Members of the community have been asking for some Black-owned restaurants in our community so they can support them in these trying times.
South Etobicoke is rich with dozens of African, West Indian, Hakka and other restaurants whose chefs take pride in their food, skills and facilities.
Here are a few Black-owned eateries that are good and have been tried and tested.
MANGOES RESTAURANT, 2491 Lake Shore Blvd. W., 416-253-1920
Co-owner Shoan Baker’s passion for cooking led to her starting Mangoes in Mimico four-years ago.
“It took some time but we are getting the support of the community and they love our food,” Baker says of her daily hot meals of curry goat, stew and jerk chicken and oxtail with recipes from her native Jamaica.
I like the stew chicken, but all the food is fresh, tasty and steaming hot.
GOLDEN COOK CARIBBEAN RESTAURANT – 2955 Lake Shore Blvd. W., 416-259-3003.
Owner Garnell says she’s been at the same Lake Shore Blvd. W., and Islington Ave. corner for about 20-years and was one of the first Caribbean style restaurant in the area. “People keep coming back for our good food,” she says.
The restaurant carries ‘real Jamaican’ ackee and saltfish, curry goat, stew, jerk and curry chicken, oxtail and other dishes. The curry goat is a fave here since you can taste the assortment of flavours and well-cooked meals. At Golden Cook you can get a good serving, that is well-worth it.
CARIBBEAN QUEEN ROTI HUT, 2957 Lake Shore Blvd. W., 416-503-3419
Owner Eva has been making and selling her delicious rotis for almost 20-years at the same location. She has many regular customers who love her well-cooked and fresh rotis filled with curry goat, stew chicken or tasty beef. Add a little pepper, with a soft or alcoholic drink as the venue is licenced.
The rotis, which are made by Eva, are great and most cost under $10. Its all take-out at this time.
MICHAEL’s WEST INDIAN FLAVOUR, 3067 Lake Shore Blvd. W., 647-343-3611.
Yes, there is a Michael and his flavourful jerk chicken seems to be a favourite at this small take-out restaurant. You can expect to find a lineup here at lunchtime as area workers, in buses, trucks or taxis pull in for some of his delicious takeout.
“People know that they are getting good, honest, home-made food here,” Michael boasts. “We take pride in all the food we cook.’
The Lake Shore Blvd., and Eleventh Street eatery carries nice-tasting jerk chicken, curry goat, curry or stew chicken and tasty oxtail. It is worth checking out if the line-up is not too long.
TRINI GARDENS RESTAURANT, 3266 Lake Shore Blvd. W., 416-252-0794
Hard-working owner Elsie takes pride in her restaurant and her customers, many who have been returning for 20-plus years. The licenced establishment is known for its good food, whether it may be the standard fare of curry goat, stew, jerk or pepper chicken. It also carries some great soups and chow mein.
Trini Gardens has many fine reviews and people dub it a “little gem in the west end,” with many returning customers.
DUCKY’s ROTI, 3296 Lake Shore Blvd. W., 416-252-5858
This iconic roti shop has been around for quite a while and is known for its consistent, top-quality food. Ducky and his staff work hard to make fresh roti that can be filled with curry goat, shrimp, stew or jerk chicken, fish, beef and home-made currants roll.
The shop has been closed for COVID-19 has a dining area. It is worth a try when it reopens. Ducky is a long-time ‘Roti man,’ and his rotis are fresh and consistent.