FrankieJo's Bakery Café — Restaurant in Courtenay

As a Jamaican-Canadian born and raised in Toronto—home to some pretty great Jamaican inspired food—I have to say: this is not a Jamaican patty.

I was told by some lovely folks at Refillery to try the “Jamaican-ish patty.” Not sure what that means, I assume it means to say inspired by but if that’s the case it misses the mark. Anyway they were raving about it so I gave it a shot. What I got was a savoury pastry—not a patty.

A real patty has a flaky, golden crust and is filled with well-seasoned ground beef, with onions and other veggies blended in, not featured front and centre. The pastry itself is part of the magic, and that magic was missing here.

It was okay, just not what was promised which I think is what made for such a let down. I’d gently suggest calling it a savoury pastry or maybe Colombian inspired empanada but even that isn’t true if you’ve been to Colombia. Anyway please stop calling it a patty to avoid getting a homesick Jamaican missing Toronto street food too excited 😆. Also patties are like $3 and this is $7 so you are paying a lot to experience something it isn’t. This place seems nice and the staff are nice this feedback is simply that feedback. I would be happy to try something else from you folks...

Good food, really good cinnamon buns (delish dough) I feel like they used to have more frosting and now quite skimpy but still a yummy yummy cinnamon bun. The sandwhiches I have had have always been amazing. I find the owner can be quite brusk and unfriendly (offered to help deliver once and set up chairs once and both times he quite snapped at me) but the lemonaide is AWESOME. (edit since owners reply) I can't say I am at all surprised his reply was unfriendly. This was a 4 star review (dropped now to 2) with a ton of compliments, no "hey thanks for the comment, so glad you love our food (and lemonaide) just sooo defensive. Hey, if you don't want me to take water out to a customer, there is a nice way to say it, (gosh, thanks so much for offering, but we have to do it ourselves) And, we arrived before 9, waited till about 5 past to approach the door, you snarked at me you weren't ready, I offered to help you take the chairs out you were setting up outside and was snarked at again. Clearly, I wont be back. Your manner is extremely off-putting to someone who has only ever...

Not a good experience at all! We placed our order with what was available on the counter and instead of setting the dessert aside they resold it to the people that ordered after us. Also, the corn chowder was more of a veggie chowder with raw potatoes and zucchini 😕. Sent back the full bowl and not even a suggestion for a replacement or refund. Will definitely not be going back👎👎👎 **I was asked for a substitute dessert not the soup. The tarts were $3something each (×2) and I only received $8 back. Not sure how that equals a refund for the...