Roly Masferrer's winning burger. Photo by: Marcela Gonzalez

Now that I’ve awaken from my Memorial Day fat kid coma, I can clearly and consciously say that judging food is a lot more difficult than judging people.

For my first official seat on a panel of judges for Monday’s Burger Throw down, I got to pick apart six different burgers, from six different professional and amateur chefs, and then rate them. The 80 other people in attendance just got to eat in enjoyment that it was Monday and they weren’t at work.

As judges, The Burger Beast, Chef Dennis Ortiz from The Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale and I ate, dissected, and finally crowned Roly Masferrer with first place. His winning burger was actually the closest thing to a simple cheeseburger. A light cream sauce, a slice of cheese, and a hot burger: it was the epitome of Memorial Day.

But we didn’t just give the burgers a yay or nay. We had to dig into why the burger wasn’t worth taking the extra bites or why it was. Why did I put it down and move on as opposed to taking another bite? My stomach was really pissed at my psyche.

The building of a burger is a double-edged sword: its biggest advantage is also its biggest downfall. You can make absolutely anything into a burger. With that being said, not absolutely everything should be made into a burger.

I’m a simple girl: I don’t need much to make me happy. While other entries were doused with barbecue sauce or bland guacamole, Roly’s Brioche Burger was easy, which is probably why he was so surprised to see that he had one first place. Other competitors seemed like they piled high the ingredients because it would make them stand out. In reality, Roly had the least-complicated burger of them all. Definitely worth the extra bites and slipping me into my fat kid coma.

Whoever said being a food blogger was easy clearly hasn’t ever agreed to judging a burger competition.

This Memorial Day, I will be one of three judges in a Burger Throwdown, where Chef Jorge Luis Montes will compete against five other amateur chefs for ultimate burger making bragging rights. Wanna come? Only a couple tickets left!

Not only do I get to stuff my face with six different burgers, but I also get to judge a side dish and dessert competition, which is open to the public to enter. While friends and some attendees have told me how lucky I am, I tell them I’m exhausted at the mere thought.

“But you’re a food blogger! You get to eat, for free!”

“Yes, but do you know how much food that is? I’ll be napping in the car before you can announce the winners!”

While I sure do love to eat, with six burgers and countless other food entries, here’s to hoping I don’t pass out on my judging card.

For more information about the event, the judges, and ticket prices, visit the official Burger Throwdown website.

Tweeting during the event? Use #burgerthrowdown

South Florida New Yorkers fret no more: Brooklyn Water Bagel will be expanding as early as this September.

No need to schlep to Delray to get a taste of your favorite Brooklyn water. Jupiter will welcome the next (and second) location to the franchise later this year. We can expect at least two Boca Raton locations and even one to hit South Beach in the months following the Jupiter store opening.

After opening in August, Brooklyn Water Bagel has been showing off their water treatment plant inside their restaurant. You don’t need to be a native New Yorker to taste the difference. Water really is a big deal.

There are few things I like to admit. Walking into The Floridian Diner for the first time in the 16 years I’ve been in Florida is one of them.

Don’t judge me. I don’t get out much. But since I was in the downtown Fort Lauderdale area, it was pointless for me to walk into a Denny’s or IHOP on a Sunday afternoon when I could walk into a legend.

Upon entrance, the Floridian reminded me Barry Manilow – extremely cheesy but somewhat enticing. Photos of random celebrities – including a candid Gov. Charlie Crist – cluttered the walls that are random reds, yellows, and other bright colors Martha Stewart decorators wouldn’t approve of. I’m not quite sure about the rest of the patrons, but I was in love.

It’s hard not to love something as real as the Floridian. It’s got nearly 63 years of character built up inside of it. It’s open every single day of the year, which is quite fitting for downtown Fort Lauderdale, where even bums need a place to people watch when the drunk GTL’ers have dispersed.

I think I’m so impressed by the place because South Florida isn’t known for bad-ass diners. Pretty beaches, palm trees, fist pumpers? Yes. But diner food? Not quite. I wasn’t trying to sober up from a night on the town. I wasn’t an out-of-towner who heard about the place from a Food Network show. I was just some girl who walked in as a stranger and walked out a fan.

I ordered the bacon eggs benedict and left not only full and happy, but content knowing that I wouldn’t waste another 16 years missing out.

Photo by: Dori Zinn

It’s embarrassing, really. It’s shameful, regretful, and even disgraceful. With the legend of Hollywood Beach’s LeTub Saloon, I felt immensely awkward walking in there for the first time this past March.

I’ve been in South Florida 16 years. By unwritten law, that makes me a native. It’s my job, as a “native,” to eat at legendary internationally renowned restaurants like LeTub so I can tell visitors that yes, it is everything it’s cracked up to be. Some time in college, when my fat kid-ism was spreading across dorm rooms, someone asked me if I had ever been to LeTub.

“I could never eat at a place that has a name so pompous, even if it is about a toilet…”

We laughed, and that was the end of that. Currently, I may or may not count that moment as one of the dumbest comments I’ve ever uttered.

In 2006, GQ magazine voted LeTub as having the best burger in America. Immediately following that was an Oprah special on the place.  Since then, General Manager Steve Sidle says the place is constantly swarming with tourists who want to try the famous burger. Three years after the acclamation, I gave in, and there was nothing pompous about it.

Ok so I’m a little late. Don’t judge me because it took me 16 years to eat the 13 ounce sirloin burger. I’m kicking myself hard enough as it is. It may be a massive burger, but when cooked to a medium perfection (medium-rare would make it too raw since it’s so bulky), it oozes with juice and cheese, crunchy lettuce, tomatoes and onions. I sat for an extra 10 minutes after I was finished not because I was enjoying the view of the intercoastal (which I was), but because I physically couldn’t move. If you don’t finish the burger, you haven’t done yourself justice, no matter how full you are. Don’t make the same mistake I did.

There are very few days during the year that I celebrate as actual holidays. The Super Bowl – an unofficial national holiday – is something I get practically giddy about. It’s almost like my Christmas.

Luckily, I’m not alone in my enthusiasm. South Florida Dunkin’ Donuts – who are no stranger to promoting coffee and pastries through football – have gotten into the Super Bowl spirit by offering specialty donuts all week long for the big game on Sunday, Feb. 7.

At most – if not the strong majority – of South Florida DD locations are football-themed donuts supporting each participating team. For the Indianapolis Colts, it will be an old-fashioned donut with vanilla frosting and blue sprinkles. For the New Orleans Saints, there will be a maple-frosted donut with black marble. Also is a Boston Kreme-filled football.

The special – $9.99 for two dozen donuts – started on Monday and runs through Super Bowl on Sunday, which saves you more than $5 on a normal two dozen order.

For more information, tweeps can follow South Florida Dunkin’ Donuts for constant specials and updates.

Photo by: Michele Boyet

You’d think as a Jew I would care about the water, but I never cared about the water. Growing up, I ate pizza, hot dogs, pretzels and bagels like every other piece of food that entered my mouth: without thinking. Chains like Einstein Bagels, Offerdahl’s Café Grill, and yes, even the massive Dunkin’ Donuts, all contributed to many Jewish themed brunches. But it wasn’t until I took a bite of a product from Brooklyn Water Bagel Co. Then I cared about the water.

I’ve never been to Brooklyn. I’ve merely glanced at it from a bridge when I’ve been to New York City on trips. I’ve learned some history in books, heard stories from my Brooklyn native Grandmother, and eaten at restaurants claiming the Brooklyn-esque in South Florida.

But I don’t need to actually visit Brooklyn to understand its water impact on the food. Brooklyn Water Bagel Co. has a water treatment plant inside the restaurant that recreates the infamous liquid.

Photo by: Michele Boyet

In fact, they sell bottles of them for less than $1 for you to try it solo. I had it with my garlic bagel and mmm’ed for about 10 full minutes.

After opening in August, the sole Delray Beach location has been serving the New York natives and Floridians alike with their creations. Along with more than a dozen different bagel flavors and 10 different spread options, the restaurant also boasts a menu of full breakfast, lunch, dinner and dessert options (the chocolate chip cookie is very well worth the investment).

I never thought I’d say it, but it’s time to care about the water.

Become a fan of the restaurant on Facebook by clicking here.

Follow them on Twitter for their specials, events and announcements.

If you couldn’t tell by my love for brisket or my lifelong meal of homemade mac ‘n cheese, I’m pretty much infatuated with my Grandma’s home cooking. There’s no better way I’d rather spend December than hanging with my Grandma and eating latkes.

Latkes can be served with apple sauce, sugar, sour cream, or any combination of all three! Photo by: Rachael Joyner

The traditional Hanukkah dish, also known as a “potato pancake,” is served with apple sauce and sour cream. Yours truly doesn’t care for the sour cream, but I like to add a little sugar as topping, along with the apple sauce. Best served with love and a dreidel.

Grandma’s Great Latkes (serving size: 4-6)

2 lbs potatoes
1 small to medium onion
1 egg
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 cup matzo meal
1 tsp kosher salt
1/2 tsp pepper
vegetable oil for frying

Shred potato and onion using a hand grater or food processor. Add egg, baking powder, matzo meal, salt and pepper. Mix well. Add oil to a large heavy frying pan and heat. Drop a tablespoon of the potato mixture in a mound. Cook until golden brown and crisp on one side (about 3-5 minutes), turn, flatten and brown other side. Remove from pan and place on paper towel to drain any excess oil. Continue frying until all potato mixture is used. Add more oil if needed.

What could be a better combination that coffee and the Miami Dolphins? In the spirit of a new partnership, South Florida Dunkin’ Donuts are giving away more than 1,000 tickets to the Miami Dolphins-Houston Texans game on December 27.

With multiple chances to win, Dunkin’ Donuts customers have from now through Dec. 19 to win either at participating locations or online by following the new South Florida Dunkin’ Donuts Twitter.

The first 50 people at the following 10 Dunkin’ Donuts on Saturday, December 19, beginning at 7 a.m., will receive TWO FREE TICKETS (valued at $78.00 per pair) to the Dolphins-Texans game.

Miami-Dade County
2060 NW 107 Avenue, Doral
8595 NW 186 Street, Miami

Broward County
5930 Coral Ridge Drive, Coral Springs
5141 S. University Drive, Davie
825 W. Hallandale Beach Boulevard, Hallandale Beach

Palm Beach County
2001 10th Avenue North, Lake Worth
11575 U.S. Highway One, Palm Beach Gardens

Martin County
7850 SW Lost River Road, Stuart

St. Lucie County
1401 SE Village Green Drive, Port St. Lucie

Indian River County
900 U.S. Highway One, Sebastian

Tweeters who follow the new @DDSoFla twitter account have an even easier chance to win tickets. Running weekdays starting today, Dec. 7, through Dec. 18, followers have the opportunity to answer a Miami Dolphins-related trivia question correctly to win a four-pack of tickets.

Still can’t get tickets? Listen to ESPN 760 (follow them on Twitter) and WQAM 560 for more giveaways each weekday morning from now through Dec. 18.

Want to get the latest information on the team? Visit their website or follow them on Twitter.

Four different Cruzan rums plus four different fruit juices. Photo by: Rachael Joyner

While most people associate the holidays with a time of giving, loving, and happiness, I associate it with copious amounts of alcohol.

Not to sound overly dramatic, but really, how much can you tolerate your family, holiday season or otherwise? Even Forbes gives you 10 reasons to drink this holiday season.

I don’t need to give you reasons to drink, you’ve got enough of those. I can, however, tell you that you can continue to save money for your kid’s Band Hero while drinking 32 ounces of pure awesomeness for less than $7.

Yes, 32 ounces.

Everyone, meet Kaila, your Crabby Jacks bartender. Photo by: Rachael Joyner

I’ve mentioned Crabby Jack’s wonderful 69 percent off special that still holds true to everything in the bar from 9-10 p.m. nightly. Included in that is their famous VooDoo Bucket.

The 32-ounce bucket contains four different Cruzan rums: citrus, banana, pineapple and coconut. Add some pineapple, cranberry, orange and lemonade juices to finish it off. It’s sort of like a skittles explosion in liquid form. Your only requirement is to put your mouth on the straw. What you do from there is strictly up to you.

And don’t be scared of it, boys. It sounds like a fruity drink for the ladies, but it will knock you on your ass when you least expect it. But it tastes so good!

If you can stand after three, you have the tolerance level of a saint.