***** Dragon Gourmet Buffet, 1091 South University Drive, Plantation, Florida 33324, (954) 423-8088.

The “name” may throw you off…the words “Chinese”–“Japanese”–“Asian”–“Fusion” are nowhere to be found. So there is no confusion, Dragon Gourmet is a Chinese-Japanese-Asian-Fusion buffet-joint in Plantation.

This one is a KEEPER. Clean…good food…huge and I do mean HUGE selection of stuff (didn’t count– its website says that there are 200 different items)…very reasonable prices, figure max 16 bucks a head (it all depends when you get there). You can check menu/prices/photos at www.dragongourmetbuffet.com.

Over the past few months, I’ve done 1-dinner and 2-lunches…the food was consistently good. On all of the “outings”…Dragon was busy and the food was constantly turned-over, which is IMPORTANT when you are talking buffet. Just think of what freshly made fried chicken tastes like after its sat in a heated steamed “chafing” dish for 45 minutes or so (but that”s a Golden Corral story for a whole-nother day).

To be perfectly honest with you, Jeff Eats is a big-fan of buffets. Can’t remember, the last one that I didn’t enjoy. May need a psychiatrist to figure this one out, but just looking at mounds and mounds of food just-sitting-there-for-the-taking, gets me going.

If you are a fan of Chinese-Japanese buffets, I think that you will really like this one. Special shout-out to the General Tso’s chicken, pan fried dumplings, egg rolls, sweet and sour chicken.

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

***** Cheesesteak Experience, 2900 West Sample Road, Pompano Beach, Florida 33079, (954) 580-1488.

Got an absolutely terrific “PHILLY CHEESESTEAK” joint for you…Cheesesteak Experience- located in the Festival Flea Market Mall’s fast-food court.

At this stage of the discussion, check www.philly-cheesesteaks.com for menu/prices. For those of you too lazy to “type”—this fast food joint’s menu is loaded with steak/chicken cheesesteak subs, wraps, sandwiches, burgers, subs, salads.

Trust me on this…Cheesesteak Experience makes a chopped- sirloin steak/grilled onions/Whiz/ Amoroso’ sub, that is right up there with the best that I have ever eaten. For the non- experts out there, WHIZ is sprayed cheedar cheese and Amoroso’s is a world famous bakery located in Philadelphia- which many think, makes the best sub-hoagie-grinder bread known to mankind. Going off topic for a moment, Cheesesteak Experience also makes an outrageously delicious tuna salad sub.

IN SEASON–The Festival Flea Market Mall’s food court on a Saturday or Sunday is literally a zoo. I was there today at 2:30pm and you’d swear from the lines, that the food concessions were giving stuff away. For right now, the food court has 3 delis, 1 chinese joint, 1 pizza place, 1 philly cheesesteak/sub/salad/burger joint. The point, this food court has enough of a selection to please everyone. Soooo…don’t worry, that someone in your party is gonna go home hungry.

I am telling you, if you are a fan of philly cheesesteaks—Cheesesteak Experience is an absolute must try.

The Festival Flea Market Mall’s food court is open 7 days a week.

***** Olympia Flame Diner, 80 South Federal Highway, Deerfield Beach, Florida 33441, (954) 480-8402.

For you guys out there who like “free standing” diners, I got Olympia Flame Diner in Deerfield Beach for you. Check www.olympiaflamediner.com for menu/prices. This mom & pop joint has the full gamut of breakfast stuff, appetizers, salads, sandwiches, meat/seafood/chicken entrees, desserts…it also has tons of Greek dishes, which I guess- “officially” makes it a Greek Diner.

Over the years, I must have eaten breakfast in this joint 10 times, lunch/dinner 5 times. Good solid, reasonably priced D I N E R–F O O D. If you squint your eyes real tight, you’ll actually think you are on Route 4 in New Jersey. Since we are in sunny South Florida, you already know that Olympia Diner is open 7 days a week 5:30am-10pm…God forbid (other than Lester’s Diner in Fort Lauderdale) something should stay open 24 hours.

Personally, I love diners…If a not too thick greasy cheeseburger, Coke and french-fries covered in ketchup rings your bell—you’ll love the Olympia Flame Diner.

***** Chef Sammy’s Doral Italian Restaurant, 9533 Northwest 41st Street, Doral, Florida 33178, (866) 874-0238.

Chef Sammy’s Doral Italian Restaurant–I’m gonna guess here, that this 80 seat Italian restaurant in Doral is owned by a guy named Sammy.

Loved this joint! The veal parmigiana, meat lasagna, fettuccine carbonara, chicken marsala, seared tuna were all delicious. Not your typical “mom & pop” red sauce-bang it out–joint. Prices, no more than what your favorite pizzeria gets. Check www.chefsammysdoral.com.

Chef Sammy’s decor is a drop-more upscale than your “normal” Italian joint…but dont-you-a-worry, your tee shirt/shorts ensemble will do-a just fine here.

Like I said before, loved it!. The food, service, portions, prices–right on the nose.

Chef Sammy’s is open for lunch Monday-Friday 11:30am-3pm…and for dinner, Monday-Thursday 5:30pm-10pm, Friday-Saturday 5:30pm-11pm—the joint is closed on Sunday.

***** California Burgers & Shakes, 5441 North Federal Highway, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33308, (954) 533-4679.

California Burgers & Shakes—fast food hamburgers/fries/hot dogs/shakes/handful of other stuff (so the non-meat eating members of the family won’t be pissed.)

The double charbroiled cheeseburger ($4.49)– handcut fries ($1.99)–banana shake ($2.99)–chocolate shake ($2.99) were all delicious. Mom & Pop decor, that makes Five Guys’ interior look like the Taj Mahal. I liked the whole “neighborhood” vibe. Nice change from the sterile-cookie cutter models floating around South Florida…not even one peanut in sight.

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

The joint is open Sunday-Thursday 11am-9pm, Friday-Saturday 11am-10pm.

***** Joanna’s Marketplace, 8247 South Dixie Highway, Miami, Florida 33143, (305) 661-5777.

There are actually some people in this world who think that Papa John’s–Domino’s–Little Caesar’s make “real pizza”…same goes for Publix in the baked goods-prepared meals-appetizing arenas—ditto on Subway in the sub/hero/sandwich department.

I’m gonna make this one real simple…Joanna’s Marketplace is a terrific joint for appetizing, sandwiches, baked goods, prepared foods. Their fresh roasted turkey breast, tuna salad, sliced flank steak sandwiches are off the chart…same goes for the chocolate croissants, rye breads…the orange glazed chicken, outstanding.

If you live or work anywhere near Joanna’s Marketplace, this is an absolutely great place to know about. You can check menu/prices at www.joannasmarketplace.com.

Joannas’ is open Monday-Saturday 7:30am-7pm and Sunday 7:30am-6pm.

***** The Crittters *****

Regular Jeff Eats’ readers know, or should know by now, that I love 1950s-1960s Rock N’ Roll music. I am also a huge fan of 1970s Disco music. Whenever I come across a terrific “cover band” down here in South Florida, I like to give you a heads-up about them and where you can see them in action.

Last night, the Woodfield Country Club in Boca Raton had a terrific event in its Clubhouse O’Bar…from 6:30pm-9:30pm a crowd of about 250 was treated to the sounds of The Critters. Simply put, this was one of the best 1950s-2011 cover bands that I have ever seen. Of note, The Critters in the 1960s had three Billboard charters “Mr. Dieingly Sad”–“Younger Girl”–“Don’t Let The Rain Fall Down On Me.” Not only did this 4 peice band do dead on “versions” of their own hit records, but absolutely killed-it with Motown-Disco–and stuff right up to 2011. Another thing that impressed me, was that the band took one 10 minute break during the entire 3 hour performance.

As I mentioned, I saw The Critters at a private event—only members and their invited guests. Now for the good news, The Critters who are based out of Port St. Lucie have a very active “public” schedule. If you check their website www.thecrittersband.com you can catch some video/history/performance dates-locations. A fast-look at their February public schedule has them in Stuart, Port St. Lucie, Port Salerno, Jensen Beach, Fort Pierce.

Do yourself a favor—Plan on spending an evening with The Critters…they really are that good.

***** Landlubber’s Raw Bar & Grill, 1851 North Pine Island Road, Plantation, Florida 33322, (954) 473-2884.

Now- you and I both know, that it is virtually impossible to reinvent the wheel…the wheel in this case-the American “sports bar.” So, when you visit a joint like Landlubber’s Raw Bar & Grill in Plantation, the hope is, that the wheel has decent enough food, good/friendly service, twenty two thousand flat screen tvs (do they still make non-flat screen tvs?), reasonable prices.

The report…Landlubber’s www.landlubbersrawbar.com is a good sports bar. Its got loads of flat screen tvs, good food, good/friendly service and reasonable prices. A recent outing had me sampling—lobster & crab bisque ($4.49), conch fritters ($6.99), wings (8 garlic-8 raspberry $11.59), BLT on Texas toast ($6.79), bacon cheddar cheeseburger ($8.29), 1/2 bbq chicken & 1/2 rack bbq ribs ($16.99), 1 dozen oysters (6 steamed, 6 raw $9.79), french fries, cole slaw. As I previously mentioned GOOD FOOD…the only item that I could have done without was the bbq ribs.

One really “cool” thing about Landlubber’s is that its kitchen stays open–late. The joint’s complete menu is available until 20 minutes before closing.

Landlubber’s is open Monday-Saturday 11am-2am, Sunday 11:30am-1am.

Ruven’s of Long island, 13800 Jog Road, Delray Beach, Florida 33484.

Here’s a heads-up for you…sometime in February, Ruven’s of Long Island–a kosher-style NY deli serving breakfast, lunch and dinner is scheduled to open in the San Marco Plaza in Delray Beach. The owner/operator of this new venture is Steve Ratinetz–who years ago owned Ruven’s, a terrific kosher deli in Plainview, New York. From what I understand, Steve recently relocated to South Florida and apparently the “bug” to own another joint bit him.

Check Elbaum’s review (May 31, 2009)…Ruven’s will be located in the same spot where Lox Around The Clock and Elbaum’s Gourmet Deli–both kosher-style NY delis were dismal and I do mean dismal failures. Not really sure why both of these “businesses” failed…could have been location, could have been prices, could have been the food, could have been the demographics, could have been the service—COULD HAVE BEEN ANYTHING!

What I do know, is that Steve Ratinetz back in New York, knew how to run a deli-restaurant, with great food, good service and reasonable prices.

Let the game begin…

Look for a Ruven’s of Long Island review, once the joint is up and running.

***** Wingstop, 4570 Lyons Road, Coconut Creek, Florida 33073, (954) 935-9464.

Wingstop is a “national” WING chain. For our purposes, there are currently 7 South Florida locations. You can check www.wingstop.com for menu/prices/locations.

Wingstop is a real-easy concept to comprehend… non breaded wings, breaded boneless wings, breaded white meat chicken strips…9 flavors…handful of sides.

A recent outing had me trying—breaded wings/breaded strips/boneless wings/french fries…hawaiian, teriyaki, garlic parmesan flavors. Loved all of the offerings/flavors. Also really enjoyed the fresh hand cut french fries. From what I can tell, everything is made to order…the stuff came out of the kitchen piping hot.

If you like wings and fries, you’ll like this joint.

Like I said, there are 7 joints in our area, so check Wingstop’s website for a close-by location and its hours.