***** Fran’s Chicken Haven, 1925 North Federal Highway, Boca Raton, Florida 33432, (561) 395-0781.

Got something terrific for you…

That’s assuming that you aren’t a “follower” of NYC Mayor Bloomberg–in that you don’t need “Big Brother” (and no, I’m not talking about Janis’ group) to tell you what you can and can’t eat…

Real fast… from 1964-2000 a woman named Fran (thus the name Fran’s Chicken Haven) and her husband Joe, operated a “hole-in-the-wall” fried chicken joint—Fran’s Chicken Haven in Boca Raton. Maybe 3 tables and 4-5 counter seats. In a nutshell, amazing fried chicken and assorted sides. In 2000 the couple retired and sold the business—for the past 12-13 years Fran’s has had 3-maybe 4 different owners who slowly but surely wrecked the business. Jeff Eats may not be the sharpest pencil in the box, but I do know that when something ain’t broke, you don’t try and fix it…one owner changed the batter-mix and added latin sides, another made the joint a kosher chicken restaurant-closing on Friday nights and all day Saturday—hopefully you get the picture.

Since Fran and Joe sold the joint, Jeff Eats who had previously been a real-steady customer, has maybe picked-up chicken 7 or 8 times in the ensuing years.

Now the news…two brothers- Jake Stuart (aged 19) and Chris Stuart (aged 32) both born and bred—Boca Ratonians—bought Fran’s a month or so ago…and have literally “brought” it back to where it was taste-wise during the Fran & Joe era. How does Jeff Eats know all this? Because…Jeff Eats and Mrs. Jeff Eats ala Marvin Gaye heard it through the grapevine—and yesterday, picked up an 8 piece fried chicken, French fries, onion rings, fried corn nibblets order—and I gotta tell you, the food tastes just like we “remember” Fran making it…the “boys” told us that the sale/purchase of the business had included all of Fran’s original recipes and that they had visited with Fran and Joe (who still live in Boca Raton) to get a feel on how to run the joint.

Let me leave you guys with this…if you like fried chicken, fries, onion rings, fried corn nibblets—-then you gotta get over to Fran’s Chicken Haven.

One final thought…

Jake and Chris— When the crowds start pouring in, which they will—don’t even think of renaming the joint- Stuart Brothers Chicken Haven or some such variation!

Down below is the original June 20, 2006 Jeff Eats’ review for Fran’s Chicken Haven:

***** “Fran’s makes some of the best fried chicken that you have ever tasted. This joint has been around something like 40 years and is an absolute hole in the wall. Basically a take-out joint, there are a few tables and a counter for those who want to “dine in.” FRIED is the word here…shrimp, corn, french fries, onion rings. Everything is absolutely delicious.

Don’t tell your cardiologist about this joint.

Fran’s is open 7 days a week for lunch and dinner.”

* KLONDIKE BAR

I’m gonna assume that you guys know what a Klondike ice cream bar is…if you don’t, save Jeff Eats some time and go “google” or “bing” or whatever you-do and “learn” the history of one of the greatest items ever invented by mankind–namely, a square of vanilla ice cream covered in a chocolate shell.

Really don’t want to get into a Klondike “discussion” but that “simple” vanilla/chocolate treat which has been around since the early 1900s-now has siblings…mint chocolate chip, krunch, rocky road, dark chocolate, heath, oreo, heath, double chocolate, neopolitan and carmel pretzel. Now, for a drop of “not so good news”–those delicious/amazing/terrific/sensational ice cream bars-are gonna set you back 250-300 calories a piece.

To make a long story short…

About a month ago, Mrs. Jeff Eats said to me and I quote, “You’re getting as big as a house and those Klondike Bars you eat aren’t doing you any favors, either.”

Hey! This “thing” is getting too stupid for even Jeff Eats…

The point…in addition to the “real ones”…

Klondike “makes” Klondike Slim-A-Bear 100 Calorie Bars…they are 1/2 the “weight” of a regular Klondike Bar—but have less than 1/2 the calories. Jeff Eats loves them–they taste just like the “real ones” and seem to get the job done from a sweet tooth perspective.

Check www.klondikebar.com for product information.

Just so you know, Mrs. Jeff Eats gets “ours” at Publix –and depending on the “solar equinox” a pack of 8 bars runs either $3.99 or $4.49.

Seriously, these 100 calorie-squares are a real good way to stop some calories from finding their way to your waist, thighs, behind. stomach, hips, (fill in the blank).

***** Eagle Grill & Oyster Bar, 4636 Jog Road, Greenacres, Florida 33467, (561) 964-0900.

Got something really-good for you guys…Eagle Grill & Oyster Bar in Greenacres. For our purposes, we’re gonna call this restaurant an “American Style”-“Sports Bar” joint.

Let me start by saying, that Jeff Eats absolutely loved the Eagle Grill.

For what it’s worth…last night, Jeff Eats, Mrs. Jeff Eats and our friends Eric and Ellen (Jeff Eats knows Ellen since he was 13 and she was 12) tried the Eagle Grill which had been recommended the night before by our mutual friends Norman and Nancy who live in Delray Beach…confused?

Anyway…

The four of us (that’s Jeff Eats, Mrs. Jeff Eats, Eric and Ellen who Jeff Eats knows since he was 13) drove “up” to Greenacres from Boca Raton and found the Eagle Grill in a small shopping center…from the outside, in a million years—the four of us never figured that inside- it was a cool looking neighborhood wood bar/booths/table seating joint with loads of flat screen tvs. By the way, when we got there around 8:15pm–every seat (I’m thinking 125 give or take) in the house including those at the bar were taken—it took us about 10 minutes to catch a booth.

Eagle’s menu has tons of appetizers, salads, sandwiches, burgers, wings, pastas, meat/chicken/seafood entrees, desserts…Just so you know, the joint is heavy on the seafood-side of the ledger, but don’t-worry, there is plenty of non fish stuff, so every-one in your party is gonna find what to eat. At this stage of the game, you can check www.eagle-grill.com for menu/prices/photos.

Now listen closely…Eagle Grill’s food isn’t just good, it is outrageously good. Eric ordered the crab cake entrée ($25-2 crab cakes/2 sides) and scarfed those suckers down as if he was Mahata Gandhi breaking a fast. Jeff Eats did a rack of baby-back ribs ($16- two sides), Mrs. Jeff Eats did blackened mahi ($12.50- two sides), Ellen did a shrimp po boy ($8.50 fried shrimp/lettuce/tomato/mayo and one side), the table shared steamed mussels fra diavlo ($8.50) and gumbo ($10). Like I said, 4 seconds ago…the food was outrageously good.

Let me wrap this story up…

Terrific food—super pleasant service—very reasonable prices (for example–from 3pm-9pm the Eagle offers 9 dinners priced at $9.99 a piece).

In baseball parlance, the Eagle Grill is a grand-slam.

For you guys who need a “drop” of clarification. Ellen is married to Eric, Jeff knows Ellen since he was 13 and she was 12, Norman is married to Nancy and vice versa, Nancy and Norman use to live in Boca Raton but now live in Delray Beach but are thinking of moving to Manhattan but aren’t sure on that just yet, the only tv sets currently being manufactured are flat screen tvs so it’s no longer necessary to call them flat screen tvs-just tvs will suffice and a po boy is the “same” as a sub, hero, blimpie, grinder, hoagie…and your tee shirt/shorts ensembles will work beautifully at the Eagle.

Eagle Grill is open Sunday noon-9:30pm, Monday-Thursday 11am-9:30pm, Friday-Saturday 11am-10:30pm.

Finally, if Norman and Nancy decide to move to Manhattan, Jeff Eats will update you guys.

* Shadows Of The 60’s

FINALLY…SOMEBODY LISTENED TO JEFF EATS–

Back on March 20, 2012 Jeff Eats told you guys about a sensational Motown revue show–“Dave Revels Tribute To The Four Tops” that I had recently seen.

The original “writeup” is reprinted below.

Anyway…in that article, I urged you guys to “get” this NYC act down to South Florida-and although it took awhile– earlier this week, Dave Revels advised me- that the act now called “Shadows Of The 60’s” has signed a contract from January 2, 2014- January 16, 2014 to play various South Florida country clubs/condos/venues.

If you are a fan of Motown music…I am telling you–you don’t want to miss this act when they are here in South Florida. No fooling around–Dave Revels’ “singers” are as good-if not better than the guys-girls currently starring in the smash Broadway hit “Motown The Musical.”

Check the group’s website www.shadowsofthe60s.com and see if your social director or your friend’s social director or your cousin’s social director was smart enough to book “Shadows Of The 60’s” for their respective communities.
*****

***** Dave Revels Tribute To The Four Tops *****
I am a huge Motown fan…Just so you know, Smokey is my favorite singer and I absolutely love The Four Tops. Now with that in mind—

I recently caught an 11 piece act..”Dave Revels Tribute To The Four Tops” that absolutely blew me away. I’m telling you– You’d swear, that The Four Tops (Levi, Duke, Obie and Lawrence) were in-the-house circa 1965. Dead on and I do mean dead on versions of the group’s greatest hits.

To be perfectly honest with you, over the years, literally- I have seen countless cover bands and tribute acts down here in South Florida. No fooling around, “Dave Revels Tribute To The Four Tops” was right up there with the best that I’ve seen, anywhere. Terrific staging, costumes, music, dancing—this group had it all covered. In addition to The Four Tops’ tribute, the act also did amazing covers of such 50s-60s-70s artists as The Drifters, The Platters, The Supremes, The Miracles, Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell.

The reason that I am mentioning “Dave Revels Tribute To The Four Tops” is that the New York based group is currently scheduling a number of 2012-2013 Florida appearances. So… if this type of “entertainment” is your bag–be on the lookout for advertised performance dates.

Just a little heads up…the leader of the group- Dave Revels ain’t exactly a rookie in the entertainment business. Years ago, he was a member of Charlie Thomas’ Drifters and is a current member of the legendary acapella group-The Persuasions (who by the way, tore the house down this past Sunday night at The Broward Center). To say that this guy can sing, would be an understatement. He does a Levi Stubbs and Marvin Gaye—that would have the originals thinking that- they were singing on stage.

Like I said, “Dave Revels Tribute To The Four Tops” is something you gotta see—you can check schedule/audio/video at www.daverevels.com & www.standingintheshadowsofthefourtops.com. You can also You Tube–Dave Revels and you should come-up with a ton of videos.

One final thought, I’m sure that a number of you guys live in condo communities, country clubs, etc…that have entertainment directors/committees. “Dave Revels Tribute To The Four Tops” would be an absolute homerun–so maybe you should make an introduction!

* 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.