* Trying To Buy Jeff Eats

In the course of any given week, Jeff Eats literally receives countless PR PIECES about and INVITES to try various restaurants here-in South Florida.

Below, I’ve “attached” an e-mail that I received yesterday afternoon from a PR firm that apparently represents the Shula Burger franchise which recently opened a restaurant in the Delray Marketplace in Delray Beach.

You’re smart guys…Read the email—Would you use a PR FIRM that would send “that” email to a total stranger?

Love to hear your thoughts…

*****
From: Elizabeth Smith
Subject: invitation for event on July 10th for you and your fabulous readers!
Message Body:
Hi!
I came across your Jeff Eats blog and wanted to invite you and your fabulous
readers to a fun event on Wednesday, July 10th that seems right up your alley.

Shula Burger just opened a new location in Delray Beach, so to celebrate the
Grand Opening, they are giving away free burgers for a year to 50 lucky winners
who stop by the store on July 10th.

We noticed you have already reviewed our new Shula Burger location. Thanks for
the kind words! If you want to add a follow up we can guarantee one of your
readers will be one of the 50 winners. Simply let your readers know to mention
you when they enter to win the free burgers!

Here are the details:
Wednesday, July 10th over at 14917 Lyons Road, Suite 114 in Delray Beach.

Legendary coach Don Shula and former Miami Dolphins players will be in the store
to sign autographs and share stories. Fun, right?!

Plus, a portion of proceeds on July 10th will be donated to the Achievement
Centers for Children and Families, which helps local children in need obtain
adequate childcare.

We’d love for you to come out and try our gourmet burgers (again!) while you mix
and mingle with some football legends. You can also get ½ of wine and beer as
well as free fries with the purchase of a burger from 3-5pm.

Let me know if you have any questions and if this sounds like something you’d be
interested in!

Hope to see you there,
Elizabeth and the Shula Burger Team

***** DiY Frozen Yogurt, 524 East Woolbright Road, Boynton Beach, Florida 33435, (561)733-8221.

Got a real-good… self-serve yogurt/sorbet joint for you—DiY Frozen Yogurt in Boynton Beach. Something like 14 different yogurt/sorbet flavors, all kinds of toppings, 42 cents an ounce.

Checks DiY’s menu/photos at website www.frozenyogurtdiy.com.

Between you-me and the bedpost, these self-serve yogurt joints are literally a dime-a-dozen down here in South Florida…In Jeff Eats’ case, they are kinda a huge blur—like, they are all basically the same…remember that Bill Murray movie “Groundhog Day?”

Anyway…

Mrs. Jeff Eats wanted to give this one a shot, soooo a couple of nights ago- we gave it a shot. Clean as a whistle…great looking setup…loads of flavors (chocolate and vanilla were delicious), tons of toppings and a very-very upbeat and pleasant staff.

Nothing for nothing…

The way Jeff Eats sees it—if I’m gonna eat this stuff, I might as well get-it at a joint that seemingly wants my business.

DiY is open Monday-Saturday 10am-11pm, Sunday 11am-10pm.

* McDonald’s

Last Tuesday night, Jeff Eats caught the 1960s-1970s Rock N Roll band– The Grass Roots in concert at the Mardi Gras Casino in Hallandale Beach. Terrific show…which ran from 8pm-9:15pm.

On the way home Jeff Eats “decided” to pickup food at a 24-hour McDonald’s located at 710 Yamato Road in Boca Raton…great looking modern store with loads of flat screen tvs.

To be perfectly honest with you guys, McDonald’s isn’t really Jeff Eats’ “style”—but at 10:15pm on a Tuesday night in Boca Raton there really weren’t too many fast food/ take-out hamburger joints to choose from.

To make a long story short, McDonald’s had a “special”—Buy One Quarter Pounder And Get One For Free. Jeff Eats being the pig that he is– bought 2 Quarter Pounders which came with American cheese, a drop of ketchup and pickles…and a large order of French fries. The bill for the 4 burgers and fries was a spot over 10 bucks.

After getting the food, I drove another 5 minutes to my home and settled in-with my burgers and fries and a bottle of Sparking Ice (Grapefruit)–to watch the second half of game 6- Heat v. Spurs.

Do you know what horse meat tastes like? I don’t either, but the burgers I got were- what I assume horse meat tastes like. ABSOLUTE GARBAGE…three bites and I tossed them in the garbage. The fries were ok…but were loaded with salt.

Can someone explain to me…Why is McDonald’s such a big chain?

***** Kerry’s By The Sea, 1960 South Ocean Drive, Hallandale Beach, Florida 33009, (954) 251-2658.

Got something that you may like, that is… if you don’t mind “shelving” your tee shirt/shorts ensemble and putting on a pair of pants…Kerry’s By The Sea an “American Style” joint in Hallandale Beach.

Take a look at www.facebook.com/pages/Kerrys-By-The-Sea/320815304694367 for menu/prices/photos/entertainment schedule.

What makes Kerry’s By The Sea an interesting “play” is that in addition to -good food- on various nights it features live music. Just so you hipsters out there know…Jeff Eats isn’t talking “electronic dj music” but rather doo wop groups, Motown cover bands, Nat King Cole type tribute artists…

Kerry’s By the Sea’s menu has plenty of reasonably priced- appetizers, salads, pastas, meat/chicken/seafood entrees. A recent Jeff Eats/Mrs. Jeff Eats/and another couple “outing” had us doing a fried calamari appetizer ($10), full rack of baby-back-ribs ($19-came with soup or salad, potato, vegetables), 24oz bone-in-rib-eye ($30-came with soup or salad, potato, vegetables), grilled mahi mahi ($19), zuppa de peche ($28 red sauce, clams/mussels/shrimps/scallops/lobster)—like I said 6 seconds ago, good food.

Just so we are straight, by no stretch of the imagination is Kerry’s By The Sea a fancy-schmancy gourmet joint.

Let Jeff Eats try to explain…

Kerry’s is a “package” deal—food/service/décor/entertainment. You go to “a” Kerry’s for good conversation, good food, a “just miss” semi-upscale décor, live music- entertainment.

Look! Jeff Eats and Mrs. Jeff Eats (when we lived in Brooklyn in the 1970s-1980s) were literally raised on the Kerry’s of this world. Joints like these -to us- are cool…they throw off a certain vibe that makes for a wonderful night out… No huge expectations about anything…just an easy going evening.

I kinda think that you-Jeff Eats’ readers 55+ who lived in NYC in the 70s-80s appreciate what I’m trying to convey here…I’m even willing to bet, that you’ve been to a load of “Kerry’s” in your day.

Jeff Eats loved Kerry’s.

Kerry’s is open 7 days a week 4pm-11pm for dinner.

* Ground and Pound, 1701 North Congress Avenue, Boynton Beach, Florida 33426, (561) 336-2028.

Got an interesting story for you…

About 6 months ago, Jeff Eats met a guy named Bruce Thomas Bellocchi…at that time Bellocchi was seeking investors for a chain of restaurants–“Ground and Pound” that he was planning to build—these sports bar restaurants were going to be themed on mix martial arts/UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship). At that time Bellocchi’s “first” restaurant was under construction in a former Wings Plus location in Boynton Beach. If you do some Googling or Binging or whatever search you use—you will find a load of stuff on this guy Bellocchi…former heavyweight boxer who fought heavyweight contender David Tua, former professional martial arts fighter, former martial arts fighters’ manager, former martial arts fight promoter, former martial arts fight tv commentator.

The Ground and Pound was Bellocchi’s first venture in the restaurant business.

Anyway…

A few weeks ago the Boynton Beach– Ground and Pound opened for business.

Jeff Eats plans to give it a shot sometime in the next few weeks.

Just so you know-way back when, Jeff Eats “saw” the Boynton Beach site-under construction…loads of flat screen tvs, booth and table seating, separate bar area, all kinds of martial arts fighters’ photos/murals/memorabilia. The business plan called for sports bar type food, wait staff in referee/ring card girl outfits, videos of mixed arts fights, live tv broadcasts of sporting events, personal appearances by celebrity martial arts fighters.

You can check www.eatgroundandpound.com for menu/prices/other stuff.

Let me wrap this up…

Jeff Eats doesn’t follow- this mixed martial arts sport…but, I do know, that it has a HUGE following all over the United States. I am not sure as to whether or not there is a “market” for a restaurant (in Boynton Beach) themed solely around this sport…Another unanswered question: Can “this” former fighter/promoter/tv personality “create” a restaurant that has really good sports bar food?

Only time will tell…

For what it’s worth…you guys now know about a new sports bar that literally just opened in sunny South Florida.

One final thought…now, I know you guys are smart guys—that said, if you just happen to eat at Ground and Pound and don’t like the food or “whatever”–maybe you shouldn’t mention your concerns to Mr.Bellocchi, after-all he did get in- the ring twice with David Tua. Capice!

If you try it, let me know what you think.

* 2nd Annual Boca Burger Battle, A Grilling Affair! (Boca Raton)

In 2012… the sponsors of the “Boca Burger Battle, A Grilling Affair!” (held on July 14, 2012 in Sanborn Square Park, Boca Raton) failed to issue requested press credentials to Jeff Eats to cover the event. Now, the same folks are back with the 2nd Annual Boca Burger Battle, A Grilling Affair! to be held on Saturday, July 13, 2013 in Sanborn Square Park, Boca Raton from 7pm-10pm.

Now, some of you guys may-be wondering…

Why is Jeff Eats even mentioning this event when last year he wasn’t invited to attend? Real simple, just because the event’s sponsors were “schmucks” when it came to Jeff Eats (one of them had the nerve to claim in a “comment” that all I was looking for was a free meal)–doesn’t mean that you guys shouldn’t know about an upcoming event which will probably be pretty-decent. Just so you know, Jeff Eats heard (from several judges and attendees), that last year’s Battle was a whole lot of fun, blah blah…

I will tell you that the guys running this event are real “cute”—note, that the pr piece indicates that the event is rain or shine. That means…once you buy a ticket the event’s promoters keep your money no matter what the weather is like-the day of the event.

Nothing for nothing, based on my knowledge of South Florida-weather, if I was buying a ticket I would do it as a walk-up the night of the event.

Anyway…printed below is a PR piece that Jeff Eats received with reference to the event.
*****
Dates: Saturday, July 13, 2013
Where: Sanborn Square Park
Downtown Boca Raton
Tickets: $85 VIP ADMISSION
7 PM to 10 PM
$55 GENERAL ADMISSION
6 PM to 10 PM
PRE-SALE TICKETS ARE NOW ON SALE – 50% OFF VIP TICKETS FOR A LIMITED TIME! CALL 561-338-7594 TODAY…
Purchase Tickets Online
——————————————————————————–
2nd Annual Boca Burger Battle
A Grilling Affair!
Saturday, July 13th, 2013
Not only is the temperature rising, the bbq grills are getting ready and Chefs are creating secret recipes as preparations for the Boca Burger Battle, A Grilling Affair! returns again for the second year on Saturday, July 13th. More than 20 contenders from all over south Florida will create their grilling masterpieces and present them to a prestige table of Grill Master Judges which includes a few well known “burger conneseuirs” like Sef the Burger Beast, Jamie Frankel from Burgers by the Beach, Stephanie Miskew from the Glamorous Gourmet, and well known celebrity Chef Dean Max in hopes of winning the Golden Burger Trophy and hold the title of the Best Boca Burger. The sizzling summer street festival is held in Sanborn Square Park located in downtown Boca Raton near Palmetto Park Road and Federal Highway.
This community event with its “backyard bbq theme” not only showcases some of the best beef, turkey, fish, and vegetarian burgers that can be found, but also has an array of summer food tasting stations sampling gourmet French fries, onion rings, tropical salads, chicken wings by Tucci’s Fire N Coal Pizza, rum cakes, liquor infused ice cream and good old apple pie. Cockspur Rum and Iceberg Vodka will be making its debut at the battle to wet your whistle with Electric Lemonade and Rum Punch. You can also quench your thirst with a variety of Holy Mackerel craft beers, Madria Sangria, Moscato wine and GEM spring water just to mention a few of the Beer, Wine and Spirits selections served this year. Be sure to visit our new Wine Store on your way out and receive Special Discounts on wine by the bottle and by the case!
Boca Burger Battle’s Chief Grill Master this is year is Chef Wes Bonner who is Publix Aprons Resident Chef. Wes graduated Summa Cum Laude from Johnson and Wales and has a strong passion for the culinary arts. The Chief Grill Master will oversee all of the Battle’s Contenders, create the judging criteria and fiercely lead the Grill Master Judges on their path to burger nirvana. The judges will decide on Best of Show and Best Alternative Burger while the guests get to vote with their wooden chip where the “Peoples Choice” will determine the champion and hold the title for one year as the Best Boca Burger. Defending 2012 champion Rebel House, a “renegade” restaurant & bar in downtown Boca Raton will be back to defend their title. All spatulas down, The Rebel Burger took the Judges Pick and the People’s Choice awards for the inaugural event.
This year’s battle will introduce the ultimate cooking experience featuring the Big Green Egg, a ceramic kamando-style barbecue grill coming down from Atlanta Georgia. This is the most versatile outdoor cooking product on the market. An additional “eggstavaganza” at the Boca Burger Battle, is the Big Green Egg Cooking Academy will host the interactive Cooking Alley teaching guests all the tips and tricks to cooking pulled pork, brisket, ribs and chicken. And yes, there will be plenty of delicious samplings to go around for everyone.
Portion of proceeds from the Boca Burger Battle benefit PROPEL, www.PropelYourFuture.org, People Reaching Out to Provide Education and Leadership, a 501c3 Non Profit Organization located in Boca Raton. PROPEL’s goal is to address the needs of youth and be a catalyst for change, one life at a time. They offer weekly programming and special events in the areas of arts, education and recreation to best forward the future of our youth.
The Boca Burger Battle is presented by the Big Green Egg, JM Lexus, Madria Sangria and produced by local event production company BocaRaton.com & The BITES! Network, which also produces the Galt Mile, Deerfield Beach & Boca Raton Wine and Food Festivals. And, coming soon is their new project WineEvents.com
General admission tickets are $55 per person and VIP tickets are $85 per person. All ticket holders receive unlimited food and drink tastings regardless of ticket type. Burger Battle VIP Guests will enjoy an early bird entrance (6 PM for VIP and 7 PM for General Admission), access to the Grill Master’s Lounge, and 2-4-1 cocktails at the sizzling summer after party hosted by the new Jazziz Nightlife where they can mingle with the Judges, Contenders and applaud the new Champion. This is a 21 + year old event from 6 pm to 10 pm, No Pets PLEASE. Event is Rain or Shine! You can purchase Tickets Online or call 561-338-7594. See you at A Grilling Affair!
——————————————————————————–
2012 WINNERS WERE:
The 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners in each category:
Judge’s Pick for Best Grill Master went to:
1st place – Rebel House
2nd place – Gimme A Burger
3rd place – Big Joe’s Burgers & Wings
Judge’s Pick for Best Alternative Grill Master went to:
1st place – The English Tap & Beer Garden
2nd place – 4th Generation
3rd place – Irie Spice
People’s Choice for Best Boca Burger went to:
1st place – Rebel House
2nd place – Super Dave’s Diner
3rd place – Red’s Backwood BBQ

***** Sub Center, 5913 Hollywood Boulevard, Hollywood, Florida 33021, (954) 983-6110.

Got a real good sub-joint for you…Sub Center in Hollywood. Free standing building/handful of seats inside/loads of seats outside.

As you would expect…Sub Center has the full-boat of hot/cold 6″ & 12″ subs and a handful of salads.

A recent outing had Jeff Eats “trying”—chicken salad sub, tuna salad sub, steak/onion/cheese sub, meatball sub, pastrami sub…and I gotta tell you that they were all delicious. For those of you who are studying to be accountants, the chicken salad/tuna salad subs go for $5.29-$7.99, the steak/onion/cheese subs, pastrami subs run $5.49-$9.49 and the meatball subs fetch $5.49-$7.99. No time for “pecking” orders, but I will tell you–definitely one of the best tuna subs Jeff Eats has had in a long time.

Look! Jeff Eats knows his crowd…trust me on this one, Sub Center is right-up there with the best sub-joints in South Florida.

By the way, if this “sub” story doesn’t make sense to you—please feel free to insert…grinder, hero, hoagie or whatever your regional preference for an easier read.

Sub Center is open Monday-Saturday 8am-10pm, Sunday 9am-8pm.

***** Mrs. Smokeys Real Pit Bar-B-Q, 1460 10th Street, Lake Park, Florida 33403, (561) 318-5137.

This past Saturday afternoon…Jeff Eats and Mrs. Jeff Eats “attended” the PGA National Resort & Spa Second Annual Craft Beer Festival & Burger Bash…2,000 people/all kinds of burgers-specialty sandwiches/all kinds of beer/rock n roll band/great weather/outstanding PGA staff coordinating things—and I gotta tell you, we had an absolute blast. Do yourself a favor, plan on attending the Third Annual Craft Beer Festival & Burger Bash next year.

As I said 3 seconds ago, there were all kinds of burgers-specialty sandwiches…not to go into the “gory” details, but both Jeff Eats and Mrs. Jeff Eats really pigged-out. Just so you know, I personally made it my business to “try” every food item that was served-up—for sure there were one or two clinkers in the batch, but all-in-all the food was dynamite. Based on this outing, I now have a list of joints that I -plan on checking out… and down the road you’ll get the reports.

Anyway…

I just wanted to tell you guys that one of the vendors—Mrs. Smokeys a Lake Park “mom & pop” bbq joint blew both Jeff Eats and Mrs. Jeff Eats away with its beef brisket sandwich (beef brisket/coleslaw/bbq sauce/toasted biscuit)…no fooling around here, one of the most delicious brisket sandwiches we have ever eaten. The sandwich was so good, that Jeff Eats had 2 -Mrs. Jeff Eats had 2 and she took 2 home…Hey! I told you that we pigged-out, didn’t I? By the way, the sandwich I’m raving about- won the “Best Alternative Burger” category at the Bash.

To wrap this up…

You guys do know that Jeff Eats is a “shy guy” who talks to anyone who is still breathing. Just guessing here, but I must have spoken to at least 20 “locals” who told me that Mrs. Smokeys restaurant was an absolute must try…they told me that- if I thought that its brisket was terrific–I would go nuts for “her” bbq ribs, bbq chicken, pulled pork, mac n’ cheese and home made apple pie. For you fancy-schmancy types, (from what I heard) Mrs. Smokeys probably won’t work for you…order at the counter/delivered to your table—something like 20 seats inside and 14 outside, drive-thru-window…and tee shirt/shorts ensembles “almost” mandatory dress.

Now, Jeff Eats might be going out on a limb here, but based on that beef brisket sandwich alone– I think that you guys should definitely give Mrs. Smokeys a try…

You can check Mrs. Smokeys menu/prices/photos at www.mrssmokeys.com. The joint is open Monday-Saturday 11am-9pm, closed on Sunday.

***** Shula Burger (Delray Beach)

Back on May 21, 2013 Jeff Eats did a “story” about the Shula Burger which at that time was under-construction in the Delray Marketplace in Delray Beach. The story is reprinted below and an “UPDATE” has now been added–which covers a Jeff Eats “meal” at the fast-food hamburger joint (it opened 6/10/13). The “comments” which the original column generated are not included, so if you want to read them you’ll have to go back and check the initial May 21, 2013-date…
*****
Posted on May 21st, 2013
Let’s do this one together…
In recent months- Jeff Eats has been “watching” Shula Burger being built at the Delray Marketplace in Delray Beach….this burger chain is “fronted” by Don Shula who was the Miami Dolphins’ quarterback in 1970-1973…strike that, Bob Griese and Earl Morrall were the quarterbacks and Shula was the head coach.
Anyway…
This guy Shula- who incidentally was born on Januray 30, 1930 currently has his name on a “ton” of different restaurants here in South Florida and around the USA. In addition to the aforementioned (the lawyer in me) Shula Burger, Shula is involved with Shula’s Steak House, Shula’s 2, Shula’s 347 Grill, Shula’s Bar & Grill and Shula’s On The Beach. For the researchers out there, you can check www.shula.com for details/menus/locations about the Shula restaurant empire.
Now back to Shula Burger which currently has 4 locations…Tampa, Kendall- Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Islamorada-Florida Keys…and a new location scheduled to open on June 10, 2013 in the Delray Marketplace, Delray Beach, Florida..
Now nothing for nothing…although Shula Burger has 4 locations, Jeff Eats has never eaten in one, nor met anyone who has eaten in one, nor met anyone who has talked about plans to eat in one.
Now to the point…
This afternoon, I stopped by the Delray Marketplace and took a close look at the physical layout of the almost finished restaurant. It’s– a you order at the counter/they bring it to the table deal. The store looks absolutely dynamite with inside and outdoor patio seating. The menu features burgers with all kinds of toppings, fries, hot dogs, salads, shakes, beer & wine. Take a look at www.shulaburger.com for menu/prices/locations/photos–this way you’ll know what Jeff Eats considers a dynamite-look, because you may not—different strokes for different folks!
Anyway…here’s the plan.
1. For those of you who have already eaten in a Shula Burger, please give Jeff Eats the skinny on it (before June 10, 2013 would be nice).
2. Jeff Eats is gonna try #5 right after it opens.
3. For those of you who haven’t eaten at a Shula Burger, either eat at one of the first-4 or try #5 right after it opens on June 10, 2013.
4. We all meet back here on June 15, 2013 to compare notes.
And…should you be captured, Jeff Eats will deny any knowledge of this mission.
One final note…since Coach Shula will soon be celebrating his 84th birthday to give you some perspective, I thought you guys would like to know that the first White Castle opened in 1921, the first MacDonald’s opened in 1940, the first Burger King opened in 1954, the first Sonic Drive-In opened in 1953, the first In-N-Out opened in 1948 and the first Wendy’s opened in 1969…and you thought that Jeff Eats was just another pretty face.

***** Update-June 14, 2013 *****

The new Shula Burger in the Delray Marketplace opened for business on June 10, 2013. Jeff Eats and Mrs. Jeff Eats gave it a “shot” last night (6/13/13).

As Jeff Eats’ “original” article indicated- the joint is a very handsome-modern looking fast-food restaurant…there is both inside and outdoor patio seating. You order at the counter/servers bring the food to your table.

Shula’s menu is loaded with burgers/toppings, a couple of sandwiches, a hot dog, a handful of salads and sides, shakes, beer/wine. You can check menu/prices at www.shulaburger.com

The skinny—Jeff Eats had a Shula Burger ($6.49-American cheese/shaved lettuce/tomato/pickle)—Mrs. Jeff Eats had a turkey burger ($7.99-turkey patty/baby greens/tomato/red onion/herb mayo)…we shared an order of French fries ($2.49), sweet potato tots ($3.99), onion rings ($4.29)…every item was real good/timely-delivered/hot.

Let me wrap this one up for you this way…

Shula Burger can definitely hold its own against most of South Florida’s fast-food burger players (not going to list them, but you guys know who they are). For sure, Jeff Eats thought that $4.29 for 3 onion rings was a bit to pricey–but then again-Shula’s French fries ran circles around the crinkle cut fries that Jeff Eats recently had at Shake Shack’s Boca Raton outpost. Look! I could sit here all-day and nit-pick things about every player in this space…suffice it to say, I would definitely eat at Shula Burger in the Delray Marketplace-again.

Nothing for nothing…

Since this is a Jeff Eats “story” you do “know” that my inner-self is saying…”Hey Jeff Eats, the Delray Marketplace is going to be a fiasco-white elephant, can Shula Burger really make-it there? To my inner-self… For right now, let’s leave it- that if things are based solely on food, Shula Burger should be just fine!

* JUMP THE SHARK

From Wikepedia:
“Jump the shark” redirects here. For the TV series episodes, see Jump the Shark (The X-Files) and Jump the Shark (Supernatural).
Look up jump the shark in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.
Fonzie on water skis, in a scene from the Happy Days episode “Hollywood, Part Three of Three”, after literally jumping over a shark
Jumping the shark is an idiom created by Jon Hein that was used to describe the moment in the evolution of a television show when it begins a decline in quality that is beyond recovery, which is usually a particular scene, episode, or aspect of a show in which the writers use some type of “gimmick” in a desperate attempt to keep viewers’ interest.
In its initial usage, it referred to the point in a television program’s history when the program had outlived its freshness and viewers had begun to feel that the show’s writers were out of new ideas, often after great effort was made to revive interest in the show by the writers, producers, or network.[1][2][3]
The usage of “jump the shark” has subsequently broadened beyond television, indicating the moment when a brand, design, or creative effort’s evolution loses the essential qualities that initially defined its success and declines, ultimately, into irrelevance.”

*****
I don’t know about you guys, but Jeff Eats thinks that self-serve yogurt stores, gourmet fast food burger joints, cupcake stores have all “jumped the shark.”

Maybe- I’m being way too cynical here…but I really-believe that most people couldn’t give a rat’s ass when a new yogurt/burger/cupcake joint opens. The novelty, the newness, the freshness of these store-openings is GONE! I don’t care if it’s a Shula Burger, Five Guys, BurgerFi, Yogurtland, Menchies, Auntie Anne’s—“we” Americans are tired of cookie-cutter fast food businesses. For sure, there will always be exceptions to the rule, like Shake Shack in Boca Raton where there are daily lines—but that’s the rare bird!

Not trying to be a philosopher here or nothing…but Jeff Eats thinks that it’s time that America’s “fast food” entrepreneurs opened “one-off” joints that get the public’s juices flowing again…

If you guys think that Jeff Eats is wrong here—how “excited” would you get if I told you that a brand new Five Guys was opening 2 minutes from your home, or that a brand new Yogurtland was opening 3 minutes from your home? Get my point?

Now I don’t have all of the answers, but Jeff Eats thinks that America is “over franchised”—and I really believe that the recent huge success/growth of the FOOD TRUCK industry indicates that people want innovative fast food concepts. The trick here, is to see if these original one-off concepts can successfully convert into brick and mortar joints.

I’ll leave you with one last thought…

Guy Fieri and Adam Richman’s have huge tv show-followings/ratings because they “find” one-off joints that people are literally dying to try…you’ll notice, Fieri and Richman don’t visit the Wendy’s, Burger Kings, McDonald’s, Checkers, Quiznos, Subways that dot America’s landscape.

As it now stands, America’s fast food industry has “jumped the shark.”