I tried these spots today at lunch. The first is in a new development (Ellington) on E Mitchell Hammock near Alafaya Trail. The second is south down Alafaya past 408 by about a mile on the right. The third is back north on 50 in the strip mall on the northeast corner. It replaced Ji Bei Chuan. The fourth is next door on the left. The last is a few stores down on the left. I just knocked these off cheaply because I had nothing left on the agenda and I decided to let Gen Korean simmer since it is an AYCE (I wasn't hungry) and the dumpling place I wanted to pair it with wasn't open as I thought. I'll return for both when it is.
Violet's Ice Cream Boutique - They surprised my by stating that they have been open for a year. I just recently read about the development they are in. It refers to itself as Amish. I had a single (huge) scoop of cinnamon roll for $6. I hate paying for ice cream. This was an original flavor and I loved it. I didn't mind paying for it all. Pieces of roll and pecans. Cinnamon. They had about a dozen flavors. Then some mixes that you can get as a sundae or shake. They cost around $9. Waffle cones/bowls were an extra $1.50. They had floats. The space is white and clean. A few tables. Counter in the rear. The entrance is on Mitchell Hammock. Parking in the rear. There is also a Jinya and CFS Coffee here. They said they are opening a location in Lake Mary and has one in Sanford. It will be a Favorite.
Saucy by KFC - I believe this is their test store. It is a fail. They take away all the chicken pieces and some sides and give you eleven sauces that you must pay for. I only recall chicken fingers and those on bread. Maybe a wrap. I can't rcall if KFC has sweet rolls and crinkle fries. I grabbed those for $2.50 to play along. They were good. Big portion. Seasoned with a rub. The place looks like a red KFC. Kiosks. Opened recently.
Yulnn Meals and Sips - Just opened. I'm not sure how much redecorating they did. It's white, faux marble, two shades of gray with sandalwood. Spartan. Around six tables. They may have altered the counter area. Made it bigger. Two kiosks. Minion and Jeff Coons Balloon Dog figurines. The menu (Taiwanese/Japanese) was uninspiring. I settled on this cheapest thing as a result. A ground pork and mushroom dish (can't recall the name and they don't provide receipts) with white rice at $10. A portion without rice was $7. So, I guess rice is $3. It was good. Sweet, savory soy sauce based sauce. Not heavy. Lightly stir fried broccoli with garlic and cabbage on the side. The rice was cooked correctly. In a sustainable cardboard bowl. They also sell apps like Taiwanese sausage, tempura shrimp or gyoza. Most under double digits. Mains like ramen, noodle dishes, cold chicken and some fried items on rice. They were mid to upper teens. They sell tea too.
Siam Garden - Looks like it has been there for years. Menu was large. Things you would expect at prices you would as well. They actually had a good deal of seafood and duck. Things I complimented Talay on. They also had a sushi section that I suggest you avoid by the look of seafood and the prices (a Philly Roll was $10). I just had $6 Tum Kha Chicken Soup to go because I wasn't in the mood for another Thai meal. It was ok. Tasted like cheese. Took longer than a soup to go should. Maybe it wasn't pre-made. The place looks old. Dark tones. Stained wood. Fake awnings. Thai elements. Around fourteen tables. Some are booths on the left. One server/buser. Now open 7D. Closed between 2pm and 5pm?
Goodfella's - Since 1998. Was once related to the one in Sanford. Now not. I just grabbed a slice for $3.50 because I had only eaten fries and ice cream so far. It was large. Typical, low quality NY slice. Bad cheese. Ok sauce. Still eatable. Full menu. Subs, pasta, pizza, apps, wings, calzone, stromboli, mains, etc. Veal, chicken, seafood. I didn't get that good a look at the sit down area. Obviously old.
*Travel Notes - Delray Beach Open: I drove 95 to Atlantic Ave in about three hours (stops for gas and Wendy's). Started at 8am. Parked in some covered lot where they wrote that Red Parking was $5. Thought it was there. Turned out to be a free public lot. I saw a few other "colored" parking areas. The ones close to the stadium must cost and you probably have to pre-purchase them. I think those farter away were free. My garage was a block off Atlantic. I had called ahead and they said that I should just wait and buy a ticket there. I think the price was $29 or $59 (I tossed my notes) for the day session. There was an online scam site that looked like their direct ticket sales. They were asking a minimum of $129! I would also call because their prices seemed alot lower than anything I can find (or found) online. I'm forgetful because I met a guy in line and as we were talking he asked if I wanted a coupon for a free ticket. I said yes. He told me some company (maybe the sponsor?) gives away free passes. Another lady told me that if you bring ten canned items you get a free ticket too. They also have days dedicated to certain people like Vets. I assume they get discounted tickets too. This was sort of Day One. They do some "legends" doubles over the weekend. Not sure if every round has deals. I was surprised how few matches were going on. Just four. All in the stadium. Doubles at 11am. Singles at 1pm and 2:30pm. An extra singles on an outside court. Night had two matches. The stadium is large. Everyone had a real seat. I was lucky to be in the second level towards the back. It was shaded. On the west side. The place was probably 5% full. You could grab a seat anywhere. Most people were hogging the shade. They had a few (expensive) food and drink stands. Picnic tables. A water was $6. Hats were $40. A t-shirt was $37. I think you can bring in your own drinks (and maybe food). It's always fun to attend something this low key. The biggest star was Taylor Fritz. I saw him practice. Tommy Paul withdrew. I saw McDonald and Michelson beat Seggerman and Smith and Kecmanovic beat Gojo and I saw the start of Norrie and Svadja and two newbies (Quinn and Boyer) on Court 1. Other "names" were Eubanks, Opelka, Davidovich and Nakashima. The crowd was ancient. I can't believe most of them survived Covid. People were scalping tickets outside. Over the phone they said I could get a printed ticket. The girl who redeemed our coupon said no. Sent a link to my new friend. I didn't pursue it. I left at just past 3:30pm because I was scared of West Palm rush hour traffic. I got through easily. The same three hours on return. I will say that it was a parking lot from Delray to WPB coming south. That's like thirteen miles. There must have been an accident. I only espied some flashing lights from a cop car at some point before the jam registered. Weather was perfect. It's a good event. I believe they said it is 33 years old. I was going to stay down there the day before or after, but, prices seemed inflated. I hate paying for crap in this part of the state. I'm glad I made it a day trip. Really only cost me $40 in gas. I'm going to try and do the Miami Open in a few weeks. I bet it will be a pain in the ass in comparison.
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