***** Triple Bar Bistro, 3401 Equestrian Club Road, Wellington, Florida 33414, (561) 333-1150.

Every so often Jeff Eats gotta ditch the tee shirt/shorts’ ensemble and put on a pair of pants and a “nice” shirt…if you can handle that–then you might want to check-out Triple Bar Bistro a “semi-upscale” American-Style joint in Wellington.

At this stage of the conversation you might like to check Triple’s website www.triplebarbistro.com for menu/prices…there are also a load of photographs that will give you some idea as to what the joint looks like. For those of you who don’t want to go-a-searching—think upscale woody steakhouse/full separate bar area/inside-outside patio seating.

Jeff Eats, Mrs. Jeff Eats and another couple gave Triple Bar Bistro a shot the other evening…

Let me start by saying, that the joint is really-cool looking. The menu isn’t tremendous, but it has enough appetizers, salads, burgers, sandwiches and meat/chicken/seafood entrees so you definitely will find what to eat. On the pricing front, reasonable- but that 20oz bone-in rib eye (2 sides) at 59 bucks seemed to be pushing its luck…can’t tell you if it’s any good, because we didn’t get it. The service is very competent and professional.

Our party of four-ordered… Caesar salad ($7), lobster crab cakes appetizer ($14), bbq grilled wings appetizer ($9), babyback ribs ($22), grilled swordfish ($27), fried chicken ($19), cheeseburger ($12)…

Now- nothing for nothing, Jeff Eats wouldn’t be sending you to Triple Bar Bistro if it wasn’t good…and trust me here, it was very good. Every item ordered was right on the money, with the fried chicken, lobster crab cakes, and the cheeseburger getting special mention–by the way, the mac & cheese that came with the fried chicken was terrific.

Like I said a few seconds ago, you’re gonna have to lose the tee shirt/shorts for this one.

If Triple Bar Bistro sounds like it might be for you…checkout the photos on its website. It’s a great looking place with a “horse” track and lake as background scenery…real cool

Triple Bar Bistro is open Monday-Sunday 3pm-11pm.

***** Stu’s Corner Cafe, 821 Southwest Natura Boulevard, Deerfield Beach, Florida 33441 (Right in front of Brandsmart USA).

On Saturday, Jeff Eats, Mrs. Jeff Eats and Daughter Jeff Eats went “shopping” at Brandsmart USA in Deerfield Beach for a new washer/dryer. Right in front of the store’s entrance was a hot-dog cart which sells grilled Nathan’s hot dogs and Italian sausages—chips/soda. The cart is owned/operated by a guy named Stu who has been in that location for something like 9 years. Not exactly sure as to Stu’s “hours”- but I think he told me 7 days a week 11am-6pm.

Anyway…Jeff Eats, Mrs. Jeff Eats and Daughter Jeff Eats “split” 5 Nathan’s hot dogs…1-dog had warm sauerkraut/deli mustard and 4-dogs had grilled onions/deli mustard. Do you know what the saying “hit the mark” means? Well those hot dogs hit the mark…they were delicious.

You now know where you can get an all-beef grilled hot dog for $2.50 that hits the mark.

End of story!

***** THE FIX IS IN *****

Nothing for nothing…in recent days I’ve been watching the LA LAKERS play and I am willing to bet that the League has placed pressure on the refs–to make sure that the LA LAKERS make the 2013 NBA playoffs.
There is no way, that a group of refs could make so many “bad” calls all favoring the LAKERS unless something was cooking. For what it’s worth, the LEAGUE needs the LAKERS in the playoffs to insure tv viewership. No LAKERS and “you” lose a ton of viewers. Capice!

Nothing for nothing…Jeff Eats has been watching 2013’s American Idol’s tv show. No question in my mind that the producers of the show want a female winner this year. Just a hunch, but the judges seemed to have loaded the show with a ton of no-talent males to make the “game” easier for the females to compete. The reason Jeff Eats says this, the past five years MALE WINNERS namely David Cook, Kris Allen, Lee DeWyze, Scotty McCreery and Phillip Phillips haven’t exactly become household names…in fact none of the male winners which include Ruben Studdard and Taylor Hicks “did” anything…while the female winners like Kelly Clarkson, Fantasia Barrino, Carrie Underwood and Jordan Sparks have all done quite well with Clarkson and Underwood actually killing it. People are tired of lousy men singers winning because some 13 year old female in Iowa votes and votes and votes for a handsome young guy.

So here’s the prediction…The Lakers make the playoffs and a female wins American Idol.

And for you out there who don’t think that the fix is in, better think again!!!

***** Con Sabor A Mexico Carnitas Estilo Michoacán, 542 Southwest 12th Avenue, Miami, Florida 33135, (786)) 267-3526.

Con Sabor is the “ultimate” hole-in-the-wall taco shop. Maybe 4 seats at the indoor counter and a handful of outdoor foldup tables (Jeff Eats’ mother use to call them canasta tables).

Now follow me…Con Sabor only makes TACOS…Now your’re gonna have to do some homework here—maciza, cuerito, buche, oreja, lengua, campechano, surtida, tripa, pollo, bisteck.

Last week-good friends Larry Boychick and Shlomo Schmendrick (both native born Mexicans) took Jeff Eats to this Little Havana joint for lunch…I gotta tell you, the tacos were absolutely amazing. Served with fresh-warm tortillas—I “sampled” the chicken (pollo), pulled pork/rinds (campechano), steak (bisteck)—accompanied by a “tray” of toppings–salsas, cilantro, onions, limes.

Just a heads up…the joint only takes cash. On the language front, all the “help” and seemingly all the other patrons were speaking Spanish. Just for the record, Jeff Eats with his high school and college Spanish “Ds” got-through the meal just fine…and the bet here is that Jeff Eats’ intelligent readers will do the same. By the way, the tacos run $1.75 a piece. They also sell the “fillings” by the pound…figure 14 bucks or so for the fillings-tortillas-toppings. One other thing, they got a handful of bottled Mexican sodas and Mexican Coca Cola with pure cane sugar—Jeff Eats had a Jarriots’ Mandarian and it was delicious.

Let me wrap this one up by saying, I absolutely loved Con Sabor.

Con Sabor is open Tuesday-Sunday 10am-9pm, closed on Monday.

***** Mojo Donuts, 7906 Pines Boulevard, Pembroke Pines, Florida 33324, (954) 983-6631.

Got something absolutely terrific for you…Mojo Donuts in Pembroke Pines…that is, if you are looking for some of the most delicious donuts that you have ever eaten. If this isn’t your game, Jeff Eats will have have “something” else for you later in the week.

Long story short, a husband wife-team in their 50’s who previously owned smoothie shops—in February 2013 opened Mojo Donuts in 1400 square feet in a bombed out shopping center in Pembroke Pines. Prior to Mojo they had never been in the donut business. They start baking around 1am and the official store hours are Monday-Sunday 6am-5pm… but when they “sell-out” they just close the doors no matter what time it is. In the 2 months that the joint has been opened, it has been featured on several local tv news programs, one reality tv series and in several South Florida newspapers/blog sites. Talk about getting the word out!

Jeff Eats’ friends over at food blog- Burger Beast (www.burgerbeast.com) on February 20, 2013 did a real good story on the joint—check the writeup out. By the way, Burger Beast is how I found out about Mojo.

The concept…7 or so standard donuts like glazed and Boston cream pie—and then, 15 or so different daily donuts (try and say that one fast 10 times).

Trust Jeff Eats on this one, this ain’t Dunkin’ Donuts type stuff…these are off the chart–dynamite–can’t stop eating donuts. Just so you know donuts are gonna run you $1.09-$1.39-$1.75 a shot.

I recently “tried” glazed–maple bacon–apple fritter…like Jeff Eats said 11 seconds ago, some of the most delicious donuts going.

Mojo has a handful of tables inside and a couple outside. It has 4 large flat screen tvs and also does coffee (that figures!).

Let me wrap this up…this is a real “mom & pop” operation—you can taste their “pride” in every bite (No! Jeff Eats hasn’t gone all soft and fuzzy, but last week was Passover and yesterday was Easter Sunday).

If you want to eat-try something very-very special…then you gotta get to Mojo Donuts—but get there early, because you ain’t the only one who knows about this fabulous donut shop.

***** Jay’s Pizza & Pasta, 8983 Okeechobee Boulevard, West Palm Beach, Florida 33411, (561) 753-9997.

Got an absolutely dynamite “mom & pop” red sauce Italian joint for you…Jay’s Pizza & Pasta in West Palm Beach. Handful of tables inside, a couple outside…tee shirt/shorts’ ensemble is the dress of the day.

You can check menu/prices at www.jayspizzapasta.com.

Jay’s menu has loads of appetizers, salads, pastas, hot/cold subs, pizzas, meat/chicken/seafood entrees.

Let me start by saying that Jay’s makes a fabulous thin crust brick oven pizza—18″ large will run you $12.99. Trust Jeff Eats on this one, you definitely want to try the margherita.

A recent outing also had Jeff Eats “doing”—12″ veal parm sub ($7.29), 12″ philly cheesesteak sub ($7.29), penne ala vodka ($11.9, baked lasagna ($9.99). The veal and cheesesteak subs were right on the money. Nice crisp bread and the fillings were just right. The penne ala vodka and baked lasagna were also delicious.

Now so there is no misunderstanding…’cause I don’t want any of you guys to be hollering at Jeff Eats—Jay’s Pizza & Pasta isn’t a “fancy” mom & pop joint. I may-be confusing you here, but on its website there is a photo that may help to “explain” what this joint is all about…I’m gonna call Jay’s a “bare-bones” joint, if that helps.

Anyway…the food is real-good.

Jay’s also has something real cool—Pick Your Pasta, Pick your Size, Pick Your Sauce…3 types of pasta, 6oz or 9oz, 5 sauces…You do recall that a few seconds ago I told you that Jay’s wasn’t a “fancy” mom & pop joint? Sure You do! For you wise-guys out there…I thought the pasta-idea was cool.

If you are looking for good solid red “stuff” that goes great with a bottomless glass of Coke…Jay’s Pizza & Pasta is for you.

A quick reminder, that thin-crust pizza is an absolute must try.

Jay’s is open Monday-Saturday 11am-10pm, Sunday noon-9pm.

***** BEST HOT DOG JOINTS IN SOUTH FLORIDA *****

How about a list of your favorite South Florida—Hot Dog Joints?

***** GRILLED CHEESE—NEXT CRAZE? *****

During the past 90-days or so, Jeff Eats has been to several large-Florida malls…low and behold, a new fast food concept seems to be spreading into the food courts, namely “gourmet” GRILLED CHEESE. I did some checking and it appears that there are now-a handful of companies “selling” grilled-cheese franchises. The concept is “easy”—all types of bread/all types of cheeses/all types of fillings.

For what it’s worth…the grilled cheese business seems kinda “narrow” for this Brooklyn Boy’s business concept mind. Cute idea, but “anybody” can make a grilled cheese sandwich, so there really is no-financial bar to entering this business. Too many guys are gonna try this “business” out and it’s going to be a real ugly game of grilled cheese musical chairs.

Now let me see…we “did” the gourmet burger thing, we “did” the make your own pizza thing, we “did” the yogurt by the ounce thing—and now we got, the gourmet grilled cheese thing.

Nothing for nothing…but Jeff Eats thinks that the Grilled Cheese “fast food” concept is what’s called “a pig in a poke.” Just a guess, but the guys buying these franchises- down the road aren’t going to be happy campers.

Your thoughts.

***** Blue Willy’s Barbeque, 613 Southeast 1st Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33301, (954) 224-6120.

Blue Willy’s Barbeque…food truck with a huge cooker in a parking lot. Handful of benches to eat at.

Some of the best “smoked” bbq that Jeff Eats has ever eaten.

A recent outing had Jeff Eats doing…Saint Louis ribs, bbq chicken, chopped pork, beef brisket. mac & cheese, French fries. Like I said two seconds ago—delicious bbq.

Blue Willy’s offers something like 5-6 different sauces…Jeff Eats really liked the mustard based Carolina Style and the sweet tomato based Blue Willy’s BBQ.

If I had to do a pecking order…beef brisket was off the chart as were the ribs…almost off the chart was everything else including the mac & cheese and French fries.

To wrap it up, really good smoked bbq stuff. If you want to “fine dine” this joint ain’t for you. Don’t wear your good tee shirt, because the sauce is gonna get all over it.

I loved Blue Willy’s–which is open Monday-Friday 11am-5pm, closed Saturday & Sunday.

***** Azucar Ice Cream Company, 1503 Southwest 8th Street, Miami, Florida 33135, (305) 381-0369.

Got a real good ice cream joint for you guys…Azucar Ice Cream Company in Miami.

Last week I had a chance to “try” Azucar’s stuff out and I gotta tell you, some of the best tasting ice cream and sorbet that Jeff Eats has had in a very-very long time. Beautiful thing about this joint which has a “Cuban/Latin” flavor (pun intended) to it—is that all of the ice cream and sorbet are made in-house.

Strictly an order at/pickup at the counter operation…handful of tables inside/outside.

Jeff Eats didn’t do the math, but the joint has something like 50 ice cream and 8 sorbet flavors. During the year, Azucar rotates various flavors in and out of the lineup. For you diabetic folks, dieting folks, anti-sugar folks—Azucar has a handful of sugar free ice creams. For those who aren’t strictly “purists”—Azucar has something like 30 different toppings. Personally, I like my ice crean “unencumbered” except every so often Jeff Eats can handle some chocolate sprinkles (you may know them as jimmies)…Just in case “we” ever go on the Newly Wed Game, Jeff Eats really isn’t a fan of multi-colored sprinkles.

You can check flavors/video at www.azucaricecream.com.

Jeff Eats’ recent “taste test” included…strawberry–mint chocolate chip–Cuban coffee & oreo–Belgium chocolate–double cherry–heath bar crunch ice cream….lemon–watermelon–mango sorbet. Trust me on this one, all of the flavors were delicious with a special shout out to the Cuban coffee & oreo concoction.

Look! Jeff Eats is no ice cream-sorbet expert. Got no idea about fat-content or even a clue concerning other “scientific” measuring-sticks. What I do know, is that Azucar’s stuff was right on the money…and that the ice cream and sorbet that I had was right up there with the best of breed.

Azucar Ice Cream Company is open Sunday-Wednesday 11am-9pm, Thursday-Saturday 11am-11pm.