***** 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.

* A Night Of Music And Memories starring The Duprees.

Got a good one for you “oldies” fans out there…

Tickets for the show just went on sale- as Jeff Eats types- first row seats are available.

Jeff Eats has seen all of the listed acts-and they all put on a great show. My money says that The Demensions’ “Over The Rainbow” will bring the house down.

You can order tickets online at www.parkerplayhouse.com.

Look! Jeff Eats appreciates that- the show is set for October 25, 2014–and that today is May 17, 2014…you do know- that the early bird catches the first worm, sure you do!

Show Details are listed below:

Music and Memories with Golden Oldies Performers

LAR Enterprises Presents
A Night of Music and Memories starring The Duprees
Saturday, October 25, 2014 • 7:00 p.m.
LAR Enterprises presents A Night of Music and Memories featuring The Duprees, known the world over for their romantic interpretations of some of the most beautiful love songs such as “You Belong to Me” from 1962. Their unmistakable sound was born, and the hits kept rolling in, including “Have You Heard,” “My Own True Love,” and “Goodnight My Love.” Still touring and recording after 50 years, The Duprees have never slowed down. They will be joined by other golden oldies performers, including Barbara Lewis (“Hello Stranger”), Jimmy Charles (“A Million To One”), Norman Fox & The Rob Roys (“Tell Me Why”) and Lenny Dell & Demensions (“Over The Rainbow”).
BUY TICKETS
All artists, dates, times and prices are subject to change without notice.
All special offers cannot be combined with other discounts or previous purchases and certain restrictions apply.

Tickets are also available at the Parker Playhouse Box Office
707 NE 8th Street, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304
954.462.0222 | Toll-free 877.311.7469

The Parker Playhouse is managed by the Broward Center for the Performing Arts
Volunteer at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts or the Parker Playhouse.

* THE WAKE-N-BACON.

Jeff Eats recently became a huge fan of PornBurger.me

Every week PornBurger.me features an interesting burger that you can prepare at home.

Printed below is PornBurger.me’s commentary on this week’s burger- THE WAKE-N-BACON.

Just a word to the wise, be careful going to the PornBurger.me website- a typo here and there and you’ll have some Lucy type ‘splaining to do to your significant other. Don’t say that Jeff Eats didn’t warn you.
*****
“If you’re anything like me, you start your weekends extremely high (…on life) and extremely hungry. Well, this morning glory combines all of my breakfast binging necessities – something sweet, something savory, caffeine… and a WHOLE lot of bacon. Sandwiched between two warm and freshly glazed apple fritters, sits a maple bacon-wrapped beef patty, draped with melty cheddar cheese, and drizzled with a caffeinated maple, espresso syrup. Munchie devils begone!”

***** Nasto’s Ice Cream Co., 236-40 Jefferson Street, Newark, New Jersey 07105, (973) 589-3333.

A few weeks ago Jeff Eats found himself in Newark, New Jersey. Don’t ask!–but, it had nothing to do with Cory Booker.

Anyway,

My good friend Leo took me to Nasto’s an ice cream/bakery that’s been around since 1939.

Now, I know- Newark is a long way from Sunny South Florida–but this joint’s got stuff like nobody’s business, so you should know about it. By the way, Nasto’s “ships.”

If for some reason -you find yourself in Newark, make sure you get over to Nasto’s. No fooling around here, I can’t recall ever having- a better tartufo, tortoni or vanilla ice cream. The joint is takeout only and is open Monday-Saturday 8am-8pm, Sunday 11:30am-7pm.

From what I understand, Nasto’s has 1-retail location, but does have a Newark manufacturing plant that services over 750 New Jersey restaurants/outlets. By the way, I know it’s Newark- but trust Jeff Eats -nobody is gonna mug or do nothing bad to you, capice!

Printed below is a “brief” biography from Nasto’s Ice Cream’s website www.nastosicecream.com.

“Nasto’s “Old World Desserts”, A manufacturer of premium ice cream and frozen dessert specialties began from humble beginnings. Founded in 1939 by the late Frank Sr. and Angelina, Nasto’s Ice Cream Co. began as a neighborhood mom and pop. In a corner storefront that was once a brewery, Nasto’s installed an ice cream batch machine in the front window case and began making homemade ice cream and Italian style ices. People could watch outside while their ice cream was being made. With 9 children to help out, staff was never a problem. Soon with Al and Frank Jr., Frank Sr. 2 oldest sons at the helm, the business blossomed into both a retail and wholesale operation. Making such Italian specialties, as Spumoni and Bisque Tortoni they used the original authentic recipes handed down from Frank Sr.’s native Nocera Italy. Over the years several desserts were added to complete a whole dessert line, such as the original Tartufo, Reginetta, Tiramisu, a full line of Ice Cream, Gelato, Sorbet, and Italian Ices.
Now under the 3rd generation of family ownership, using modern equipment and state of the art production techniques we still follow 1 simple principle. Always use the highest quality ingredients to produce the finest product possible. Nasto’s strives to be an innovator in the dessert industry always looking for new flavors and products to develop. Serving the finest restaurants, hotels, and caterers in the tri-state area with our landmark retail store still in the original location in the historic Ironbound Section of Newark, NJ we invite you to visit us and let our products speak for themselves.”
Sincerely,
Frank Nasto III
President/CEO

* 3rd Annual Pairings Food & Wine Event (West Palm Beach) Thursday, May 29, 2014, 5:30pm-9pm.

Reprinted below is an email which Jeff Eats literally received 2-minures ago from the West Palm Beach Downtown Authority.

Just so you know, Jeff Eats and Mrs. Jeff Eats are planning on attending.

The way we see it–for 50 bucks we get a great night out, part of the proceeds go to charity and Jeff Eats gets to “try” a load of joints “all” in one shot.

A quick look at the vendor’s list- tells me that some GOOD STUFF is gonna be served. How is Jeff Eats so sure?- just check my Hamburger Heaven (April 8, 2014) and Rocco’s Tacos & Tequila Bar (January 10, 2010) reviews–not too shabby! In addition, conceited Jeff Eats is thinking-just knowing I’m gonna be there eating- will have “everyone” upping their game…Oh-the power of the pen!

Hope to see you guys at the 3rd Annual Pairings Food & Wine Event. It should be real fun.

You can catch tickets at: www.wpbgo.com. By the way, 25 bucks now, 30 bucks day of the event.
*****
“Downtown West Palm Beach residents and visitors will have the chance to experience the finest flavors of the Clematis District’s international menu during its third annual “Pairings” event. This progressive dinner tour will take place on Thursday, May 29 from 5:30 to 9 p.m. featuring a wide variety of delicious samplings from some of downtown West Palm Beaches most desirable restaurants and other exciting activities. Guests can enjoy a wide selection of light appetizers, entrées and desserts paired with specialty cocktails, wines and coffee. The event is offered by the West Palm Beach Downtown Development Authority (DDA), and a portion of the proceeds will benefit Families First Palm Beach County, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping create a safe, healthy and sustainable environment for children and their families in Palm Beach County through innovative approaches.
The WPB Downtown Development Authority presents the 3rd Annual Pairings Food & Wine Event in Downtown West Palm Beach on Thurs., May 29th from 5:30pm-9pm. For only $25, diners receive samples of popular menu items at each participating restaurant with a portion of the proceeds benefiting Families First of Palm Beach County. More details to be announced soon.
The free downtown trolley can take you to your next bite!”
PARTICIPATING VENDORS:
Hamburger Heaven
E.R. Bradley’s Saloon
Tin Fish
Bee Organics
Bar Louie
Palm Beach Dramaworks
Oli’s Fashion Cuisine
Rocco’s Tacos & Tequila Bar
Duffy’s Sports Bar & Grill
Off the Hookah
The Wine Dive
Dunkin Donuts
Cafe Sweets Bakery
SubCulture Coffee
Hullabaloo
Longboards
Te Mana Kava Bar
Clematis Pizza
Best Darn Kettlecorn
O’Shea’s Irish Pub
Cabana Nuevo Latino
Leila Restaurant
The Backyard Bar
TICKETS:
$25 In Advance / $30 Day Of Event
www.wpbgo.com

***** Maoz Vegetarian.

Way back on May 3, 2012 Jeff Eats told you guys about Maoz Vegetarian- a fast food falafel/salad joint that I had tried in Boca Raton’s- Town Center Mall’s food court. That original “story” is reprinted below.

The gist of that story, was that this small fast food chain had a terrific product/operation and tremendous potential to expand to food courts- all over the United States.

From a Florida perspective, Maoz in 2013 had 1-Florida location (Boca Raton). Today, Maoz has 3-Florida locations… 1-Boca Raton, 1-Orlando (The Mall at Millenia’s foodcourt), 1-Miami Beach (storefront/salad bar).

Jeff Eats recently “tried” the Miami Beach and Orlando joints–and I gotta tell you, this small chain has the right formula. The food is terrific, the prices are right.

Maoz is still an INFANT in the US fast food chain business. From its site www.maozusa.com Jeff Eats notes–1 Texas, 3 Florida, 1 Illinois, 1 New Jersey, 1 New Jersey, 6 New York, 1 Pennsylvania…of the 14 locations, 3 are in mall food courts (Boca Raton, Orlando, Chicago).

Let me wrap (pun intended) this up for you,

Go and try Maoz. The food is delicious..

Finally, take a look at YELP! The reviews on Maoz Vegetarian are extremely positive. Now, you and I know all about “bogus” reviews, but the sheer number of reviews- tells Jeff Eats that there are tons of people who love this chain.

Eventually-not exactly sure when, Maoz Vegetarian will be a tenant in mall food courts across America.

Posted May 3, 2012
***** Maoz Vegetarian, 6000 Glades Road (Town Center Mall), Boca Raton, Florida 33431, (561) 393-6269.

As I mentioned the other day, last Sunday afternoon I killed some time at Town Center Mall–while Mrs. Jeff Eats searched for “who knows what.” Of course during my “stay”—I visited the mall’s recently reconfigured-rebuilt food court. Suffice it to say, the court looks great, but in my humble opinion–there aren’t enough fast-food outlets–and there is too much “duplication” with the outlets that are there. That said, I did come across an “interesting concept” in the fast-food business…Maoz Vegetarian, which- if I was a betting man, will be a “homerun” in the reconfigured Town Center Mall food court. Before I give you the skinny on Maoz Vegetarian, I gotta tell you that the folks behind Forever 21 (a national budget chain of women/men’s clothing & accessories) have to be genuises. Forever 21 just opened a gigantic 2-story location in the back of Town Center Mall’s food court and at 3pm last Sunday the store was jammed and I do mean jammed with people. Not to go off on a tangent here, but Mrs. Jeff Eats and Daughter Jeff Eats swear by this chain–trust me, these girls are professional shoppers. Anyway, let me get back to Maoz Vegetarian…

Maoz Vegetarian is a small fast food chain that does falafel…real simple concept- pita bread filled with falafel/salad (you pick combinations/dressings)—the joint also does belgian and sweet potato fries. You can check www.maozusa.com for menu/prices/prices. Just so you know, there are currently 13 Maoz locations in the United States (I told you it was a small chain)-the Boca outlet is the only Florida location. For the record, I did “one” of these pitas with sweet potato fries and it was delicious…real nice change from the burgers, pizzas, bourbon chicken that I usually get while killing time in malls.

Now nothing for nothing…but during the 20 minutes or so I was in the food court, Maoz had the longest and steadiest lines. Trust me, I know “20 minutes” isn’t long enough for a scientific study to base any conclusions on– As I told you a few seconds ago the food was delicious–and in doing some due diligence (talking to several security guards, mall/store/food court employees) it seems that since the food court’s re-opening a few months ago, Maoz has been doing some real nice business. For the record, if memory serves me correctly… the food court has a pretzel joint, salad joint, pizza joint, Chinese/Japanese joint, Earl of Sandwich joint, Chick-fil-A joint (which was closed on Sunday), yogurt joint—one other thing, in the bay next to the pizza joint there was an “opening soon” sign for another pizza joint–what’s that all about?

Let me wrap Maoz Vegetarian up for you…

I have eaten more food court “meals” than I choose to remember. Not going to list them all but, I’ve been fed by the “best” of them…Nathan’s, Subway, Panda Express, McDonald’s, Burger King, Auntie Annes, Earl of Sandwich, Wetzels Pretzels, Tutti Frutti Yogurt, Dairy Queen/Orange Julius, Saladworks, Kohl’s Frozen Custard, Tossed, Sbarro’s…I’ve devoured more free bourbon chicken toothpick samples than you can shake a stick out. Now, I may be going out on a huge and I do mean huge limb here, but…I am going to predict that itsy bitsy tweeny weeny Maoz Vegetarian is going to grow into a huge brand. The concept is simple, relatively new and has “yet” to be exploited on a national level…plus the food is fresh, delicious and its $5-$10 price points are reasonable…there is one caveat to my prediction—unless the Simons (mall owners) of the world decide that food courts can “handle” more than one falafel joint at a time.

One final observation on Maoz (now, I’m not 100% sure on this)–I think that the Boca Raton “store” is the chain’s first food court location. I believe that the other outlets are much larger and incorporate self-serve salad bars into the concept. If my thinking is correct on this, Maoz Vegetarian has two layouts that make the game even more interesting for potential franchisees.

The next time you are in Town Center Mall give Maoz Vegetarian a shot.

The joint is open, Monday-Saturday 11am-9pm, Sunday 11:30am-6pm.

***** Hong Kong City BBQ, 5301 North State Road 7, Tamarac, Florida 33319, (954) 777-3832.

Got a real-good Chinese joint for you…Hong Kong City BBQ in Tamarac.

The beautiful thing about Hong Kong City BBQ is that nobody in your car is gonna bitch about going there. The reason Jeff Eats says that, the joint has dim sum, Brooklyn-Jewish-American Chinese food circa 1957 and authentic Chinese food (whatever that is?).

Anyway,

A party of 6-of us recently gave Hong Kong City BBQ a shot and I gotta tell you, the food was right on the money.

Let me give you a fast run down of what was ordered…
House Wonton Soup.
Egg Drop Soup.
Chicken Corn Soup.
Pan Fried Pot Stickers.
BBQ Roasted Honey Roasted Spareribs.
BBQ Roasted 1/2 Duck.
Shrimp Pan Fried Noodles.
Roast Pork Fried Rice.
Peking Pork Chops.
Sweet & Sour Pork.
Steam Whole Tilapia.
Lobster Cantonese.

Now, nothing for nothing–not one person in our party “didn’t find what to eat” and everyone agreed that the food was really good. The prices are “neighborhood” Chinese joint prices, the décor is neighborhood Chinese joint décor. Playing to its name–Hong King City BBQ (with the emphasis on BBQ) the joint has some bbq chickens/ducks/pigs hanging over the front counter–which gives the joint a nice New York City Chinatown Dump feel.

You guys know that Jeff Eats really isn’t into doing “pecking orders”…that said, the House Wonton Soup, BBQ Honey Roasted Spareribs, Peking Pork Chops and Sweet & Sour Pork were at the top of my list. Like I said before, everything was really good, but the stuff I just mentioned–was really-really good.

I’m just guessing here, but I’m thinking that some of you guys may want to know: Does Hong Kong City BBQ have any “Early Bird” deals? Yes “Virginia”-from 3pm-7pm- 7 days a week Hong Kong City BBQ has an Early Bird which gets you–soup/eggroll/white or fried rice/entrée.

Let me wrap this one up,

Jeff Eats really enjoyed Hong Kong City BBQ. Give this joint a shot- I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.

You can check menu/other stuff at www.hkcitybbq.com.

Hong Kong City BBQ is open Monday-Friday 11am-11pm, Saturday-Sunday 10:30am-11pm.

* 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!