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Best roti in the U.S. and British Virgin Islands?

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Best roti in the U.S. and British Virgin Islands?

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(@rkurpiers)
Posts: 61
Trusted Member
Topic starter
 

Another thread about rating restaurants got me thinking about my favorite dish in the V.I. - the roti. I thought I'd give my opinion and rank in order the best places I've ordered roti.

1. The Jolly Roger - West End, Tortola
2. Pusser's - Marina Cay, B.V.I.
3. Billy Bones - Norman Island (no longer in business)
4. Willy T's - The Bigh, Norman Island
5. Sogo's - St. John
6. Fungi's - St. Thomas
7. Cuzzins - St. Thomas
8. Roti Palace - Tortola

 
Posted : May 26, 2005 6:37 pm
(@grace)
Posts: 111
Estimable Member
 

What is roti? Did I miss something when I was in the islands?

Thanks

 
Posted : May 26, 2005 6:43 pm
 JimW
(@jimw)
Posts: 50
Trusted Member
 

Of course taste in food is very subjective! I've had Rotis in all the places you have mentioned except the two on STT. And I'd say all but the Roti Palace have had many different "cooks". My favorite has been from the take out window at Smokey's minimart & gas on St Croix. Yes, Smokey's minimart & gas! They were exceptional & as big as your head! Fish pates also!

Jim W

 
Posted : May 26, 2005 7:40 pm
(@east-ender)
Posts: 2023
Noble Member
 

Cuzzin's has roti?? Hmm...

Grace: Roti is a Trinidadian food. You have to look around a bit. It is kinda like a curry burrito- or a wrap-with various fillings from veggie to chicken to whelk. Ah, Ronnie, remember the place in Smith Bay???

 
Posted : May 27, 2005 8:26 am
(@rkurpiers)
Posts: 61
Trusted Member
Topic starter
 

East Ender,

Yes, the last time I was at Cuzzin's they did not have it on the menu. In fact, I don't know for sure whether they've ever had it on the menu. On this day however (I'm guessing it was a couple of years ago) it was listed as the special.

 
Posted : May 27, 2005 10:00 am
(@grace)
Posts: 111
Estimable Member
 

I was in Cuzzins last month and didn't see roti on the menu.

Something to check out next time in the islands.

Thanks East Ender.

 
Posted : May 27, 2005 12:27 pm
(@east-ender)
Posts: 2023
Noble Member
 

Ah, a special, yes, okay. I know it isn't on the Cuzzin's regular menu. Not St Thomas, but Cooper Island has pretty good roti- if one goes on Pirate's Penny or Stormy Petrel for the BVI tour, that is where you have lunch!

One thing about ordering roti- at carnival one year I had some chicken roti that was just like local chicken soup- big pieces of chicken in it, bone and all. I now ask if it is boneless!

 
Posted : May 27, 2005 4:53 pm
(@gina wellner)
Posts: 1
 

A local lady makes rotis right now at Sputnicks on St john it's in Coral bay ..go straight for 50ft after the Moravian church...just past the graveyard on your left. She does it off and on and there is no sign just pop your head in around lunchtime and she might have some...Also Sweet Plantains Restraunt in Coral Bay ( make a right at the "T" before the Moravian Church.) It is just past Crabby's water rentals. They have a nightly roti. The wrap is NOT a tortilla like some places use,it is the REAL thing made by a trinidadian man from St thomas....But they run out every night so go early they are open for dinner only.

 
Posted : July 3, 2005 2:58 pm
(@gina w.)
Posts: 1
 

Yeah and the roti place in smith bay on St thomas is called Carol's Roti..There is another badass roti spot on st thomas it's in charlotte Amalia area. It's a tiny place I forgot the name..But if your back is to the post office and you walk up the road perpendicular to Main St. you will run into it about 70 ft from the post office on the right.(just dwn the slope from hotel 1829) lunch take out only. roti palace on tortola is Yummy and totally traditional.If you get a chicken roti ask for boneless although the "bones in" is the island way..roti palace serves this screaming hot --hot sauce that is made on the premises that can be bought to take home and goes so well with the roti..if you dare.

 
Posted : July 3, 2005 3:09 pm
(@Maryanne)
Posts: 1
 

I loved Sweet Plantains in Coral Bay, especially their tostones, but every night their roti seemed to be shrimp, and it wasn't the greatest shrimp (as is often the case with shrimp.)

I've never eaten much at Foxy's, but I had a roti there a few monthss ago and it was delicious !

Also, the roti (and conch fritters) at a place in Cane Garden Bay are great---the word Banana is in the name, and the place is yellow, kind of in the middle of all the places there...

 
Posted : July 4, 2005 9:58 am
 Nick
(@Nick)
Posts: 1
 

Those tostones at Sweet Plantains really are exceptional, aren't they? I think I had the chicken roti there, but don't have much memory of it. The tostones, though....

 
Posted : July 4, 2005 10:23 am
(@ironman)
Posts: 18
Active Member
 

You may argue the best "roti" in the USVI but, the best "roti" in the Caribbean can be found in Grenada
One love Ironman

 
Posted : July 4, 2005 11:27 pm
(@Maryanne)
Posts: 1
 

YES ! THose tostones are so wonderful. I think about them and crave them.

 
Posted : July 5, 2005 8:06 am
(@ali s.)
Posts: 1
 

If anyone visits Roti Palace, Tortola, make sure you get a bottle of their homemade hot sauce!!! It rocks!

A funny story.....after years of living in the USVI I now live in the region of US w/VERY little Caribbean influence. Gotta' tell you that I LOVED island food....fish/fungi, roti, pate, breadfruit stuff, rice/beans, goat stew, conch, whelk, ol' wife, you name it I loved it.

One day I took a client out to lunch to a nice local grill. I wsa absolutely delighted and astounded to see the sign advertising the special of the day....."Roti Chicken"! R U kidding me?!!! I was so excited and told my client what a roti is and how fantstically tasty a good chicken curry-like roll can be. The waitress came to take our order and I ordered " two chicken rotis" for both of us. She then asked "What sides would we like with our rotisserie chicken?#%^&!!" Very disappointed.

 
Posted : July 6, 2005 3:01 pm
(@Stefan)
Posts: 1
 

Gina,

I know the place you are talking about, and I agree with your assessment of their rotis (their curried chicken is also very good). I believe the name of this little lunch spot is the "Ideal Deli." A very nice Trinidadian family runs the place, and their prices are quite reasonable; indeed, it may be the best value for lunch in Charlotte Amalie.

 
Posted : July 7, 2005 11:56 pm
(@promoguy)
Posts: 630
Honorable Member
 

Just got back yesterday and while spending some time in STT awaiting flight we had lunch for the first time at Glady's.

THE BEST ROTI yet. It's all in the curry and they have it hands down or up

 
Posted : July 12, 2005 10:05 pm

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