***** Elevation Burger, 2908 University Drive, Coral Springs, Florida (954) 796-1999.

Elevation Burger…for our purposes- small fast food “upscale” burger chain (currently in 10 states) with 5 Florida locations.

You know and I know that this burger-craze thing can’t go on forever. Literally, it seems that every day or so a new “brand” opens somewhere in South Florida. No need to list the major players, you know who they are.

Anyway…Elevation Burger’s “hook” is that its hamburger meat is “organic” and that its fries are done in olive oil. To be perfectly honest with you, Jeff Eats’ burger/fries game is based on TASTE—does the stuff taste good. Now for you guys who are into “eating healthy or at least healthier”—you can go to Elevation’s website www.elevationburger.com and read its story/menu-prices.

Now let’s get down to brass tacks…

Last week I ate lunch at the Elevation Burger joint in Coral Springs. Did just a basic Jeff Eats’ lunch—cheeseburger/french fries/Coke. Now nothing for nothing, the burger and fries were as good, if not better than the stuff I’ve had at “players” like Five Guys, BurgerFi and Shake Shack. To be perfectly honest–I have absolutely no idea if Elevations’ delicious burger “resulted” because some cow in Nebraska was hand fed organic grass by some leprechaun-or whatever! What I do know, is that the cheeseburger was dynamite-same for the fries. I also know that I would definitely eat at Elevation Burger again…and unless I’m totally missing something, the Coral Springs’ franchisee has accomplished his mission here, that being having made Jeff Eats a satisfied customer.

Like I said a few seconds ago, my game in burger/fries is TASTE…and Eleavtion’s food tasted real-good.

Elevation Burger is open Sunday-Friday 11am-9pm, Saturday 11am-10pm.

Table 42 Italian Kitchen & Wine Bar, 399 Southeast Mizner Boulevard, Boca Raton, Florida 33432, (561) 826-2625.

In recent months a number of people have been telling me about how terrific the food at Table 42 Italian Kitchen & Wine Bar in Boca was.

So…last night, I, Mrs. Jeff Eats and our dog Jiggy “went” to Table 42 planning on trying the food on the joint’s outside patio.

To make a long story short, the hostess and manager refused to seat us- raising “questions” about what a SERVICE DOG “is”. For right now, I’m not going to get-into all kinds of legal mumble jumble—what I do know, is that the manager HAD ABSOLUTELY NO RIGHT TO INSIST THAT HE HAD THE RIGHT TO SEE STATE ISSUED PAPER DOCUMENTATION proving that a dog is a service dog. When this young man was advised of this, he became a “real wise guy” snotty jackass.

Trust me on this…I and my wife do a “ton” of eating out with our dog. Now- we know that Jiggy isn’t what most would classify as a service dog—but we also know, that a restaurant has no right whatsoever to make a customer produce written documentation proving that a dog is a service dog.

Just a small footnote, Jeff “Eats” is a graduate of The Brooklyn Law School class of 1973–and a member of the bars of New York, New Jersey, Florida and the Supreme Court of the United States of America (yeah! that’s the same one currently deciding the Obama Care case)…so just maybe, I know something about the topic at hand or at least know how to read a statute, regulation or law.

For the record,
Take a look at Paragraphs #1 and especially #3 contained in a Directive issued by the US Departartment of Justice:
U.S. Department of Justice
Civil Rights Division
Disability Rights Section

COMMONLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT SERVICE ANIMALS IN PLACES OF BUSINESS

1. Q: What are the laws that apply to my business?

A: Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), privately owned businesses that serve the public, such as restaurants, hotels, retail stores, taxicabs, theaters, concert halls, and sports facilities, are prohibited from discriminating against individuals with disabilities. The ADA requires these businesses to allow people with disabilities to bring their service animals onto business premises in whatever areas customers are generally allowed.

3. Q: How can I tell if an animal is really a service animal and not just a pet?

A: Some, but not all, service animals wear special collars and harnesses. Some, but not all, are licensed or certified and have identification papers. If you are not certain that an animal is a service animal, you may ask the person who has the animal if it is a service animal required because of a disability. However, an individual who is going to a restaurant or theater is not likely to be carrying documentation of his or her medical condition or disability. Therefore, such documentation generally may not be required as a condition for providing service to an individual accompanied by a service animal. Although a number of states have programs to certify service animals, you may not insist on proof of state certification before permitting the service animal to accompany the person with a disability.

Anyway…Jeff Eats won’t be eating at Table 42 real soon.

Finally, to Table 42’s owner, folks like that manager and hostess can ruin an owner’s business-real fast.

***** Olde Dixie Fried Chicken, 5925 South Orange Avenue, Orlando, Florida 32809, (407) 855-0681.

One of my favorite foods is FRIED CHICKEN…

I know all about the “supposed” health hazards—but I still love fried chicken. In our immediate neck of the woods, for the past 20 years-my monthly “fast food fried chicken fix” (try and say that one fast 5 times) has been handled by Fran’s Fried Chicken (Boca Raton) or Maryland Fried Chicken (Pompano Beach). If I’m really hurting, I’ll do Kentucky Fried Chicken (Boca Raton) or Publix Super Market (Boca Raton).

Anyway…a few weeks ago, I had lunch at Olde Dixie Fried Chicken in Orlando. This is a free standing “fast food” joint—order at the counter/they bring food to your table. From what I understand, Olde Dixie which only accepts cash has been around for 50 years. Based on the formica tables counter/cooking areas, outdoor bathrooms–the bet here, is that Olde Dixie hasn’t been spruced up since it first opened. Real interesting, the outside signage features a big chicken wearing a confederate soldier’s cap…Hey, you do know-don’t you, that Florida seceded from the Union on January 10, 1861?

Now the food…right up there with the best fried chicken Jeff Eats has ever eaten. Not sure how they make it, but the skin was lightly coated with batter and the chicken was moist/tender…sort of like a broasted chicken. In addition to fried chicken, they got stuff like fried fish and fried shrimp…but the game here is fried chicken. Old Dixie also has really good crinkle cut French fries. As expected, they sell the chicken by “dinners”-“buckets” “barrels”–and the chicken comes with those crappy rolls that every takeout fried chicken joint in the world uses.

So what do we got here?

Olde Dixie Fried Chicken–a time warp joint that makes amazingly delicious fried chicken and fries. The joint is open Monday-Saturday 10am-9pm, Sunday 10am-8pm.

***** Under The Streetlamp *****

Just got an email from the Parker Playhouse…

If this kind of music is your bag, go to Parker’s website www.parkerplayhouse.com and do what you got to do.

I’ve seen “these” guys and they put on a great show.

Tickets go on sale to the General Public on April 13, 2012…so, you got a shot to get some great seats before the crowd starts hitting the website.
——————–
Broward Center and PBS-TV WPBT Channel 2 present

Under the Streetlamp
Parker Playhouse • Sunday, May 20, 2012 • 7:00 PM

Take four leading cast members from the Tony Award-winning Jersey Boys and a playlist of favorite songs from The Drifters, The Four Seasons, The Beach Boys, The Beatles, Motown and more and you have Under the Streetlamp, America’s hottest new vocal group. With the rapport of a modern day Rat Pack, slick synchronized dance moves, tight harmonies, and a seven-piece band, Under the Streetlamp is packing concert halls everywhere and finding new fans from their popular recent PBS special.

They have been featured on Broadway; in film and television; and showcased on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, The Emmy Awards and The Oprah Winfrey Show, keeping the classic hits of the American radio songbook alive and introducing them to new audiences everywhere. From “Rock ‘n’ Roll is Here to Stay,” “At Last,” “Pretty Woman,” and “Devil in Disguise,” to “Blue Moon,” “Sh-Boom,” “Twist and Shout,” and more, the hit parade is all delivered in the inimitable Under the Streetlamp style.

Enter the promotional code CLASSIC to buy tickets now before the public on sale!

***** Beefy King, 424 North Bumby Avenue, Orlando, Florida 32803, (407) 894-2241.

Was up in Orlando the other day…and had a fast food lunch at Beefy King. Like most of you, I’d never heard of this joint–but its been around since 1968…as a point of reference, in 1968 I was a sophmore at Ithaca College, weighed 162 lbs and wore a size 32 waist pants. Anyway…stepping inside was like going back in time. Not 100% sure on this, but my money says that this joint hasn’t been remodled since it first opened. Anyway…two “townies” who were on line, told me that the joint was famous for its steamed roast beef, pulled pork and tater tots. So, when it came my time to order, Jeff Eats ordered pastrami-corned beef sandwiches and onion rings—just kidding.

Beefy King does…roast beef/ham & cheese/turkey/pastrami/corned beef/bbq pork/bbq beef Kaiser roll sandwiches, handful of salads, handful of sides, milkshakes.

For the record, the roast beef/pulled pork sandwiches were amazingly delicious…same for the crispy tater-tots.

Now nothing for nothing, in deciding if you are going to trust my taste buds on this “outing”—keep in mind, that I am and have always been a huge Arby’s fan.

I loved the food. I loved the nostalgic signage/decor.

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

Defintely strange for a free standing fast food joint…it’s only open Monday-Friday 10am-3pm, Friday 11am-3pm, closed on Sunday.

Trattoria Romana, 499 East Palmetto Park Road, Boca Raton, Florida 33432, (561) 393-6715.

Trattoria Romana is an upscale “white table cloth” Italian joint in Boca Raton. For the record, the joint has been around since 1993 and has a HUGE following…the bet here is that Trattoria Romana is one of the most successful upscale Italian restaurants in Boca Raton and for that matter South Florida. I think (actually I know)–the most cursory Google search on Trattoria Romana turns up loads of extremely favorable “food” reviews.

If you guys do a bit of checking, you’ll find that Jeff Eats and Mrs. Jeff Eats do quite a bit of-shall we say–eating out. Trust me, we are easy going customers and never make life hard for waiters/waitresses–nobody. We tip well and are always pleasant. We know what it’s like to work for a living and have great empathy for the cooks, waiters, hostesses of this world.

I’m gonna make this “story” short and really sweet.

The food at Trattoria Romana is top-shelf. I and Mrs. Jeff Eats have eaten there TWICE…the first time was in 1995 and the second dinner- last week. Now, you guys may-be asking yourselves (then again you may not be asking): If the food is so delicious, why has Jeff Eats only eaten there twice in 17 years?

Glad you asked…

At the top of this story, I mentioned that a Google search would turn-up a ton of favorable “food” reviews—however, I neglected to mention that a search would also discover a ton of negative “attitude/service” comments… For the record, back in 1995, the front door hostess copped an attitude–like she was Eva Perone or something…throw in the waiter’s histrionics when we requested a 4-year old’s “kid’s” sized pasta portion—the outcome, it took me and Mrs. Eats 17 years to give Trattoria Romana another shot. The 2012 outing– now not 100% sure on this, but the same Eva Perone or a look-a-like is still the gate-keeper and is as charming as ever…the 4 year old is now 21, so I can’t tell you how the “waiter” would have handled a request for a “kid’s” portion…

To sum Trattoria Romana up… great looking joint, very good food (the chicken scarpariello, veal chop parmigiana and yellowtail oregenata are outstanding), not too terrible prices, very bad “personnel” vibe…

Just so you know, Jeff Eats isn’t planning a THIRD Trattoria Romana go-round, then again in 2029 I may have softened up a drop.

It absolutely amazes me, that certain restaurants just don’t know how to treat customers. What gets me even more, is that some customers put up with this crap. I guess they are what my dad use to call “gluttons for punishment.”

If you are a glutton, you can check www.trattoriaromana.com for menu/prices.

The joint is open Sunday-Thursday 5:30pm-10pm, Friday-Saturday 5:30pm-11pm.

***** Jr’s Gourmet Burgers, 7 Westward Drive, Miami Springs, Florida 33166, (786) 360-5347.

First, if you look, I got this joint listed as being in Miami Lakes, but it’s really in Miami Springs…don’t have a Miami Springs “category”—so you now know the city where this terrific “mom & pop” hole-in the wall burger joint is located.

One of my favorite meals is a cheeseburger–fries smothered in Ketchup–Coca Cola. Well let me tell you, Jr’s makes delicious burgers and fries. When you check Jr’s menu at www.jrsburgers.com you will find that the joint has 3- sized flat grilled burgers, 1/3 lb, 1/2 lb, 1 lb…handful of toppings…handful of sandwiches…handful of hot dogs…handful of salads—end of story. If I got it right, the pop-Jr is the “cook” and the wife is the wait-staff.

Like I said a few seconds ago–delicious burgers and fries. For the record, I did a 1/3er with American cheese ($6.99) and fries ($1.50). Let me make this real-simple, the burger and fries are right up there with the best currently out there in the South Florida market. Really-just that simple!

Jr’s is open Monday-Thursday 11am-9pm, Saturday 11am-10pm, closed on Sunday.

***** The Filling Station, 95 Southeast 2nd Street, Miami, Florida 33131, (786) 425-1990.

Let’s call The Filling Station located in Miami- an “American Style” kinda sports bar…think decor-wise—-TGIF Friday’s with “old gas” station stuff on the walls and you got the picture.

Right up front, I really enjoyed The Filling Station…loads of appetizers, burgers, sandwiches, salads, wings, pulled pork stuff. Real easy going joint, reasonable prices, sports-bar pleasant enough service. You can check menu/prices at www.thefillingstationmiami.com.

Look! I’m gonna guess that there must be something like 2 billion sports bars-alone in South Florida. Throw in the chain guys of the world like TGIFs, Ruby Tuesday’s, Applebees, Hurricane Wings and Buffalo Wild Wings and maybe we are talking 7 billion South Florida joints where you can enjoy decent enough food, be surrounded by flat screen tvs and choose from something like 25,000 different beers. The point I’m struggling to make here, is that there are tons of joints where you can get good food and drink your liver away-all while watching tv. The only call you gotta make is where you spend that dime. Not sure who said it, “Different strokes for different folks.”

To be perfectly straight with you guys, my game is FOOD…I know a bunch of you folks are really into “this beer or that beer”–but when it comes to joints like The Filling Station–delicious burgers- fries -wings- pulled pork and philly steak subs are my end game.

The other night, I, Mrs. Jeff Eats and another happily married couple stopped by The Filling Station…I gotta tell you that the flame grilled burger with genoa salami/provolone cheese/pesto mayo was absolutely delicious…same for the pulled pork and philly steak subs. The seasoned tater tots’ sides were off the chart…and

The most beautiful part of the evening was that Mrs. Jeff Eats and her girlfriend didn’t bitch too much because the menu had enough salads to hold the fort.The spinach salad with grilled chicken and house salad with blackened mahi mahi kept the peace. For the unmarried men reading– but not exactly following the above rant…when you tie the knot, this will all make sense to you…and that’s a money back guarantee from Jeff Eats.

If you live or work in The Filling Station’s neighborhood…give it a shot.

The joint is open Monday-Thursday 11:30am-9pm and Friday-Saturday 11:30am-10pm, closed on Sunday.

***** Prime Cigar & Wine Bar, 2240 Northwest 19th Street, Boca Raton, Florida 33431, (561) 613-6130.

About a month or so ago I was eating dinner outside at Tucci’s Fire N Coal Pizza in Boca Raton —two guys, I’m guessing in their mid 30’s came over to my table and one asked me “Do you know where we can find a good cigar bar?” Now, I coulda pulled a Lou Costello on them and said–No, but if you hum a few bars-I’ll try and play it…but I didn’t. Surprisingly- Jeff Eats who supposedly knows it all—didn’t have a joint to recomend.

That conversation got me thinking…

I am happy to report to you and “if” those two guys are reading—that I found a terrific upscale cigar/wine bar, Prime Cigar & Wine Bar in Boca Raton. So there is absolutely no misunderstanding, I don’t smoke cigars and don’t know sqwat about them. My recommendation is based on the “trusted” opinions of four friends who love to smoke cigars, know wines and are fans of the cigar/wine bar concept. These guys swear by Prime Cigar & Wine—I will tell you, that I personally-physically checked the joint out a couple of nights ago and it’s absolutely gorgeous with an upscale full bar and lounge area. When I was there, it had a load of guys puffing/drinking away and everybody seemed to be having a good time talking and watching a handful of flat screen tvs. Now I’m no expert here, but the joint seems to be extremely well equipped in that it has a 300 sq foot humidor loaded with cigars–so you can have your own or buy from the house…and “members” get their own temperature controlled cigar storage lockers.

Totally off subject, but “lockers” reminded me of a guy I’ve known since we were kids at Ditmas Junior High School in Brooklyn…back then, this kid for love or money couldn’t figure out how to open the combination lock on his gym locker…and the craziest thing, some 50 odd years later, the same guy despite the fact that he is a prominent attorney and multi-millionaire still can’t open a combination lock. Anyway…

Now- something I’m a bit more familar with- FOOD…

Prime Cigar & Wine Bar doesn’t have a kitchen and doesn’t prepare/sell food. However, it has a complimentary service with its staff “picking up” food for Prime’s “smokers”- from shopping center stablemates…Five Guys, Nick’s Pizzeria, Hooters, Gyroville, CR Chicks, Laspada Subs, Shane’s Rib Shack, Moe’s Southwest Grill. During my visit, I noticed pizzas, burgers, subs “at” the bar and in the lounge.

If you are into this cigar thing…check www.bocasmokes.com.

Prime Cigar & Wine Bar is open Sunday-Thursday 11am-midnight and Friday-Saturday 11am-2am.

***** Sebastian Maniscalco *****

Look—I’m not trying to be the Town Crier here…but when I got something that you may enjoy…

Last Friday night at the Woodfield Country Club in Boca Raton, I saw Sebastian Maniscalco- a young comedian (I’m figuring about 35) in action. To put it bluntly, I can’t recall laughing so hard in a very-very long time. The guy did something like 80 minutes of clean contemporary comedy and literally had the audience eating out of his hand. Kinda hard to describe him, but when I was watching his show, he reminded me of a Jerry Seinfeld/John Travolta (actually- Vinny Barbarino)/Jerry Lewis amalgamation (never used that word before!).

If you want to see a top-notch comic in action, Sebastian who lives in Southern California, will be at the Fort Lauderdale Improv June 7-10 and the Miami Improv November 30 & December 1, 2012.

If you want to “test” the guy out before buying tickets, you can check him out on- You Tube, watch his current Showtime special, or go to www.sebastianlive.com.

Mark this column, in the coming years–this guy will be a be a major concert, film and television performer…and if you had listened to Jeff Eats–you saw him, before anyone else!!