*****  Top China Buffet, 4026 West Hillsboro Boulevard, Deerfield Beach, Florida 33442 (954) 458-0062.

I never met a buffet that I didn’t like…that is, if the food is half-way decent.

Over the years, I have been eating lunch at a Chinese buffet joint named Top China Buffet which is located in Deerfield Beach. Although I never measured this joint’s physical layout, I’ll bet you that it is 8,500-10,000 square feet…that’s a big joint.

Top China Buffet literally has a million items to select from…you name it and this joint’s got it (Chinese food), including sushi. The food is decent…we are not talking gourmet stuff here…we are talking decent, like “decent” stuff that you get from your favorite neighborhood Chinese takeout. I will tell you, that the bbq spare ribs and won ton soup are worth the price of admission alone, then again the sweet and sour pork is nothing to write home about. Like I said, this joint has something like a million things, so some dishes are going to be better than others.

In addition to having decent food and a very pleasant/attentive staff, Top China is a very clean and well run joint. The people who own this joint, really keep an eye on the buffet and keep everything fresh and well stocked. They also keep the seating-dining area immaculate.

Top China Buffet is open 7 days a week for lunch and dinner. Figure on spending about 10 bucks for lunch and $15 for dinner.

One final note…take this for what it worth…about 5 store-bays down from Top China Buffet is a Cat Hospital…

*****  Josie’s Ristorante, 1602 South Federal Highway, Boynton Beach, Florida 33435, (561) 364-9601.

Josie’s Ristorante is a “mom and pop” Southern Italian Red Sauce Joint. You know the drill, soup or salad, garlic rolls, entree and a side of pasta…pizzas, subs, calzones and strombolis. Prices are neighborhood pizzeria prices…Veal parmigiana $17.99 etc.

Over the years, I have eaten at Josie’s something like 10 times…the food is real good. I especially like Josie’s interior/atmosphere, it looks like an old bar circa 1960 with dark wood tables and booths and bar area. There is also an out-door dining patio. This is a real easy going joint, so tee shirts/shorts are a pretty common site here.

Last night I ate dinner at Josie’s. I “sampled” the veal parmigiana, veal marsala, and zuppa di pesce…everything was right on the money!

If you live in Josie’s neighborhood, this is a good joint to know about…

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

I originally reviewed Jax House Of Ribs on September 18,2008…that review is printed below.

This evening I had dinner at Jax…and I gotta tell you, that this joint has now devloped into an absolutely dynamite “BBQ” restaurant. Delicious bbq chicken, baby-back ribs, cornbread, corn-on-the cob,  fried cheesecake, peach cobbler…

You definitely want to give this joint a try.

*****  Jax House Of Ribs, 5401 Powerline Road, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33309 (954) 776-4994.

Got a pretty decent-budget rib joint for you…Jax House Of Ribs. Jax has only been open a few months having taken over the Sonny’s BBQ location at 5401 Powerline Road. Sonny’s made some of the worse-tasting crap every made… Jax is like a “breath-of-fresh-air”…in that its stuff is pretty good. Take a look at Jax’s website at www.jaxhouseofribs.com for menu/pricing/details.

From what I can tell, Jax did little if anything “cosmetically” to the Sonny’s location. That said, last night’s dinner was actually quite delicious. Baby-backs, bbq chicken, corn-bread, french fries, onion rings and a help yourself salad bar were priced right. Jax has all kinds of “specials”…for 10 bucks or so, you get to really stuff your face…You know the drill here…wood booths, pleasant wait-staff, lots of food…loads of napkins.

Jax is open 7 days a week for lunch and dinner…Sunday-Thursday 10:30am-9pm and Friday-Saturday 10:30am-10pm.

*****  Bagels &…6613 West Boynton Beach Bouelvard, Boynton Beach, Florida 33437 (561) 732-9595…&…6556 Hypoluxo Road, Lake Worth, Florida 33467 (561) 963-3500.

Bagels &…has two South Florida locations. Let me make this review real simple…great bagels, great bialys…great appetizing… great deli meats…great looking stores…always busy.

The Boynton Beach store opened in 1994 and the Lake Worth store opened in 1998…I’ll bet over the years, that I have eaten breakfast in the Boynton joint at least 15 times and 20 times in the Lake Worth joint.

Just so you know, both stores are literally “landmarks” so on Saturday & Sunday the lines stretch into the parking-lots to get in.

Bagles &…is open 7 days a week for breakfast and lunch.

*****  Jay & The Americans

One of my all-time favorite Rock N Roll bands from the 1960s is Jay & The Americans.

Now…it hasn’t been officially announced or advertised, but The City Of Deerfield Beach is going to throw a free Jay & The Americans concert on July 4th 2008 at Ocean Way and SE 1st Street in Deerfield Beach…the party starts at 6pm with the Final Countdown Band opening at 6pm and Jay & The Americans taking the stage at 7:30pm.

You do remember…This Magic Moment…Only In America…She Cried…Cara Mia…don’t you?

Enjoy!!!

*****  101.5 Lite FM’s “Lite Discount Deals” 

Do yourself a big favor and check-out website http://wlyf.lfmeals.com which is sponsored by radio station 101.5 Lite FM. This radio station/site, has a constantly changing list of special promotions which allows you to buy vouchers which give you 50% off the price of meals/services at certain South Florida restaurants and merchants.

It is a totally legitimate site. You can save a bundle of money with these vouchers.

*****  Way Beyond Bagels, 16850 Jog Road, Delray Beach, Florida 33446, (561) 638-1320.

Way Beyond Bagels makes some of the best bagels and bialys in all of South Florida. In addition, its appetizing…like tuna salad, chicken salad are absolutely superb.

Check menu/prices at www.waybeyondbagels.com.

This joint opened about 5 years ago as a take-out  which had a few outdoor tables. Based on its immediate and overwhelming success, Way Beyond Bagels rented the store next to its shop and created a cafeteria-type setup where you can eat the stuff that you purchase at the counter. In addition to all types of bagels, bialys, breads, rolls and cold appetizing, Way Beyond Bagels also has hot breakfast items and meats.

This joint is open 7 days a week for breakfast and lunch. On Saturday and Sunday it is absolutely “zoosville.” I am telling you that Way Beyond Bagels’ stuff is as good as it gets down here in South Florida…that’s why it is always jammed with eat-in and take-out orders.

*****  Las Fajitas, 2399 North Dixie Highway, Boca Raton, Florida 33431, (561) 620-1981.

Let me start by saying that Mexican food isn’t numero-uno on my must-eat list. Don’t really know why, but for some reason I really don’t care for this type of food. Maybe it has something to do with the D…I got in 12th grade Spanish…I just don’t know.

Unfortuantely for me, members of my immediate family and many friends love Mexican food, so to “keep peace” now and then I will eat in a Mexican joint.

Over the years, I have eaten in Las Fajitas something like 7 times, last night being the latest outing. This joint, is on North Dixie Highway and is in a free-standing house. Everytime I have been there, its parking lot is full and the joint is jammed.

If burritos, fajitas and enchiladas are your game, then this place is for you. The prices are dirt cheap. The portions are large. The service is as friendly as can be.

Last night I had a chicken-steak fajitas’ entree which was pretty good… actually, it really was delicious.

Since this joint is always busy…it must be doing something right.

Las Fajitas is open 7 days a week for lunch and dinner.

*****  Pomperdale New York Style Deli, 3055 East Commercial Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33308, (954) 771-9830.

The Pomperdale Deli has been in business for nearly 40 years. I found this joint about 16 years ago and have probably eaten lunch there ar least 50 times.

If you like good…no make that great deli and appetizing…then this joint is for you. No waiters…order at the counter…No checks, just tell the guy at the register what you had.

This is probably the best “kosher style” deli in South Florida. As a matter of fact, it may very well be the best deli in Florida. The food is absolutely terrific.  This joint is open 7 days a week…Monday-Saturday 6am-5pm and Sunday 6am-3pm.

Don’t miss this joint…it is a one of a kind.

*****  Howley’s Restaurant, 4700 South Dixie Highway, West Palm Beach, Florida 33405, (561) 833-569.

One of my favorite South Florida joints to eat breakfast, lunch and dinner at is Howley’s Restaurant which is on Dixie Highway in West Palm Beach.

This joint has been around since 1950…and is basically an old fashioned diner. Other than a flat screen tv here and there, you’ll swear that you are in a diner circa 1950. This joint doesn’t play the Johnny Rocket’s game. The decor is the real McCoy.

Howley’s does “everything.” Breakfast-lunch-dinner…In addition to a counter, there is booth and table seating. There is also an outdoor dining patio.

Just so you know, the guy who owns the famous Dada Restaurant located in Delray Beach bought Howley’s about 3 years ago…soooo the food is absolutely top-notch. This joint makes crab-cakes, the likes of which you have never tasted before.

Over the past few years, I probably have eaten in this joint 20 times. I absolutely love the atmosphere, the food and  the hip-youngsters that comprise the wait-staff (no they don’t wear 1950’s costumes).

Howley’s prices are “all over the place.” There are all kinds of bargain specials, but some of the dishes are pretty pricey. Like I said before, this is a diner whose short-order-cooks were replaced by top-notch chefs.

This is a great place. If you look closely, you will see that Howley’s is right next door to a NO TELL MOTEL circa 1950. I sure wish Howley’s walls could talk.

Howley’s is open 7 days a week for breakfast, lunch and dinner. As for the crowd…tee shirts/shorts…tuxedos…suits…bikers…you name it.

Great place. Don’t miss it.