* The Marshall Tucker Band (Mardi Gras Casino)

In May it was The Lovin’ Spoonful. In June it was The Grass Roots—terrific Rock n’ Roll concerts at the Mardi Gras Casino in Hallandale Beach.

Now, the Mardi Gras Casino appears to be pulling out all-of-the-stops…

On Tuesday Night– July 9, 2013 at 8pm the legendary southern rock band- The Marshall Tucker Band will hit the casino’s Grandstand Stage.

Check-out the press release that Jeff Eats just got…
*****
“Mardi Gras Casino invites you to listen to the eclectic sounds of Southern Rockers, The Marshall Tucker Band perform live in the Grandstand!

Tickets will be sold from June 20, 2013 until July 8, 2013 at Brown Paper Tickets and Mardi Gras Casino. An additional $10 day of concert charge will be added July 9, 2013. Tickets will be sold day of concert at Mardi Gras Casino only. All Gold Carded Members that are eligible for a 50% discount must visit Mardi Gras Casino.

Ticket holders can enjoy our $14.95 buffet at French Quarter for a discounted price of $10.95After the concert, make your way to the slot floor and play one of your favorite machines for a chance to win $250 bonus play from 9:30pm-10:30pm! Must be 21 years of age and a Players’ Club member.

In the early fall of 1973, The Marshall Tucker Band was still a young and hungry group out to prove themselves every time they hit the stage. Their debut album had already spawned numerous hits. “Way Out West!”-Live from San Francisco 1973, their latest CD is a time capsule from that period. “We were a bunch of young guys who didn’t know any boundaries” says founding member and longtime lead singer Doug Gray. As it turned out, the collective talents of The Marshall Tucker Band took them very far indeed. More than three decades later this galvanizing San Francisco performance reminds us how it all began.

Still led today by founding member and lead singer Doug Gray, they represent a time and place in music that will never be duplicated. Gray is quick to credit the band’s current dynamic members with carrying on the timeless essence of The Marshall Tucker Band sound. Chris Hicks played lead and slide guitar in 1996 and 1997. By that time he had become well acquainted with MTB’s music: his band, Loose Change, often opened for Toy in the early 90’s. A few years later, after he joined the Outlaws, Hughie and company would serve as Toy’s back-up band when Toy joined them for an East Coast Tour. He has since gone solo and released a CD titled Funky Broadway. In 2008 Chris released his next full length album on MTB’s Ramblin Records entitled “Dog Eat Dog World.” Chris re-joined the MTB permanently in 2012. The highly respected drummer B.B. Borden, a former member of both Mother’s Finest and The Outlaws, multi-instrumentalist Marcus Henderson of Macon, Georgia, plays flute, saxophone and keyboards in addition to lead and background vocals, Pat Elwood on bass guitar, and Rick Willis on lead guitar and vocals, both of Spartanburg SC, are disciples of the Caldwell Brothers. Together they present a powerful stage presence as they continue to tour the country and continue to be powerful force in the world of music.”

*****
Trust old Jeff Eats on this one…The Marshall Tucker Band is considered by many to be one of the greatest Southern Rock bands of all-time. I am telling you, whether you are a fan or new to the band—you owe it to yourself to catch The Marshall Tucker Band in action…the group has sold millions of records and influenced every major Southern Rock N’ Roll Band that has taken to the stage since 1973.

Take a look at the group’s website www.marshalltucker.com—Its got the whole 9-yards on the group’s 40+ year history.

Tickets are $20-$40-$60 and you can buy them on Mardi Gras Casino’s site www.mardigrascasinofl.com.

***** Dune Deck’s Mimosa Café, 10833 South Jog Road, Boynton Beach, Florida 33437, (561) 742-8005.

Real fast…back on February 15, 2008 Jeff Eats “did” a story on the Dune Deck–a breakfast/lunch joint located on the public beach in Lantana. That 2008 “review” is reprinted below…

Just so you know, the Dune Deck in Lantana is one of Jeff Eats’ favorite breakfast joints…I would bet that over the past 5 years, I’ve eaten something like 40 breakfasts there. Can’t remember each and every meal, but I can’t recall even-one bad outing at this joint. Its menu is packed with all kinds of breakfast stuff, salads, burgers and sandwiches. For you guys not-familiar with the Dune Deck in Lantana…it is basically a covered-outdoor patio joint right on the Lantana beach….the Dune Deck draws “tons” of people every day and in “season” the tourists make it a nightmare-wait for “us” regulars.

Anyway…

About two months ago, the folks that own the Dune Deck opened “another” breakfast-lunch joint—Dune Deck Mimosa Café in Boynton Beach. From what I can tell, they took over a bagel-joint that was there…soooo Dune Deck Mimosa Café looks “just” like a bagel-joint (and I know that “you” guys know what a South Florida bagel joint looks like).

Anyway…

The other morning, Jeff Eats and some of his buddies- had breakfast in the Dune Deck Mimosa Café and I gotta tell you that this joint has the “same” great food and service as the one in Lantana…the only difference, the Boynton joint (which is in a strip center)–doesn’t have the terrific Atlantic Ocean patio views that the Lantana outpost does. Now- nothing for nothing… we will soon find out if the “ocean views” are a necessary factor in the Dune Deck success equation. Personally, Jeff Eats thinks that the food/service alone will make the Boynton joint a huge winner…time will tell on that!

You can check Dune Deck’s Mimosa Cafe’s menu/prices at www.ddmimosacafe.com.

Dune Deck Mimosa Café is open 7 days a week 7:30am-4pm.

Here’s the February 15, 2008 “story.”

***** Dune Deck Cafe, 100 North Ocean Boulevard, Lantana Florida–(561) 582-0472

Over the years, I have eaten breakfast in this breakfast-lunch joint at least 20 times. Located directly on the beach, this tee shirt/shorts joint has great food, great service and beach atmosphere which is why we all live down here in South Florida. Don’t miss this one.

* 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.