Jaclyn's | Caribbean Fusion Restaurant — Restaurant in Toronto

THE BEST GOAT ROTI I HAVE EVER HAD.

I love goat curry and anytime I eat at a West Indian restaurant, it's goat. As such, I have tried many a dishes with goat.

This goat roti is BY FAR the best and I caught myself having moments of "this is just incredible". Here's why it's so good:

The roti skin itself is dhalpuri-style with the ground yellow split peas within adding flavour and texture. The roti is filled plentifully with chickpeas, potatoes and goat. There is a nice balance of chickpeas and potatoes so it doesn't feel like you're getting too much of one or the other or that those ingredients are trying to make the roti feel 'stuffed'. As for the goat, there were perhaps 6-7 pieces (plenty!) of 1-1.25 inch cubes, tender and moist, quality meat; often the goat can be overdone and dry.

What stood out to me immediately after cutting into the roti was how "juicy" it was (extra gravy). The gravy's has the right consistency of not being too thick or thin. The amount was neither too much or too little, allowing every bite of roti skin to have a warm layer of gravy. The gravy had a balanced richness of flavour without being too salty or spicy or whatever.

There is only one option for hot sauce - yes or no; no silliness of varying heat levels. The hot sauce adds a small amount of heat and tang to add another dimension of flavour, without becoming overwhelming heat that takes away from everything else.

While many restaurants offer all of these qualities, they haven't been presented ALL TOGETHER. It is phenomenal.

I had to let the restaurant know how great the goat roti was. The one woman taking orders was delighted to hear the compliment and explained how Jaclyn (owner) and Chris are the cooks. When Jaclyn herself received my compliment, she replied with a smile and very humble "thank you".

If I am out in The Beaches neighbourhood, I will be making every effort to come to Jaclyn's....

Firstly, the woman working front of house (I assume she's Jaclyn?) is awesome! Super friendly and very helpful. Love seeing someone who appears to genuinely enjoy what they do. It makes a difference. Portions are hefty and good value.

Patties are good and very fresh. They don't taste like they've ever been frozen, like so many other places. Chicken roti was massive and full of filling! Pleased that it was white meat and not full of bits of the chicken that aren't so appealing. It took me three attempts to finish it throughout the day! (And it was tasty each time.)

Oxtail was good. Rice and peas was a letdown. I swear we could count the number of beans. Like, 5. My partner asked, "Are beans really expensive now or something?" As someone who loves a good rice & peas, it was too bad. It was also a bit dry.

Full disclosure, I lived in Scarborough for years. I've had all sorts of offerings in Carribean food from there (and some west end). This came up short in the heat and flavour department comparatively. It wasn't spicy at all, even when we asked for it to be. But if you're unfamiliar with this cuisine, it's a great starter place. Nothing spicy, nothing too adventurous or unfamiliar to those who don't know a lot about Carribean cuisine. Honestly, it seems perfectly measured and designed for the general demographic of the Leslieville/Beaches neighbourhood, if you know what I mean...

Plantain were perfect though! Loved them.

It's a good time and definitely a nice change from so much of the same old, same old along Queen East. And, just a note: it is a tiny take-away joint. Don't expect to dine in unless you grab one of two stools that are at a tiny counter there.

It is definitely worth a stop if you're in the area. Next time, it's...

A hidden gem in the Leslieville area for sure!

I recently discovered this joint a few months ago. A small, visually old school - honest family run business in the beaches. I have now eaten there about 3 or 4 times.

The ladies behind the counter are super kind, the menu is simple, straight forward and right to the point.

I have tried the jerk chicken dinner, BBQ chicken dinner and also their fried chicken dinner as well. The jerk is flavorful but not to spicy hot. The BBQ makes me very happy - But let me tell you about their fried chicken... Man, I have NEVER tasted such a genuine "home-style" fried chicken as such! Simplistic yet comforting as I would say.

You can also mix up the dinners too - along with the usual rice and peas (which I will recommend extra gravy on) you can do half jerk and half fried chicken if you want - including BBQ as well.

The accompaniment sauces are quite unique as I will tell ya. Their house-made hot sauce is again flavorful but not spicy hot. Goes great on the rice and even exceptional on the fried chicken.

(NOTE: If you are ordering the fried chicken for pick up, call ahead as it is made to order and will take about 10-15 min)

Will be returning soon enough for lunch as I work just around the corner from...