***** Park Avenue BBQ Grille, 1198 North Dixie Highway, Boca Raton, Florida 33432 (561) 416-7427.

On April 29, 2008 I told you guys about Park Avenue BBQ Grille…a small-casual-very reasonably priced-Florida based “bbq-chain.” Last night, I had dinner at Park Avenue’s newest location (#9) which just opened in Boca Raton…and the food is terrific.

Park Avenue’s newest spot—is located in the free-standing building formely occupied by Bucky’s BBQ. From what I can tell, other than hanging a few new signs and decorations, the joint has the same interior as Bucky’s had…and I gotta tell you, the cozy 98 seat dark wood table/ booth–dimly lit–small bar decor is great looking. For those of you not familar with this chain’s other 8 locations–they seat close to 150, have large bar areas and are brightly lit. Although the Boca location “looks” different than its brethren…the food is exactly the same, delicious.

Do me a favor and read my original 4/29/08 review…it will save me from doing some typing. You can check Park Avenue’s BBQ website www.pabbqgrille.com for menu/prices.

Park Avenue is one of the best bbq-joints in South Florida…The joint is open 7 days a week 11am-10pm.

***** Pelican Cafe, 612 US Highway 1, Lake Park, Florida 33403 (561) 842-7272.

Let’s call Pelican Cafe a “a cozy-neighbborhood American-style” joint…which serves breakfast-lunch and dinner. If you check its website www.the pelicancafe.com you will find menu/prices/photos so you’ll know what this joiint is all about. Let me get this out of the way, Pelican has indoor & outdoor patio seating and is closed on Monday–serves breakfast Tuesday-Saturday 8am-11:30am, lunch Tuesday-Saturday 11:30am-2:30pm, dinner Tuesday-Sunday 5pm-9:30pm, Sunday brunch 9am-2pm—these guys got more-schedules than the Long Island Railroad.

Anyway…the other day, I did breakfast at Pelican Cafe and this joint is a winner. Just so we are straight, I didn’t do lunch or dinner or brunch…but based on breakfast, I’m gonna go out on a limb and think-that lunch and dinner are also going to be real strong.

I have never really mentioned this, but old Jeff Eats is a sucker for a good donut…well, Pelican makes “home-made” donuts– plain, powdered, apple cider cinnamon, chocolate frosted, blueberry—and Dunkin’ Donuts and Krispy Creme better watch out…the chocolate frosted and plain were outstanding.

As for my breakfast “sampling”…banana & pecan waffles, challah french toast, western omelet—right on the money.

Like I said before, I only did breakfast—but I definitely would like to give this joint a shot for lunch and dinner. In reviewing the menus, the dinner menu is heavy on Italian stuff, which is even more reason for me to get to Pelican Cafe because I love Italian food…then again, I also love Chinese food, burgers, wings, ice cream.

Pelican Cafe…the donuts alone are worth the price of admission.

***** The Boulevard Restaurant & Gourmet Deli, 10961 North Military Trail, Palm Beach Gardens, Florida 33410 (561) 776-8700.

You can thank me later for this one…

The Boulevard is a 7 days a week 6:30am-3pm table, booth and counter seating “diner” which for a lack of a better word is GREAT. If you eat-like-I-eat…you will absolutely love this joint. Breakfast is served all-day and the menu is loaded with all kinds of appetizers, salads, burgers, sandwiches, entrees. For menu/prices/photos check The Boulevard’s website www.boulevardgourmetdeli.com.

The Boulevard is a throw-back to the diners which dotted the American landscape in the 1950s-60s. This is a real neighborhood joint. In no particular order, a recent outing had me “sampling” potato pancakes, western omelette, challah french toast, off the frame turkey on rye, chocolate chip pancakes, pastrami & chopped liver on a toasted everything bagel. The old diner atmosphere–The decor–The diner food…I loved the whole shooting match.

Don’t miss this one.

Like I said before, The Boulevard is open 7 days a week 6:30am-3pm.

***** 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.