***** Even Little Richard Wouldn’t believe This One *****

Regular Jeff Eats’s readers know, that I am not a fan of the “self serve” yogurt business.

From what I can see, like the “mom & pop” video stores that once dotted America’s landscape, the yogurt business model is a “bubble” that will soon burst. Trust me on this, we don’t need a yogurt store on every corner. For a “few bucks” anyone can get into this business—just like the video stores were 25-30 years ago. That’s the problem, every Tom, Dick and Harry, is opening one of these joints.

Now for the “craziest” story in this yogurt-industry—TUTTI FRUTTI FROZEN YOGURT. As a point a reference check Jeff Eats’ Tutti writeup on November 29, 2010…small chain, currently in 16 states, handful of stores in South Florida.

Let’s make this simple…The business model of this Tutti Frutti, allows the individual store owner to sell whatever type of yogurt that he or she wants. So…that means, that store A or store B or for that matter store Q may-be selling totally different yogurt products. So…that means, if you like the chocolate in store B, you may not like the chocolate in store Q.

The way I see it, the “purpose” of a BRAND is CONSISTENCY. A Whopper in a Miami Burger King is suppose to taste exactly like a Whopper in a Houston Burger King.

Check out Tutti Frutti’s website www.tfyogurt.com—unless, I’m not reading right, essentially all that the “stores” are buying, is the “same” name. Gonna be a big mess with this one, guaranteed!!

In the end, there is going to be a bloodbath in the self-serve yogurt indutry. For sure, there will be a handful of survivors, but there are going to be tons of unhappy players who thought they found a goldmine to open.

***** Boca’s Best Pizza Bar, 119 West Palmetto Park Road, Boca Raton, Florida 33432, (561) 367-7227.

Boca’s Best Pizza Bar is a “mom & pop” red sauce Italian joint located in Boca Raton. The joint has been around for about 18 months…it was previously a Big Louie’s (see 7/23/08). Why small-chain Big Louie’s didn’t make it there, is anyone’s guess.

Boca’s Best Pizza Bar is located in a small-dumpy strip center right near the railroad tracks. Parking isn’t anything to write home about. With that outside-out of the way, let me tell you, that this little “Best” (always skeptical when BEST is used in the name) joint surprised the hell out of me…it really serves some real-good food.

A recent dinner had me “sampling”—pizza, penne alla vodka, chicken marsala, chicken parmigiana, meat lasagna, eggplant rollatini. At this stage of the gig, you can check www.bocasbestpizzabar.com for menu/prices.

Boca’s Best is what Jeff Eats calls a hidden gem—definitely a notch or two above the typical mom & pop pizza joint. The joint is open Monday-Saturday 11am-2am and Sunday noon-midnight.

***** Bernie’s Bagels, Deli & Cafe, 1420 Coral Ridge Drive, Coral Springs, Florida 33071, (954) 340-7730.

Got a real good bagel-deli joint for you Coral Springsians—Bernie’s Bagels, Deli & Cafe. Check www.berniesbagels.net for menu/prices/photos.

Bernie’s is open 7 days a week 6:30am-3pm and Tuesday-Thursday 4pm-9pm.

Bernie’s menu is loaded with breakfast stuff, salads, sandwiches, wraps…the joint makes its own bagels.

I recently did 1-breakfast and 1 lunch at Bernie’s. “Sampling” included, western omelete (8.95)–challah french toast ($6.95)–corned beef on rye ($9.95)–pastrami on rye ($9.95)–tuna salad on onion bagel ($8.95)…like I said before, this is a “real good” bagel-deli joint.

To sum this one up, Bernie’s definitely gets the job. If bagel-delis are your “game”—you’ll like Bernie’s.

***** Hobo’s Gourmet Kitchen, 421 Northlake Boulevard, North Palm Beach, Florida 33408, (561) 841-8305.

Let’s call Hobo’s a “neighborhood” diner…the joint has been around for something like 11 years. Check www.hobosgourmetkitchen.net for menu/prices. Table seating for about 100 and a small counter that handles 6.

Absolutely-nothing fancy going on here…as a matter of fact, absolutely-nothing gourmet going on here, either. That said, this is exactly the type of joint that old Jeff Eats loves to eat in. Think “short order” and you got Hobo’s number…loads of breakfast stuff, salads, grilled burgers, sandwiches—throw in a $7.95 “all you can eat” salad bar-and-for an extra buck-you can slurp all of the soup that you’d like.

Just so you know, I have eaten 2x at Hobo’s and have yet to see anyone wearing a tuxedo or for that matter a gown (nowadays gotta be politically correct), then again 1-meal was breakfast and 1-meal was lunch, so that may-be why? Really-good 1/2 lb cheeseburger/fries ($7)–grilled reuben/fries ($7.95)–western omelet ($5.95).

Like I said before, I got a special “place in the heart” for the Hobo’s of the world. It’s joints like this, that make eating out a worthwhile endeavor.

If you like diner-food, you’ll love Hobo’s.

Go figure!!…Hobo’s is open Monday-Friday 7am-3pm and Sunday 8am-2pm. The joint is closed on Saturday, like I said, Go Figure!

Shanghai City Chinese Restaurant, 7860 Glades Road, Boca Raton, Florida 33434, (561) 482-1321.

At the suggestion of a few of you guys…Jeff Eats gave this Chinese joint a shot.

Mediocre Chinese food at best.

What really pissed me off…one of the dishes ordered- “Seafood Hot Pot” ($19.95) was to “contain” shrimp, scallops and lobster meat. When the dish arrived, the kitchen had substitued cubes of T-O-F-U for the lobster. When questioned, the waitress after checking with the kitchen said– “The kitchen was out of lobster, so they put tofu in instead.”

This joint won’t ever see Jeff Eats again.

***** Ruven’s, 13800 Jog Road, Delray Beach, Florida 33484, (561) 499-9003.

Bingo!— Home Run!

If you are looking for a terrific-New York Kosher Style Deli—your wish has been answered. Say hello, to Ruven’s which opened last Wednesday in Delray Beach. For right now, the joint is open 7 days a week from 8am-3pm—look for “dinner” to be added sometime in late March.

Just some background info… “this” Ruven’s is owned by Steve Ratinetz who in the mid 1990’s-2003 owned/operated Ruven’s in Plainview, New York—which was an absolutely terrific kosher deli. My January 25, 2011 Ruven’s of Long Island writeup- has more “history” if you are a history-buff.

You know and I know, that South Florida has more bagel delis than you can shake a stick at…just for the record, Ruven’s is not and I repeat the word NOT, a bagel deli. For sure, it has the requisite “500” types of bagels, bialys and onion boards—that said, this joint is all about pastrami- corned beef- brisket- turkey- stuffed derma- potato pancakes- blintzes, chopped liver-stuffed cabbage-fried kreplach-matzo ball soup—that rival the best stuff served in NYC, Chicago…or for that matter, anywhere that you formerly called home.

If there is one thing that Jeff Eats knows—it’s good deli.

This afternoon, in no particular order– I did a “taste test” of pastrami, corned beef, brisket, turkey off the bone, matzo ball soup, cabbage soup, stuffed derma, potato pancakes, chopped liver. fried kreplach…absolutely delicious.

Based on Jeff Eats’ “maiden outing”—I’m putting Ruven’s right up there with South Florida’s best New York Kosher Style Delis. Throw-in huge portions at reasonable prices…and I can’t see Ruven’s not quickly developing an enormous following.

You now know about a terrific deli—this one is a keeper!

***** Pinon Grill, 6000 Glades Road, Boca Raton, Florida 33433, (561) 391-7770.

Got a terrific “American” semi-upscale joint for you…Pinon Grill in Boca Raton. Pinon is a newcomer to Boca in that it has only been around for 3-months. From what I have heard, since day-one, the joint which seats 303 (there is indoor and out door patio seating) has been packed every day for lunch and dinner. Based on last night’s dinner—I’m gonna bet, that Pinon isn’t simply the ” Boca flavor of the month”—and is going to have some real staying power.

At this stage of the game, check www.pinongrill.com for menu/prices—there are also a handful of photos that will give you some idea as to what Pinon’s decor is all about. Since old Jeff Eats isn’t an interior decorator, let’s say that Pinon looks like a real upscale Houston’s, hope that helps you out. By the way, I called the joint “semi-upscale”—but your tee shirt/shorts ensemble will work here—that said, last night from 7:45-8:30pm, I didn’t happen to notice any such ensembles.

Now, let’s talk food. The menu isn’t exactly huge, but the 6 appetizers, 2 soups, 8 salads, 13 entrees, 6 sandwiches that I counted seem to cover all of the 5 major food groups I learned about at Brooklyn’s P.S. 179. Last night’s “sampling”– lobster & crab ceviche ($16), shrimp spring roll ($12), baby back ribs (full rack $24), crab cakes ($25), chicken paillard ($18), pecan crusted trout ($22) was just right. I enjoyed every dish–with the ribs having one of the best sauces, that I’ve had in a very long time.. If you need a complaint, the ribs weren’t the “meatiest” that I’ve met in my day…they definitely could be beefed-up (or is it porked up?).

Before I wrap this one up…just wanted to mention, that the service was excellent. Our party of four had Steve “the waiter” who knew Pino’s menu cold—and made sure that water/drink glasses were never even close to being empty. I was also impressed by “service manager” Adam who when not visiting tables, was pitching in as a backup bus-person. It’s guys like this (or lack of), who in the long run-can make or break a joint.

If you are a fan of joints like Houston’s, J. Alexander’s, J. Marks—I think that you will really enjoy Pinon.

Pinon Grill is open Sunday-Thursday 11:30am-10pm and Friday-Saturday 11:30am-11pm.

***** Maxies, 500 Via De Palmas (Royal Palm Place), Boca Raton, Florida 33432, (561) 394-8800.

Got a cool 1950’s-1960’s “fast food” joint for you…MAXIES in Boca Raton. Order at the counter/pickup at the counter. Check www.maxiesflorida.com for menu/prices. MAXIES has been “around” for something like 4 months…but if you click your heels–you’ll get a kick out of the 50s-60s red & white checkerboard decor and the easy listening doo wop music. The joint has both indoor and out-door patio seating.

Let’s talk food.

The joint’s menu is loaded with charbroiled burgers and hot dogs, pita pockets, subs, fries, onion rings…throw in a huge “create” your own salad bar and frozen yogurt with tons of toppings— and I can safely say, that everyone in your party will definitely find something to eat.

A recent sampling had me “doing” a cheeseburger (1/2 lb $4.99), tuna salad pita ($5.29), Italian beef sub ($5.99), French fries ($1.99), onion rings ($2.89). Simply put, MAXIES makes some really good stuff. I enjoyed everything and was thrilled that for $7.50 a piece, Mrs. Jeff Eats and Daughter Jeff Eats — were able to concoct large salads that wouldn’t damage their girlish figures—thus leaving me alone in peace, to enjoy (in particular) my burger with cheese-ketchup-mayonnaise-grilled onions-raw onions, salted fries covered in ketchup and large Coke ($1.89).

MAXIES is a very good fast-food joint.

MAXIES is open Sunday-Thursday 10:30am-10pm and Friday-Saturday 10:30am-11pm.

Hurricane Grill & Wings

If you check…back on April 28, 2010 Jeff Eats “did” a Hurricane Grill & Wings review. For those of you who don’t already know, Hurricane is a “rapidly” growing national chicken-wing chain with a number of stores in our South Florida market. Suffice it to say, the joint serves good stuff at reasonable prices.

Now…Hurricane Grill & Wings has a “Flavor Rewards Program—in a nutshell, this program is a CARD which accumulates points each- time you spend money at a Hurricane Grill…supposedly, the points add up and you can use them to buy food and merchandise at the restaurants.

Sounds Simple, doesn’t it? Au contraire!!

Jeff Eats has one of these cards and EVERY-TIME I have tried to use it, Hurricane Grill & Wings’ computer system has FAILED TO WORK. To make a long story short, both- my original card and a replacement card sent to me by the home office “didn’t” allow the servers or for that matter the general managers to in-put credit earned for purchases. Simply put…the system stinks. The latest failure of the system was last night- at Hurricane’s newest South Florida outpost in the Mission Bay Shopping Center in Boca Raton.

In the scope of things, this points’ thing (on an individual basis) is small potatoes . That said, if it happened to Jeff Eats, it may have happened to other customers here in South Florida and elsewhere—and I’ll bet you a lunch, all of the “points” not being correctly calculated might add up to some hefty numbers being “saved” by the home-office. Sinister? One never knows, does one?

One final thing, this morning I called Hurricane’s home-office to “discuss” the problem with my card(s) and found the two individuals that I spoke with very -confrontational in handling what should have been a very simple matter to “appease & cure.” From my viewpoint, these two folks weren’t too strong on the customer satisfaction front. I am telling you-these two treated my “problem” as if I had asked them to cure cancer or something. And no–they didn’t credit my card account with last night’s purchase…And no–they didn’t figure out why my card and their system didn’t work. As a matter of fact, one of the employees intimated that I might be making this “purchase” up. Sheez!!

A deal is deal…and this card is a DEAL, which Hurricane is not honoring (in my case, anyway). I can only imagine, how many cardholders might be getting “jipped” out of their money.

Like I said, the food is good…same for the prices and service.

That said, I’m out. Hurricane Grill & Wings has lost me as a customer.

UPDATE: April 28, 2011.

To make a long story short. After my February 18, 2011 “review” appeared and several phone callls to the HOME OFFICE. Jeff Eats was issued TWO CARDS. The first one DIDN’T WORK, the second one, worked one time and this evening it didn’t work. Hurricane Grill makes it very difficult to stay a loyal customer. I can only imagine—how many other customers are being “BEATEN” out of the points that they have rightfully earned. For real this time, I Won’t Be Back!

***** Tedesco’s Italian Restaurant, 2460 East Commercial Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33308, (954) 493-9233.

Let me start by saying…if you decide to give Tedesco’s a shot, be smart–go to its site www.tedescosbythesea.com because it has several coupons, that “may” save you a few bucks…in addition, you may also want to check www.southflorida dines.com because it has a $30 coupon for 15 bucks. Just so we are straight, I ain’t shillng for South Florida Dines—it just so happens, that its site has a discount deal—and I’m giving you a heads-up.

Now, let’s talk Tedesco’s…”mom & pop” red sauce Italian joint. I recently “did” 1-dinner and 1-lunch…Let me make this one real simple, Tedesco’s did-not disappoint. The shrimp scampi, stuffed snapper, chicken marsala, lobster ravioli, meat lasagna, meatball parmigiana sub, pizza, sausage/peppers/onions sub, fried calamari—were all delicious.. In the price-department, Tedesco’s is in the same ballpark as most of the mom & pop joints dotting the South Florida landscape— for example-a large pizza goes for $14.99 and 6″ subs run 6 bucks a piece. The menu as expected, has the full-boat of appetizers, pastas, pizzas, subs, meat/chicken/seafood entrees…the joint also has a nice lineup of salads, wraps and burgers.

Let’s add Tedesco’s to our list of really good “mom & pop” red sauce Italian joints.

Tedesco’s is open 10am-10pm 7 days a week.