***** Italio, 1658 North Federal Highway, Boca Raton, Florida 33432, (561) 392-7778.

Italio is a fast-food Italian joint…there are currently 3-locations, Boca Raton, Fort Lauderdale, Winter Park—according to its website, Italio in 2014 plans to open stores in Coconut Creek, Florida/Orlando, Florida/Tampa, Florida/Oakland Park, Illinois.

Real simple concept…order/pickup at the counter…
3 choices–pasta bowl, salad bowl, wrap.
pick one of 7 entrées.
pick one of 11 sauces/pestos/dressings.
pick from 21 toppings.

Not gonna bother you with a list entrees, sauces/pestos/dessings, toppings… You can check www.italiokitchen.com for menu/prices/other stuff.

The food…

Jeff Eats recently gave the Boca Raton joint a shot…tried the grilled shrimp/Italian sausage/meatball entrées—also tried the basil pomodoro/alfredo sauces.

Let me wrap Italio up for you guys…Italio is what Jeff Eats calls a variation on a theme. You’re smart guys–you’ve seen this “build your own” concept with yogurt, Mexican, pizza, burgers, teddy bears-Italio is doing it with Italian stuff.

Personally, I really enjoyed Italio. Every entrée I had was delicious. Same for the sauces. Same for the toppings that I didn’t list because Jeff Eats got lazy. By the way, figure on spending $7.50-$9.50 depending on which entree you go with.

Italio is open Monday-Sunday 10:45am-10pm

***** Cabo Flats, 14851 Lyons Road (Delray Marketplace), Delray Beach, Florida 33446, (561) 499-0378.

Last night Jeff Eats gave Mexican joint–Cabo Flats a shot. Just so you know, Cabo has 2-south Florida locations 1-in Palm Beach Gardens, 1-in Delray Beach. The one I’m talking about- is the Delray Beach outpost which opened about a month ago in the Delray Marketplace.

Let me start by saying that Cabo Flats is an absolutely great looking restaurant. Trust me on this, Cabo ain’t a “mom & pop” joint…the Delray Beach location is probably 10,000 square feet- seating maybe 250 and there is an outdoor patio that probably seats close to 150. Jeff Eats is gonna guess here, but I’m thinking that the owners probably went for some heavy duty cash building this joint out—I’m figuring something like $1.5 million. When you check www.caboflats.com for menu/prices you’ll also find décor photos. Cabo has an indoor bar/window outdoor bar—and some real high ceilings.

As I mentioned above, Cabo Flats is located in the Delray Marketplace. Don’t really have the time to go into Jeff Eats’ opinion on this center, but if you do some checking- you’ll find a writeup on why I think that this relatively new center is a “disaster” in the making.

Anyway…

Cabo Flats is a real good looking joint–I will tell you, that no question in Jeff Eats’ mind, it’s way too big for the area’s demographics…also, its high ceilings and open doors/open bar window are going to result in “ac” electric bills that will probably shock its owners’ collective conscience. But hey, I’m sure they thought all this out before they started construction.

Let’s talk food.

Last night Jeff Eats and Mrs. Jeff Eats ate “outside”…service was real good- we ordered guacamole el cabo ($9) which came with a nice sized portion of corn tortilla chips, cabo wings ($10), gringo burger with French fries ($9), chicken fajita ($14), shrimp quesadilla ($13). First let me say, Cabo has its pricing right on the mark–very reasonable and there is no skimping on portion size. Absolutely loved the cabo wings–which were in a mild-bbq sauce. As for the rest of the “dishes” decent enough…but nothing that you guys won’t find in chains like Friday’s-Chili’s. Now-please don’t get me wrong, Mrs. Jeff Eats and I thoroughly enjoyed the meal, but Cabo is basically serving what I call chain food.

So what do we got here?

Great looking joint, with decent enough tasting/priced food, in a humongous space-with a high ceiling/open doors/open bar window, in a center that “imho” will suck wind.

To wrap this one up, give Cabo Flats a try. It definitely got the job done for Jeff Eats…but please check your “dynamite” food expectations at the front door. On the business side of the equation- Not so sure as- to how happy its owners are going to be with this “project”– only time will tell on that.

Cabo Flats is open Monday-Wednesday 11:30am-1am, 11:30am-3am, Saturday 11am-3am, Sunday 11am-1am.

* Christmas Day–Chinese Food & A Movie.

During her June 29, 2010 confirmation hearing, future Supreme Court Justice-Elena Kagan was asked by Senator Lindsey Graham (with reference to the Christmas Day Bomber)-“Where were you on Christmas Day.”–Kagan replied, “You know, like all Jews, I was probably in a Chinese restaurant.”

As Sinatra use to croon, “Love and marriage, love and marriage, go together like a horse and carriage…”

With the “above” in mind, Jeff Eats, Mrs. Jeff Eats and another couple will be dining -Christmas Day at China Dumpling, 1899/5 North Congress Avenue, Boynton Beach (see review-6/23/08)…the meal to be followed by the 6:40pm showing of “The Wolf of Wall Street” at the Cinemark Palace 20 in Boca Raton.

For those who don’t get Christmas Day–Chinese Food & A Movie…where you been?

A happy and safe holiday to all of you guys…

* Chipolte Now Does Pizza!!

Just got the below-printed press release..

Chipolte the Mexican-fast food giant is now in the pizza business.

Based on Chipolte’s “Mexican” success in the United States— Jeff Eats wouldn’t bet against Chipolte becoming huge in the fast food pizza business.
*****
Press Release
Concept brings Chipotle’s service style and commitment to high-quality ingredients to Neapolitan-style pizza

DENVER–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Dec. 18, 2013– Chipotle Mexican Grill (NYSE: CMG) has partnered with restaurateurs Bobby Stuckey and Lachlan Mackinnon-Patterson to launch a fast causal pizza concept called Pizzeria Locale. The first restaurant is located in Denver and is based on a full-service pizzeria by the same name located in Boulder, Colo. Pizzeria Locale opened its first fast casual location in partnership with Chipotle in May and is exploring options for second and third locations in Denver.

Pizzeria Locale offers a menu that includes 10 classic pizzas, four American classics, or customer-created combinations from a selection of high-quality ingredients presented in an interactive service line. Pizzas are then fired in a high-temperature pizza oven that bakes the pizzas in less than two minutes. The restaurant also serves salads and sides including prosciutto and meatballs. Red or white Italian wine is available on tap.

The original Pizzeria Locale in Boulder opened in 2011 and was created by Frasca Food and Wine founders Stuckey, a master sommelier, and executive chef Mackinnon-Patterson. The full-service restaurant is a contemporary pizzeria inspired by the traditional pizzerias of Naples, Italy. The new Denver restaurant draws from the same inspiration. It also draws from a commitment to premium ingredients and an interactive service format similar to Chipotle.

“Bobby and Lachlan are extraordinary restaurateurs who truly understand what it takes to provide an exceptional dining experience,” said Steve Ells, founder, chairman and co-CEO of Chipotle. “I have known them for years and I thought their pizzeria in Boulder presented the perfect opportunity to collaborate. Opening Pizzeria Locale using a model similar to Chipotle allows us to make extraordinary pizza, made with high-quality ingredients accessible to everyone.”

“Steve has been a friend for 10 years, and for many of those years we have talked about collaborating on something. With Pizzeria Locale, we found a project we were all passionate about and we couldn’t be happier than to have a partner in Chipotle that shares our vision of making our pizza accessible to more people,” said Patterson. “We have always admired Chipotle’s pursuit of the best ingredients, its commitment preparing food using classic cooking techniques, and their understanding of what it takes to create a great restaurant experience. Through this partnership, we can continue to run Pizzeria Locale with the same energy and passion we’ve always had, but can also look to Chipotle to help with some of the challenges that can become distracting for a restaurateur.”

Pizzeria Locale’s contemporary design features dark woods, white tiled floors and walls, marble accents on tables and the pizza-making station, a special dough room that holds dough at a consistent 72-degrees and a humidity level that mimics Naples on a spring day, and a custom-developed pizza oven that cooks pizzas perfectly in under two minutes.

Pizzeria Locale joins ShopHouse as an additional concept that provides future growth opportunities for Chipotle. Chipotle currently operates six ShopHouse Southeast Asian Kitchen restaurants in Washington, DC and Los Angeles with additional restaurants opening in the coming months.

“While both Pizzeria Locale and ShopHouse are exciting concepts, it’s important to remember that our growth will continue to be driven for the foreseeable future by expanding the Chipotle brand within the U.S.,” said Steve Ells.

Plans for growing Pizzeria Locale call for slow, measured expansion that allows the restaurant to perfect the concept and service model, and to develop from within the people it will need to staff additional restaurants. Stuckey and Mackinnon-Patterson’s other ventures, Frasca Food and Wine and the original Pizzeria Locale in Boulder, Colo., are not part of this partnership and are not affiliated in any way with Chipotle.

For additional information, contact: Chris Arnold, Chipotle Mexican Grill, 303.222.5912, carnold@chipotle.com or Sarah Abell, Baltz and Company, 917.584.8567, sabell@baltzco.com.

ABOUT CHIPOTLE

Steve Ells, founder, chairman and co-CEO, started Chipotle with the idea that food served fast did not have to be a typical fast food experience. Today, Chipotle continues to offer a focused menu of burritos, tacos, burrito bowls (a burrito without the tortilla) and salads made from fresh, high-quality raw ingredients, prepared using classic cooking methods and served in a distinctive atmosphere. Through our vision of Food With Integrity, Chipotle is seeking better food from using ingredients that are not only fresh, but that — where possible — are sustainably grown and Responsibly Raised® with respect for the animals, the land, and the farmers who produce the food. In order to achieve this vision, we focus on building a special people culture that is centered on creating teams of top performers empowered to achieve high standards. This people culture not only leads to a better dining experience for our customers, it also allows us to develop future leaders from within. Chipotle opened with a single restaurant in 1993 and currently operates more than 1,550 restaurants. For more information, visit Chipotle.com.

ABOUT PIZZERIA LOCALE

Pizzeria Locale is a contemporary pizzeria inspired by the traditional pizzerias of Naples, Italy and was created as a result of founders Lachlan Mackinnon-Patterson and Bobby Stuckey’s culinary travels throughout Italy and years of fine dining experience. Under the direction of chef Mackinnon-Patterson and master sommelier Stuckey, Pizzeria Locale serves the highest quality ingredients in a contemporary, interactive atmosphere. Pizzeria Locale Boulder opened at 1730 Pearl Street as a full-service restaurant in January 2011, adjacent to sister restaurant Frasca Food and Wine, which are both owned solely by Mackinnon-Patterson and Stuckey. In May 2013, and in partnership with Chipotle Mexican Grill, Pizzeria Locale Denver opened at 550 Broadway as the first fast-casual location, with a simplified menu and a revolutionary custom-designed oven, cooking pizzas in under two minutes. For more information, visit www.pizzerialocale.com

Source: Chipotle Mexican Grill

Chipotle Mexican Grill
Chris Arnold, 303-222-5912
carnold@chipotle.com
or
Baltz and Company
Sarah Abell, 917-584-8567

***** Corner Bakery Cafe, 2240 Northwest 19th Street, Boca Raton, Florida 33431, (561) 417-6060.

Corner Bakery Cafe is a U.S. chain of self-serve cafes that specializes in breakfast stuff, breads, pastries, soups, sandwiches, salads. Last count-about 150 of these joints spread out–Arizona, California, Colorado, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Kansas, Maryland, Mississippi, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas, Utah, Virginia. For our purposes, there are 4 Florida location-Boca Raton, Pembroke Pines and 2-Miami. You can check www.cornerbakery.com for locations/menu/prices/photos.

Simple concept-order/pickup at counter.

Can’t really believe it, but Jeff Eats has-never reviewed Panera Bread. For the purposes of this story, I’m gonna assume that you know what Panera Bread is all about. With that in mind, Corner Bakery Cafe looks/tastes/feels/quacks just like Panera Bread does–only difference, Panera Bread has more than 10-times the number of stores that Corner Bakery Cafe does. For those of you who don’t know about Panera Bread…check www.panerabread.com.

As Jeff Eats’ uncle (by marriage) Sam Ting would say…Corner Bakery Cafe and Panera Bread are the same-thing (took some doing to sneak this one in here)-jacks of all trades and masters of none.

Jeff Eats has eaten twice in Boca’s-Corner Bakery Cafe…chicken salad on rye, French toast/scrambled eggs, meatball panini, chicken noodle soup. Now, nothing terrible–but nothing that I would ever consider for a last meal at Attica. Look, I know-this is Corner Bakery Cafe’s story–but just insert Panera Bread where Corner Bakery Cafe is now and vice versa–and you basically got Jeff Eats’ take on Panera Bread…of course, I ate different stuff at Panera Bread’s CityPlace and Mission Bay joints-but like Corner Bakery Cafe’s food, I wasn’t a fan.

To be perfectly honest with you, for the life of me- Jeff Eats can’t figure out why Panera Bread and to a lesser extent Corner Bakery are seemingly so successful. No fooling, their food/service are mediocre at best…same mystery surrounds McDonald’s- but that’s a story for another day!

If you refuse to listen, Corner Bakery Cafe is open Monday-Sunday 7am-8pm.

***** Donut King, 208 South Highway 27, Minneola, Florida 34715, (352) 243-4046.

No! Not Mineola, New York…but rather Minneola as in about 25-miles west of Orlando (MapQuest it).

Anyway…

Last week Jeff Eats “found” Donut King- a terrific donut joint in Minneola, Florida.

For what it’s worth, Jeff Eats knows donuts better than anyone else–except for two New York City cops (now retired)-that I’ve known since 1975–one currently resides in Staten Island, the other in Bonita Springs.

Let me make this one short and sweet…

Donut King makes some of the most delicious donuts that Jeff Eats has ever-ever eaten. Check www.thedonutking.com for donut selection/menu/video/photos.

Now for the kicker, this “hole in the wall” (maybe 4 tables) also “does”- breakfast stuff, subs- (Donut King calls them po-boys), wings, burgers…

Now for the ultimate kicker, this “hole in the wall” makes “Castle Burgers”—when Jeff Eats was eating them, I could have sworn that they were White Castle Burgers…delicious!!

Now for the ultimate-ultimate kicker, this “hole in the wall” is open 24/7.

Now for the “You Won’t Believe This Award”–this “hole in the wall’s” website spells Minneola wrong…you figured right, its got MINEOLA.

Finally, Donut King is absolutely amazing. If you live, work, visit the Minneola-area, make it your business to stop at Donut King.

***** Waffy’s, 2370 East Sunrise Boulevard (Galleria Mall), Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33304, (561) 251-5921.

Here’s a story for you guys…

About 2-months ago Jeff Eats and Mrs. Jeff Eats decided to do some home renovations…a real good friend- Dave recommended a GC named Joe Tinneny. When we first met Joe- we could tell right away that he was a guy that knew his business and would do a great job at a very fair/reasonable price. Right up front, Joe told us that-he would take our job but that at the same time- would also be handling some work for Dave as well as Waffy’s, a brand new fast food chain that had an outlet in the Galleria Mall and a corporate office/distribution center in Pompano Beach. To make a long story short, Joe did a terrific job for us–finishing this afternoon. Rather than dragging this Joe story out… during the past 2-months, he and his crew kept telling me about how great Waffy’s- Belgian waffles/paninis were–blah, blah, blah! Between you, me and the bedpost, Jeff Eats was more interested in getting our roof/driveway/pool deck fixed-up that hearing about Waffy’s food, corking, drywall, plastering and flooring projects.

Anyway…

Last Saturday night, Jeff Eats and Mrs. Jeff Eats attended the 7th Annual Sweet Dreams event at the Seminole Casino Coconut Creek. Great time, with all types of vendors serving-up some of the most delicious desserts imaginable…and low and behold, one of the vendors was Waffy’s…talk about coincidence! After telling the two folks behind the display table that we shared a “common” contractor blah, blah, blah—Jeff Eats and Mrs. Jeff Eats sampled waffles covered with Nutella/fresh strawberries/whipped cream, waffles topped with melted caramel, waffles filled with Belgian chocolate/ topped with whipped cream…and I gotta tell you, these desserts were off-the chart. Absolutely amazing-delicious and definitely some of Sweet Dreams’ best offerings.

Joe’s raves and Sweet Dreams got Jeff Eats thinking…and this afternoon I took a ride down to the Galleria to check Waffy’s out. Huge kiosk setup, with all kinds of waffles/toppings/waffle paninis/soft serve ice cream. Now we are talking Monday afternoon, around 1pm -and during the half- hour that I watched- there was a constant line waiting to order stuff. True-true…it’s Christmas time, but I’m telling you, that this Waffy’s-thing was much busier than most of the mall’s food court outlets. By the way, Waffy’s isn’t in the food court, but is right in front of the Macy’s in the Galleria.

Check Waffy’s website www.waffys.com for menu/prices/photos. From what I can tell, the Galleria joint is Waffy’s only- retail location. The website has a load of franchise information and a list of planned Waffy’s outlets. The site also indicates that Waffy’s does private off-premises catering.

Look! Waffy’s is a relatively new company- it’s been in business since 2010. Does this “waffle” concept have legs? Your guess is as good as mine. What I do know, is that the stuff I ate was awesome and if Joe does the GC work- Waffy’s outlets will look great.

Waffy’s is open Monday-Saturday 10am-9pm, Sunday noon-6pm.

* Boca Village Square-An Early Christmas Present For You Guys!

Just this minute heard- that two of my favorite joints to “fress in” (linquists look it up) are coming to Boca Village Square, 21116 St. Avenue Boulevard, Boca Raton…namely BurgerFi (see review 4/6/11) and Sicilian Oven (see review 3/14/09)…no more schlepping (linquists look it up) for this Boca-boy to Delray Beach and Lighthouse Point—now, if Jeff Eats could only talk Dairy Queen into taking a spot in that center. Look for Grand Openings in January 2014.

***** The Pink Submarine, 2041 Wilton Drive, Wilton Manors, Florida 33305, (954) 566-2219.

Got a real-good sub joint for you…The Pink Submarine in Wilton Manors.

You know the deal order at/pickup at the counter…on the décor front, “think” The Beatles’ Yellow Submarine cartoon–and you’ll be on the right page.

Between Jeff Eats, you and the bedpost (ever wonder where this saying came from?) subs shops in South Florida or for that matter the entire United States are literally a dime a dozen (ever wonder where this saying came from?)–what separates “some” from the pack is- the quality/quantity of the ingredients and the bread that those ingredients get stuffed into …with this formula in mind, I gotta tell you that The Pink Submarine makes some of the best subs that Jeff Eats has eaten-here in South Florida.

The other day, Jeff Eats “tried”–a meatball sub (white-$8), a roast beef sub (multigrain-$8), a turkey sub (whole wheat-$8)…and like I said 9 seconds ago, all of the 8″ subs were top-shelf. You can check menu/prices at www.thepinksubmarine.com.

One final thought, the lady who made Jeff Eats’ subs was as pleasant as could-be and had a nice heavy-hand while loading the ingredients.

The Pink Submarine is open Monday-Thursday 11am-7pm, Friday-Saturday 11am-2am, Sunday 11am-5pm.

* Burger Beast’s Top 25 Burgers In South Florida.

One of Jeff Eats’ favorite South Florida food blogs is ‘Burger Beast’ www.burgerbeast.com…I’ve been reading this-guy for years and he has turned me-onto some really good joints/events. Now we all-know that there is ONLY-one Jeff Eats, but trust-me…Burger Beast really knows his stuff when it comes to burgers and other ‘comfort-foods.”

With all of the above in mind, on December 10, 2013 Burger Beast published his ‘Top 25 Burgers In South Florida’ list…

Now nothing for nothing, Jeff Eats has already got a-lot of the Burger Beast’s “burgers” done up (pun intended) but there are a handful that I’ve yet to try…

Anyway…checkout www.burgerbeast.com, it’s a real nice companion piece to Jeff Eats.