Bon Apétit
Café Trinidad
557 E. 75th Street
Chicago, IL
By Taheerah Abdul
Rahmaan
If you are
thinking about flying away to
Trinidad this summer, start by
getting a taste of the island
right here in Chicago. Café
Trinidad offers a rich cuisine
from one of the Carribean’s most
celebrated countries.
Upon entering the
Southside restaurant, one is
greeted with Soca and Reggae
tunes. Brick walls hold
authentic paintings from the
islands, and the beautifully
polished steel tables are
accentuated with the colorful
flowers one might expect to find
in the Caribbean.
The food,
however, deserves the most
praise. Famous for its chicken,
dumplings and Jerk dishes, Café
Trinidad boasts of a menu that
can accommodate any taste.
In the mood for a
hearty lunch? Café Trinidad’s
Roti Wraps are an excellent
choice. Soft flat bread made of
flour, the Roti Wraps come
stuffed with potatoes,
vegetables, traditional
Caribbean sauce and your choice
of either beef, chicken, shrimp,
goat or sautéed veggies.
If dinner is more
your style, Café Trinidad offers
a wide array of entrées- all
reasonably priced and served
with seasoned brown rice and
stir fry vegetables. The
Curry Goat and Curry Chicken
dinners are popular, as is the
Jerk Stew Chicken.
The curry
seasoning which is native to
West Indian culture delights the
tongue in a rich and spicy blend
of seasonings crushed together
for maximum flavor.
Café Trinidad
serves an array of fish entrées
as well. Red Snapper
(served whole or as a
fillet) is simmered with tomato
sauce and vegetables in either a
curry or Trinidadian sauce. The
Trini Perch dinner
is popular, as is the
Curry Salmon.
Café Trinidad
manages to offer a fun mix of
Carribean cuisine and African
American soul food. Choices
range from collard greens,
cabbage and sweet potatoes to
traditional Caribbean staples
such as plantain, red beans,
rice and callaloo (a creamy
combination of spinach and
okra).
Can’t make it out
to Café’ Trinidad Tuesday
through Sunday? The restaurant
offers catering services. It is
truly a splendid representation
of the cuisine of the Caribbean-
one that is sure to delight.
If you have any
fun recipes that you would like
to share with other AFRIQUE
readers, please send them to
chef@afriquenewsmagazine.com
