Pel is a multi-disciplinary artist passionate about diasporic connection via the arts. With West Indie roots and his Queens upbringing, this is his West Indies Guide to the Black owned restaurants that feed his soul and reflect the cultures he loves.
LessPel loves the intimate nature of this beautifully appointed, Vegan restaurant. He especially loves how the owner’s Trinidadian roots are reflected in both the design and the menu. His favorite menu items are the Bake and Saltfish and Mac & Cheese. Pel says, “Everything in here is poppin’ on ten!”
Pel describes this as “staple of the community” and speaks dotingly on the Jamaican women owners and the love they pour into the food. His go-to items are the Steamed Snapper, Curry Goat, Escovitch Fish, and Oxtail with Rice & Peas. Pel is emphatic that this is where “you will get a true Jamaican meal.”
This Trinidadian restaurant is one of Pel’s go-to breakfast spots. He loves their Cowfoot Soup, Pholourie, Bake and Smoke Herring, Bake and Saltfish, and cornmeal porridge.
Pel used to live near this Caribbean restaurant and would walk to get his favorite Goat Buss Up Shot, Caribbean-style Chinese food, and callaloo. He says he “lives on their Sorrel.”
“This is really late-night Jamaican food. This is the after hours, early morning spot to get ya’ head right,” says Pel. He loves their Bake and Saltfish, Cornmeal Porridge, Jerk Chicken and Rice & Peas.
Pel has one word: “Poppin!!” He excitedly talks about this Trinidadian restaurant located in Queens that is so good that “their Bake and Shark will make you drive from Brooklyn for it.” Other than that being his favorite item, he loves their Rotis - all of them.
Fresh cakes and pastries are served daily here with all the baking done on the premises. Pel’s favorite is the Rum Raisin Cake. He also enjoys the variation of beef patties they serve alongside coco bread.
“If you come to Brooklyn, you gotta come to Sugarcane,” says Pel. “Everything is good and you can’t go wrong.” He loves everything on their menu and confidently states he’s never met anyone who did not love their food.
This late night ice cream spot is a favorite of Pel’s. “These people have all the Caribbean ice cream flavors to cool you down right.” From rum raisin to sorrel, Pel says, “If you name the fruit, they got it to boot baby!”
This traditional Jamaican restaurant has all the classic staples. Pel loves the unique nature of this spot because there is a full Caribbean grocery store attached. “If you ever feel like making something, this is the spot where you put your palate to the test.”