***** Dunkin’ Donuts *****

Just curious, what do you guys think about national coffee/donut chain Dunkin’ Donuts?

***** THE BSTREET BAND *****

Got something absolutely terrific and free for you guys…that is, if you are a fan of Bruce Springsteen’s music, Motown-music, 1960’s-1970’s Rock N Roll…THE BSTREET BAND, arguably America’s #1 tribute band to- Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band.

Jeff Eats has seen THE BSTREET BAND three times (Asbury Park, Atlantic City, Boca Raton) and they are a dynamite “party” band…This Asbury Park, New Jersey based group has been around since 1980 and has performed at hundreds of clubs, arenas and private parties. The band estimates that over 3,000,000 people have attended its live performances.

For our purposes, The BSTREET BAND will be performing “FREE” on Saturday Night- February 23, 2013 at the Seminole Casino Coconut Creek (starting at 8:30pm) and on Thursday-Friday-Saturday Nights (March 7-8-9 2013) at the Seminole Hard Rock Casino in Hollywood (starting at 7pm).

Check the band’s website www.thebstreetband.com for further details.

***** Best Chicken Wings In South Florida *****

Kill some time for me–while I get a “new” restaurant story together for you guys…

What are your best CHICKEN WINGS picks?

Thanks,
Jeff Eats

***** El Balcon De Las Americas, 7932 West Sample Road, Coral Springs, Florida 33065, (954) 346-4590.

Got something really-really good for you guys…El Balcon De Las Americas—a joint that does Columbian/Latin stuff.

Just so you know, there are 4-locations…Jeff Eats “did” lunch at the Coral Springs’ restaurant.

You can check menu/prices/locations at www.balcondelasamericas.com.

The Coral Springs location has both indoor/outdoor patio seating. Not 100% sure on this, but when Jeff Eats, Mrs. Jeff Eats and another couple were there last Sunday afternoon around 3pm, it-seemed that we were the only customers “speaking” English. The joint was jammed packed and I’m gonna figure that at least 75 people were eating. Now you “scared-e-cats” don’t worry, the waiters and counter folks spoke English, so Jeff Eats, Mrs. Jeff Eats & Company had no problema what so-ever ordering. Based on the fact that Jeff Eats was a straight “D” student in high school/college Spanish–the bet here is that everyone else was speaking Spanish…but then again, what does a “D” student know? Putting two and two together, I’m thinking that a Columbian-Latin food joint “warrants” Spanish speakers, but then again, Portuguese sounds like Spanish to me, so I could have been dead wrong.

Anyway…this joint is one cool restaurant. Real easy going–can’t exactly explain the décor…let’s “say” a neighborhood diner with Latin flair.

El Balcon De Las Americas’ menu has a handful of breakfast items, appetizers, salads, soups, meat/chicken/seafood entrees, desserts.

Let me tell you that the arepa de cholo ($1.75) and beef empanadas ($.99) were dynamite…Our “party” also had, chuleta calena (thinly pounded/breaded/deep fried pork tenderloin-$8.99), carne asad (grilled flat steak-$10.99), chicken fajitas ($12.99), pargo rojo (deep fried red snapper-$13.99)…every item was delicious, the portions were enormous—and the prices were very-very reasonable.

Like I said before, think–neighborhood diner with a Latin flair and you’ll be on the right page.

It goes without saying, shorts/tee shirt ensembles are the dress of the day.

El Balcon De Las Americas is open 7 days a week for breakfast-lunch and dinner.

Just got the following press release from the Seminole Casino Coconut Creek…

Take a read—sounds like a great way to “watch” this year’s Super Bowl.

*****

** CALENDAR ANNOUNCEMENT **

TAILGATE-STYLE EXTRAVAGANZA AND WATCH PARTY WITH PROFESSIONAL FOOTABLL PLAYERS AT SEMINOLE CASINO COCONUT CREEK ON FEB. 3

WHAT: Party in style and watch the two hottest teams in football compete for the winning title. Watch the big game with Miami Dolphins Hall of Famer Larry Little along with Keith Sims, Vernon Carey and Troy Dayton at Seminole Casino Coconut Creek’s super tailgate party. Other professional football players attending include Lamar Miller (Miami Dolphins), Chris Clemons (Miami Dolphins), Terrelle Pryor (Oakland Raiders), Sam Shields (Green Bay Packers) and Steelers great Leon Searcy. Football fans will also enjoy complimentary drinks, food and entertainment, included in their ticket purchase.

At Super Score Sunday, players can win up to $25,000! Players can earn free Super Score Sunday scratch-off cards by playing their favorite slots. For every 500 points earned, players will receive one scratch-off card and one free entry into the Super Tailgate Party. Earn points between 7 a.m. on Wednesday, January 31 and 6:15 p.m. on Sunday, February 3. Players will also receive a U-Spin bonus of up to $100 in Free Play for every 15 minutes of active play from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. on February 3.

WHEN: Sunday, February 3 from 6:15 p.m. to 11 p.m.

WHERE: Seminole Casino Coconut Creek – The Pavilion
5550 NW 40th Street
Coconut Creek, FL
Located at the corner of 441 (State Road 7) and Sample Road

COST: Purchase tickets at the door for $25 a person.

WHO: Presented by Seminole Casino Coconut Creek

INFO: For more information, please call Seminole Casino Coconut Creek at 954-977-6700, visit www.seminolecasinococonutcreek.com or www.facebook.com/seminolecasinocococreek and follow us on Twitter @SemCasinoCoCo.

# # #

***** J. R. Pizza Bella Restaurant, 7868 West Sample Road, Margate, Florida 33065, (954) 753-1300.

Got a real good “hole in the wall” mom & pop–red sauce Italian joint for you…J. R. Pizza Bella Restaurant in Margate.

Rather than beating around the bush with all kinds of stories—J.R. Pizza Bella has to be ranked right up there with the best of the Italian red sauce “mom & pop” joints Jeff Eats has “tried” down here in sunnny South Florida. Trust me- I know that’s quite a statement for me to make–based on the number of joints I’ve hit, but what is-is! This little joint, really cranked out some delicious stuff.

J. R. has the full-boat of pizzas, pastas, hot/cold subs, seafood/chicken/meat entrees. You can check menu/prices at www.jrpizzabella.com.

Like I said a few seconds ago, this is a “hole in the wall”—handful of tables and booths, that’s it. I know it isn’t really necessary to tell you, but—your shorts/tee shirt ensembles will work well at this joint.

Tried J. R. out for dinner the other night…large cheese pizza ($13.95), veal parmigiana ($16.95), meat lasagna ($11.95), chicken marsala ($14.95), zuppa di pesce ($22.95)—every “item” was right on the money. The joint’s garlic rolls, minestrone soup, ziti with marinara sauce and house salad were also delicious. Good size portions, super pleasant service, reasonable prices—nothing really missing from this outing.

Let me close this one out by saying…J. R. Pizza Bella Restaurant is a winner.

J.R. Pizza Bella Restaurant is open Monday-Thursday 11am-10pm, Friday-Saturday 11am-11pm, Sunday 11am-10pm.

*****

***** BEST SUSHI IN SOUTH FLORIDA *****

Between you, me and the bedpost, Jeff Eats isn’t a real-big sushi fan.

With that in mind, help out your fellow readers…

What are your favorite sushi joints in South Florida?

***** Zinburger Wine & Burger Bar *****

Got one for you…Zinburger Wine & Burger Bar.

Just so you know, Zinburger hasn’t opened yet–it’s coming to Boca Town Center in Boca Raton…it’s going to be a few “doors down” from the Stir Crazy Fresh Asian Grill. Since Jeff Eats isn’t in the construction business, my best guess based on what I saw at its site—is that it will probably open sometime in the next 4-5 months. You do know that the City of Boca Raton isn’t the easiest “group” to deal with when opening a new restaurant, don’t you?

Zinburger is a very small-full service gourmet hamburger chain…it’s got a few locations in Arizona and a few in New Jersey.

You can check menu/prices/locations/photos at www.foxrc.com.

Jeff Eats is very familiar with Zinburger. I’ve eaten in its Tucson joint something like 5 times and I gotta tell you that it turns-out some of the most delicious burgers, fries, salads, shakes that I’ve eaten.

Now nothing for nothing…if the Boca Zinburger is anything- even close to what the Tucson outpost is—this joint will be an absolute homerun.

You guys now know about a new joint—before most of your friends do!

***** Bagels & A Whole Lot More, 10281 West Sample Road, Coral Springs, Florida 33065, (954) 575-8130.

Yesterday afternoon, Jeff Eats and Mrs. Jeff Eats “picked-up” some stuff at Bagels & A Whole Lot More in Coral Springs….tuna salad, low fat tuna salad, chicken salad, matzo ball soup, bagels (sesame, onion, everything, onion), flagels (everything, onion)…

The taste test:
Tuna and low fat tuna- excellent.
Chicken salad-lousy. As a matter of fact, after eating just one forkful, Jeff Eats dumped the entire 1 lb purchased in the garbage. Talk about bland! Think chalk and you’ll be on the page.
Matzo ball soup-very good.
Bagels which were boiled and then baked-okay but I’ve had better.
Flagels, like the bagels were okay-but Jeff Eats had to toast them-to achieve that “okay” status.

Bagels & A Whole Lot More…order at/pickup at the counter. Half-dozen tables inside–Half-dozen tables outside.

You can check menu/prices at www.bagelsandawholelotmore.

Bagels & A Whole Lot More is open Monday-Saturday 6am-4pm and Sunday 6am-4pm.

One final thought, I understand that Bagels & A Whole More’s owner is a native of Malverne, New York–where he owned/operated a bagel joint…now nothing for nothing, when “you” think New York Bagels–has the word Malverne ever entered your thought-process? As we say in the legal business, I rest my case.

***** My Little Greek Deli, 195 Westward Drive, Miami Springs, Florida 33166, (305) 863-9857.

Got a real good “mom & pop” Greek joint for you guys…My Little Greek Deli in Miami Springs.

Absolutely-positively nothing fancy going on here. Half a dozen or so “counter seats”—half a dozen or so tables.

When you check www.mylittlegreekdeli.com for menu/prices you’ll also find a handful of décor-photos.

The joint’s menu has the “expected” Greek appetizers, pita wraps, and dinner entrees. It also has a load of “non” Greek stuff like pastrami-corned beef-philly cheesesteak subs and hamburgers.

Anyway…stopped in there the other day for lunch and tried—tzaziki, gyro pita, pork souvlaki pita, tilapia pita—every thing was delicious. Nice sized portions, figure 6-8 bucks an item.

Let me sum up My Little Greek Deli this way…like I said about 13 seconds ago, a real good “mom & pop” Greek joint.

My Little Greek Deli is open Monday-Saturday 11am-10pm, closed on Sunday.