***** Square 1 Burgers & Bar, 5031 South Cleveland Avenue, Fort Myers, Florida 33907, (239) 931-8111.

Got an absolutely terrific- full service BURGER joint for you…Square 1 Burgers & Bar. For right now, this small Florida-chain has 6 locations with a seventh location scheduled to open in The Villages, Florida early next month.

Just so you know, Jeff Eats “tried” the Square 1 Fort Myers’ location–so this “critique” is only for that particular joint.

Real fast…

Square 1’s décor is done in “cow”–check website www.square1burgersbar.com and you’ll know what I’m talking about. It has indoor/covered outdoor patio seating–and a full bar that serves both inside/outside window seating. The joint’s menu is basically salads, burgers, shakes.

Trust Jeff Eats on this one…If you like flat top grilled burgers (beef, chicken, duck, turkey, lamb, kobe, veggie) French fries, onion rings, shakes–you’re gonna love this joint.

A recent outing had Jeff Eats doing a cheeseburger (burgers are 6 oz.) with French fries…Mrs. Jeff Eats did a lamb burger with sweet potato fries. We split a chopped salad and an order of onion rings. Our meals were washed down with chocolate and vanilla shakes–by the way, Square 1 uses Blue Bell Ice Cream in its shakes.

Let me wrap this up for you…

Square 1 Burgers & Bar is a homerun. The only problem- I have with this chain–is that for right now it’s not “chaining” in the Dade-Broward-Palm Beach area. I am telling you, Square 1 Burgers would absolutely kill-it in “our” neighborhood.

You can check menu/prices/photos/locations/other info at www.square1burgersbar.com.

Square 1 Burgers & Bar is open Sunday-Wednesday 11am-10pm, Thursday 11am-11pm, Friday-Saturday 11am-midnight.

* Another Cookie Story For You!

This morning Jeff Eats “did” two cookie-stories…”College Cookies” and “Insane Cookies.”

Thought you guys you would enjoy reading this-story “Girl Scout Break Cookie Selling Record” that I just read on AP-

One quick thought, this kid would be real “dangerous” at a Tupperware Party…Can’t even fathom what it would be like to “encounter” this kid while walking into Publix!
*****

“Girl Scout Breaks Cookie Selling Record…18,107 boxes of cookies. That’s what it took for an Oklahoma City sixth grader to narrowly break the national record for Girl Scout cookie sales.

According to ABC, 12-year-old Katie Francis has broken a 30-year-old record of 18,000 boxes. She was also the top cookie seller nationwide in 2013.

The Oklahoman points out Katie broke the state record in Oklahoma the last two years. She told the paper she has sold thousands of boxes in the past.

“Well, the first year that I sold, I sold 2,004. The year after that, I sold 7,482. And then just this last year, I sold 12,428.”

So what’s Katie’s secret? According to USA Today, it’s a whole lot of dedication.

Katie says she asks everyone she sees if they would like to get a box. On school days, she would be out selling cookies all over the area until after 9 p.m. And, on weekends, she’d spend at least 12 hours out on the streets selling cookies, with her mom driving her around the city.

Katie’s mom told the paper her daughter hopes to sell 100,000 boxes of girl scout cookies by the end of her girl scout career. As for this year, Katie still has a few more days to sell cookies. Girl Scout cookie sales end March 30.”

* College Cookies!

Jeff Eats recently got an email from Tad G. Take a look at it:

Hey Jeff,

Like you, my parents were born in Brooklyn.
My dad attended Madison HS and my mom went to Lincoln HS.
Based on your site’s bio, your about 8 years older than they are.
We moved to Delray Beach in 2004.
I’m currently a junior at the University of Miami.
I have friends at colleges all over the United States and a number of them told me that there are local companies that deliver in the evening fresh baked cookies/milk/other items to dorms and apartments on/near campus.
There is a company in Miami named Night Owl Cookie doing the same thing.
I was wondering as to what you think of this type of business?
The reason I ask, I was thinking that maybe this cookie delivery business could develop into a huge national business with a handful of dominant players.
My dad and a few of his friends maybe willing to bankroll a startup for this.
Would appreciate your thoughts.
*****
Jeff Eats “reply”–

Tad G.:

The cookie “delivery” business that you mentioned is an interesting concept.
Jeff Eats first heard about it about 6 years ago from a student at Indiana University.
Since then, I have kept an eye on the “industry” and note that many “college towns” have some type of variation on the concept.
If you check Insomnia Cookies (www.insomniacookies.com) which was started in 2003 by a University Of Pennsylvania student currently has 40 locations.
Not to burst any bubbles, but personally I think that it’s a limited business.
Unlike pizza, wings–I just don’t see “cookie delivery” as being really huge no matter what time it is.
Not saying it doesn’t work, but I don’t think that it works everywhere like Burger King, Subway.
I think that cookies are a really limited product.

Hope my thoughts help.

* 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