***** FOOD JOKES *****

Got any good food-jokes?

A snail was knocking on a guy’s front door. The guy opened the door, picked-up the snail and threw him into the front yard. Three years later the same snail was knocking on the guy’s door, the guy opened the door and the snail said… Now, what was that all about?

Two guys from Alabama are walking down the street. One turns to the other guy and says—What’s in that bag that you are carrying. The second guy replies chickens. The first guy says, if I can guess how many chickens you have in the bag, can I have one? The first guy says–If you guess right, you can have both of them. The second guy says…”ummmmh 5?”

A young kid walks into a barbershop. The barber says to the customer in his chair, this kid is amazingly dumb and tells the customer to watch. The barber puts a dollar bill in one hand and two quarters in the other. The barber shows his hands to the kid and asks him which hand he wants. The kid picks the hand with the two quarters, takes the quarters and leaves. Later that day, the customer spots the kid walking out of an ice cream store licking an ice cream cone. The customer goes over to the kid and asks him, why did he pick the hand with the two quarters and not the hand with the dollar bill. The kid says, the day I pick the hand with the dollar bill, is the day the game ends.

***** Pummarola, 6000 Glades Road (Boca Town Center), Boca Raton, Florida 33431, (561) 368-1868.

Just got back from having “lunch” at Pummarola…which is a relatively new Italian fast food joint located in the food-court at Boca Town Center.

Let me start by saying–Pummarola’s food was fabulous.

The joint’s menu is real simple—personal-sized wood fired pizza ($5.50-$8.50), panuozzo (pizza crust bread with fillings–$8.50), calzones ($8), pasta ($7-8), handful of sides ($3), handful of desserts ($3.50). At this stage of the conversation-you can check www.pummarola.us for full menu/prices/photos.

Now nothing for nothing, over the years- Jeff Eats has literally eaten in tons of Italian fast food mall joints…and I gotta tell you, that Pummarola’s food ranks right up there with the best that I’ve ever had…I’ll even go so far and tell you folks, that Pummarola’s food is as good as most of the stuff served at the best “mom & pop” red sauce Italian joints here in South Florida and elsewhere…I’ll even go on record and tell you, that Pummarola’s food is as good if not better than the stuff served at most of South Florida/elsewhere’s “upscale” Italian joints.

Right about now, some of you guys may-be saying…”Jeff has lost his mind or something.”

Trust me on this one…the “sampled” margherita pizza, chicken milanese panuozzo, fettuccine bolognese, gnocchi alfredo, spaghetti & meatballs, eggplant parmigiana–were absolutely positively delicious. Like Jeff Eats said 14 seconds ago, this joint’s food could easily go head to head with the best Italian stuff out there.

If I got my facts straight, Pummarola has only been open a few months…During the half-hour (3pm-3:30pm on a rainy Saturday) that Jeff Eats was in the food court–the joint did a nice steady business, but I definitely didn’t see long lines at the counter. The real concern that I have with Pummarola is that the guys who own it aren’t business-men…food guys yes!–business-men no! The reason I say this, is that Pummarola is located in a “double space” in the food court…and my pencil to napkin calculations tell me that the rent has to be something like $35,000 a month—and $35,000 a month is an enormous load of pizza/panuozzo/calzone/pasta. In addition, the space “features” a Fiat-car as a decoration…talk about pissing away valuable real-estate! I sure hope Jeff Eats is wrong here-because the food is tremendous…but I really think that Pummarola’s owners might have bit (pun intended) off too much to chew.

Putting “finances” and a car aside for a moment…

I’m telling you guys that you gotta check this joint out.

Pummarola is open 7 days a week during mall hours.

***** May 7, 2013 UPDATE

Just a quick update…

Since Jeff Eats’ April 13, 2013 “review” I and Mrs. Jeff Eats have eaten twice “at” Pummarola with the last outing being this evening—and I gotta tell you that my first impression still holds—the food is absolutely dynamite. Just wanted to mention that after you have finished eating this joint’s pizzas, pastas and sandwiches—give its tiramisu, cannoli and crepes a shot…I sampled all three this evening- and they are as good as the stuff turned out by South Florida’s best Italian bakeries.

Trust me on this..Pummarola is something very special.

***** THE RASCALS *****

Real fast…

One of the greatest 60’s rock bands was The Rascals.
The band “broke-up” some forty years ago.
Over those 40 years, various “combinations” of the group performed—but the original 4-members only performed twice together, once at a charity event and at the group’s induction into the Rock n’ Roll Hall Of Fame.
A few months ago, former band-mates (Felix, Eddie, Dino, Gene) finally agreed to reunite and in December, 2012 performed 6 sold-out concerts at The Capitol Theatre in Port Chester, New York.
Commencing this evening, the band is set to play 15 concerts at the Richard Rodgers Theatre in New York City.

The Rascals are coming to the Hard Rock in Hollywood for concerts on May 24, 25, 26, 27.

Tickets go on sale tomorrow on Ticketmaster at 10am.
*****
March 27, 2013–UPDATE

Jeff Eats and Mrs. Jeff Eats were at the concert on Sunday night.

For those who follow, 60’s Rock N Roll…

The Rascals put on one of the most amazing concerts/shows that Mrs. Jeff Eats and Jeff Eats have seen in a very long time.
Vocally they were amazing.
The entire production was absolutely perfect.
GREAT SHOW!

***** BEST DONUT SHOPS IN AMERICA *****

The Huffpost Food Group recently published its 2013 “America’s 12 Best Donut Shops” list…

12. Dinkel’s Bakery, Chicago
11. Randy’s Donuts, Los Angeles
10. Voodoo Doughnut, Portland
9. The Donut Vault, Chicago
8. Café Du Monde, New Orleans
7. Mighty-O Donut, Seattle
6. Sublime Donuts, Atlanta
5. Bouchon Bakery, Yountville, California
4. Doughnut Plant, New York, New York
3. Round Rock Donuts, Round Rock, Texas
2. Dat Donuts, Chicago
1. Dough, Brooklyn

So, you now know where you can catch some good donuts…assuming that the Huffpost Food Group has good- taste.

***** Triple Bar Bistro, 3401 Equestrian Club Road, Wellington, Florida 33414, (561) 333-1150.

Every so often Jeff Eats gotta ditch the tee shirt/shorts’ ensemble and put on a pair of pants and a “nice” shirt…if you can handle that–then you might want to check-out Triple Bar Bistro a “semi-upscale” American-Style joint in Wellington.

At this stage of the conversation you might like to check Triple’s website www.triplebarbistro.com for menu/prices…there are also a load of photographs that will give you some idea as to what the joint looks like. For those of you who don’t want to go-a-searching—think upscale woody steakhouse/full separate bar area/inside-outside patio seating.

Jeff Eats, Mrs. Jeff Eats and another couple gave Triple Bar Bistro a shot the other evening…

Let me start by saying, that the joint is really-cool looking. The menu isn’t tremendous, but it has enough appetizers, salads, burgers, sandwiches and meat/chicken/seafood entrees so you definitely will find what to eat. On the pricing front, reasonable- but that 20oz bone-in rib eye (2 sides) at 59 bucks seemed to be pushing its luck…can’t tell you if it’s any good, because we didn’t get it. The service is very competent and professional.

Our party of four-ordered… Caesar salad ($7), lobster crab cakes appetizer ($14), bbq grilled wings appetizer ($9), babyback ribs ($22), grilled swordfish ($27), fried chicken ($19), cheeseburger ($12)…

Now- nothing for nothing, Jeff Eats wouldn’t be sending you to Triple Bar Bistro if it wasn’t good…and trust me here, it was very good. Every item ordered was right on the money, with the fried chicken, lobster crab cakes, and the cheeseburger getting special mention–by the way, the mac & cheese that came with the fried chicken was terrific.

Like I said a few seconds ago, you’re gonna have to lose the tee shirt/shorts for this one.

If Triple Bar Bistro sounds like it might be for you…checkout the photos on its website. It’s a great looking place with a “horse” track and lake as background scenery…real cool

Triple Bar Bistro is open Monday-Sunday 3pm-11pm.

***** Stu’s Corner Cafe, 821 Southwest Natura Boulevard, Deerfield Beach, Florida 33441 (Right in front of Brandsmart USA).

On Saturday, Jeff Eats, Mrs. Jeff Eats and Daughter Jeff Eats went “shopping” at Brandsmart USA in Deerfield Beach for a new washer/dryer. Right in front of the store’s entrance was a hot-dog cart which sells grilled Nathan’s hot dogs and Italian sausages—chips/soda. The cart is owned/operated by a guy named Stu who has been in that location for something like 9 years. Not exactly sure as to Stu’s “hours”- but I think he told me 7 days a week 11am-6pm.

Anyway…Jeff Eats, Mrs. Jeff Eats and Daughter Jeff Eats “split” 5 Nathan’s hot dogs…1-dog had warm sauerkraut/deli mustard and 4-dogs had grilled onions/deli mustard. Do you know what the saying “hit the mark” means? Well those hot dogs hit the mark…they were delicious.

You now know where you can get an all-beef grilled hot dog for $2.50 that hits the mark.

End of story!

***** THE FIX IS IN *****

Nothing for nothing…in recent days I’ve been watching the LA LAKERS play and I am willing to bet that the League has placed pressure on the refs–to make sure that the LA LAKERS make the 2013 NBA playoffs.
There is no way, that a group of refs could make so many “bad” calls all favoring the LAKERS unless something was cooking. For what it’s worth, the LEAGUE needs the LAKERS in the playoffs to insure tv viewership. No LAKERS and “you” lose a ton of viewers. Capice!

Nothing for nothing…Jeff Eats has been watching 2013’s American Idol’s tv show. No question in my mind that the producers of the show want a female winner this year. Just a hunch, but the judges seemed to have loaded the show with a ton of no-talent males to make the “game” easier for the females to compete. The reason Jeff Eats says this, the past five years MALE WINNERS namely David Cook, Kris Allen, Lee DeWyze, Scotty McCreery and Phillip Phillips haven’t exactly become household names…in fact none of the male winners which include Ruben Studdard and Taylor Hicks “did” anything…while the female winners like Kelly Clarkson, Fantasia Barrino, Carrie Underwood and Jordan Sparks have all done quite well with Clarkson and Underwood actually killing it. People are tired of lousy men singers winning because some 13 year old female in Iowa votes and votes and votes for a handsome young guy.

So here’s the prediction…The Lakers make the playoffs and a female wins American Idol.

And for you out there who don’t think that the fix is in, better think again!!!

***** Con Sabor A Mexico Carnitas Estilo Michoacán, 542 Southwest 12th Avenue, Miami, Florida 33135, (786)) 267-3526.

Con Sabor is the “ultimate” hole-in-the-wall taco shop. Maybe 4 seats at the indoor counter and a handful of outdoor foldup tables (Jeff Eats’ mother use to call them canasta tables).

Now follow me…Con Sabor only makes TACOS…Now your’re gonna have to do some homework here—maciza, cuerito, buche, oreja, lengua, campechano, surtida, tripa, pollo, bisteck.

Last week-good friends Larry Boychick and Shlomo Schmendrick (both native born Mexicans) took Jeff Eats to this Little Havana joint for lunch…I gotta tell you, the tacos were absolutely amazing. Served with fresh-warm tortillas—I “sampled” the chicken (pollo), pulled pork/rinds (campechano), steak (bisteck)—accompanied by a “tray” of toppings–salsas, cilantro, onions, limes.

Just a heads up…the joint only takes cash. On the language front, all the “help” and seemingly all the other patrons were speaking Spanish. Just for the record, Jeff Eats with his high school and college Spanish “Ds” got-through the meal just fine…and the bet here is that Jeff Eats’ intelligent readers will do the same. By the way, the tacos run $1.75 a piece. They also sell the “fillings” by the pound…figure 14 bucks or so for the fillings-tortillas-toppings. One other thing, they got a handful of bottled Mexican sodas and Mexican Coca Cola with pure cane sugar—Jeff Eats had a Jarriots’ Mandarian and it was delicious.

Let me wrap this one up by saying, I absolutely loved Con Sabor.

Con Sabor is open Tuesday-Sunday 10am-9pm, closed on Monday.

***** Mojo Donuts, 7906 Pines Boulevard, Pembroke Pines, Florida 33324, (954) 983-6631.

Got something absolutely terrific for you…Mojo Donuts in Pembroke Pines…that is, if you are looking for some of the most delicious donuts that you have ever eaten. If this isn’t your game, Jeff Eats will have have “something” else for you later in the week.

Long story short, a husband wife-team in their 50’s who previously owned smoothie shops—in February 2013 opened Mojo Donuts in 1400 square feet in a bombed out shopping center in Pembroke Pines. Prior to Mojo they had never been in the donut business. They start baking around 1am and the official store hours are Monday-Sunday 6am-5pm… but when they “sell-out” they just close the doors no matter what time it is. In the 2 months that the joint has been opened, it has been featured on several local tv news programs, one reality tv series and in several South Florida newspapers/blog sites. Talk about getting the word out!

Jeff Eats’ friends over at food blog- Burger Beast (www.burgerbeast.com) on February 20, 2013 did a real good story on the joint—check the writeup out. By the way, Burger Beast is how I found out about Mojo.

The concept…7 or so standard donuts like glazed and Boston cream pie—and then, 15 or so different daily donuts (try and say that one fast 10 times).

Trust Jeff Eats on this one, this ain’t Dunkin’ Donuts type stuff…these are off the chart–dynamite–can’t stop eating donuts. Just so you know donuts are gonna run you $1.09-$1.39-$1.75 a shot.

I recently “tried” glazed–maple bacon–apple fritter…like Jeff Eats said 11 seconds ago, some of the most delicious donuts going.

Mojo has a handful of tables inside and a couple outside. It has 4 large flat screen tvs and also does coffee (that figures!).

Let me wrap this up…this is a real “mom & pop” operation—you can taste their “pride” in every bite (No! Jeff Eats hasn’t gone all soft and fuzzy, but last week was Passover and yesterday was Easter Sunday).

If you want to eat-try something very-very special…then you gotta get to Mojo Donuts—but get there early, because you ain’t the only one who knows about this fabulous donut shop.

***** Jay’s Pizza & Pasta, 8983 Okeechobee Boulevard, West Palm Beach, Florida 33411, (561) 753-9997.

Got an absolutely dynamite “mom & pop” red sauce Italian joint for you…Jay’s Pizza & Pasta in West Palm Beach. Handful of tables inside, a couple outside…tee shirt/shorts’ ensemble is the dress of the day.

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

Jay’s menu has loads of appetizers, salads, pastas, hot/cold subs, pizzas, meat/chicken/seafood entrees.

Let me start by saying that Jay’s makes a fabulous thin crust brick oven pizza—18″ large will run you $12.99. Trust Jeff Eats on this one, you definitely want to try the margherita.

A recent outing also had Jeff Eats “doing”—12″ veal parm sub ($7.29), 12″ philly cheesesteak sub ($7.29), penne ala vodka ($11.9, baked lasagna ($9.99). The veal and cheesesteak subs were right on the money. Nice crisp bread and the fillings were just right. The penne ala vodka and baked lasagna were also delicious.

Now so there is no misunderstanding…’cause I don’t want any of you guys to be hollering at Jeff Eats—Jay’s Pizza & Pasta isn’t a “fancy” mom & pop joint. I may-be confusing you here, but on its website there is a photo that may help to “explain” what this joint is all about…I’m gonna call Jay’s a “bare-bones” joint, if that helps.

Anyway…the food is real-good.

Jay’s also has something real cool—Pick Your Pasta, Pick your Size, Pick Your Sauce…3 types of pasta, 6oz or 9oz, 5 sauces…You do recall that a few seconds ago I told you that Jay’s wasn’t a “fancy” mom & pop joint? Sure You do! For you wise-guys out there…I thought the pasta-idea was cool.

If you are looking for good solid red “stuff” that goes great with a bottomless glass of Coke…Jay’s Pizza & Pasta is for you.

A quick reminder, that thin-crust pizza is an absolute must try.

Jay’s is open Monday-Saturday 11am-10pm, Sunday noon-9pm.