Back from Trinidad... craving doubles
Hi folks,
I'm just back from a business trip to Trinidad, and am craving doubles something fierce. Where can you go in Toronto for really good doubles? As a reference point to anyone familiar with Port of Spain, I keep dreaming about the doubles sold by the guy at the side of the road across from Long Circular Mall. Those were definitely my favorite.
I've had the doubles at The Jerk Spot on Queen -- before my trip -- and really liked those. Now my eyes have been opened and I realize that those are to *real* doubles, as canned no-name black olives (like you get on crappy cheap pizza) are to genuine Kalamatas. That is, I love the real deal enough that I could still eat the fake ones... but there is really no comparison.
Any recommendations for really good doubles? Maybe even with pepper and mango?
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I am of Trinidadian decent & go back home for Carnival every year so I've had my share of doubles...good & bad. I must say the closest doubles to Trinidad that I've had in T.O are from Drupatee's (Albion & Islington) and Roti & Pelau Shop (Markham & Sheppard)
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re: Yummy Mummy
Delish
Apr 29, 2008 02:41 AM
Finally someone else mentions Roti & Pelau Shop! My absolute favourite! But now that my husband works downtown rather than Scarbarough, we don't get them too often any more. Whenever we are remotely nearby we'll pick up a sack. They have great roti, too. From the skin to the following - all perfect!
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Quick but silly question maybe.....Can I request them to give me the bread and chickpeas seperately?.....
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re: Connoisseur
So based on some postings I was very excited to try ACR. What a disappointment!! IMHO these doubles should not even be discussed on this thread or in the same category as The Roti Hut.
The filling was thin and without flavour. The bread was soggy from the wet filling and very mushy. If you want to LOVE the doubles experience with the desire to repeat and share with friends go to Roti Hut (Pittfeild and McCowan) trust me if it’s a little further, it’s worth it. The bread is fluffy and crisp and the filling is thick and full of flavour. These are arguably the BEST Doubles in the GTA. The Roti Hut serves up quality Roti too.
The Roti at ACR was ok??? I had boneless chicken without pepper. It was large on quantity although a little low on quality. I found the Roti bland for my taste. I don’t like too much spice but I do want flavour and IMO this Roti was not one of the best I have ever tried. Now that I think of it the shell may have been different too?? Not completely sure but I don’t think it was the traditional Roti shell however I will never know for sure because I wouldn’t go back again for this sub-standard fare.
Who knows maybe they had an off day, I have found that most Trini/West Indi food is hit and miss depending on the cook. The dishes appear to be made with more love and feel, rather than by the book ingredients and measurements?? I guess this is typically true of most great food, However I have found the Roti Hut to be reliable day after day.
BTW. My partner does not generally enjoy Trini/west indi food however I have to buy extra Roti Hut doubles to keep her happy
This then wraps up my most honest and elaborate post ever… I am left with two conclusions. Is this post a slam against ACR or am I really that passionate about the Roti Hut????
You decide
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re: Connoisseur
As the originator of this thread, i think there is only one logical answer to your question, Connoisseur. I'll have to get out to ACR and Roti Hut myself and deliver the verdict! :D
I just came back from *another* Caribbean business trip -- this time to Barbados, where there was a doubles stand right across the street from my hotel. Not nearly as good as in Trinidad, not quite as good as Ali's even to be honest but there's just something about doubles and coffee and a cool Caribbean sea breeze in the morning.
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re: vivsuen
Chocaholic
Apr 22, 2008 09:06 AM
My friend introduced me to doubles. I get my doubles from Carribean Island in Village by the Grange. But they are only opened Monday - Fridays. I like there rotis too!!!
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re: Connoisseur
TorontoTips
Apr 24, 2008 10:31 AM
I have to second you on the Roti Hut. THE very best doubles I've had, anywhere in the city, great Roti, and now that they've renovated, it's actually a nice little spot to eat-in, too!
Cheers,
.James.-
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re: Little T
Wahooty
Apr 25, 2008 08:59 AM
Fairly recently. They always had tables, but it's now a more inviting spot to linger, rather than feeling like a take-out joint with tables.
By the way, yes, Roti Hut DOES have fantastic doubles. I have yet to find better doubles or roti anywhere, although there are still places on my list to try.
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Just curious, since today I saw an NYTimes article about Trinidad's food, and then found a delectable detailed report here in Chowhound from a few years ago but listed prices, which were typically Caribbean-high. How much on average were you paying for food there? (I realize you were on business so you might have been splurging).
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After checking all the recommendations ,Had the doubles today from ACR Hot Roti's and Doubles....man are they good.....made fresh,long lineup though....got the craving again...
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re: warlock
pinstripeprincess
Oct 7, 2007 07:13 AM
what time did you go? tried to drop in at 8pm on friday night but nada, closed for ramadan is what the sign said. so i wasnt' sure if they just had shortened hours.... on a mad hunt for doubles so i didn't take the time to try to read the hand written sign.
reyannas - in the same nabe as acr, icks
island foods - ran out at like 4pm that day, but i don't usually like theirs anyway... the barra is ok but the channa mix is just too saucy and mushy with fruity leanings
ali's - closest i've gotten in great fluffy barra compared to d&d's but the filling was just a bit hard and undercooked. no great flavour development
roti palace - the guyanese lady said they were trini but the thin and dense barra screamed otherwise.... it was insanely sweet and fruity although the texture was perfect. i asked for spicy but no spice was to be found... hopefully with spice this will be closer to the great channa i loved.have got to try acr... but otherwise drupati's is the place.
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re: pinstripeprincess
I went at 12:30 pm.....there was sign inside that said they would close early during the Ramadan period till around Oct 15th (if i am not mistaken)...the breaking fast time is around 7:00 pm....They are closed on Labour day.....
I did pass by Reyannas and it was empty (thats not a good sign).....havent tried Drupatis,but going by consensus,its ACR and Drupati's that comes out tops in the Doubles shootout.....
Would love to try the Duck dinner from ACR,anybody had it yet????
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Mike from Hamilton
Oct 3, 2007 11:06 AM
If you're in Hamilton, go to King St. E. and Connaught and try the Roti Hut. She makes amazing Roti, Doubles and Phulorie...complete with pepper for sure...
If you show up on Tuesdays she often has duck roti....
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squingy
Sep 29, 2007 04:22 AM
A C R Hot Roti and Doubles 2680 Lawrence Ave. East. These guys make really good doubles and theres always a lineup, Sign inside says he's "The original doubles man" from some place in Trinidad. Doubles are only $1.00 and man are they good.
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re: squingy
Finnegan
Oct 2, 2007 01:34 PM
Got that right...sounds like most Chowhounders never make it farther niotth than Blloor Street and no farther east that Church St....make the trek to Scarborough for some of the best cheap eats in Toronto, like Shahi Karahi...authentic tandoor ovens, great nan, etc. (Markham and Lawrence Area)
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Delish
Sep 24, 2007 03:26 PM
The doubles I got from Roti Lady in parkdale were really, really good. You could tell the barra (bread) was freshly fried as it was slightly crisp on the exterior and soft and chewy inside. I seem to remember the outside better than the filling, but I think the chickpeas were good, too!
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re: Delish
pinstripeprincess
Sep 24, 2007 07:01 PM
when i talked to her, she said that she brought them in from somewhere else... i found them ok but not really all that great.
the ones from caribbean queen are interesting and very fruity in flavour although doesnt contain fruit if my memory serves me right.
loved d&d... too bad they're shut down, will be doing a search sometime soon.
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re: pinstripeprincess
Delish
Sep 25, 2007 05:49 AM
Interesting that you say she brings them in from somewhere... Honestly - my double was so hot (not in a microwaved kinda way - there's no way the outside would have been so lightly crisp) and fresh that I can't see how it would be possible. Maybe she's started making her own? Or maybe she buys ready made dough? I dunno - I've eaten many a double and this one was one of hte better ones I've had.
Though I will say the best I've ever had in the GTA are from a place near Markham and Sheppard called "Roti and Pulau Shop" .
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re: Delish
pinstripeprincess
Sep 28, 2007 11:59 AM
sorry i got mixed up with caribbean queen.. which doesn't even do doubles!
anyhow, roti lady's pattis are brought in but she does her own doubles in a guyanese style. i find them fruity and sweet and the dough a bit too dense and chewy for my liking. i much prefer a fluffier doubles.
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re: pinstripeprincess
Delish
Sep 28, 2007 02:53 PM
Guyanese style, eh? That explains why the barra was thicker than what I normally get. Come to think of it, mine was pretty fluffy! in fact, I'd say it was fluffier than others I've had. I don't think I ate what you described. Maybe you got a bad one...
I liked Roti Lady for it's differences, and was a great change of pace, though when I crave doubles I crave the ones from Roti and Pulau shop which I mentioned above.
Their barra is much flatter and slightly chewier, but still soft and tender. They also make the best chickpea curry. And their hot sauce is great. And so is their roti. Can't go wrong with chicken or goat. Love it.
I know what you mean about fruity fillings. That's how I find the ones at Roti Palace...
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re: Delish
Delish
Oct 9, 2010 12:49 PM
En route to the zoo yesterday we decided to pop in to Roti and Pulau shop for a sack of doubles. Sad to say they we disappointing and not what we remembered them to be. The bara was too chewy, perhaps overworked, and is now a far too vibrantly yellow. We think ownership may have changed. The goat roti, however, was still delicious, but less juicy than we remember.
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thought_for_food
Sep 24, 2007 08:18 AM
Caribbean Roti Palace - a Trini spot - on the west side of Bathurst, just south of Bloor.
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Recyclor
Sep 24, 2007 08:01 AM
I had the best I've tried in TO at Ali's in Parkdale, get the tamarind sauce on it...yumm!
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re: mariecollins
OK, we hit up Ali's this morning and I am very happy! The barra was not quite as tender as the doubles we had in Trinidad but no complaints at all. The tamarind sauce was really awesome and the pepper sauce has a nice lingering burn to it.
Going to try Caribbean Roti Palace too and will report back. Thanks for all the tips!
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