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Pink Apron Ja joined House of Loaves’ Pop-Up Mobile Truck last week!

by Chefs, Bakers and CaterersFoodpornRestaurant Reviews & RatingsWhat's Hot
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Persons waiting to get their Mexican craving satisfied last week Thursday at the Pink Apron Ja|House of Loaves Mobile Truck on Garelli Avenue

 

You’ve seen it in the movies but now it’s here in Jamaica, popping up more and more at different locations – Food Trucks!

Three weeks ago, Thursday Life in the Jamaica Observer checked in with some local chefs and caterers and compiled their thoughts for ‘Culinary trends for 2016’. Quite a lovely piece. If you missed it, check it out on www.jamaicaobserver.com.

Pink Apron Jamaica’s caterer, Charissa Henry’s thoughts about Mobile cuisine peaked my interest, as I thought that it’s about time! There has been an influx of mobile eateries or trucks but from what I have seen, mainly junk food and hardly anything gourmet.

Social media plays a big part in the success of these mobile eateries in Jamaica and it was tested and proven last week. I follow Pink Apron Jamaica on Instagram (@pinkapronja) and was excited to see that they were doing a pop-up shop with the increasingly popular, House of Loaves Mobile Truck on Garelli Avenue (beside NCB’s Atrium), quite a central location.

What was on the Menu for the advertised Tex Mex Taco Truck?

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Photo: @pinkapronja on Instagram

Suga’s Experience?

I love the concept and enjoyed my lunch. Change and Craving were satisfied at once. Packaging was neat, the truck looked clean and staff were pleasant. Good service.

The truck was open from 11:30am-3pm. My lunch was at 1:30pm, so I got there just in time at about 12 minutes to 2pm. There were persons already in line but not a lot. Upon joining the line you receive a ticket number, a pink ticket of course. I made my order when my number was called and within literally 2 minutes I received my Grilled Chicken Bowl. Persons behind me were not so lucky though. The Chicken was almost finished when I got mine and I heard the Pork Belly finished as well. Just Sausages and Elote were left close to 3pm.

However, I saw that they noted the time when items were running low and would more than likely make the necessary adjustments for the next pop-up shop.

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Pork Belly Tacos and Elote           Photo: @pinkapronja instarepost

I overheard someone saying that they would like to call in their order but I think if that was put in place, it would stray from the concept. Other than that, feedback was good in the streets. The masses enjoyed the Pork Belly and the different cheeses and spiced used for the Corn cob (Elote).

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Suga’s Grilled Chicken Bowl.           (Not pictured- Tomato salsa was served in a separate container)

My Grilled Chicken Bowl was filling. The chicken was bland but there were a lot more flavours in the bowl to make up for that, for instance, I am a cilantro, lime and rice combo fan so I enjoyed that along with the added tomato salsa flavour.

Affordable drinks were also on sale, from about $75JMD and up.

Follow @pinkapronja on Instagram to find out when and where their next pop up lunch will be with @houseofloaves that caters to your cravings. I can’t wait!

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Jamaica National’s New Year of Giving Cash Prize

by CharitiesWhat's Hot

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With just 3 clicks, help the non-profit organization, Rotaract Club of Kingston win Jamaica National Foundation’s New Year of Giving cash prize!

Vote for the Rotaract Club of Kingston by just clicking on the link below, selecting ‘Rotaract Club of Kingston’ and clicking ‘Vote’:

http://woobox.com/7hfnxv/gallery/

 

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Sushi anyone?

by FoodpornHealth & Fitness
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Photo: @love_food on Instagram

When last have you had your Sushi fix?

Remember you can keep it healthy if you visit Roe Japanese in Sovereign North and substitute your white rice for brown rice and have your food air fried instead of deep fried. You can also have the organic gluten-free soy sauce instead of the regular, unhealthy soy sauce. All substitutions for the low calorie, healthier versions come with a small additional cost of course.

Stick to fish, avoiding shell fish such as shrimp and lobster and avoid cream cheese.

Go for it!

 

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In the Streets Fast Food Update

by Restaurant Reviews & RatingsWhat's Hot

Apologies to the Fitness junkies, but this is an update for the carb loaders, those who are maintaining their awesome weight so they can afford that 1 cheat day of the week and for the parents feeding kids who are fortunate to have such fast metabolisms.

The people have spoken. It seems Jamaica is finally moving away from ‘KFC’ country. After Taco Bell and so many other franchises have come and gone and only one location of Popeyes was left open, a new location of Popeyes is now open!

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Photo: Popeyes Jamaica Facebook Page

Words of the people:

‘Wi tiyad of KFC undacooked chicken. Popeyes taste betta n dem cook dem chicken. Di new place ram!’

Speaking of new locations or fast food joints popping up, the new Pizza place, Pizza Please is now open for the New Year in Village Plaza. Suga went to try it out last Saturday in the middle of the day but looked and took a U-turn. I needed to sit down and eat. It was small, so limited seating available. Understandable but the AC was either not working or not on! So the place felt congested and uncomfortably hot. I love the concepy of what I saw though. We finally have a Pizza spot that offers more of a variety of toppings for pizzas such as eggplant, spinach and more. Similar to say a Whole Foods in the US. Personal pans, flatbreads, slices etc. were all laid out so you can see your options and they seemed ready to go once you said the word.

Suga will revisit one day.

Until then, finishing the week with healthy food. Look out for a health and fitness tip tomorrow! 🙂

 

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Bigg’s BBQ Restaurant and Bar continues to impress!

by Restaurant Reviews & Ratings

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Suga had a great start to the New year with lunch at Bigg’s BBQ Restaurant and Bar last Friday on New Year’s Day at 4pm on the Hip Strip, Gloucester Avenue in Montego Bay.

The host was extremely polite and attentive and so was our waitress.

The menu was full of succulent Bbq and Jerk eats. I had the 1/2 lb of Pulled Pork ($16.99US incl. 2 small sides) with fries and added mixed grilled chef vegetables to slowly reintroduce healthy items to the diet since vacay was soon coming to a close.

My friends had the Biggs Burger (15.99UD with 1 side) with baked mac and cheese and and the Jerked Pork ($16.99US incl. 2 small sides) with baked mac and cheese and mixed grilled chef vegetables. The Jerked Pork was lacking the actual Jerked flavour and tasted more like BBQ Pork, but was good nonetheless. There were no complaints about the popular, delicious, Biggs Burger made with a blend of minced Beef and Bratwurst with your choice of cheese on an onion bun.

The Blended Fruit punch, Frozen Lemonade and Blended Hummingbird beverages were delightful.

A bit pricey in tourist town but filling and worth it!

 

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Jabba’s Smoked Grill and Peppa Swims!

by Restaurant Reviews & RatingsWhat's Hot

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Have you heard about Jabba’s Smoked Grill and Jabba’s Peppa Swims?! Gear up for next year, because if you are in the corporate area, especially New Kingston, some delicious, affordable food can be delivered to you at work or home, free of cost. Pick up options are also available. Sounds great right? Another option to add to our very limited lunch selection.

Lunch from Jabba’s Smoked Grill is available on Saturdays. Lunch costs $600JMD inclusive of delivery in the corporate area. You have a choice of either Jerked or Barbecue chicken along with sides of sweet potato, rice and peas and/or roast breadfruit.

Jabba’s Peppa Swims are mild or spicy packages of shrimps available on Tuesdays and Fridays at a cost of $280JMD each. But don’t worry, the spicy one will not leave you choking. It is tastefully done with the right level of spice so you enjoy it but you are comfortable at the same time. As deliveries are done mainly in New Kingston, they are currently a big hit with corporate offices such as JMMB, Sagicor, Barita and more. So you don’t need to travel to St. Elizabeth for ‘swims’, you can get them delivered to you or pick up at 31-33 Trafalgar Road (BNS with no sign), opposite the NCB atrium, anytime between 8am and 5pm.

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Filling serving!

For both Jabba’s Smoked Grill and Jabba’s Peppa Swims, it is best to order the night before or on the day before 12 noon, by calling 876-296-7304.

Ok so now you know what is offered and the cost, but who does the cooking? Jabba!

Who or what is Jabba?

Jabba is young, Jonathan Simpson, who just has a love for cooking and was thus inspired to start this endeavour. I have actually tasted Jabba’s chicken from as far back as 2008 at a friend’s baby shower. Yes! Jabba does catering too and used to even have a small restaurant back in the day that offered Jamaican lunches such as Curried Goat, Oxtail, Cow foot, Jerked Chicken and more.

Where has Jabba been all these years?

A few years ago, the restaurant business alone was not enough for Jabba and he felt that a ‘9-5’ would be better for the finances so started working with Scotiabank. But when something is just a part of you, it always finds its way back. So recently, he found a way to still work with the bank but to branch out into what he loves to do even more as well, cook.

Who taught him how to cook?

Well the Chicken and other things came naturally to him for the most part but a young lady who he used to buy shrimp from taught him how to prepare the shrimps aka ‘swims’ when he developed an interest to do it himself.

How did the rave about Jabba’s Swims begin?

About 4 or 5 years ago, Jabba prepared his shrimps for a fundraiser at the office and the people wanted more. The interest and liking for it spread by word of mouth to different offices within the area.

What makes Jabba’s Chicken and Shrimps different?

It’s all about the freshness, the sauce and the general taste of the food.

Freshness is important folks, so it is unlikely that the Peppa Swims ‘goi run u belly!’. Pepper shrimps are a local favourite but a lot of the shrimps sold on the street side are not fresh. Jabba’s shrimps are usually prepared on the morning of or the night before they are sold. They are a hot commodity so they sell off in one day. If you are brave, I have been told that you can refrigerate and have the shrimp up to 5 days after purchase or a day after if you do not refrigerate.

With regards to the sauce, I remember licking the sauce off my fingers from that Chicken from 2008! Yes, literally ‘finger-lickin’ good’.

Then of course, the taste is unique as a result of the preparation with freshness, seasoning and the added sauce or peppers.

Where is the Chicken and Shrimp sourced from?

Chicken is sourced from Best Dressed Chicken and the Shrimps from Rainforest Seafoods.

What has Jabba done catering for before?

His ‘Eat All You Want Buffet Seafood’ years ago and most recently, Weddings and parties such as Haunted and Afloat Soca Cruse. BBQ Pigstail, BBQ Chicken, Pasta and Garlic bread were a hit at Haunted!

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Can you order this week?

Sorry Suga bears, Jabba’s Smoked Grill and Peppa Swims is currently closed for the holidays and will reopen for business by Saturday, January 9, 2016.

The near future of Jabba’s Peppa Swims?

By the 2nd week in January, Jabba’s popular Peppa Swims will be at Bickles in Sovereign Centre Food Court on Wednesdays and Saturdays for $300JMD per bag.

So as we think about food of all kinds for the festive season and wonder how we will afford lunch in January, look out for Jabba’s Smoked Grill and Peppa Swims next year!

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Skunk Nation brings Car Enthusiasts together for a Cause

by CharitiesWhat's Hot

First of all, what is Skunk Nation? Skunk Nation represents Jamaica’s ‘Stinkest’ (Eye catching), finest machines a.k.a. cars. Whether it’s the paint job, rims, tints etc., it is all about the time, effort, skill and vision becoming reality while building and supporting local at the same time.

Two Saturdays ago, Skunk Nation had their annual ‘Xmas Charity for the Kids’ that Suga attended at Susie’s Bakery in South Dale Plaza, which brought Skunk rides by different teams across Jamaica together for a good cause.

Persons were asked to bring gifts to drop in their gift drums or to make monetary donations.

Cars were on display of course and Dancehall Artiste, Tanto Blacks made quite a memorable appearance. It was an exciting night of dancers, music and freestyling.

Throughout the night as the liquor flowed and the vibe got ‘rich’, persons felt more inclined to drop money in the boxes carried around by Skunk Nation’s team of girls.

Donations such as strollers and more were handed over to Mary’s Child Girls Home last week with the aid of sponsors, Truck Stop, Sparkles Productions, Chun Scents, Ship n’ Go and KMS Distributors to name a few.

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Nicholas Lue hands over some donations to Ms. Williams of Mary’s Child Girls Home last week

Well done Skunk Nation!

Follow Skunk Nation on Instagram @skunknationja or @skunknation or like them on Facebook, Skunk Nation Ja. Find out when their next event will be!