Happy Mango Inc — Local services in Barrie

Happy Mango is an unparalleled butcher experience because of the care, attention to detail and passion of the family operators. Every time you walk into a butcher, you're hit with the smell of raw meat (and often the buzzing of a fly or two - yech!); unpleasant right? What does Happy Mango do about this? They hit you with the aroma of the wide selection of fine spices they have in stock instead. They also carefully curated products that you dont normally get at big name grocers that are top quality including local, Ontario made products; from chips and candy to spreads and marinades. Lastly, the staff are always working hard while being attentive, kind and knowledgeable.

Now lets talk about the meat. I am completely ruined for frozen burger patties and burger chains now. Their burger patties are excellently prepared and are just the most tender and juicy I've had anywhere. Just cant buy enough during summer. Oh, their steaks? Good lord. From staples like New York steaks to Prime AAA cuts, they are, again, the most tender and wonderfully marbelled steaks I've ever head from a butcher (be sure to salt the day before cooking for optimal results). Yeah, I dont want to forget this key point: you would expect to pay an arm and a leg for the quality you get here but no. Not only do they have regular specials you can access from their instagram page @happymangonews, but even if you're not getting the deal of the week, prices are the same and sometimes cheaper than the competition! - I swear this is not a paid endorsement, I just appreciate excellence.

Here's the bottom line: when a place like this comes along, it sets the standard that ruins you for other options. We're grateful that the owners have the vision, courage and work ethic to produce the dinner experiences we are now privileged to have.

Thank you Happy Mango!!

P.S. sorry but the food never lasts long enough for me to take pictures. It's like I get hypnotized and...

This was a tough one.

As a butcher, the quality, service and presentation is very good. Prices reflect the quality, and volumes I think. 4.5 stars.

As a retail store, the selection of goods is quite good and prices look fair. The herbs and spices are somewhat one dimensional (narrow range of brands, and jamaican). Good selection of frozen pies and patties. 4 stars.

As a produce store, fairly good selection. I was impressed to see pimento and habanero/scotch bonnet peppers available. Some veg produce are not trimmed properly so some rot can be found. 3 stars

As a food/lunch counter, I ordered a beef roti and jerk chicken with rice and peas. The meat was very good quality. Makes good sense.

However, the roti was ... extremely disappointing. The paratha may have been from frozen shells: hard and thin. Borderline tortilla. The curry filling was not representative of a west indian roti. At all. -1 stars

The jerk chicken ... massive disappointment. Rage inducing. The chicken was optimal quality and cooked to perfection. However, there is minimal to no jerk seasoning. Not representative of the dish in the least. 'Rice and peas' was white rice with black eyed peas. Flavorless. Uninspired. International incident worthy. High commission level offensive. -5 stars.

I will be happy to visit again for everything but the food.

I'll also be happy to offer to drop off (donate as a public service and for their R&D) a sample of a proper roti (with proper west indian curry powder) as well as a jerk chicken with rice and peas (red kidney beans, long grain rice, coconut...

Daren and Anna along with their sons and their staff who are like family, welcome all food lovers to their little island of the Great White North, Happy Mango. Eating scratch made island favourites from their hot table will transport you to the islands with every delicious bite full of authentic West Indian flavour. Quality meats, 'provisions', frozen island delicacies and pantry staples familiar to West Indian food lovers are available to all patrons delivered with excellent service and a welcoming smile. Thank you for allowing we who were raised in the islands (and those who may wish they were), to have somewhere we may frequent that brings us that warmth of being 'back home', right here in Barrie, Ontario. Keep up the great work and may your business flourish and grow for...