***** China Taste Inn, 12189 US Highway 1, North Palm Beach, Florida 33408 (561) 627-8081.

Not going to waste my time describing this “mom & pop” Chinese joint’s decor for you…because, if you are over the age of 2 you already know what joints like this look like. For that matter, I’m also not going to tell you about the crappy shopping center location-menu-service, because you’ve already been there and done that. You also know that 8-14 bucks is going to get you soup-appetizer-main dish-rice-dessert, so I won’t mention that either.

Let’s get to the heart of the matter…China Taste is one of the best Chinese joints in South Florida. Not sure what’s doing in my old Brooklyn neighborhood these days, but China Taste would have been packed on Sunday nights back in the 1950s-1960s.

A recent outing had me doing… wonton soup, bbq ribs, fried wontons, egg roll, sweet & sour pork, pepper steak, general tso’s chicken, shrimp with lobster sauce—and I am telling you, the stuff is good–real good.

China Taste Inn is open for lunch Monday-Friday 11:30am-2:30pm, for dinner Sunday-Thursday 4:30pm-10pm and Friday-Saturday 4:30pm-11pm.

***** Heart Stoppers Sports Grill, 1100 Linton Boulevard, Delray Beach, Florida 33444 (561) 276-2554.

Yesterday, I had lunch at Heart Stoppers a “diner” joint in Delray Beach. A great review in BurgerBeast www.burgerbeast.com turned me on to this restaurant which has been open about 1-month. By the way, NYC’s “Daily News” did an article about the joint on January 8, 2010 and I understand that NBC’s “Today Show” will be filming an in-store segment on Januray 27, 2010.

The best way to describe Heart Stoppers, is a neighborhood lunch-dinner DINER which is themed with “hospital equipment.” There are blood pressure machines, wheel chairs, bed pans, etc…The waitresses are pretty young ladies dressed as nurses wearing fishnet stockings… but, trust me on this, owner Iggy Lena is running a “wholesome” joint, as the costumes leave everything to the imagination. Let me put it to you this way, dads will enjoy the view and the little tots-will be just fine.

At this stage of the game take a look at Heart Stoppers’ website www.the hearstopper.com for menu/prices.

Heart Stoppers’ menu is loaded with appetizers, salads, sandwiches, burgers, subs, wings, desserts. Yesterday, I sampled in no particular order…sliders, french fries, onion rings, sweet potato fries, philly cheese steak sub, chicken wings, fried twinkies/oreos.

Now let’s talk turkey…I thought that the “hospital theme” was cute, but a bit on the gimmericky side …then again, it was the theme– that caught the Daily News and Today Show’s attention—Now let’s talk food. I enjoyed everything that I tried…the food is very good and reasonably priced. The fried twinkies/oreos topped with whipped cream are worth the price of admission alone. By the way, the three nurses on duty were extremely competent and from what I saw, kept the food “rolling” (hospital carts are used to deliver orders) out of the kitchen…owner, Iggy is a super host.

Just so you know, Heart Stoppers is located in-line in a large crappy-shopping center on Linton Boulevard…so you may want to set the old GPS or get driving instructions before venturing out.

Heart Stoppers is a lunch-dinner joint. It is real casual— and has a bar area (beer) with plenty of flat-screen tvs.

I really enjoyed Heart Stoppers…its menu is right up my alley—loaded with stuff that give cardiologists nightmares…then again, you only go-round once.

Heart Stoppers is open 7 days a week for lunch and dinner.

***** Carlo of Boca, 7491 North Federal Highway, Boca Raton, Florida 33487, (561) 988-9699.

Last night, dinner at a very good–very reasonably priced– 96-seat Italian joint…Carlo of Boca.

Carlo has been open for something like 1 1/2 years…on March 27, 2009 the Sun Sentinel gave the joint 3 1/2 out of 4 stars. You can check menu/prices at www.carloofboca.com.

Carlo of Boca is probably as good, if not better than your favorite “mom & pop” red sauce Italian joint…and a whole lot better looking. The decor is upscale–no pizza joint counter (by the way, Carlo doesn’t make pizza), but your tee shirts/shorts will work quite well here.

Last night, I did minestrone soup, veal parmigiana, shrimp scampi, penne alla vodka, chicken marsala, penne with marinara sauce, tartufo. All entrees come with soup or salad, pasta side, garlic bread. To give you a point of reference, that veal parm entree was $18.95. Just so you know, I thought that the minestrone was one of the best that I have had in recent years…I also ranked the tartufo as being right up there.

Carlo’s food is very good. Like I said before, it is probably better than most of the “mom & pop” joints which dot the South Florida landscape. Throw in the no-pizza joint look, very professional wait-staff and owner Luis Bolivar Sr. charmingly-visiting every table in the joint–and you got a real good place for lunch or dinner.

Carlo of Boca has one heavy duty drawback…it is located in one of the crappiest shopping centers-going…you know the kind of center, where half the stores are vacant, another being a “Christmas” store–and you can’t see Carlo unless you are already in the center. Absolute–horrendous location. Simply put, if this joint was in a good location, I’d bet that the lines would be out the door to get in. Thus far, Carlo is making-it on “word of mouth.”

I’m gonna rate Carlo a “must try.” I really enjoyed the food. Found the prices just right…and I enjoyed the attentive and professional service by Luis and his wait staff

Carlo of Boca is open for dinner 7 days a week 4pm-10pm…Carlo also serves lunch Tuesday-Friday 11am-3:30pm.

***** Calypso Restaurant & Raw Bar, 460 South Cypress Creek Road, Pompano Beach, Florida 33060 (954) 942-1633.

Calypso Restaurant is a terrific— casual-reasonably priced-“mom & pop” CARRIBEAN seafood restaurant. Rather than knocking myself trying to describe this joint for you, check its website at www.calypsorestaurant.com for menu/prices/photos-video which will tell you everything that you need to know.

Calypso’s food is outrageously good. A recent outing had me doing, conch chowder, Jamaican jerk chicken, grilled chicken, grilled lobster tails and bbq shrimp. The menu is loaded with seafood—appetizers, soups, sandwiches, entrees…but landlubbers will find enough meat-chicken dishes, so nobody is gonna starve here. Service is super friendly, the owner is the chef, large portions, reasonable prices, tee shirts/shorts are the dress of the day… piped music is Bob Marley & The Wailers—I Shot The Sheriff…we be jammin’ stuff.

I loved Calypso.

Calypso is open Monday-Friday 11am-10pm. I have absolutely no idea why the joint is closed on Saturday & Sunday.

***** Mauro’s Pizza, 1904 Hollywood Boulevard, Hollywood, Florida 33020 (954) 929-4001.

I attended Erasmus Hall School from 1963-1966. Every day after school (or almost every day…as I get older, things get foggier), I stopped at Angelo’s Pizza at the corner of Cortelyou Road and Flatbush Avenue for a couple of slices and a large Coke…back then a slice ran 15 cents and the Coke was 6 cents…anyway—if memory serves me correctly, terrific–crispy crusted pizza with a delicious sweet sauce and plenty of oil dripping out of the slice when pointed down.

Mauro’s Pizza in Hollywood makes terrific–crispy crusted pizza with a delicious sweet sauce and plenty of oil dripping out of the slice when pointed down. The slice is gonna run you about $2.50.

Very little seating, so plan on standing outside or eating in your car…the joint is open Monday-Wednesday noon-3am, Thursday-Friday noon-4am, Saturday noon-4:30am and Sunday 4pm-3am.

***** Rocco’s Tacos & Tequila Bar, 5250 Town Center Circle, Boca Raton, Florida 33486 (561) 416-2131—224 Clematis Street, West Palm Beach, Florida 33401 (561) 650-1001.

Just finished eating at a Mexican joint…Rocco’s Tacos in Boca Raton and I gotta tell you, Rocco’s may-be the best Mexican restaurant that I have eaten in-down here in South Florida.

Before I start yapping…there are two Rocco’s Tacos in South Florida–the original in West Palm Beach has been around for something like 2- years and the Boca spot which opened in late November 2009.

Let me start by saying, that the joint is great looking. Rather than trying to describe the decor, you can can look at photos and check the menu/prices at www.roccostacos.com. I will tell you, that this a hip-looking joint, that 20 year olds and 90 years olds will enjoy…and everyone in-between. There is indoor seating, give or take for 180, plus a huge outdoor patio.. when Jeff Eats, Mrs. Jeff Eats and Son Jeff Eats arrived, it was around 35 degrees– so we dined indoors…Grandma & Grandpa Jeff Eats didn’t raise no dope.

The menu is loaded with moderatley priced quesadillas, burritos, tamales, tacos, fajitas…there is a long-full bar with 2 flat screen tvs, booths and tables. The food is outrageoulsy good… in no particular order– skirt steak, grilled chicken, french fries, chocolate ice cream, churros, roast pork, chips and salsa, tortilla soup, grilled mahi—some of the best, that I have eaten.

Now you regulars know, that old Jeff isn’t a big Mexican restaurant “fan”…that said (now I’m sounding like Larry David), Rocco’s is the exception to the rule…I really enjoyed the food and look forward to a repeat outing.

So mi amigos–we got a moderately priced, great looking, terrific food– Mexican joint…for good measure, throw in super pleasant hostess, Andrea at the front door… competent waitress Rachel handling the table– and manager Jeff Pisoni “checking” on ever table in the joint.—and you got a winner.

No fooling around, this Rocco’s Tacos is a homerun. I’m going to assume that the West Palm location is just as “strong”…if you get to WPB before I do and it ain’t up to snuff, let me know.

Rocco’s Tacos is open 7 days a week for lunch and dinner.

***** Nana’s Original Stromboli, 4420 Northeast 20th Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33308 (954) 771-6262.

You got to try this one…Nana’s Original Stromboli which is a 5-stool counter joint that makes STROMBOLIS. By the way, for you non-Italians out there, a stromboli is basically a turnover (made from pizza dough) which has various fillings in it.

If you check Nana’s website www.nanasoriginalstromboli.com you will find that the joint has 5—10″ strombolis on the menu, 1-daily special stromboli, 2 salads, 2 desserts. Strombolis run $5.50-6.00, with the daily special consisting of the “daily special stromboli”+salad+dessert fetching $7.50.

OUTRAGEOUSLY GOOD…I sampled the spinach, pepperoni, chicken, cheese steak and “Original” pepperoni-ham-green peppers-mozzarella. No kidding around, these strombolis are outrageously good…and for those of you who might be wondering—No!! I didn’t eat 5-10″ strombolis all by my lonesome. Just so you know, all 5 were delicious–but if push came to shove—my favorite was the cheese steak.

Nana’s is really a takeout joint—like I said, 5 stools are the only seating. Trust me, these things taste great in the car and hold-up quite well when reheated at home.

Nana’s is open Monday-Friday 9am-6pm, Saturday 9am-3pm and closed on Sunday.

***** Augy’s Pizza Restaurant, 1501 Northwest Boca Raton Boulevard, Boca Raton, Florida 33432 (561) 368-1330.

Do me a big a big favor and check my Augy’s Pizza Restaurant review which I did back on July 23, 2008…it will save me from doing some typing here.

Augy’s is a “mom & pop” red sauce Italian joint…it has been around for something like 1,000 years.

That 2008 review told you…that a few years ago the “original” owners sold the joint to new guys, blah blah, blah…

Anyway…to make a long story–short…the old owners are BACK running the joint. During the past 4 weeks, I have eaten in Augy’s three times and the food has been outrageously good—in fact, better than ever. Some of the dishes that I have “sampled”… chicken marsala, bone in chicken cacciatore, pizza, veal parmigiana, bone in chicken scarpiello, shrimp scampi, garlic bread (not garlic knots), minestrone soup…and I must tell you, Augy’s is right up there with the best mama-poppa Italian joints in South Florida. By the way, they currently have a $20 dinner special…soup or salad, appetizer, entree, pasta side, dessert. They also have a Monday-Friday lunch buffet of pizzas–subs-salads for something like 5 bucks.

If you haven’t eaten in Augy’s…you gotta give it a shot. Nothing fancy here…but I am telling you– big portions, reasonable prices and the food is delicious.

Augy’s is open 7 days a week for lunch and dinner.

***** Howard’s Market, 6060 Southwest 18th Street, Boca Raton, Florida 33433 (561) 392-2422.

Way-back-when in 2009– I told you guys about “gourmet markets” like The Boys Farmers Market (Delray Beach 5/16/09), Doris Italian Market (Boca Raton 5/21/09) and Joseph’s Classic (Boca Raton 6/22/09)…these are joints are where you shop when you want fruits, vegetables, baked goods, prepared foods…better than the stuff that Publix is pushing. Mind you, they aren’t full supermarkets…but they do serve a very valuable purpose when you are craving fresh tangerine-grapefruit-orange juice, or semi-homemade chicken cacciatore on the bone.

Anyway…Howard’s Market is a “gourmet market”…very similar to the others listed. This joint has been around for something like 25 years…is 10,000 square feet and has the full-boat of cheeses, wines, cakes, seafood, meat, prepared foods. Reasonable prices!

You can check Howard’s website www.howardsmarket.com for details.

Howard’s is open Monday-Friday 7am-10pm, Saturday 8am-9pm, Sunday 8am-8pm.

Boca Raton

***** Japango, 3011 Ymato Road, Boca Raton, Florida 33434, (561) 33434.

This review is about Japango an “Asian Fusion” joint which opened a couple of weeks ago in Boca Raton…there is another Japango located in Parkland, same owner, same menu, same prices…but I haven’t been to that one.

At this stage of the game, let’s go to Japango’s website www.japangomenu.com for menu/prices/photos.

This is a very easy review to write…Japango has delicious-moderatley priced food. Last night I “sampled” in no particular order—bbq ribs, chicken teriyaki, stir fried noodels, fried rice, miso seafood soup, shrimp tempura…like I said before– delicious. I will tell you, that the bbq ribs and fried rice were as good if not better, than the top stuff I have eaten down here in Chinese restaurants.

Japango is an upscale looking joint, but the tee shirt-shorts ensemble works. The menu has a great combination of Japanese, Chinese, Thai items…so if you aren’t a sushi eater, you are covered.

Word of mouth…I have heard that the Japango in Parkland is also a dynamite restaurant—always packed. that joint is located at 7387 North State Road 7, Parkland, Florida 33073, (954) 345-4268.

Japango is open Monday-Thursday 11:30am-10pm, Friday 11:30am-10:30pm, Saturday 4:30pm-10:30pm, Sunday 4:30pm-9:30pm.