Caribbean Spice Roti Shop
“Anyone who had the buss up shot said it was almost as good as if they made it and thats big especially if you met my wife's Aunties.”
“I got the DHAL PURI with Beef and also tried a shrimp dish with all the vegetables.”
“The portion size was great for the price (about $9-$11/person for a plate of food) and we left with happy, full bellies vowing to return.”
Caribbean Spice Roti Shop
Take-out: Yes
Bike Parking: Yes
Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
Good for Kids: Yes
Good for Groups: Yes
Has TV: Yes
Caters: Yes
Price range.
$ Price range Under $10
3 reviews
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I stumbled upon this gem on accident because I was unfamiliar with the area. I must say I am glad I found it and will be back. The food and service was absolutely phenomenal.
I got the DHAL PURI with Beef and also tried a shrimp dish with all the vegetables. It was expensive but it was really worth it the quality was amazing. The service is also wonderful as they were very friendly and informative on what everything was because i was a first timer.
FYI: Their Yelp ad says no credit card accepted, I actually paid with credit, so they do accept it, but just walk with cash in case or call them to confirm.
Finally, the inner fat Caribbean child in me is satisfied! After years of venturing out to Queens and Jamaica especially Liberty Ave. to get my my bussup shut, I can rest and relax and avoid the tiresome commute to NY. Moving out here in NJ lacks lots of Caribbean flavor something that My taste buds were used to, which were readily available on every corner in my NY hometown. Now this place has become my spot. I may be American but Caribbean roots are richly embedded in my taste buds. This place blows any wannabe so claimed Trini place out the waters. Food flavor is rich and robust, don't like too spicy? That's ok they have mild dishes my friend had the curried shrimp over rice, curried potatoes and sautéed beans! This was on point! I got the goat curry wrapped up in the dhal puri (which was huge and very fluffy) to dine in and a chicken curry wrapped
Dhal puri to go it was absolutely amazing! The goat was so tender; the meat falls off the bone! I also highly recommend the beef patty, flaky but not too crunchy, not too spicy not too much meat inside either! I used to get the towers isles beef patty from the supermarket which was gross, but their patty sure as hell is 101x better. The filling inside is not so gooey that it oozes out the sides when you bite it. The Trini lady at the counter "the owner" I believe! Was very sweet, she explained the dishes like any proud person who enjoy mastering their own craft! Although she need not explain anything to me since I know of all the dishes off hand. I highly recommend this place!!! I'm now certainly a forever customer. Restaurant was very peaceful and quiet, the inside carnival decorations on the wall gives the place an authentic Trini feel with the flare to boost. In conclusion, the place gets a 5* all de way, and they can expect more of me for sure in the coming weeks and months for my Trini fix!
Located on a quiet residential street in Scotch Plains this tidy and spotless Trini restaurant features a selection of Favorites.
We started with the Doubles with everything, The barra was nice and chewy and the curried channa filling nutty and not mushy, savory with that slightly sweet finish from the Tamarin chutney. An excellent starter.
As is the case with my first visit to any West Indian spot they went easy on the peppesauce perhaps because I don't look like the typical West Indian that can handle the heat a good Scotch Bonnet sauce can offer but I'll be sure to assure them I can on my next visit.
Next came the typically large overstuffed dhal puri rotis, typical because Trinis use the largest Tawas {Cast iron flat skillets} in the Caribbean so their rotis are also the largest.
I had the chicken and my Wife the beef with Bhagi {Spinach}
Both were excellent and very authentic,the curries were bright, smoky and not in the least oily as is sometimes the case with roti shops, chicken cut correctly with no shards of bone a dull cleaver can leave behind {Bit of a peeve of mine} and the beef tender and sweet.I swear they were using Trinidadian "Turban" brand curry powder as the blend of geera and turmeric was very familiar.
The all important dahl puri skin was thin but filled with a nicely seasoned dahl and held up well to the two handed approach {Eating Rotis with a knife and fork is akin to dining on a NYC slice with the same….best left to tourist and philistines}
The curried mango was all together too sweet and shy of both curry and pepper. Having grown up on this favorite as a child,I longed for the saltiness of the curry powder,tang of the young green mango and sharp bite of Scotch Bonnet pepper that this version lacked.
I'll have to try the Buss up shut roti {" Busted up shirt" this wrapper resembles after being either clapped or chopped with a wooded spatula used to turn and fold the skin fresh off the Tawa} and the Pholourie on my next visit.
All together an excellent lunch in a clean,friendly and familiar environment with Trinidadian flags proudly displayed in every nook and cranny,Solo and Mauby in the cooler,Tamarin balls and dinner mints on the counter and Soca on the radio.
We'll definitely be back and you should go now for a truly authentic taste of Trinidad and Tobago.