***** Tamiami Subs, 14261 Southwest 120th Street, Miami, Florida 33186, (305) 752-4949.

Look! I have never met a hamburger, slice of pizza, donut or for that matter a sub–that I didn’t like. That being said, there are definitely degrees of “like”–with some likes bordering on “love.”

With the above scale in mind:

(1) I loved–loved the garlic steak.
(2) I loved the honey mustard chicken sub.
(2) I really liked the bacon cheeseburger sub.
(3) I liked the pastrami sub.

You regular readers know that I’ve been in more “sub” joints than my waist cares to remember. Awhile ago, one of you guys asked me to “rate” in order–my favorites. Like I wrote then, that’s really impossible, because this food tasting gig often becomes a big blur-and it’s hard to pick (and minutely differentiate) one particular chicken salad from another. Let me just say, I ain’t gonna forget that garlic steak sub—delicious sliced steak, great bread and a garlic sauce that was sensational-and the fact, that I don’t recall another sub joint that makes this sub.

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

Tamiami Subs is open Monday-Friday 10am-7pm, Saturday 10am-5pm, closed on Sunday.

***** NYY Steak (Seminole Casino Coconut Creek) 5550 Northwest 40th Street, Coconut Creek, Florida 33073.

Go figure!

One of the best-“upscale steakhouses” in South Florida is located at the Seminole Casino Coconut Creek- in Coconut Creek…That’s right, the casino where you-gotta wear an oxygen mask because the cigarette smoke is so brutal—as part of a recently completed $150,000,000 renovation/expansion has opened an absolutely georgeous looking steakhouse with fabulous food and service. You can check www.seminolecoconutcreekcasino.com for menu/prices/photos. By the way, NYY is a joint venture–Seminole Indians/New York Yankees (there is another NYY at Yankee Stadium).

NYY…New York Yankees, get it? All kinds, of New York Yankee black/white photos, autographs…no dark wood–or dim lights here…but rather, a great looking open kitchen, light oak woods, bright lights, plenty of glass. Like I said before, an absolutely gorgeous looking joint.

When you check NYY’s menu, try not to get sticker-shock…no question about it- that $51.75 24oz bone in ribeye is “high” even for an upscale steakhouse–Now, I maybe going out on a limb here, but I think- that casino-joints like NYY get a ton of customers using their casino “PLAYER’S CLUB” rewards/points to pay the bill. If I’m right—the restaurant can charge more than what most folks would consider “normal”- because many customers aren’t using real-money. So, if you go there, I think you will find that many of the “diners” are eating on-the-arm.

At this juncture of the discussion, let me tell you that NYY looks totally out of place at the Seminole Casino. Nothing for nothing, but the Seminole Casino isn’t in this boy’s opinion–an upscale looking property. Now, there may-be something more developing at the Seminole Casino that’s gonna get it looking more like the Hard Rock operation in Hollywood-so NYY may eventually make sense, but for right now, NYY looks like a fish out of water. Personally, I don’t see non-casino players making special plans/reservations to eat at NYY, despite the fact that its food is absolutely dynamite.

A recent dinner had me “doing” the aforementioned 24oz ribeye, 28oz porterhouse ($54.75), veal chop milanase ($44.50), roast chicken ($28.50), lemon pepper halibut ($31.50), steak fries ($9.50), lobster mac & cheese ($11). Every item was delicious. On the service front, excellent without the “snotty” know-it-all attitude you find at many upscale steakhouses.

There are two ways to play NYY Steak. You can gamble your heart out…and accumulate points to spend or you can just fork over cash or your credit card at the end of the meal.

NYY Steak is a homerun…pun intended!

NYY Steak is open Monday, Thursday-Sunday 5pm-11pm. The joint is closed on Tuesday and Wednesday.

***** Gimme A Burger, 1200 East Hillsboro Boulevard, Deerfield Beach, Florida 33447, (954) 708-2553.

Tried this 2-month old “fast food” burger joint out last week. You can check menu/prices at www.gimmeaburger.com.

Here’s the skinny…

I “sampled” a single patty cheeseburger, french fries, onion rings, meat quesadilla…I enjoyed the burger and fries. The onion rings and quesadilla were ok–but nothing to write home about.

When you check Gimme’s menu, you’ll note that in addition to burgers and fries, its got salads and other stuff—so the non-burger eaters out there are covered.

At this stage of the review, you must be wondering where a joint like Gimme A Burger “rates” compared to shall-we-say Five Guys or one of the other “upscale” fast food burger joints dotting the South Florida landscape—let’s call it ‘fair”…based on my outing-it definitely isn’t a heavy-weight contender.

Gimme A Burger is open Sunday-Thursday 11am-8pm, Friday-Saturday 11am-9pm.

***** The Paramount Days In Coral Springs

***** Joey Dale & The Gigolos *****

If you are a fan of 1950s-1960s Doo Wop/Rock N Roll—I got something that might be right up your alley.

On Friday Night- March 2, 2012 at the Coral Springs Center For The Arts—five legendary doo wop/rock n roll groups, The Passions, The Flamingos, Larry Chance & The Earls, The Coasters and The Skyliners will perform their greatest hits.

You regular readers know that I am a huge fan of this type of music. For the record, in recent years, I have seen all 5 groups perform and I gotta tell you, they sound as good as they did when they were first hitting the charts. These aren’t tribute-acts…The Passions, The Flamingos, The Skyliners and The Earls are all fronted by their original lead singers. The Coasters are the “heirs” to original lead singer Carl Gardner who passed in June 2011—the current lineup was assembled by Carl and his wife Veta–she is scheduled to attend the Coral Springs’ show.

Now for the kicker–This particular show is being produced by Joey Dale. Many of you guys may know “of” Joey–as he is the leader of Joey Dale & The Gigolos…a local-quartet that for years has appeared at numerous condos, country clubs, parties, concerts and restaurants in South Florida. Joey & The Gigolos is also on the Coral Springs’ bill–scheduled to perform a tribute to one of the greatest groups of all-time The Duprees. For the record, Joey is no novice when it comes to producing and performing at large public shows. In 2011, Joey produced and performed at a SRO- FAU doo wop concert that headlined Herb Cox & The Cleftones…most recently, I saw him in action as musical director for The Passions and Kenny Vance & The Planotones at The Parker Playhouse.

A drop more- on Joey & The Gigolos…Over the years, I must have seen Joey and his group something like 15 times. Simply put, this is one of the best 1950’s-1970’s cover-groups in the area. These guys do sensational “versions” of Dion & The Belmonts, The Duprees, The Miracles, The Crests, Johnny Maestro & The Brooklyn Bridge, The Temptations–just to name a few. Like I said a few seconds ago, they appear all over South Florida—do yourself a big favor and check Joey’s site www.joeydale.com…great video/audio and a full list of upcoming public and private appearances. No! I’m not Joey’s brother or cousin—but the guy has a huge following, puts on a great show–so if opportunity knocks, catch the group in action.

On March 2, 2012 a fantastic doo-wop/rock n roll show is scheduled for the Coral Springs Center For The Arts–you can get tickets at www.coralspringscenterforthearts.com.

End of Story

***** Make A Shake, 1650 Alton Road, Miami Beach, Florida 33139, (305) 672-1125.

Let me see… take a bulk candy store, throw in a “cartoon cow” motif… throw in custom-made milkshakes using a fat-free vanilla yogurt base mixed with all kinds of candy-cereal-syrup-fruit combinations—and you got Make A Shake.

Hope you’re not on a diet!

Check www.makeashake.com for menu.

This is a real simple concept…the milkshake combinations are literally endless.

For those of you who don’t quite get the concept. Think—Dairy Queen Blizzard and you’ll be on the right page.

The Snickers-Oreo one that I had…off the chart. Like I said a few seconds ago, hope you’re not on a diet.

Make A Shake is open Sunday-Thursday 1pm-midnight, Friday-Saturday noon-2am.

***** Pappa Piccolo Pizzeria, 8016 Southwest 81st Drive, Miami, Florida 33143, (305) 270-1020.

Pappa Piccolo Pizzeria is a “red sauce–mom & pop” Italian joint in Miami.

This one is real simple…Pappa Piccolo Pizzeria’s food is terrific. The joint’s got the full-boat of pizzas, pastas, subs, meat/chicken/seafood entrees. I only got one bitch with Pappa Piccolo, it’s not open on Sunday.

The other day, I did dinner…pizza, veal parmigiana, lobster ravioli, snapper francaise, fettuccini alfredo. Do what you’d like, but I’m telling you—that as far as “red sauce–mom & pop” Italian joints go, Pappa Piccolo is right up there with best of breed. Everything I “had” was delicious and the garlic bread that this joint makes–is alone- worth the price of admission.

Pappa Piccolo Pizzeria is open Monday-Thursday 11am-10pm, Friday-Saturday 11am-11pm.

***** The Mason Jar Cafe, 2980 North Federal Highway, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33306, (954) 568-4100.

Let’s play Andy Taylor and Aunt Bea…imagine an “American-Style” country-restaurant circa 1955 and you got The Mason Jar Cafe in Fort Lauderdale. When you check www.themasonjarcafe.com for menu/prices–catch the dining room photo. By the way, you can check Wikipedia if you are curious as to the “history” of the mason jar.

Anyway…gave The Mason Jar Cafe a shot the other day (or is it evening?) for dinner…talk about a menu loaded with Jeff Eats’ favorite comfort-foods—chicken pot pie, fried chicken/with cream gravy, fried steak/with cream gravy, grilled pork chop, bacon cheeseburger, meat loaf, macaroni & cheese…everything right on the money. Huge portions, reasonable prices, very pleasant service.

Now, I knew and if you go there you’ll know…that it really wasn’t 1955 (after-all, the chicken pot pie with 2-sides would have been something like 70 cents and not 15 bucks) but the owners do a real nice job–in serving upscale-comfort food in a cozy pleasant dining room.

I really enjoyed The Mason Jar Cafe.

You definitely should give this one a try.

The joint is open for lunch Monday-Saturday 11:30am-3pm, for dinner Monday-Sunday 5:30pm.

***** Cricket’s Fabulous Sandwiches & Deli, 3667 North Federal Highway, Pompano Beach, Florida 33064, (954) 532-7642.

Cricket’s is a “sub-sandwich-salad” joint located in Pompano Beach. At this stage of the proceedings, I could go into the whole Pinocchio story etc., but I’ll save you the agony…kinda boring, trying to be cute all the time.

Anyway…Cricket’s food is absolutely dynamite. Now, it’s literally impossible to rate 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-etc. South Florida’s top sub-joints, but I will tell you, that Cricket’s stuff is right up there with the best in the game.

A recent outing had me doing…tuna sub, chicken salad sub, pork Cuban sandwich, roast beef on rye, Caesar salad—like I said a few seconds ago, the food is absolutely dynamite.

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

I know that this review may-be a drop on the short side…trust me, Cricket’s subs/sandwiches/salads will not disappoint.

Cricket’s is open Monday-Saturday 11am-6pm.

Gimme A Burger, 1200 East Hillsboro Boulevard, Deerfield Beach, Florida 33447, (954) 708-2553.

Let’s play a game, Get To A New Joint Before Jeff Eats Does.

Hearing some very nice things about Gimme A Burger…an “upscale” fast-food burger joint, which opened a couple of weeks ago in Deerfield Beach. Sorry, can’t conifrm the “positive” reports because—old Jeff Eats hasn’t been there yet. It’s on my “to try list”…so I’ll soon have the skinny for you guys.

For you folks who might like to beat me to the punch…check www.gimmeaburger.com for info.

Gimme A Burger is open Sunday-Thursday 11am-8pm, Friday-Saturday 11am-9pm.

***** The Sensations-The Motown Philly Express *****

Last Saturday night, I saw an absolutely terrific “singing” group in action…The Sensations-The Motown Philly Express.

This local South Florida group, lead by Frank Wilson and Ron Jonas is a 4-man group which will have you believing that The Temptations. The Four Tops and other Motown legends are in the house. The performance that I saw, featured fantastic vocals and terrific dance routines. The group also ‘covers’ groups like The Drifters, The Coasters, The Miracles, The Platters–just to name a few. They did a version of Smokey Robinson’s “Ooo Baby Baby” that was so dead on, that many in the crowd thought that the original recording was being played.

As I mentioned a few seconds ago, The Sensations- The Motown Philly Express is a local group. Sometimes they use tracks, other times they perform with a back-up band…every so often, the individual members (Frank Wilson, Ron Jonas, Mel Williams, Rob Cox) play local restaurants, clubs and country clubs. For example, Frank Wilson can be found most Thursday nights 9pm-1am at City Pub in Deerfield Beach.

Trust me on this one, the group that I saw last Saturday night had the crowd going nuts.

So…if this kind of music is your style—keep a close eye on newspaper ads…that’s the best way to keep track of the numerous appearances that these guys make.