Sunrise Caribbean Whitby — Restaurant in Whitby

I go to sunrise because it’s the Jamaican/ Caribbean spot near my house and I like to support my fellow countrymen and the local businesses in my area. Tbh I’m really not a fan of how they use basmati rice in stead of regular rice. It really takes away from the authenticity of our food.

I had a bad experience tonight using the” too good to go “ app. I was feeling sick so I decided to go to sunrise and get some nice home style Jamaican soup , while I was there I decided to also order a “good to go” surprise bag. The app promises a surprise bag for with the value of $24 for only $7.99. This bag is supposed to contain a variety of the end of day food that was not sold . I walked in and there was lots of food still not sold so I expected my variety surprise bag to be good. Usually at the end of the night there’s not much left , but tonight there was a ton of unsold food(bbq chicken , fried chicken , jerk chicken, breakfast items like ackeee and salt fish, callaloo, fried dumplin. ) When I show the lady working that I was here to pick up the food to go she acted like she had no idea what I was talking about. I explained to her what it’s was and waited for her to put my order together in addition to the “good to go I also bought two soups (one of each flavour). She packed my bag and I went home trusting that my “good to go” would be good. When I got home I realized my “surprise bag of end of day items containing a variety of food “ was one leg of jerk chicken and white rice. I immediately turned around and went back to the store. I explained that there must’ve been a mistake or she must’ve misunderstood . She proceeded to argue with me and tell me that I didn’t know what I was talking about regarding the app when I’ve use it several times at other stores. After a lengthy argument she decided to call her boss and wake her up out her sleep. Her boss proceeded to to tell her that she should be offering a value meal and left over items in addition. She added one more small pc of chicken and dumplin and handed it to me.

I left feeling ripped off and disrespected. No apology given or anything to make the situation better. The point of the app is that customers are getting day old food and sacrificing a bit of quality to get a large portion and so the food doesn’t go to waste. I feel like I spent the same money I would’ve spent for a lunch time chicken special but on food that was even fresh.

My suggestion is that the owner explains to there staff what the “good to go “ app is about and maybe look into it herself and if sunrise does not want to be apart of it and honour its conditions they should remove themselves.

Whether I return to this restaurant and continue to support it will really depend on how they handle this situation.

Thank you for your response. Due to the nature of your response I will not...

Updating this review October 18th 2024

In the last few weeks at the insistence of a gentleman who was working at the Westney location I gave this store another chance. The first time I went there I saw a cashier that I often see at westney she let me know that things had changed and that both stores were owned but the same gentleman and that they share staff. As always her service was great, I came by a second time a week later and even though they didn't have any curry chicken at the time the cashier was pleasant, told me they had just ran out and offered a few other options. I went by tonight for the third time in the last month. Same cashier was there as the second visit. Her name was Kareene I believe. She was very busy with Uber orders but was still very pleasant, she remembered that I had come by a week before and there was no curry chicken... And let me know that she had it tonight. I want to thank the owner for replying to my concerns and it seems that you really have upgraded the staff. I will be back on a regular basis to the store. I'm so torn about this space, it has been my favorite West Indian food brand for so long, we've literally been going to the store for close to15 years. Sometimes you go and the cashier is wonderful, greets you accordingly and is apologetic if they don't have what you want (woman with braids worked earlier this week, and a really young girl who I've only seen there a few times) often the cashiers are dismissive and screwface but at least they can get your order together... Today I walked in at 8:00pm there was a gentleman behind the counter in a blue shirt when I walked in and said good evening he stared at me and didn't say a word, I asked him if he was the cashier he gave me a dead stare and again didn't answer, I asked him again if he was the cashier or if he worked there... He looked off to the side and nodded his head. There was nothing displayed in the food windows so I asked him if he had chicken roti, and did he have paratha shells... His answer to me was what's that?

I walked out of the store. As I've said I love the brand, the issue is this store. I've had a lot more luck with the sunrise restaurants on Westney, Kingston Rd and even York Mills. It's unfortunate that this is the case. The food is awesome and the taste is consistent when you can get it. In the past it has been good enough to ignore the bad service. But today was the straw that sent me across the street to Popeyes. To the owner, don't let a few bad apples destroy your investment. I went from eating at your restaurant twice a week to only going by when I forget to stop in Ajax before I get...

I am so disappointed with our choice of restaurant today for many reason. I am a huge foodie and I love the experience of going out for a bite when I can. I love to share my experiences which has always been a positive experience, until today. I love to help promote small businesses. I assume they have changed hands as the sign was painted covering the name.

I was craving roti for a while and decided to bring the family here today as I had an amazing experience when I went here last year. I was so excited for my girls to experience chicken roti for the first time as they are picky eaters and I have eaten roti for the past 30 years as I absolutely love love love it!! Years ago when my wife was pregnant, we took the time to stop and eat jerk chicken at our friends restaurant before going to the hospital to have our children. Some restaurants have become like family and the staff of places I have frequented throughout my life have become good friends.

Today I was so disappointed that I never go here again. Not that my opinion matters I feel I have to share this experience as I am still shocked.

The 4 of us walk in the store to the sweet sound of reggae music. The place was empty but we still waited for a while for someone to come to the front.

A lady came to the front I asked for a Jerk Chicken Roti which I have had many times in other places. She looked at me and appeared to almost choke when I said this. She said we don’t have this. I asked what kind of roti do you have? She said curry chicken or oxtail. The way she reaction caused me to immediately have my back up and I was ready to walk out the door. Instead I still ordered the chicken roti, paid for my order and immediately left the store to wait outside. When my wife came out with the food we decided to eat in the car rather than spend anywhere minute inside. I opened the container and it smelled very good. We received forks but no knives??? My wife went back into the store and they didn’t have knives. How can you eat roti without a knife and fork?

The flavours were nice however I don’t recall ever eating roti which had bones. And I don’t mean a couple almost every bite had a bone in it. Also, no potatoes or sauce that I have grown accustomed to.

I will ever come back again as I was extremely...