JUSTICE BUILDING BLOG

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Saturday, September 01, 2018

MY GASTRONOMICAL JOURNEY IN AND AROUND THE COURT HOUSE

THANK YOU MR. SAUL FOR THE POST. WE INTRUDE UPON IT ONLY TO ADVERTISE OUR JUSTICE BUILDING FANTASY FOOTBALL LEAGUE. 

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Food and criminal law, grub n' Gerstein, eats and the criminal justice system…the collision course between being stuck in the building and needing to eat is inevitable.  Sure, today the neighborhood has been significantly built up with that nearby hipster Health Center offering an array of fine dining. However, in the past, there were significant limitations on what you could put in your mouth. I offer you a brief (and probably inaccurate) history of food in and around your beloved criminal justice building.

My introduction to the esteemed court house was way back in 1983, where, as a part of my University of Miami curriculum, I had an internship with the Pre-Trial Services program. That necessitated being inside of the Pre-Trial Detention center (back then it was just called “The Dade County Jail”).  On the first floor (I don’t think it still exists),   there was this little grill where you could get a burger, fries and soda for a mere dollar!  Back then I thought I was getting a lot of bang for my buck yet today, I’m not so sure.  Grade Z beef cooked by a jail trustee may have a negligible value  

During the 1980’s, candy was offered in a little stand that greeted people entering towards the rear of the building. You could load up on chiclets, tic tacs, lifesavers and the late Judge Calvin Mapp’s spiral-ring treatise on county court law.

When I started as an ASA in 1987, there was a first floor eatery called “Casolas” (I think) . This was like an Italian-themed cafe with pizza, casserole-looking things and other items served with a ladle or spatula. It was like a cross between a high school cafeteria and the schlock joints dishing it out at the Florida turnpike service plazas.   It never seemed like business was booming there. As the 80’s was coming to an end, so did "Casolas".

In approximately 1988. “The Pickle Barrel” took over the downstairs space. This seemed like a pretty big deal since not only did they have a nice menu, but the food was actually pretty good (their grilled chicken sandwich and crinkly-cut french fries were definitely decent).  As a prosecutor that usually had empty pockets, having a finski to purchase a meal was more of a luxury and hardly a daily occurrence. It was more like, “Hey, I just attained a favorable verdict, let’s celebrate with a sandwich/fries combo” at the Pickle Barrel.” I guess doing business with the county is not easy for one day the Pickle Barrel just inexplicably shut down.

That made way for the late 90’s debut of the national chain, Au Bon Pain.  Saint maquereau! (that’s Google's French translation for “Holy mackerel!”) this place was pretty fancy shmancy. Besides the sexy French name, they had gourmet sandwiches, an open-to-the-public soda dispenser (where you can get unlimited beverages), their soups were quite tasty and, because it was a bakery chain, their baked goods were on par with anybody.  Like every other restaurant on the first floor, that business also came to a grinding screech. I guess they had a pretty good run since it seemed like they were there for well over ten years.

The windows were covered, and so construction began for the current “El Gordo”.  It took so long and progress was kept pretty secretive so, I thought they were building something special, perhaps a serious dining establishment. Yet, when it opened, the décor turned out to be quite bare…not to mention the very limited menu. I’m not a big fan of “El Gordo”.

Over the years, dining has not just been limited to the first floor since that seventh-floor, jury nosh-pit has always had something going on. From the blind guy at the cash register that somehow knew how to provide the correct change to the spicy (and potentially work interrupting) Jamaican patties to whatever is going on there today, the seventh floor has always had their niche.    

Besides what was served inside the building, there were some things available immediately outside the court house. In the 1980’s and early 1990’s, the hot dog pushcart business was so competitive that these vendors were actually getting into fistfights over the positioning of their carts (the closer to the building the better).  Catty corner to the building was “Eat and Run Submarine Sandwich Shop” where a tasty honey- mustard, grilled chicken sub sandwich would place you into a deep food coma.  You could go to the old Holiday Inn (by the  the drawbridge)  where, upon the purchase of one cheap bottle of Bud, you’d have access to unlimited chips and salsa and mini egg rolls.  Today, when that smoker/grill master guy comes and sets up shop on the side of the building, that smoked meat aroma is pretty darn enticing. 

Can you get a relaxing alcoholic drink in the building?  Why venture to nearby craft beer mecca "Kush" (North Miami Ave & 20th Street) when history tells us that in the past, a few of the judges’ chambers were pretty well stocked?



34 comments:

Philip Maniatty said...

What about the Marine Bar on 17th Avenue? Great burgers! Once Larry Blake sold the place, it went rapidly downhill.

Anonymous said...

Slight correction. I think the place in the ‘80s was “Cozzoli’s” not “Casola’s.” Casola’s is a pizza place on 17th Ave near US 1 that has huge slices. Back when it was Cozzoli’s the guy behind the counter was Georgie. I think for him the concept of washing hands was optional. There were always two separate tables full of ASAs and APDs. No mingling, no crossovers. Delores used to come by almost every day. Judges would come in and schmooze. Long time ago.

Rumpole said...

It was Cozzolis at the Justice Building. Different than Casolas, the joint on 17th and US 1 which gives away free small pieces of pizza while you wait for your slice. After midnight the place in the 80's was populated by City of Miami cops and small time purveyors of various substances as both sides gathered for an uneasy truce over late night pizza. I have always felt that the pizza was not that great, but the slices were enormous. Their oversized chicken wings were a must for any super bowl party and their subs and salads stuffed with meats and cheeses were always better than the pizza. And for some reason, the small square pieces of pizza for free were always more tasty than the slices.

Anonymous said...

food always tastes better when it's free

Anonymous said...

I can take or leave Casolas. I guess it depends how much money I have in my pocket and how hungry I am.

Sal Vulcano said...

Wasn't former Judge Colby known as the "cooking judge"? Didn't he secretly don a chef's hat a few afternoons a week and sneak into the Pickle Barrell and work as a short-order cook for Murray because being a short-order cook was his other dream in life. And wasn't the Herald about to do an article on him until Chief Judge Farina put the Kaibosh on it because he thought it unseemly for a judge to be a cook?

Anonymous said...

10:24am must be Jonathan Blecher.

What Judge used to say “Chambers Mr. Saar!”?

Who remembers when ASA Jim Greenfield sat on NMB motorcycle cop Bob Sabatino’s Harley and let it roll over?

Remember Miami PD Charlie Smith?

A jovial Judge giving out candy?

A judge accidentally shoots her gun in chambers?

The awesome Judge Loree Feiler?

The Honorable Martin Coe ordering everything “FORTHWITH”!

Others???

Anonymous said...

I recall County Court Judge Koo cooking up Asian food in his chambers.

Anonymous said...

It's Judge Colby Cooks.com
Mostly Quiches and Cakes.
I like the Crunchy-Chocolate mint chip-cheesecake
Decadent.
He finishes the Quiches either on the grill or with a gas torch so the cheese is crispy and delicious. The ones from the grill are smoky.
Avoid the anchovy quiche. Too fishy.

Anonymous said...

Judge Schwartz said Mr. Saar.

Pooler on the candy.

Anonymous said...

The cookin judge once banned from The Pickle Barrel would work as a short order cook on the weekends at THE REN (a venue) with head chef Juan Carlos. His specialty was rum soaked cornbread cake and his tequila Peking Duck. The duck took 24 hours, was soaked in a local smoked tequila as it dripped out its fat then it was barbequed and served on a nest of friend gluten free rice-ramen noodles over a miso-bone broth with mustard greens and mushrooms and spicy nori.


He also made a great fried egg sandwich.

Anonymous said...

This is nonsense. The guy couldn't boil an egg if his life depended on it. Or issue a ruling that wouldn't get reversed for that matter as well.
Nonsense.

Anonymous said...

It’s true! I remember Judge Colby would don an apron and whip up some memorable dishes. His “Eggs Benu Style” was a courthouse favorite!

Fake Don Cohn said...

I thought the issue was he used some dicey chopped meat that Murray shoved on him for a blue-cheese encrusted burger - they called it the Felony Burger- but a bunch of people including other judges got real sick and wanted to sue but then Colby would be a witness and it was a big mess and that's when Farina put his foot down.

Anonymous said...

Back in 1989 when I was a court reporter there was a small like convenience store, I wanna say on the 8th floor (maybe 7th who remembers) where they sold panty hose (yes those were a thing) and cheap ties and random sodas and candies and like, office supplies I think. Anyone remember that place?
_ Carmen Vizcaino

Anonymous said...

I miss Colby. That guy was so interesting his exploits are still legendary. I sort of liked those food trucks that came when El Gordo was constructing the Taj majal. Also, the guy who brings the industrial sized bar b cue should be paid extra to come by more often. Finally, in the 80s one of the Hardemon bros. would sell some home baked figure 8 donuts out of a basket which were and are the single most delicious food ever sold in the building.

Anonymous said...

I’m certain Judge Jonathan Colby was in my law school class at Burger King University?

Anonymous said...

"One order of dirty rotten lousy Cuban toast." Murry circa 1992

Anonymous said...

It is my understanding (confirmed by David Ovalle and Eater Miami) that Judge Colby is returning to do a pop-up restaurant in the El Gordo space after a modest build out. He's annexing most of Courtroom 1-5 to do a Chef's Omakase Table

Anonymous said...

His beignets were lousy. 4 out of 10.Gumbo was better. Not a bad serving of shrimp and grits-that's where he shined.

Gene Hackman said...

Mr. Hunter has the con...

Gene Hackman

Anonymous said...

I just heard that Judge Hanzman hired Former Judge COLBY to cater his investiture. He finally got elevated from County Court to Circuit. It’s going to be delicious and informative. CLE cooking credits available.

Anonymous said...

In the right side of the hallway that leads to Courtroom 1-5 there was counter that sold ice cream and snacks. Cozzoli's was where Gordo's is now and right by the rear entrance there was a newsstand kiosk run by the Division of Blind Services. In the front entrance, Salomon sold gum and candy from his wheel chair and the Division of Blind Services also ran the jury pool cafe on the 7th floor. Those were the food offerings back in the 1980's in the REG Building.

Anonymous said...

Anyone remembers when the hot dog ladies used to fight it out and beat each other up for the coveted spots in the front of the building in the mid 80's? The City of Miami ordered them to set up their carts 75 feet away from each other towards the corners.

Anonymous said...

Oh Scott, your memory is failing buddy. When we started in the 1987 class of 33 for Janet Reno there was a cafeteria on the ground floor of the sao. Remember? Why , and I have said this before, is Miami getting the short end of the stick on courthouses? Orlando, broward, palm bch have newer buildings. our building has such old materials that you can't even paint the exterior.

Anonymous said...

False Advertising: Not a good way to take over this blog with your name on it. 10 paragraphs about the food availability history of the building. No gastroastronomical references, no recantations of being late to court because you had a bad batch of cuban coffee, no running to the rest room after requesting a recess in a life felony trial because you ventered where few have gone, a Jamaican patty not from a Jamaican. No references to gas, or purveying gossip of others gastrointestinal issues. Very disappointing. You pass on one story, as big as you are, of passing gas in the courtroom and blowing papers of the clerk's desk, or letting one rip in front of the prosecutor's table. Please rename this post.

Anonymous said...

Leave Colby alone. He’s out of work still struggling in California! He should have stayed in Miami and remained a Judge.

Anonymous said...

Charlie Smith worked as a defense expert on Intoxilyzer machines after leaving Miami PD. Haven't seen him in years.

Nancy Pollock shot her gun accidentally in chambers in the first floor. Her courtroom was 1-1.

Loree Feiler jumped early on in the marijuana business in Colorado an has been extremely successful. She was a great judge. Her courtroom was 1-4.

The full name was Jack Martin Coe.

Anonymous said...

Jonathan Colby is the creator of the famous cheese that bears his name.

Anonymous said...

Can we talk about the hack judges in fed court?

Anonymous said...

He's not struggling in California. He's a co-producer of all of Gordon Ramsay's TV shows like Hells Kitchen and Master Chef and he also gets a writer's credit for the shows.

Anonymous said...

You're all making fun of a guy who is a large Republican whale contributor who is being whispered for the short list for the new AG after Trump fires Sessions in December. He's big in the Cali Federalist Society. Plus, he has a song co-writing credit for Karma-Chameleon and has lived off the residuals for years. Also a few other 80's hits.

Anonymous said...

Colby made his money patenting Smores. Hersheys bought him out for 9 figures in 95. He rolled some of that money into the Prime Steakhouse franchise.

the trialmaster said...

gerry klein was beat the system. He never appointed the PD because he would not put anyone in jail and therefore they didnt qualify for the PD. He did the bond hearings and always complimented the defense attorney in front of the client. He was usually out of court by 10Am and on the golf course at Bayshore on Miami Beach. He was embarassed once when he was robbed playing golf in the morning when he should have been working at the justice building. Very handsome guy, should have been a male model. Married to Judge Rhea Grossman. A great Klein. Loved the guy.