Jamaica246
News

In the Heart of Barbados, Superb Jamaican Cuisine

By: Caribbean Journal Staff - September 16, 2016

Even from here, I can smell it.

The smoky fragrance of jerk fills the air and makes my stomach yearn for that distinctive taste of Jamaica. And since I live in Miami and I’m currently in Barbados, that yearning for “yard” food is real.

It’s about to be satisfied, however, at Jamaica 246.

A humble hole-in-the-wall in a strip mall on Bay Street in St. Michael, the two-year-old has found favor not just with expat Jamaicans but also with Bajans, particularly those who studied at the University of the West Indies’ Mona campus in Jamaica. One of a pair on “Bim” (the other is in Warrens), the eatery serves classic Jamaican comfort food. Today: ackee and saltfish; curried goat; steamed fish; oxtail; jerk chicken and jerk pork – the latter three the most popular items on the menu, which changes daily. Sides are exactly what every Jamaican hopes for: golden fingers of festival; fried dumplings; and triangles of bammy, fried to a crisp on the outside, fluffy on the inside. Pick a protein, side and a starch (rice and peas, of course!) and for between BDS$20 and BDS$35 you’ve got Jamaica on a plate.

Jamaica246

When I arrive at lunchtime the line at the takeout counter is a dozen deep, so I take a seat in the dining room for waitress service. With plastic place mats and lazily turning ceiling fans it’s quintessentially Caribbean; I could easily be in Kingston. And when the food comes, it certainly feels as if I am.

Jamaica246

The jerk chicken – which the restaurant starts cooking at 5:30am each day in a metal drum that’s rolled into the car park to spread its aromas (and to avoid a smoke-filled kitchen) – tastes as good as anything I’ve had in Jamaica. It comes with a fiery, flavorful jerk sauce; a crisp vegetable slaw; and two perfect triangles of bammy. Accompanied by a glass of homemade sorrel, it is, simply put, a taste of heaven. And of home.

— Sarah Greaves-Gabbadon, CJ Travel Editor

Popular Posts ian fleming villa with beach and green trees

American Airlines Begins New Ocho Rios, Jamaica Flights, With a Nod to James Bond 

Ian Fleming began writing the book that would become Casino Royale at his seaside villa in the town of Oracabessa, Jamaica in February 1952.  It was here on the outskirts of Ocho Rios that Fleming would forge the story of […]


A New All-Inclusive W Hotel Is Opening This Year in Punta Cana 

w punta cana

The first-ever all-inclusive W Hotel in the Caribbean is opening this year in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, Caribbean Journal has learned.  The hotel, part of a broad expansion for parent company Marriott International, is on the list of expected 2024 […]


Why Grenada Is a New Caribbean Luxury Hotspot

beach house silversands

From its world-renowned chocolate to its pristine beaches to a region-leading focus on sustainability, Grenada is as fascinating and unique as destination as you’ll find in the Caribbean.  But in the last few years, the lush Eastern Caribberan island has […]


Related Posts best jamaica resorts

The 10 Best Jamaica Resorts to Visit in 2024, From Montego Bay to Treasure Beach

What do you think of when you think of Jamaica? Dynamic culture, rich history, intoxicating music, vibrant food — for starters. That is all true. But Jamaica is also home to a very layered, diverse hospitality product, where hotels and resorts […]


This Kingston, Jamaica Hotel Just Completed a $2M Renovation 

jamaica courtleigh

One of Kingston’s top hotels has just completed a significant renovation and rebranding, Caribbean Journal has learned.  The Courtleigh Hotel and Suites has finished a $2 million renovation program, one that began in December 2022.  The project included upgrades to […]


Jamaica Just Topped 4.15 Million Total Visitors 

all-inclusive jamaica

Jamaica’s record-breaking 2023 included a total of 4.15 million total combined visitors to the island, according to Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett.  That included a record 2,886,064 stopover visitors, a 16.4 percent increase over 2022.  The stopover record was accompanied by […]


SUBSCRIBE!

Sign up for Caribbean Journal's free newsletter for a daily dose of beaches, hotels, rum and the best Caribbean travel information on the net.


No. Thank You