Why did I wait so long to come here?!…read more
I mean, I know why. It's a bit of a trek from where I live. But I'll happily travel for good food, and Trinciti absolutely justified the journey.
As an Indian, I don't say this lightly. I know my Indian food. I was already aware of the historical overlap between Indian and Caribbean cuisines, but Trinidadian food fascinated me. The familiar spices and flavors are there, yet they've evolved into something entirely their own. You can taste the migration story, the adaptation, and the creativity in every bite.
A quick practical note because Instagram reels had me misinformed. They do take cards. You don't need cash. Also, parking isn't exactly abundant, and there aren't many nearby places to sit with your takeaway. My advice is to grab a table and eat there. The space itself is small and pretty no-frills, so if you're coming for ambiance, this isn't that kind of place. But if you're coming for flavor, you're in exactly the right place.
The setup is simple. You line up, order when it's your turn, and move things along. It's a busy spot, so a little menu reconnaissance goes a long way. The staff are efficient and patient, but they're not mind readers. Asking them whether shrimp or chicken is "better" feels like asking someone whether you should prefer chocolate or vanilla. Both are good. It depends on what you like.
We ordered the dhalpuri roti, which is a soft flatbread stuffed with seasoned ground lentils. If you're sharing, ask for it not to be wrapped. Otherwise, it comes rolled up like a wrap. We filled ours with both the curried goat and the oxtail because we weren't there to play it safe. Both were excellent, paired with those comforting, home-style potatoes that soak up all the flavor without overwhelming you with spice.
I also couldn't leave without trying the doubles, and we kept it plain. Oh. My. God. Flavor bomb. At its heart, it reminded me of chole bhature's distant cousin. The same comforting chickpea soul, but interpreted through Trinidad's lens with pepper sauces and chutneys that make it unmistakably its own. I honestly think the chutneys are what take it over the top.
For the bake and shark though Pay first, take your number, and when they call you up, tell them how you'd like it dressed. Personally, I have a "trust the chef and give me everything" philosophy, so I said yes to it all. The result was a glorious mess of crispy fried shark piled high with pineapple, lettuce, cucumber, tomatoes, and an array of vibrant chutneys that I am still thinking about. They do not skimp on the fish. Watching them assemble it from the front row is part of the fun.
Before you leave, do not skip the cassava cake. The raisin dessert was a bit too sweet for my taste, but that's entirely personal and worth trying if you have a sweeter tooth than I do. They also sell plenty of snacks and hot sauces, so take a look around before heading out.
One final thing I appreciated. They have a restroom and a sink stocked with soap. Trust me, you are going to get messy. That's part of the joy of eating here. If you're the kind of person who side-eyes people for eating with their hands, this might not be your scene. If you're willing to embrace the delicious chaos, Trinciti will reward you generously.
I left full, happy, and wondering why I had let distance keep me away for so long. Some places are worth the drive. Trinciti is absolutely one of them.