Park Tavern, 32 Southeast 2nd Street, Delray Beach, Florida 33444, (561) 265-5093.

A few months ago- Park Tavern an “American Style” indoor/outdoor patio seating joint opened in Delray Beach. You can check menu/prices at www.parktaverndelray.com. The site also has a couple of photos, so you’ll know what Park Tavern looks like.

I gave Park Tavern a “shot” the other night for dinner…tried the Maryland crab cake, chopped salad, bbq pork ribs, bacon cheeseburger. Everything sampled was OK, but that’s about it.

Now-I may be going out on a limb here, but my gut tells me that Park Tavern isn’t going to last for very long. Nothing for nothing, but in addition to the food just being “so-so”- I didn’t like the joint’s “vibe”— Can’t really explain it, but Park Tavern is missing that certain “je ne sais quoi.”

For Park Tavern’s owners’ sake, I hope I’m wrong.

Park Tavern is open Sunday-Wednesday 5pm-midnight, Thursday-Saturday 5pm-2am.

***** Sharpie’s Hoagies, 13101 West Sunrise Boulevard, Sunrise, Florida 33323, (954) 845-0999.

Sharpie’s calls them hoagies…

Depending on where you are “from”—feel free to apply your own terminolygy:
subs
heroes
grinders
blimpies
poor boys
po’ boys
rockets
spuckies
torpedoes
tunnels
wedges
zeppelins

In any event, Sharpie’s Hoagies located in Sunrise “makes”- 8″ & 12″ ———(fill in the blanks), kaiser roll sandwiches and salads.

Gave this joint a shot the other day “trying”… chicken salad, tuna salad, crab meat, ham/genoa salami/cappacola/provolone cheese subs—and I gotta tell you, the subs were absolutely dynamite. Sharpie’s uses a nice crusty bread and really loads its sandwiches up. The 4 sampled-subs were right up there with the best that I’ve had down here in South Florida. If I had to single out one for special mention—the chicken salad was my favorite.

In closing, you may call Sharpie’s “submarine sandwich” what you’d like…just don’t call it Ray or Ray-J.

Sharpie’s Hoagies is open Monday-Saturday 11am-7pm, closed on Sunday.

***** Yelp, Inc. *****

Got an interesting “stock play” for you guys…Yelp, Inc. (NASDAQ: YELP—B $20.00–A $20.01)

I’m kinda hoping that you guys know what YELP is!

In a nutshell for those who don’t, Yelp, Inc. owns/operates Yelp.com. (www.yelp.com).

Yelp.com is a website where individuals can write–or–read reviews/comments about all kinds of businesses. In addition to reviews, there are various advertisements/deal-coupons.

Just so you know, I am a regular-Yelp reader…The site has turned me onto some really great restaurants. I also “compare” my restaurant reviews to those of Yelp “reviewers.” By the way, some of those guys really know their stuff.

Yelp, Inc. went public on March 2, 2012 at $15 a share. Since that date its trading range has been $19.36-$31.96. Right now as I type, it’s trading at 20 bucks a share.

Now nothing for nothing, Yelp isn’t the only “site” that has reviews-etc. There are guys like OpenTable, Angie’s List, TripAdvisor–just to name a few. There are also tons and I do mean tons of sites that do “deal” coupons like Groupon and Living Social. The point here, this internet review/coupon/advertising business…is relatively new and is loaded with players. There is absolutely no doubt in my mind, that this “business” has way too many players–is way too crowded and in the coming year or so, will see many of these web-companies “fail.” Let’s get real, how many ” discounted massages” are you gonna buy online? So…

Now, you got to do your own DUE DILIGENCE…but my research “tells” me, that YELP has a real shot at becoming THE dominant player (or at least one of the dominant players) in this particular business segment. I think that the Company’s potential is HUGE. From what I can tell, the public markets haven’t really been paying attention to YELP…it seems that giants like Groupon and Living Social (which is partly owned by Amazon) garner most of the pr–negative/positive. Yelp, seems to be “treated” like a step-child.

Stock research is a strange-animal. The same information may seem positive to me, but negative to you. All I can tell you on the research-front is that in my “travels” I talk to a ton of people—and I’M telling you, that I have found that the population using YELP’s reviews is GIGANTIC. Now so you appreciate this “thing”—reading a review on YELP and YELP generating revenue from your “visit” are two totally different things…and I do mean two totally different things. My research tells me, that YELP’s management is smart enough, nimble enough, clever enough, to convert your eyeballs into hard-cash. Call it a gut feeling, but I’m of the opinion, that the “20 year olds of this world” unlike many of us old farts who took typing classes in junior high school—will eventually “pick” YELP as their favorite. I know it’s a big call, but that’s what I think! When the “collapse” comes to the online coupon business, look for massive corporate failures and consolidations. The bet here, YELP will be the winner, not Groupon, not Social Living, not OpenTable.

Like I said a few seconds ago, MY (operative word here MY) research tells me, that YELP’s stock is going to be a big winner.

If this type of “stuff” is your game, do some homework and see–if you see the “potential” that I do.

By the way, I currently have no Yelp, Inc. position long/or short…and have no intention of taking one druing the next 72 hours.

* BEST FAST FOOD BURGER POLL

Recently received the following email…

Jeff,

Like you I love a good fast food burger. What are your 5 best picks in the Dade, Broward and Palm Beach areas?

Thanks,

MBG

——————–

Thought you guys might like to “send” in your favorites. Keep the picks to joints where you “order/pickup” at the counter. May-be another day, we’ll cook up a list for waiter/waitress burger joints.

***** Bennett’s Fresh Roast, 2011 Bayside Parkway, Fort Myers, Florida 33901, (239) 332-0077.

Got a “fast food” breakfast-lunch joint for you…Bennett’s Fresh Roast in Fort Myers.

Let me flesh this out a bit for you…Bennett’s roasts its own coffee–and has a handful of breakfast and lunch items. Order/pickup at the counter. Sorry I can’t tell you “how” the joint’s tuna salad or chicken salad are…same for its scrambled egg pita round or its vegetable soup–the only items “sampled”–1/2 dozen freshly baked (honey glazed, almond coconut, cinnamon twist, boston cream, peanut butter chocolate, maple walnut) donuts that were right up there with the best that Jeff Eats has ever devoured.

Like I said a few seconds ago, I only did donuts (and most of them were “done” in the car), so I have absolutely no idea how the rest of Bennett’s food is. That said, when I was there on a recent Monday morning at 9:15am, every table was taken and there were 6 people ahead of me on line to order. Just a guess here, but based on the donuts–my money says that the breakfast and lunch items are also top-stuff.

Bennett’s Fresh Roast is open 7 days a week from 6am-3pm.

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

***** Bonefish Mac’s Sports Grille, 10880 Forest Hills Boulevard, Wellington, Florida 33414, (561) 798-6227.

For our purposes a “small” sports-bar chain…there are currently 3-South Florida locations, Wellington, Lighthouse Point, Port Saint Lucie.

If you are over the age of 2, you know the drill…tons of tvs, Florida Keys’ decor, indoor and outdoor patio seating, full bar, menu jammed with reasonably priced half-way decent appetizers- burgers- salads-sandwiches-wraps- meat/chickseafood entrees, pleasant young servers. You can check www.bonefishmacs.com. for menu/prices/locations.

For the purposes of this discussion, I “tried” the Wellington joint…Gotta be frank here, the cheeseburger-french fries-chopped house salad-Greek shrimp salad were ok, but absolutely, positively nothing to write home about. The best way to describe the food, think TGIF or Applebees and you’ve got the picture. Would I eat there again? Sure, but based on the outing, I won’t be racing back.

Now for the “mystery” here…as I mentioned a few seconds ago, there are 3 locations…Wellington, Lighthouse Point and Port Saint Lucie. Anyway, friends of mine who live in Port Saint Lucie rave about that location’s food. Believe it or not, I also have friends who have eaten at the Lighthouse Point outpost and they found the food to be very good sports bar food. So which is it–Wellington is the odd man out, the Port Saint Lucie friends don’t know squat, the friends who ate at the Lighthouse Point store don’t know squat, or Jeff Eats doesn’t know squat?

If you have eaten at any of the Bonefish Mac’s joint, write to me and help solve the “mystery.”

Bonefish Mac’s Sports Grille is open 7 days a week for lunch and dinner.

***** HiWay Burger *****

Got something that you “burger” folks might like to checkout…HiWay Burger, 12 Southeast 5th Avenue, Delray Beach, Florida 33483, (561) 243-6460.

Two weeks ago, I and Mrs. Jeff Eats were “strolling” Atlantic Avenue…and low and behold- we spotted HiWay Burger, a brand new “hole in the wall” fast food burger joint with a “Coming Soon” sign in its window. Looking in, there were a handful of 50’s style booths and a small counter to order at. Just so you know, this thing really is a “hole in the wall”—the menu board listed— BURGERS, FRIES, SODAS, SHAKES period. Now nothing for nothing, but based on color scheme/decor and menu– my money says that, HiWay’s owner is trying to “emulate” the hugely successful and cult favorite In-N-Out Burger chain. Now for our purposes that’s a good thing, because if my assumption is correct, then it’s a safe bet that the owner “knows” what a top-notch fast food burger joint-should be. Of course, knowing and executing are two whole different things…so, we’ll just have to see how this all plays out. I will tell you, that from my brief “peek” the joint looks really cool.

To wrap this up, yesterday- I bumped into my old friend Glenn who owns several Atlantic Avenue buildings…and- he mentioned to me that HiWay Burger had opened and that the cheesebuger, french fries and chocolate shake that he ordered were terrific. For the record, I think that Glenn knows his fast food burger “stuff” because he’s also a huge fan of Five Guys, BurgerFi and Shake Shack–but then again, he’s a Red Sox fan, so I can’t really swear for this guy!

Anyway…I’m gonna get up to HiWay Burger in a few weeks and “taste” for myself. If you get there before I do, let me know what you think. By the way, the joint is so new that its website www.hiwayburger.com has yet to be fleshed out.

***** Jake’s Wayback Burgers *****

I know that some of you guys like to be kept in the “loop.” So, with that in mind…I just heard that “fast-food” hamburger chain–Jake’s Wayback Burgers which currently has 10 Connecticut–9 Delaware–13 Pennsylvania–1 Indiana–1 Massachusettes–2 Maryland–4 North Carolina–5 New York–1 Ohio is planning on opening 2 Florida joints in the next couple of months…4690 State Road 7, Coconut Creek and 8201 South Military Trail, Sarasota.

If you aren’t familar with this chain, trust me, you aren’t alone. Jeff Eats had never heard of Jake’s until last week when I gave its Long Beach, New York outlet a shot. If you want to go further, you can check www.waybackburgers.com for menu/prices/locations.

Now, you know and I know that “upscale” fast food burger joints are literally popping up on every American block. Absolutely no question in my mind, that the day of reckoning is quickly approaching–when the American public is going to tire of most of these joints and tons of franchisees are going to get wiped out. That said, until that reckoning-day arrives, there is no reason whatsoever- why I, Jeff Eats can’t eat myself into a 48 inch pair of pants and a 22 inch shirt.

Jake’s menu has got it all…burgers, franks, fries, onion rings, salads, milkshakes.

For the record, I did a 2-patty cheeseburger, french fries, coffee and chocolate milkshakes…the burger/fries were good-not great. Assuming that the Jake’s “coming” to Coconut Creek is-like the one I tried in Long Beach–I’m not really sure it will be able to “handle” the likes of Five Guys, CG, BurgerFi, Elevation which all have joints near the Coconut Creek outlet. That said, I will tell you, the milkshakes were outrageously delicious.

So for right now, the bottom-line on the Coconut Creek joint…we’ll just have to wait and see “what the story is” after it opens.

Jeff Eats’ real concern with these “new” burger joints is-that a 22 inch neck shirt is rapidly approaching.

Anyway…you guys are now in the “loop.”

***
June 18, 2012…

Just wanted you guys to know, that about a week or so ago–I tried the new Jake’s Wayback Burgers in Coconut Creek…had a double cheeseburger with french fries. The burger and fries were good. Nothing for nothing, they definitely weren’t best of breed-but for sure, I’ve tasted a whole lot worse.

As I’ve told you guys in past burger “stories”–the upscale fast food burger space is being over-loaded with players. Can’t give you a firm date, but in the very near future a ton of these “guys” are going to be folding their tents. I seriously doubt, that the Coconut Creek “area” where Jake’s just opened can successfully support Jake’s, Five Guys, Elevation, BurgerFi, CG–not to mention McDonald’s and Steak N Shake. For the sake of the franchisees involved, I sure hope that I’m wrong–but I don’t think so.

***** Pincho Factory, 9860 Southwest 40th Street, Miami, Florida 33165, (305) 631-2038.

First, let’s give credit to our pals at Burger Beast (www.burgerbeast.com) for turning us onto- Pincho Factory a Latin inspired “fast food” burger/hot dog/pincho joint…before we get going here-the best way to describe a “pincho”-food on a skewer. You can check www.pinchofactory.com for menu/prices…to get a real good “feel” as to what’s going on at Pincho, check the “YELP” site—the last time I looked-Pincho had something like 140 reviews and 109 photos.

Now, I know that what’s “cool” is a very subjective thing…what you may consider cool, I may consider un-cool. Rather than getting into a whole “cool” discussion with you guys, let’s just say that the Pincho Factory was one cool-fast food joint. If you’re really interested in following-up on this column, I seriously urge you to check those YELP photos. Not sure who took them, but they got decor shots and tons of food shots–guranteed after you see the photos, assuming burgers, hot dogs, meat/chicken/seafood grilled skewers, pita bread, fries are your game–you will definitely want to try Pincho Factory. This is a very unique fast food joint…it’s not the standard formica formula.

Let’s talk food…the basic cheeseburger- dynamite, shrimp/chicken/steak skewers-off the chart, basic french fries-on the money, chocolate covered french fries- a homerun, basic hot dog-a knockout, fried cheescake-incredible. Now that I’ve exhausted my Guy Fieri superlatives–let’s just say that Pincho’s food is outstanding and its “toppings” (this is where the Latin influence-kicks in) are literally limitless

I kinda think that you regular readers know that Jeff Eats is a “simple” eater…I like my pizza straight up sans toppings (ok-maybe a drop of sausage or pepperoni here and there), I like my french fries with ketchup, I like my hot dog with mustard & sauerkraut, I like my burger with American cheese-raw onions-ketchup, I like my bagel with plain old cream cheese or butter, I like my Thomas’ English muffin toasted with butter and strawberry jam. The point to be made, believe it or not, I’m really not into food “experimentation.” For you sticklers out there, I know that chocolate french fries and fried cheesecake aren’t “standards” but the Burger Beast himself told me that I had to try them…so I did. Anyway…if you want to put a “different” spin to your favorites, Pincho’s got you covered.

If you want to eat delicious burgers/hot dogs/fries/meat-chicken-seafood fast food, then you gotta try the Pincho Factory.

Pincho Factory is open Monday-Thursday noon-midnight, Friday & Saturday 11am-2am, Sunday 11am-10pm.

***** Maoz Vegetarian, 6000 Glades Road (Town Center Mall), Boca Raton, Florida 33431, (561) 393-6269.

As I mentioned the other day, last Sunday afternoon I killed some time at Town Center Mall–while Mrs. Jeff Eats searched for “who knows what.” Of course during my “stay”—I visited the mall’s recently reconfigured-rebuilt food court. Suffice it to say, the court looks great, but in my humble opinion–there aren’t enough fast-food outlets–and there is too much “duplication” with the outlets that are there. That said, I did come across an “interesting concept” in the fast-food business…Maoz Vegetarian, which- if I was a betting man, will be a “homerun” in the reconfigured Town Center Mall food court. Before I give you the skinny on Maoz Vegetarian, I gotta tell you that the folks behind Forever 21 (a national budget chain of women/men’s clothing & accessories) have to be genuises. Forever 21 just opened a gigantic 2-story location in the back of Town Center Mall’s food court and at 3pm last Sunday the store was jammed and I do mean jammed with people. Not to go off on a tangent here, but Mrs. Jeff Eats and Daughter Jeff Eats swear by this chain–trust me, these girls are professional shoppers. Anyway, let me get back to Maoz Vegetarian…

Maoz Vegetarian is a small fast food chain that does falafel…real simple concept- pita bread filled with falafel/salad (you pick combinations/dressings)—the joint also does belgian and sweet potato fries. You can check www.maozusa.com for menu/prices/prices. Just so you know, there are currently 13 Maoz locations in the United States (I told you it was a small chain)-the Boca outlet is the only Florida location. For the record, I did “one” of these pitas with sweet potato fries and it was delicious…real nice change from the burgers, pizzas, bourbon chicken that I usually get while killing time in malls.

Now nothing for nothing…but during the 20 minutes or so I was in the food court, Maoz had the longest and steadiest lines. Trust me, I know “20 minutes” isn’t long enough for a scientific study to base any conclusions on– As I told you a few seconds ago the food was delicious–and in doing some due diligence (talking to several security guards, mall/store/food court employees) it seems that since the food court’s re-opening a few months ago, Maoz has been doing some real nice business. For the record, if memory serves me correctly… the food court has a pretzel joint, salad joint, pizza joint, Chinese/Japanese joint, Earl of Sandwich joint, Chick-fil-A joint (which was closed on Sunday), yogurt joint—one other thing, in the bay next to the pizza joint there was an “opening soon” sign for another pizza joint–what’s that all about?

Let me wrap Maoz Vegetarian up for you…

I have eaten more food court “meals” than I choose to remember. Not going to list them all but, I’ve been fed by the “best” of them…Nathan’s, Subway, Panda Express, McDonald’s, Burger King, Auntie Annes, Earl of Sandwich, Wetzels Pretzels, Tutti Frutti Yogurt, Dairy Queen/Orange Julius, Saladworks, Kohl’s Frozen Custard, Tossed, Sbarro’s…I’ve devoured more free bourbon chicken toothpick samples than you can shake a stick out. Now, I may be going out on a huge and I do mean huge limb here, but…I am going to predict that itsy bitsy tweeny weeny Maoz Vegetarian is going to grow into a huge brand. The concept is simple, relatively new and has “yet” to be exploited on a national level…plus the food is fresh, delicious and its $5-$10 price points are reasonable…there is one caveat to my prediction—unless the Simons (mall owners) of the world decide that food courts can “handle” more than one falafel joint at a time.

One final observation on Maoz (now, I’m not 100% sure on this)–I think that the Boca Raton “store” is the chain’s first food court location. I believe that the other outlets are much larger and incorporate self-serve salad bars into the concept. If my thinking is correct on this, Maoz Vegetarian has two layouts that make the game even more interesting for potential franchisees.

The next time you are in Town Center Mall give Maoz Vegetarian a shot.

The joint is open, Monday-Saturday 11am-9pm, Sunday 11:30am-6pm.