***** 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.

* The Original Brooklyn Water Bagel Co.

Way back on August 11, 2009–Jeff Eats told you guys about a new fast food bagel joint, The Original Brooklyn Water Co. that had just opened for business in Delray Beach.

Since that date- The Original Brooklyn Water Co. has grown to 13 Florida locations and 5 other outposts in other states.

Over the years, Jeff Eats has eaten-in and taken-out a number of times from the original (pun intended) Delray Beach joint.

Good bagels, good spreads and good coffee is the best way to describe The Original Brooklyn Water Bagel Co.

To be perfectly honest with you, in the past 5 years or so, Jeff Eats hasn’t really been following The Original Brooklyn Water Bagel Co. story closely. I will tell you that I had read about a series of lawsuits filed against the Company involving its claims about having a process that “makes water into Brooklyn water.” If you check, my initial write-up briefly touched on the water-claim.

Anyway…

Yesterday afternoon, Jeff Eats and Mrs. Jeff Eats ate at the Delray Beach store. I had an everything/with chicken salad and Mrs. Jeff Eats had a toasted Russian pumpernickel with tuna salad–the bagels and spreads were right on the money.

This latest eating-outing got me thinking about The Original Brooklyn Water Co. and what happened to those “lawsuits.”

To answer my own lawsuits’ question: I’m not sure.

What I did learn- was that other then 2-stores (which are franchised), the other 16 are Company owned. Now just guessing here, The Original Brooklyn Water Bagel Co. (which was set-up as a franchise business)–based on its website (www.brooklynwaterbagels.com), there is no longer any mention of franchising/opportunities. That tells me, that the Company is out of the franchise business. To take it one step further, I got a sneaking suspicion that the “water system” really wasn’t/isn’t all that it was cracked-up to be and The Original Brooklyn Water Bagel Co. “decided” not to use that “gimmick” to sell franchises–thus a Company owned store policy and no new franchises.

To wrap it up,

The bagels are good. The spreads are good. The coffee is good. The décor is cool. The service is good. The water “ain’t” so good-assuming you are looking for “Brooklyn Water.”

* Best Meatball In Town Contest.

What Jeff Eats won’t do to for a free meal!

Actually- I’m playing judge -1. To meet Sid Rosenberg, 2. To meet a Boca Raton cop who will give me a “get out of jail free card,” 3. To help the Police Athletic League get a real nice “donation” from Meatball Room, 4. To find out why Steve O and Renee have a radio show and Jeff Eats doesn’t.

Between you and me, I really want that “Get Out Of Jail Free Card.”–but that’s just between us!

* Stephen Colbert To Replace David Letterman.

Let’s put the pizza joints and ice cream joints and Chinese joints on hold for about 15 seconds…

Unless you live under a rock, you’ve heard that CBS- has signed Stephen Colbert to replace David Lettermen in 2015.

Now-Jeff Eats could be dead wrong here-but I think that ratings hungry CBS has made a huge
error…

Here’s why-

The way I see it, having watched Stephen Colbert in one-form-or-another…he’s basically a Liberal Democrat. Now, based on recent Presidential-Congressional elections I’m thinking that America is basically 50% Democrat and 50% Republican—Even Steven -liberal-conservative.

Now…I seriously doubt that Stephen Colbert is going to draw much of an audience from that 50% Republican-conservative segment. Folks who watch “late night” shows like Letterman and Leno (now Fallon) are looking for light-whimsical stuff-not sarcastic political humor.

Sorry CBS…you bought a guy who should be a switch hitter–but he only bats from the left side of the plate.

Catch you guys in 2015 and we’ll see how Colbert is doing.

Now, back to pizza-ice cream-Chinese joints.

***** Rosie’s Gourmet Italian Ices, 1791 122nd Terrace, Pembroke Pines, Florida 33026, (954) 435-8939.

Let me kick-off this “story” by telling you, that “you never really know what life has in store for you.”

With that in mind, I want you guys to know- that if “we” ever go on TV’s “The Newly Wed Game”– and Bob Eubanks asks you what my-3 favorite foods/meals are- you should tell him…1. Jewish American Chinese, 2. Pizza-Italian, 3. Italian Ices.

With the above in mind, I got a great place for you to check-out…Rosie’s Gourmet Italian Ices in Pembroke Pines.

Rosie’s has been around since 1994 and makes its ices-in-house. At any given time, there are 20 flavors–and “they” rotate in and out of the line-up.

Trust Jeff Eats on this one, those Italian Ices cups that Publix and Winn Dixie sell are absolute crap–personally, I wouldn’t waste even one-single calorie on hard-stale ices that have been sitting in some supermarket’s freezer for God only knows how long—but then again, that’s just me!

Anyway…

When you check Rosie’s site www.rosiesgourmetitalianices.com–you’ll find a list of water/cream ices-flavors that will blow your mind–

A recent outing had Jeff Eats “sampling” cherry/lemon/chocolate-chocolate chip water ices and cappuccino/pistachio cream ices and I gotta tell you- every flavor was right on the money. Now listen closely–Rosie’s makes a thing called- Radio Ball, which layers soft serve ice cream (either vanilla, chocolate or swirl) with your favorite Italian ices—the Jeff Eats’ Radio Ball of chocolate soft serve and vanilla chip cream ices was DELICIOUS! Not to go into detail, the Radio Ball Possibilities are endless–you mathematicians out there can figure out the exact number.

Rosie’s Gourmet Italian Ices has indoor seating and the owners will let you “try” away at will. By the way, in addition to ices and soft serve-Rosie’s has a number of hard ice cream flavors to choose from-just so you know, the ice cream and the soft serve is “bought” from an outside Miami distributor. Everything is good!- but the real game here is ICES!

To wrap this one up,

If you like Italian Ices, you’ll love Rosie’s Gourmet Italian Ices.

The joint is open Sunday-Thursday 11:30am-9pm, Friday-Saturday 11:30am-9:30pm.

***** Ms. Cheezious, www.mscheezious.com, (305) 989-4019.

Real simple…

Ms. Cheezious is- 2 “food trucks” that work Dade/Broward/Palm Beach counties…its “specialty” GRILLED CHEESE SANDWICHES.

You can check www.mscheezious.com for schedule/menu/prices.

First things first- yes! Jeff Eats caught the “play on words”–for those not following, Ms. Cheezious—Mischevious.

Recently caught up with one of Ms. Cheezious’ trucks at Magic City Casino (Miami)—and I gotta tell you that Ms. Cheezious’ bbq pulled pork grilled cheese sandwich, and crab salad grilled cheese sandwich were off the chart…also loved its tomato soup and sweet potato fries.

Now-nothing for nothing, Jeff Eats isn’t telling you to become some kinda of grilled cheese food groupy-following Ms. Cheezious’ trucks all over the place…what I am telling you, Ms. Cheezious has dynamite food and a winning combination of “menu” and “design your own” sandwiches.

Like I said before, 2- food trucks working the Dade/Broward/Palm Beach arena.

Jeff Eats really hopes you get a chance to try Ms. Cheezious’ stuff.

* Join Us For A Gourmet Meal At Ruth’s Chris.

This morning, Jeff Eats received in the mail an unsolicited postcard offering a “complimentary gourmet meal” – at Ruth’s Chris, 225 Northeast Mizner Boulevard, Boca Raton, Florida 33432 at 6pm on any of 1-of 3-dates…Wednesday, April 23, 2014–Tuesday, April 29, 2014–Thursday, May 1, 2014.

Jeff Eats and an invited guest are entitled to the meals(s) immediately following “Understanding Different Retirement Plans” presented by Arlene Orkin.

Jeff Eats has absolutely no idea who Arlene Orkin is…

To qualify, Jeff Eats has to be at least 55 and I can’t be a financial agent/broker/or advisor.

To get this free-deal–all Jeff Eats has to do is confirm my reservation at 1-800-853-0492.

Now the big question-?

What’s gonna be served!!