow the music here in South Florida.
My husband and I are planning a bbq at our home in Coral Springs for sometime in late August.
We are thinking that we will have close to 110 people coming.
I know that you have mentioned a number of local rock bands.
Could you give us a name of a really good local reasonably priced country western band.
We love country western and think that it would be fun at our bbq.
Thanks,
JW
*****
JW:

Got a really good 5-member country western group for you–Rodeo Clowns.

You can check the group’s website www.therodeoclownsband.com for videos/playlists/schedule. You can call (954) 326-0453 for booking information.

During the past 18 months, Jeff Eats has seen this group something like 5-6 times and I gotta tell you–each and every time they killed it. Trust me, they are an outstanding country western cover band.

If you want to check them out “live”–the group works pretty- steady at the Mardi Gras Casino and Seminole Coconut Creek Casino.

Hope this helps.

* Chicken Salad Chick.

Here’s one for you-that Jeff Eats will bet that you’ve never-ever heard of…Chicken Salad Chick!

Real simple concept–a fast food chain that specializes in CHICKEN SALAD.

That’s right, I said an Auburn, Alabama headquartered- fast food chain that specializes in CHICKEN SALAD.

For right now, Chicken Salad Chick has 15 locations. There are 12 locations in Alabama-Georgia-South Carolina. There are 3- Florida stores-Destin, Panama Beach, Tallahassee.

Just so you know, Jeff Eats has yet to try Chicken Salad Chick. The chain was recently brought to my attention by my good friend Mike- who raved about the concept/food after eating in the Destin outpost.

At this stage of the game you guys can check www.chickensaladchick.com for menu/other info.

In reviewing Chicken Salad Chick’s website…something like 15 different types of chicken salad, handful of soups, handful of deli sandwiches for the non-chicken salad crowd. Order at the counter-food is delivered to your table. In checking with the Company-all of the chicken salads are prepared in-house on- a daily basis. Chicken Salad Chick has been around since 2008 and has been franchising since 2012.

Let me wrap this up for you…

One of Jeff Eats favorite food “items” is chicken salad. I love good chicken salad. As a matter of fact, I enjoy chicken salad so much-that every now and then- I’ll actually buy the pre-packaged chicken salad that Publix sells in its deli-department…which by no stretch of the imagination- could ever be considered anything but-fair at best.

Just in case we find ourselves one day on that tv-show The Newlywed Game…I love chicken salad topped with chopped onions and bacon- on a toasted everything bagel.

You now know about Chicken Salad Chick a player in the chicken salad business.

***** Penguin Pretzel Factory, 852 Old Country Road 54, New Port Richey, Florida 34653, (727)807-6963.

Real simple concept…fresh-hot-hand rolled- soft pretzels with all kinds of toppings, fresh-hot-hand rolled-soft pretzels stuffed with all kinds of fillings.

Order at the counter…2 tables inside, 2 tables outside.

Jeff Eats loved the stuffed bacon/cheddar and the stuffed bbq pulled pork pretzels. By the way these stuffed pretzels ain’t your Auntie Anne’s pretzels–the dough alone weighs in around 1/2 lb.

Look! This stuffed/topping-pretzel “thing” is a variation on a theme–Jeff Eats has seen it done with knishes, burgers, calzones, pies, yogurt, turkeys. That said, Penguin’s stuffings worked for me. Not really sure that a retail-store concept based on toppings and fillings is sustainable–but as I said a few seconds ago, Jeff Eats loved the product.

You can check www.penguinpretzelfactory.com for menu/prices/other info.

Penguin Pretzel Factory is open Monday-Friday 11:30m-7pm, Saturday 11:30am-6pm, closed Sunday.

One final thought…

Over the years, Jeff Eats has bought SUPERPRETZEL (www.superpretzel.com)-a frozen baked soft pretzel (6 to a package) at Publix. I have baked, microwaved or toasted SUPERPRETZEL and topped with mustard, marinara sauce, melted cheddar, pastrami, corned beef–and have always enjoyed my handy-work. So, if you don’t live near Penguin Pretzel Factory- you can make amateur versions of its menu-pretzels until you can try the real McCoy-s.