***** PDQ (People Dedicated to Quality), 2015 Okeechobee Boulevard, West Palm Beach, Florida 33409, (561) 594-1906.

On April 30, 2013 Jeff Eats told you guys about PDQ a “new” fast-food/casual chicken chain–that is scheduled to open its West Palm Beach location on Sunday, May 5, 2013. The April 30, 2013 writeup is reprinted “after” today’s “thoughts.”

For the record, this afternoon Jeff Eats “ate” at a Family & Friends outing in the West Palm Beach store and I gotta tell you, this joint is going to be an absolute homerun.

Before I tell you about my “meal”—for what it’s worth, I don’t really care for the name PDQ. To me, the letters P D Q really don’t convey what this joint is all about. Nothing for nothing, but the owners of this business have created a fast food/casual hybrid…think Panera Bread and you may appreciate where I’m going with this. What they “got” is an order at/pick up at the counter fast food restaurant that looks like an upscale sports bar. I loved the look of the joint (and yes, it’s got a load of large flat screen TVs) but if you do some checking, many people use the term PDQ to mean “fast” or “right away”…that said, I think the last thing that PDQ wants is for you to think of its food as being “fast food” The store is logoed with big letters that say, “People Dedicated to Quality”–so Jeff Eats sees where the PDQ comes from (actually if we wanted to get technical here it should be PDTQ)…personally, I wouldn’t have used PDQ because to a great number of people PDQ means “other” things. Jeff Eats’ personal favorites -Pretty Damned Quick and Pennies Dimes Quarters.

Now that Jeff Eats has pontificated on the PDQ name…let’s talk food.

First let me start by saying, this 4,200 square foot free standing building is absolutely great looking…it has a drive thru and looks like something right out of the Florida Keys. There is also a huge open kitchen and you can see everything being prepared. In talking with the its founders (who by the way, created the Outback Steakhouse chain) everything is freshly made and the restaurant has no freezers. While there, Jeff Eats got a kick out of watching the staff squeeze 100s of lemons for the fresh-squeezed lemonade—For you wise-guys out there, yes! I got a kick out of watching, nothing sinister, lewd or whatever your devious minds maybe thinking!

Jeff Eats “tried” the tenders, hand cut fresh French fries, chicken Caesar salad, fried chicken sandwich, turkey breast sandwich, grilled chicken sandwich, chocolate shake, apple slices with toffee—and I’m telling you, every item and I do mean every item was delicious. For the record–the food was “on the house”…which made it “easy” to literally order almost every menu item. If I got one bitch, I thought that the fries had just a drop too much salt on them—trust me, that one little itsy bitsy “problem” is easy to cure. Just a quickie, if you take a look at Jeff Eats’ 1/19/2007 Outback Steakhouse “review” note the salt-complaint… Goes to show you, Jeff Eats and the guys running this joint are consistent, if they are anything.

Check www.eatpdq.com for menu/prices/locations/pictures.

In talking to management, there are currently 4 Tampa, 2 North Carolina, 1 Oakland Park, 1 West Palm Peach PDQs…and “for” our purposes-2013-2014 planned locations-Wellington, Boca Raton and Pompano Beach.

Let me wrap this one up this way…

Based on what I saw, ate and heard PDQ is going to develop into a major national chain. The guys behind this deal know exactly what to do and how to do it…that is if they–

Just lose the salt shaker…

*****
April 30, 2013
PDQ’s menu features lightly fried chicken tenders/sandwiches, grilled chicken and turkey breast sandwiches, salads, French fries and shakes.

Just a quick heads-up…Jeff Eats is “hearing” tremendous things about a brand new-fast food chicken chain PDQ which currently has 4 Tampa/1 Oakland Park/1 West Palm Beach/2 North Carolina locations.

Haven’t tried the joint out yet, but some buddies of mine-told Jeff Eats that PDQ (Oakland Park) makes amazingly delicious grilled chicken/fried chicken tenders/turkey/salads/fries/shakes. One caveat, three of those buddies way back when- thought that the Edsel was going to be a homerun and the fourth guy to this very day-claims that aliens abducted him in 1989.

As I mentioned 4 seconds ago, there is one location in Oakland Park…this coming Sunday-May 5th, PDQ is opening a second South Florida location in West Palm Beach.

Check www.www.eatpdq.com for menu/locations.

For what it’s worth–the chain is owned by one of the guys who created the Outback Steakhouse chain. Nothing for nothing, a few quick conversations with a handful of fast food/casual restaurant developers–had them figuring that PDQ had a real shot to develop into a major chain. The consensus was, that PDQ may appeal to a huge segment of Chik-fil-A’s customer base that is looking for a more diversified menu. Throw in 4,500 square foot stores/with drive thrus that are open on Sunday—and just maybe, PDQ has the formula to be a homerun-chain.

Jeff Eats is gonna check this one out…if you get there before I do, let me know what you think.

***** TOO LITTLE TOO LATE *****

Jeff Eats is gonna assume that all of you guys know who The Monkees are…Davy Jones, Peter Tork, Mike Nesmith, Mickey Dolenz.

For years, Mike Nesmith “refused” to tour with the other three Monkees…not sure why, but Jeff Eats thinks that Nesmith whose mother invented Liquid Paper—may have thought he was “better” than the rest of the guys…but that’s just a guess.

Last year, Davy Jones who lived in Florida unexpectedly passed away–suffered a massive heart-attack.

NOW! Nesmith agrees to tour with Dolenz and Tork.

Look for- The Monkees at Mizner Park in Boca Raton on July 27, 2013.

For what it’s worth, Jeff Eats from the very beginning has been a huge fan of The Monkees…The “media” never fully appreciated how good they were—and yes, they did play their own instruments in concert.

Just so you appreciate where Jeff Eats is going with this…there are certain things in the music-business that have to go together. For example… Sonny & Cher, John-Paul-George-Ringo, Bill Medley & Bobby Hatfled…just think of Sonny with “another” Cher, or The Beatles without Ringo, or The Righteous Brothers-Bill Medley without Bobby Hatfield. The Monkees are/were just like the examples cited…inseperable. Together they were magic, piecemeal they were a curiousity oldies band.

If you don’t believe–that what I just said is true…

The Rascals (all four originals) are currently selling out venues all over the United States…but when different configurations of the group worked-they literally couldn’t get themselves “arrested.” The same thing happened when Bill Medley replaced Bobby Hatfield with “another” Righteous Brother.

To:
Mike Nesmith:
The Monkees were Jones, Tork, Nesmith and Dolenz.
Your agreeing to rejoin The Monkees is Too Little Too Late.
Sincerely,
Jeff Eats

***** GETHUMAN.COM *****

Jeff Eats recently came across a (free) website www.gethuman.com…

Real simple site…huge list of businesses all over the United States—with the BEST PHONE NUMBERS to reach customer service-fast.

The Company’s website advertises…”Get customer service faster and easier.”

I don’t know about you, but there have been times when I have literally spent hours on the phone waiting for a customer-service rep to pickup…many times after they pickup, Jeff Eats gets that “disconnect” beep-beep-beep sound.

Nothing for nothing, but in the past 30 days Jeff Eats had “service rep” calls to Bank America, American Express, an old favorite Comcast and AT&T.

Check GETHUMAN.COM out, its got loads of contact numbers that may shorten your “fight.”

***** Gigi’s Music Café *****

In recent weeks, Jeff Eats has been hearing some terrific things about a store-front “soul food” joint in Sunrise…

Gigi’s Music Café, 4385 Northwest 88th Avenue, Sunrise, Florida 33351, (954) 748-9494.

From what I understand the joint has great food and all types of entertainment from poets to rock bands to magicians…not so “sure” about the poet-thing, but Jeff Eats loves a good rock band not to mention a good magician..

For what it’s worth, I’ve heard that Gigi’s fried chicken/waffles dish is simply amazing.

Jeff Eats hasn’t had a chance to check this joint out…just thought that some of you might like to beat-me there (like-get there before I do, not jump-me when I get there!).

Take a look at www.gigismusiccafe.com for menu/and other particulars.

One final note, a few months ago Jeff Eats caught the stage show of an absolutely dynamite “magician” Remy Connor www.theremyconnor.com…from what I understand Remy “works” Gigi’s on a regular basis—so maybe you can kill two birds with one stone–if you know what I mean!!

Gigi’s Music Café is open Monday-Wednesday 11am-9pm, Thursday 11am-11pm, Friday-Saturday 11am-midnight, closed on Sunday.

***** I Just Don’t Get It-Do You? *****

For your consideration, Jeff Eats has reprinted a PR piece that he recently received from Rapoport’s Restaurant Group.

“Esteemed Restaurateur Burt Rapoport, founder of Rapoport’s Restaurant Group, is giving back to the local community and kicking off the summer season in South Florida by celebrating his 2013 ‘Dream Big Small Business of the Year’ recognition by the United States Chamber of Commerce with a fun filled community event for all ages from 7 to 10 p.m. Saturday, May 11th at the all new Delray Marketplace Amphitheater.
Headlined by original Beach Boy Founder David Marks and the Surf City Allstars, the charity concert and evening of food, drink and live entertainment will directly benefit two local 501(c)(3) organizations, Boca Raton’s Golden Bell Education Foundation and the Achievement Centers of Delray Beach. The entire community is involved to “Surf into Summer” and enjoy the festivities. This will be the first official concert held at the amphitheater.
The charity concert is a way for Rapoport to thank their loyal customers while giving back to the local community and The Greater Boca Raton Chamber of Commerce. Without their support, Rapoport’s Restaurant Group would not have been nominated and selected one of seven regional finalists out of over 1,000 applicants for the 2013 DREAM BIG Small Business of the Year.”
Contact Rapoport’s at 561.826.1790 for sponsorship opportunities!
For more information, please visit www.rapoportsrg.com/surf
*****
Now I maybe dead wrong here, but when I first read “this”…it seemed to me that Rapoport’s was throwing a FREE EVENT for the community. I figured that, Rapoport’s was really doing “this” to promote its brand new restaurant Burt & Max’s which recently opened in the Delray Marketplace in Delray Beach. Between you, me and the bedpost—it sounded like a great public event and a great way for Burt & Max’s to advertise itself.

Low and behold as I later learned…this isn’t a free anything. Tickets are $30, $60, $100, Kids under 12 are $10…with a ticket you do get 2 drinks and some food samplings.

Look, nothing for nothing…Jeff Eats has been in the entertainment/music industry for over 45 years. For what it’s worth, the Surf City Allstars are very good, but trust me, they ain’t The Beach Boys. This group is basically just a TRIBUTE BAND that for this date- is being fronted by David Marks who was an original member of The Beach Boys who was “fired” early on in their career.. What I’m trying to tell you is, that an act like this- (unless some booking agent totally robbed the sponsors of this “event”) is not an expensive band to book. Now, there are all kinds of “booking” considerations—but Jeff Eats has seen Beach Boys’ tribute acts in South Florida who play at the level of the Surf City All Stars (if not better) and they were priced in the $1,250-$2,500 range. Not that it really matters, the members of the Surf City Allstars use various configurations and band names such as Califonia Surf Inc. “cashing in” on their claimed Beach Boys’ connections.

All Jeff Eats can say is…Rapoport’s Restaurant Group you really do yourself a disservice when you write and claim and I quote–“The charity concert is a way for Rapoport to thank their loyal customers while giving back to the local community…”

The way you THANK LOYAL CUSTOMERS and GIVE BACK TO THE COMMUNITY is by throwing a FREE CONCERT…not charging $30-$60-$100-$10 to see a TRIBUTE BAND that- if you know what you are doing can be bought “dirt cheap.”–and you write a decent sized check to the charities you linked up with.

Now, Jeff Eats hasn’t checked the “books”—but my money says that this “event” if all goes to (its) plan—won’t cost the Rapoport’s Restaurant Group one red cent.

One final note…as you guys know–Jeff Eats wasn’t too impressed with the Delray Marketplace (2/26/13 Delray Marketplace)…for the record, I thought that its amphitheater was extremely amateurish looking. If I recall the setup correctly, I am almost positive that you can see the stage without sitting/standing on the theater’s grass. With that in mind, unless Rapoport’s constructs a huge-high barrier around the perimeter, you should, if you want-see the band from the “mall’s” general areas. For sure, you will definitely be able to hear the music from the general areas.

To: Rapoport’s Restaurant Group:
You should be ashamed of yourself promoting this event as being a community event.
Call it what it really is.
You are staging an event to promote your new restaurant…you are charging for tickets…you are tying a charity into the event.
AND “your loyal customers” and “the community” who don’t pay for a ticket CAN’T COME!

I Just Don’t Get It-Do You?

**Between you and me, Jeff Eats GOT IT and I know you GOT IT.

* PDQ (Oakland Park, West Palm Beach, Tampa).

Just a quick heads-up…Jeff Eats is “hearing” tremendous things about a brand new-fast food chicken chain PDQ which currently has 4 Tampa/1 Oakland Park/1 West Palm Beach/2 North Carolina locations.

Haven’t tried the joint out yet, but some buddies of mine-told Jeff Eats that PDQ (Oakland Park) makes amazingly delicious grilled chicken/fried chicken tenders/turkey/salads/fries/shakes. One caveat, three of those buddies way back when- thought that the Edsel was going to be a homerun and the fourth guy to this very day-claims that aliens abducted him in 1989.

As I mentioned 4 seconds ago, there is one location in Oakland Park…this coming Sunday-May 5th, PDQ is opening a second South Florida location in West Palm Beach.

Check www.www.eatpdq.com for menu/locations.

For what it’s worth–the chain is owned by one of the guys who created the Outback Steakhouse chain. Nothing for nothing, a few quick conversations with a handful of fast food/casual restaurant developers–had them figuring that PDQ had a real shot to develop into a major chain. The consensus was, that PDQ may appeal to a huge segment of Chik-fil-A’s customer base that is looking for a more diversified menu. Throw in 4,500 square foot stores/with drive thrus that are open on Sunday—and just maybe, PDQ has the formula to be a homerun-chain.

Jeff Eats is gonna check this one out…if you get there before I do, let me know what you think.

***** The Last 5 *****

List the last 5 South Florida restaurants that you ate in…

***** Valentino’s Italian Cuisine, 427 South Federal Highway, Pompano Beach, Florida 33062, (954) 545-4881.

Got something really good for you guys, Valentino’s Italian Cuisine…a Pompano Beach- red sauce Italian “hole in the wall” wedged in-between a Starbucks and a Tijuana Flats.

Last night, Jeff Eats really didn’t do a head-count, but I’m thinking about 30 seats inside and 40 seats outside…the outdoor patio which faces Federal Highway is shared by all three restaurants -each restaurant has distinctively marked seating. As for Valentino’s inside décor…the obligatory Goodfellas’ posters, large standard pizza oven, large brass colored cappuccino machine, dark wood tones—no kidding around- a very cool looking joint.

Another no-kidding around- Valentino’s is owned and operated by a guy originally from the Bronx named Rudolph Valentino. For you “youngsters” out there, Rudolph Valentino (not the owner of this joint) was a famous movie actor back in the day–when motion pictures had no sound. Totally off topic, but did you guys know that Fred Astaire Dance Studios still has locations all over the United States? Amazingly, there is one in a second floor loft in east-Boca Raton…For those of you “not following” the Astaire commentary, Fred use to dance with Cyd Charise—but that’s whole nother story.

Anyway…Jeff Eats, Mrs. Jeff Eats and another couple “ordered” 16″ large plain pizza ($12.75), eggplant parmigiana (garlic rolls, soup or salad, pasta side–$9.85), chicken parmigiana sub ($7.50), lasagna bolognese (garlic rolls, soup or salad–$12.95)…and I gotta tell you-the food was absolutely delicious. Trust me on this–every item ordered, was as good as the stuff served by South Florida’s best “red sauce” players. The joint’s portions were large and dirt-cheap. For those of you who like garlic rolls, Valentino’s were dynamite—and a complimentary order of sauteed green-beans (not on the menu) received rave reviews from Mrs. Jeff Eats and her girlfriend Judy. While you guys are still here, let me briefly mention the pizza…From what I understand, there are 3 chefs in the back of the house–but all pizzas are made by Rudy Valentino right in front of the customers. As he explained…”I’ll make you whatever you want, but my signature pie is a thick crust with the rest of the pizza being very thin and crispy.” For what it’s worth, when the pie was delivered to our table it looked “amazing”…just as Rudy said—a thick crust (sort of like a deep dish look) with a fabulous sweet sauce/thin crispy “triangle.”

At this stage of the game, you can check www.valentinositaliancuisine.com for menu/prices.

For a little more “color”—Valentino’s has been open something like 4-months and in addition to pies- sells pizza by the slice. All of its desserts are made in-house. Some of you guys maybe wondering why Jeff Eats & Company didn’t “get” dessert…long story short, literally minutes before eating at Valentino’s we had picked up 2 dozen freshly baked donuts from The Dandee Donut Factory which is right around the corner from Valentino’s, blah blah, blah!

What Jeff Eats found particularly interesting, was that Valentino’s is open Sunday-Thursday 11am-midnight and Friday-Saturday 11am-2am…apparently, Mr. Valentino is looking to build a late night crowd.

Valentino’s is a real good one…do yourself a big favor and give it a shot. The bet here, is that you won’t be disappointed…

Jeff Eats does have one “bitch” about the joint…on both its menu and website, Valentino’s prominently features the saying “You’ve tried the rest…now try the Best!”- hey Rudy, for crying out loud-that saying is as worn as my 89 year old Aunt Joanie’s house dress…I know I ain’t got no skin in this game, but I’d lose the phrase. You got a spanking new -great looking joint with terrific food and YOU got me thinking about my Aunt Joanie’s house dress- capice!

Finally…

For you tourists out there–your tee shirt/shorts/flip flop ensembles will work perfectly at Valentino’s Italian Cuisine.

***** Okey-Dokey Grocery Markets *****

If you’re like Mrs. Jeff Eats “grocery shopping” in South Florida is basically Publix, Target, Costco and Brothers Farmers Market in Boynton Beach. As far as she is concerned, Winn Dixie…too shabby-dirty looking. Walmart…too “bright-sterile looking. Whole Foods…too expensive and full of itself.

If you “are” on the same page as Mrs. Jeff Eats I got something that may interest you…Okey-Dokey Grocery Markets. A year or so-old chain with stores that run about 7,500 square feet. For those non-builders out there your “small” Publix probably runs about 30,00 square feet…

For right now, Okey has 11 South Florida locations…with 10 more scheduled to open in the next few months.

You can check www.okeydokeymarkets.com for locations/products/daily specials.

I’m not going to kill time telling you guys about how compeitive/small margined the grocery business is. If you are interested you can “search” Okey-Dokey Grocery Markets and you’ll find a billion articles about this “new” chain and the Russian billionaires who are behind the business.

Now assuming that these “guys” aren’t washing-money or doing some other nefarious things…

Jeff Eats absolutely loved the “small” grocery store concept that he and Mrs. Jeff Eats just happened-into in Hollywood, Florida the other day. Now nothing for nothing, Coca Cola 2 liter sodas $.97 vs. Walmart’s Deerfield Beach store’s $1.38…Blue Bell chocolate ice cream 64oz. $4.99 vs. Walmart’s Deerfield Beach store’s $6.28.

Now, Jeff Eats knows and you know that…you get way more products into 30,000 sq. feet than you do in 7,500 sq. feet…and you get even more products in those “billion” sq. foot super stores that help make up the Publix, Walmart, Target, Costco empires—the point of this exercise, is that there is an alternative to the huge-box stores where you can find very competitive prices.

On a final note…Jeff Eats hasn’t yet figured out how this “newcomer” plans to successfully challenge the major grocery chains in South Florida. This one should be interesting to follow…

By the way…The savings on the above mentioned items almost paid for a 1/2 gallon of gas… You guys can run the numbers!

***** Internet Sales Tax *****

I was just reading an article on the AP Wire that the United States Senate with the backing of the Obama Administration is working on a bill which will require internet vendors to collect state sales tax. You- the customer will be charged a sales tax rate based on where you reside. According to the article, businesses that gross $1,000,000 or less will be exempt from having to collect the sales tax. It’s anyone’s guess if this bill will get through the Senate and if it does-through the House of Representatives.

What do you guys think of internet purchases being subject to sales tax?