Straight from the Streets... BK to be Exact
Everyone knows I'm a picky eater. At the behest of my cooking mother who used to make us a variety of dishes from all over, I was forced to taste foods at a young age that may have backfired in the grand scheme of my life. There are several dishes that I don't eat now because I was scarred as a child (just say no to slimy, spikey okra, oyster dressing, and curry chicken with raisins, almonds and coconut. NO. NO. NO.)! The interesting thing about eating all of those meals that my mother made, is that she didn't delve much into any West Indian or Caribbean dishes.
What's even crazier is that when I moved to Florida in college (and lived there for the larger part of 6 years), I almost never ate Caribbean food and Florida (next to NYC) is where a large number of West Indian people dwell so I clearly stayed away from it. Why? I have no idea. I think it's because I wasn't introduced to it at a young age and when I did try certain dishes they simply didn't wow me.
Fast forward many years after my Florida stint, I am much older and wiser AND now live in NYC! There's a roti, doubles or pattie stand on every other corner - especially in Brooklyn. Since moving here, I've had my fair share of jerk chicken, rice and peas, oxtails, and brown stew chicken (BTW, I had THEE best jerk chicken I've ever eaten while on vacation in the Bahamas a couple of years ago. I am STILL thinking about how delicious it was and how I can either get back there or find its equivalent here in NYC).
Now when this restaurant, Streets BK first opened, I have to be honest, I was not thrilled about checking it out. The biggest appeal it had for me was it's owner and creator, celebrity @chefroble. But as I diversified my palette and took another peek at the menu, my mouth watered at the selections and I was waiting for the opportunity to get there. My desires were answered when my dear Virgo sister-friend Stefanie @bellaeskay invited me there for her post-birthday (my pre-birthday) dinner. I was pumped.
Let me tell you... this place was delicious dish after delicious dish. OH MY GOODNESS! I had never had doubles. *shrugs* (chickpeas NEVER sounded appealing to me) but when I bit into that soft bread, those curried chickpeas and that sweet and sassy tamarind sauce, my eyes became wide and I immediately yelped (literally out loud) "how come no one ever gave me one of these!"
I never knew chickpeas tasted like this! Where had this been all my life! SO (clap) DAMN (clap) GOOD (clap)!
Next up was the Braised Oxtails and rice and peas + some of the most buttery, delicious cabbage (and carrots) I have tasted in all of my 33 years. Y'all, I promise I am not sicing this... every single thing was cooked to perfection and so very satisfying. The braised oxtails were served in somewhat of a cast iron bowl and sprinkled with green onions. It was a generious portion to even share if you'd like. And there was more than enough of the sauce to pour (or dip) a little for your rice and peas.
This picture does nothing for the perfection that is those buttery, delicious cabbage leaves to the right.
After all of this deliciousness, we decided that we wanted some more green in our lives so we ordered the Seasonal Street Greens... When I tell you that I have never had a more flavorful, well-seasoned plate of KALE... It was superb. I have no idea HOW they did this but I was literally in awe of the this dish. Trying to close my eyes and taste harder LOL. The leaves were soft but still a little crunchy. It had this garlic and onion flavor but it wasn't overpowering.
Other items we ordered were the Peri Peri Wings (which weren't my favorite - but again I'm a picky eater - I like my chicken crispy *shrugs*), Shrimp Mofongo and the Mexican Street Corn (I don't have pictures of two of those three because they were dug into before I could click the camera icon on my iPhone. Overall, we really couldn't believe how much we loved everything. It was one of those moments when you instinctively try to plan the next time you can find your way to the place again. And that I did... I came three weeks later for my own birthday brunch! HA! I was hella pressed.
For my return trip, I ordered the Trini Corn Soup, which is made with fresh corn, split peas and handmade dumplings. Aye, que muy sabroso! I had to get the doubles and the braised oxtails with rice and peas + cabbage again because I could stop thinking about it! LOL. To top it all off, I enjoyed this refreshing caribbean inspired cocktail called Streets Painkiller; it's made with rum, Jamaican sorrel (which is like dried hibiscus), creme de coco, pineapple juice and nutmeg (insert fire emojis). So pretty and yummy. I never would have ordered this had it not been for Stefanie getting it first (which is why I love going to eat with people who like to share!).
This is just a small taste of the menu! Streets has more than just caribbean street food, they also boast Bulgogi Tacos, Seoul Spicy Octopus, Lebanese Fattoush, Thai Duck Salad, Adobe Chicharrones and even regular old French Toast, Chicken and Waffles and an English Breakfast Omelette on their brunch menu. Again, I love sharing when I try a new restaurants because it opens up my picky ass eyes and usually brings about dreams of more tantalizing food that I can try on my next visit or make at home. I WILL be making Braised Oxtails soon (mark my words as I will blog about it). In the meantime, let me gather my girls again for some Streeks BK for next month. Who wants to join me?
