***** Facebook *****

I think that most of you guys know what FACEBOOK is. I’m also thinking that most of you guys know that last Friday morning Face Book went public with an IPO price of $38 a share. As I type, Facebook (NASDQ:FB) is currently trading at $33.01-$33.03. That means, that for right-now, the stock has lost roughly 5 bucks a share…Take it from me, for an IPO to “drop” from it’s offering price in such a “quick” move after coming to market, isn’t good!

Look, I still use a phone like they used back on the old Lassie tv series. You know the one, where Jeff’s mother (or Tommy’s mother, depending on how old you are) would say something like “Jenny, could you get me Linda down at Miller’s Pond.” The point that I’m trying to make, is that I really don’t know too much about this “new thing” called social media.

What I do know, is that you CAN’T have Facebook (which claims 900,000,000 million users) valued at something like $100 billion–only netting $1.9 billion a year in revenue. Now, I could be dead wrong here, but I seriously doubt that most of the folks who currently use Face Book for free- are going to be inclined to ever pay for the service…in addition, I kinda think that most of Facebook’s users have absolutely no interest in the advertisements or products that Face Book currently markets…My thought process also tells me that Face Book is going to have a huge and I do mean a HUGE problem monetizing its business.

So…what initially looked like a “goldmine” IPO may just prove to have been nothing but fool’s gold.

Just thought I’d tell you my Facebook thoughts…Jeff Eats would love to hear yours.

***** Jersey Johnny’s Pizzeria, 1313 Boynton Beach Boulevard, Boynton Beach, Florida 33426, (561) 364-3464.

I don’t know about you guys, but there is no way that Jeff Eats could-not try a pizza joint named Jersey Johnny’s Pizzera… betcha a dime, that I’ll soon be hearing from Mike’s Bayridge Pizzeria, Flatbush Boys Burgers, Joey Chan’s Staten Island PizzerIa, Leon’s Atlantic City Subs, Tony’s Bronx Deli—so be it!

Anyway…last week Mrs. Jeff Eats had some folks over to the house and did a “takeout” from Jersey Johnny’s Pizzeria… antipasto salad, Caesar salad, 16″ round pizza, 16″ sicilian pizza, meatballs marinara, penne ala vodka, fettuccini alfredo, veal parmigiana, sausage & peppers. At this stage of the discussion you can check www.jerseyjohnnyspizza.com for menu/prices.

Let me make this one real simple, Jersey Johnny’s Pizzeria gives you a ton of food for cheap money…Now you and I both know, that cheap doesn’t necessarily mean good…

I’m glad to report- that every “dish” that we had was A-OK. For sure, some were better than others, but not one disappointed. I will tell you, that the pizzas were really good and the meatballs marinara were dynamite.

Like I mentioned 33 seconds ago, we did takeout…Just so you know, the joint has plenty of tables, so you can eat there.

One final thought, some of you guys maybe wondering how Mrs. Jeff Eats “selected” Jersey Johnny’s in the first place? Just so you know, one of her closest girlfriends-Judy recommended the joint so that’s how that tune really got played.

Jersey Johnny’s is open Monday-Thursday 11am-11pm, Friday-Saturday 11am-midnight, Sunday 11am-9pm.

***** Orange Sunshine *****

If 1960’s rock n’ roll cover bands are your deal…then you gotta checkout Orange Sunshine–a local quintet that does some of the best Beatles-Turtles-Beach Boys-Box Tops-Rascals
covers that you will ever hear.

Although this “local” group has only been around for 2-years–it has garnered an absolutely enormous following. During the past year, Orange Sunshine has appeared at numerous casinos, parks, country clubs and bar-restaurants. Two weeks ago, I and about 5,000 others caught them at Greynold’s Park in North Miami where they opened for Felix Cavaliere’s Rascals– and they killed it…I am telling you, these guys are right-up there with the best 60’s cover bands that I have seen in South Florida.

Like I said before, if you like-love 60’s rock n’ roll…you gotta check Orange Sunshine out. The band has a number of upcoming “free” South Florida gigs booked–so for the price of zip, zippo, nada–you can have a really great time.

You can check Orange Sunshine’s audio/video/playlist/schedule at www.orangesunshine.biz.

***** Best Regular Pizza Poll *****

The other day “we” did best fast-food burgers in Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties.

Let’s see what you guys come up with…looking for the best “regular” pizza (not coal oven) in Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties.

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.