***** SUNPASS FOR DISNEY WORLD *****

Before we get going here…this little “diddy” really has nothing to do with Florida’s Sunpass.

Anyway…

This morning I read a very interesting article in the “New York Post”… ‘Disney $leazy Riders–Rich kid fast track’–

The jist of the story is that some guy in Celebration, Florida has a company name Dream Tours (www.dreamtoursflorida.com) that will “supply” a handicapped person in a wheelchair to a party of up to 6 people at the rate of $130 per hour…during their visit to Disney World. The article said that Disney World has special auxiliary entrances to rides/shows for the wheelchaired person and up to 6 of his/her guests—thus avoiding long lines/wait times. The article also said that Disney World has its own service called Disney World’s VIP Tours which charges hotel guests $315 per hour/non hotel guests $340 per hour–for a personal guide who will “guide” up to 10 visitors through the various parks cutting wait times at rides/shows.

So…you guys now know TWO ways to shorten your Disney World wait times.

*** The Lovin’ Spoonful @ Mardi Gras Casino

Tomorrow night, Tuesday–May 14, 2013 at 8pm one of the 60’s legendary bands- THE LOVIN’ SPOONFUL- is going to be making an “out door” appearance at the Mardi Gras Casino in Hallandale Beach…tickets are $10, $15, $25. You can buy tickets online at www.mardigrascasinofl.com. By the way, ticketholders (special offer) can enjoy the casino’s French Quarter’s buffet $14.95 for $10.95. For those of you who haven’t been to the Mardi Gras Casino–it’s located at 831 North Federal Highway, Hallandale Beach…For more info give Mardi Gras Casino a call at (954) 924-3200.

You guys do- know that Jeff Eats is kinda like an “expert” on 50s-60s Rock N Roll…and I’m telling you that The Lovin’ Spoonful who had such mega hits as “Do You Believe In Magic” and “Summer In The City” were/and still are one of the greatest bands to ever grace a concert hall’s stage. Now for sure, legendary frontman John Sebastian is no longer with them…but the current lineup featuring original members/Rock N Roll Hall Of Fame members- Joe Butler and Steve Boone will definitely have the crowd “tripping” back in time…Jeff Eats recently saw “this” group and I am telling you, they are absolute dynamite.

If you are a fan of 60s Rock N Roll music, don’t pass-up the opportunity to see The Lovin’ Spoonful.

You do know that- The Spoonful and many of “us” aren’t getting any younger…

For you researchers out there…The Lovin’ Spoonful’s website www.lovinspoonful.com got all kinds of info/pictures/schedules/stuff- about the group.

Finally, in reviewing the Mardi Gras Casino’s website Jeff Eats notes–that prior to the concert (6pm-7pm) there will be a “60’s Costume Contest” with the winner taking home $1,000 and 2nd place catching $500–all contestants get $20 in Bonus Play (registration ended May 12th)—-sounds like the entire evening is going to be a retro-blast. Just so you know, a few years back Jeff Eats attended the Mardi Gras’ “70’s Disco Costume Contest” and had a great time watching the costumed contestants disco-dance to covers by The Shindigs Band.

Just a bet (pun intended)—tomorrow night is going to be awesome fun!

***** May 15, 2013 Update….

Last night Jeff Eats and Mrs. Jeff Eats saw The Lovin’ Spoonful in action at the Mardi Gras Casino in Hallandale Beach…and I gotta tell you, the band put on a fabulous show.

For those of you who didn’t get there, this was an outdoor concert…seats were $10, $15, $25. Rather than going into minute-detail, this is basically a “first come” seating deal—some of the seats were on the lower level of the dog-track and others were in the grandstand. Jeff Eats’ cataract corrected eyes “told” him that there were about 800 people in the audience—and EVERY SEAT WAS GOOD.

The band took to the stage at 7:58pm and played for something like an hour/fifteen minutes. They played every one of their hits and also did covers of The Association’s “Never My Love”–The Byrds’ “Mr. Tamborine Man”–The Left Banke’s “Walk Away Renee”…despite the fact that original lead singer- John Sebastian is no longer with the group—original members Joe Butler and Steve Boone and “almost” original Jim Yester (the group started in 1965-he joined them in 1967) did exceptionally credible versions of the songs and had the crowd rock n rolling…the highlight of the evening was when the entire crowd -got to its feet as the band played “Do You Believe In Magic”….following the show, there was a “Meet & Greet” with the band–and I must tell you–the band members are some of the most engaging guys you’ll ever meet. They signed everything, literally answered every question and took countless pictures. The Mardi Gras’ staff did a great job–producing/running this event.

Jeff Eats and Mrs Jeff Eats “took” a look at the $10.95 special-discount buffet that was-offered to concert goers…We didn’t have “time” to try “it”—one of these days Jeff Eats will get you guys a review on the French Quarter’s buffet. I will tell you– Jeff Eats did see a number of concert-goers heading into the buffet right after the show ended. You wise-guys out there may right about now be saying… Hey Jeff, how did you know those heading into the buffet had been to the concert? To you, Jeff Eats says…because they were still wearing the purple wrist bands that they needed to get into the concert, so there!

Let me wrap this up…Terrific weather (in the low 70s), great seating, terrific band—a perfect night out.

***** Burt & Max’s Bar and Grille, 9089 West Atlantic Avenue (Delray Marketplace), Delray Beach, Florida 33446, (561) 638-6380.

The other night- Jeff Eats, Mrs. Jeff Eats and a couple of friends got-up to Burt & Max’s located in the Delray Marketplace for dinner…for our purposes, let’s call this an “American Style” joint.

Burt & Max’s is the latest venture of Rapoport’s Restaurant Group which also owns/operates Bogart’s Bar & Grille (in the Cinemark Palace 20–Boca Raton), Deck 84 (Delray Beach), Henry’s (Boca Raton) and E&J’s Sandwich Shop (Delray Beach).

If you guys want to do some checking, back on February 4, 2009 Jeff Eats gave Bogart’s a glowing review—same for Henry’s on August 23, 2009. Deck 84 wasn’t so “lucky” as Jeff Eats creamed it on June 17, 2012. E&J’s has yet to be visited…so no one (other than the Shadow) knows how that one will turn out!

Rather than dwelling on old news..

Real fast, a few months back a huge new shopping center Delray Marketplace opened in Delray Beach and on February 26, 2013 Jeff Eats “predicted” it would quickly develop into a gigantic white elephant. Just so you know, Burt & Max’s is a tenant in that center.

Okay…now let me tell you about Burt & Max’s!

Jeff Eats, Mrs. Jeff Eats and our friends absolutely loved the joint. It is a gorgeous looking restaurant which has a full bar–indoor/ outdoor patio seating. At this stage, you can check www.burtandmaxs.com for menu/prices/and tons of photos– booths/tables/wooden floors/patio/bar. Trust me on this, Burt & Max’s rustic-décor is terrific—and the beautiful thing-any kind of dress is gonna work there, including your tee shirt/shorts ensemble.

Let’s talk food…

Nothing for nothing, just so you know-Burt & Max’s menu isn’t “huge”– but there are enough appetizers, salads, sandwiches, wood fired pizzas, meat/chicken/seafood entrees and desserts… so everybody is gonna find what to eat.

Ordered items…wood roasted chicken wings (appetizer $11), chopped salad ($9), 10oz cheeseburger/steak fries ($14), margherita pizza ($12), fried chicken & waffles ($19), blackened mahi sandwich/sweet potato fries ($14).

The verdict…the meal was just right. Every item was right on the money, with a special shout-out to the cheeseburger and the blacken mahi. By the way, the service was as pleasant as could be–and my “eye” didn’t catch even one little slip-up—after all, the joint is only a few months old so I was on guard!

Don’t care for Delray Marketplace’s location, layout or tenant mix…but Jeff Eats really enjoyed Burt & Max’s Bar and Grille.

By the way, it seems that Burt & Max’s is already a “hit”—we were there last Friday night and “packed” would be putting it mildly. Think “reservation” on Friday and Saturday.

Burt & Max’s is open Sunday-Thursday for dinner 5pm-10pm, Friday-Saturday 5pm-11pm, for lunch Saturday 11:30am-3pm, brunch Sunday 11am-3pm.

***** Who Knew! *****

Jeff Eats was just reading some stuff on the internet…

1. A brand new medical study out of Japan found that people should drink at least one cup of black coffee a day because it may cut the risk of bleeding on the brain or chance of stroke…the study also found that decaffeinated black coffee worked just as well as the regular stuff.

2. A brand new medical study out of the United States found that coffee consumption has been connected to stomach pains and elevated blood pressure and heart rates.

3. A brand new medical study out of the United States found that coffee consumption may help to prevent liver and colon cancer, type 2 diabetes and Parkinson’s disease.

Who Knew!

Now the big questions to be answered:
1. Does Obamacare care cover #2?
2. Can you sumbit your Starbuck’s “bill” to your health insurer for reimbursement for #1 & #3?
3. Do you have to drink the black coffee in Japan or do the good effects work in other countries?
4. What did the original Juan Valdez die from?
5. How many Juan Valdezs have there been?
6. What is Juan Valdez’s donkey’s name?
7. For you “youngsters” out there, who the hell was/is Juan Valdez?
8. Who was Ethel Mertz married to?
9. Who did Ralph Kramden work for?
10 What was Tonto’s horse’s name?

Jeff Eats is telling you…this internet “thing” is something else–

***** Euphoria *****

Believe it or not, Jeff Eats is a “huge” party animal…

With that in mind, I just wanted to tell you guys about a terrific local party band—“Euphoria” which I recently saw at the Woodfield Country Club in Boca Raton. This 7 piece band (4 females-3 males) features a female drummer and covers songs from the 1940’s-today.

Nothing for nothing, but over the past 20 years down here in South Florida, Jeff Eats has literally seen hundreds of party bands/rock bands…what made Euphoria “demand” a special mention in a Jeff Eats’ column (other than the fact that drummer is my daughter—just kidding!) is that the group went non-stop for 3 straight hours, tailored a playlist that catered to a crowd of over 600 people ranging in age from 18 to 90, and seamlessly played perfect covers of Dion’s “Runaround Sue”–Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin'”–Adele and Lady Gaga’s current top 40’s hits…All 7 members “sing”–and the group has terrific crowd interaction.

If you check Jeff Eats’ “background”—you will find that I have been involved in the music/entertainment industry for close to 45 years—I am telling you that it’s extremely rare for me not to find one single person who didn’t love this group…now for sure, Jeff Eats didn’t poll everyone, but I did speak to the “hardest” critics of the lot—and they raved about Euphoria.

So…you now know about a terrific party band.

You can check Euphoria’s website www.euphoriaband.com for playlists/schedules/pictures-videos.

***** Bay Bays Chicken & Waffles, 2400 Okeechobee Boulevard, West Palm Beach, Florida 33409, (561) 429-3796 & 1558 Palm Beach Lakes Boulevard, West Palm Beach, Florida 33401, (561) 360-3591.

Late this afternoon, Jeff Eats came across a “southern” chicken/ribs joint that I think you guys will absolutely love…Bay Bays Chicken & Waffles. Just so you know, Jeff Eats and Mrs. Jeff Eats ate at the 2400 Okeechobee Boulevard location…the 1558 Palm Beach Lakes Boulevard joint is scheduled to open sometime next week.

To be perfectly honest with you–Bay Bays was an “impulse stop”—Jeff Eats saw Bay Bays’ big chicken sign from the road and like a Greek siren the red/yellow 1200 square foot run down/free standing building with its 24 outdoor bench seats and 30 indoor booth/counter seats called my name…remember the movie “Deliverance”? Bay Bays looks exactly what Jeff Eats “envisions” 1950’s-1960’s southern roadside joints having looked like.

Anyway…

At this stage of the discussion you can check menu/prices/photos at www.baybays.com.

Bay Bays menu features some of the most delicious fried chicken and babyback ribs that Jeff Eats has had in a very long time. For sure, the joint’s menu has its fair share of salads/subs/sandwiches/burgers/pastas/desserts but the real game here is the chicken and waffles’ (plain, apple cinnamon, peanut butter & jelly, cuban coffee, cornbread, lemon cake, red velvet, strawberry, chocolate, pumpkin pie, pecan) combo and the fall-off the bone -sweet sauced oven baked ribs.

Jeff Eats and Mrs. Jeff Eats shared a 1/2 fried chicken/plain waffle ($11.95)–1/3 slab of ribs/macaroni & cheese/mashed potatoes ($9.95) and–every item was absolutely dynamite…Just a fast note– the fried chicken has a spicy kick to it -which is balanced by the sweet waffle flavors offered–the combo of spicy/sweet in one “mouthful” was really delicious. For those of you who aren’t as adventuresome as Jeff Eats–on request, Bay Bays will make your chicken toned-down.

Like I said a few seconds ago, the game here-for Jeff Eats “is” the chicken/waffles and the ribs…that said, the table next to us raved about the fried catfish (no thank you!) sandwich and jerk turkey burger they had. As Jeff Eats has said countless times—each to their own—live and let live—one if by land, two if by sea.

No fooling around here, Bay Bays is something you gotta try.

So there is no misunderstanding or anything…

Bay Bays which has been open 8 months–serves beer and wine-and is about as casual as it gets. When we arrived, our waitress brought us a couple of fried chicken wings on a paper napkin to-taste—soda was served by the bottle and samples of collard green and baked beans also found their way to the table. Just so you know, those great-ribs are only served Friday-Saturday-Sunday “from 3pm until gone.” Jeff Eats and Mrs. Jeff Eats were there from 3:30pm to 4:15pm–we ate outside and really enjoyed Okeechobee Road’s speeding traffic–during the time we were there, every seat inside was taken and let’s say 82% of the outside seats were filled. By the way, every customer surveyed was clad in shorts.

If you are looking for fancy schmancy—this joint ain’t gonna work for you.

Now nothing for nothing, Jeff Eats can’t really say for sure what 1950’s-1960’s southern roadside joints really looked like…afterall, we didn’t have too many of them on Cortelyou Road in Brooklyn. Look, I saw “Deliverance” (Do you remember what they did to Ned Beatty’s character?) and have read numerous articles/books so I think I’m making a real good call here…Bay Bays has got it down-perfectly!

Finally, Bay Bays is set -later this week to open an inline location on Palm Beach Lakes Boulevard. Bay Bays owner (Israel) told Jeff Eats that the new store will have the exact same menu/color scheme/decor as the original location—the only thing I question (that figures) is whether the Bay Bays’ concept loses something in the translation without having the outdoor patio/free standing/run-down building look that makes its first location absolutely cool! Time will tell on that.

Jeff Eats loved Bay Bays.

The joint is open for breakfast/lunch/dinner…Sunday-Thursday 9am-11pm, Friday-Saturday 9am-midnight.

***** PDQ (People Dedicated to Quality), 2015 Okeechobee Boulevard, West Palm Beach, Florida 33409, (561) 594-1906.

On April 30, 2013 Jeff Eats told you guys about PDQ a “new” fast-food/casual chicken chain–that is scheduled to open its West Palm Beach location on Sunday, May 5, 2013. The April 30, 2013 writeup is reprinted “after” today’s “thoughts.”

For the record, this afternoon Jeff Eats “ate” at a Family & Friends outing in the West Palm Beach store and I gotta tell you, this joint is going to be an absolute homerun.

Before I tell you about my “meal”—for what it’s worth, I don’t really care for the name PDQ. To me, the letters P D Q really don’t convey what this joint is all about. Nothing for nothing, but the owners of this business have created a fast food/casual hybrid…think Panera Bread and you may appreciate where I’m going with this. What they “got” is an order at/pick up at the counter fast food restaurant that looks like an upscale sports bar. I loved the look of the joint (and yes, it’s got a load of large flat screen TVs) but if you do some checking, many people use the term PDQ to mean “fast” or “right away”…that said, I think the last thing that PDQ wants is for you to think of its food as being “fast food” The store is logoed with big letters that say, “People Dedicated to Quality”–so Jeff Eats sees where the PDQ comes from (actually if we wanted to get technical here it should be PDTQ)…personally, I wouldn’t have used PDQ because to a great number of people PDQ means “other” things. Jeff Eats’ personal favorites -Pretty Damned Quick and Pennies Dimes Quarters.

Now that Jeff Eats has pontificated on the PDQ name…let’s talk food.

First let me start by saying, this 4,200 square foot free standing building is absolutely great looking…it has a drive thru and looks like something right out of the Florida Keys. There is also a huge open kitchen and you can see everything being prepared. In talking with the its founders (who by the way, created the Outback Steakhouse chain) everything is freshly made and the restaurant has no freezers. While there, Jeff Eats got a kick out of watching the staff squeeze 100s of lemons for the fresh-squeezed lemonade—For you wise-guys out there, yes! I got a kick out of watching, nothing sinister, lewd or whatever your devious minds maybe thinking!

Jeff Eats “tried” the tenders, hand cut fresh French fries, chicken Caesar salad, fried chicken sandwich, turkey breast sandwich, grilled chicken sandwich, chocolate shake, apple slices with toffee—and I’m telling you, every item and I do mean every item was delicious. For the record–the food was “on the house”…which made it “easy” to literally order almost every menu item. If I got one bitch, I thought that the fries had just a drop too much salt on them—trust me, that one little itsy bitsy “problem” is easy to cure. Just a quickie, if you take a look at Jeff Eats’ 1/19/2007 Outback Steakhouse “review” note the salt-complaint… Goes to show you, Jeff Eats and the guys running this joint are consistent, if they are anything.

Check www.eatpdq.com for menu/prices/locations/pictures.

In talking to management, there are currently 4 Tampa, 2 North Carolina, 1 Oakland Park, 1 West Palm Peach PDQs…and “for” our purposes-2013-2014 planned locations-Wellington, Boca Raton and Pompano Beach.

Let me wrap this one up this way…

Based on what I saw, ate and heard PDQ is going to develop into a major national chain. The guys behind this deal know exactly what to do and how to do it…that is if they–

Just lose the salt shaker…

*****
April 30, 2013
PDQ’s menu features lightly fried chicken tenders/sandwiches, grilled chicken and turkey breast sandwiches, salads, French fries and shakes.

Just a quick heads-up…Jeff Eats is “hearing” tremendous things about a brand new-fast food chicken chain PDQ which currently has 4 Tampa/1 Oakland Park/1 West Palm Beach/2 North Carolina locations.

Haven’t tried the joint out yet, but some buddies of mine-told Jeff Eats that PDQ (Oakland Park) makes amazingly delicious grilled chicken/fried chicken tenders/turkey/salads/fries/shakes. One caveat, three of those buddies way back when- thought that the Edsel was going to be a homerun and the fourth guy to this very day-claims that aliens abducted him in 1989.

As I mentioned 4 seconds ago, there is one location in Oakland Park…this coming Sunday-May 5th, PDQ is opening a second South Florida location in West Palm Beach.

Check www.www.eatpdq.com for menu/locations.

For what it’s worth–the chain is owned by one of the guys who created the Outback Steakhouse chain. Nothing for nothing, a few quick conversations with a handful of fast food/casual restaurant developers–had them figuring that PDQ had a real shot to develop into a major chain. The consensus was, that PDQ may appeal to a huge segment of Chik-fil-A’s customer base that is looking for a more diversified menu. Throw in 4,500 square foot stores/with drive thrus that are open on Sunday—and just maybe, PDQ has the formula to be a homerun-chain.

Jeff Eats is gonna check this one out…if you get there before I do, let me know what you think.

***** TOO LITTLE TOO LATE *****

Jeff Eats is gonna assume that all of you guys know who The Monkees are…Davy Jones, Peter Tork, Mike Nesmith, Mickey Dolenz.

For years, Mike Nesmith “refused” to tour with the other three Monkees…not sure why, but Jeff Eats thinks that Nesmith whose mother invented Liquid Paper—may have thought he was “better” than the rest of the guys…but that’s just a guess.

Last year, Davy Jones who lived in Florida unexpectedly passed away–suffered a massive heart-attack.

NOW! Nesmith agrees to tour with Dolenz and Tork.

Look for- The Monkees at Mizner Park in Boca Raton on July 27, 2013.

For what it’s worth, Jeff Eats from the very beginning has been a huge fan of The Monkees…The “media” never fully appreciated how good they were—and yes, they did play their own instruments in concert.

Just so you appreciate where Jeff Eats is going with this…there are certain things in the music-business that have to go together. For example… Sonny & Cher, John-Paul-George-Ringo, Bill Medley & Bobby Hatfled…just think of Sonny with “another” Cher, or The Beatles without Ringo, or The Righteous Brothers-Bill Medley without Bobby Hatfield. The Monkees are/were just like the examples cited…inseperable. Together they were magic, piecemeal they were a curiousity oldies band.

If you don’t believe–that what I just said is true…

The Rascals (all four originals) are currently selling out venues all over the United States…but when different configurations of the group worked-they literally couldn’t get themselves “arrested.” The same thing happened when Bill Medley replaced Bobby Hatfield with “another” Righteous Brother.

To:
Mike Nesmith:
The Monkees were Jones, Tork, Nesmith and Dolenz.
Your agreeing to rejoin The Monkees is Too Little Too Late.
Sincerely,
Jeff Eats

***** GETHUMAN.COM *****

Jeff Eats recently came across a (free) website www.gethuman.com…

Real simple site…huge list of businesses all over the United States—with the BEST PHONE NUMBERS to reach customer service-fast.

The Company’s website advertises…”Get customer service faster and easier.”

I don’t know about you, but there have been times when I have literally spent hours on the phone waiting for a customer-service rep to pickup…many times after they pickup, Jeff Eats gets that “disconnect” beep-beep-beep sound.

Nothing for nothing, but in the past 30 days Jeff Eats had “service rep” calls to Bank America, American Express, an old favorite Comcast and AT&T.

Check GETHUMAN.COM out, its got loads of contact numbers that may shorten your “fight.”

***** Gigi’s Music Café *****

In recent weeks, Jeff Eats has been hearing some terrific things about a store-front “soul food” joint in Sunrise…

Gigi’s Music Café, 4385 Northwest 88th Avenue, Sunrise, Florida 33351, (954) 748-9494.

From what I understand the joint has great food and all types of entertainment from poets to rock bands to magicians…not so “sure” about the poet-thing, but Jeff Eats loves a good rock band not to mention a good magician..

For what it’s worth, I’ve heard that Gigi’s fried chicken/waffles dish is simply amazing.

Jeff Eats hasn’t had a chance to check this joint out…just thought that some of you might like to beat-me there (like-get there before I do, not jump-me when I get there!).

Take a look at www.gigismusiccafe.com for menu/and other particulars.

One final note, a few months ago Jeff Eats caught the stage show of an absolutely dynamite “magician” Remy Connor www.theremyconnor.com…from what I understand Remy “works” Gigi’s on a regular basis—so maybe you can kill two birds with one stone–if you know what I mean!!

Gigi’s Music Café is open Monday-Wednesday 11am-9pm, Thursday 11am-11pm, Friday-Saturday 11am-midnight, closed on Sunday.