Sybil's — Restaurant in New York

Tonight was adventure night. We haven't had one in a while and were looking for something inexpensive, close and tasty. Not an easy order. We see this little "hole in the wall" every time we go to the Oriental Mart next door. They didn't have a lot of reviews, but the ones that were there looked good. So, off we went.

As soon as we got out of the car, we could smell the sweet odor of curry wafting through the air. Yum, my mouth was already watering.

We went in and found that it was just as tiny as it looked like it was going to be. It was also hot, it don't know if there was any A/C at all. There was one room, no tables but one bar against the wall, and two barstools. If you're eating in, that's it for seating. There was happy Caribbean music playing in the background.

There were several cases holding the food and drink selections. Some of the food we could identify, but not many. We closely checked the menu and everything sounded good........except the goat, goat never sounds good. I decided on the curry chicken roti. He asked if I wanted it wrapped or separate, I told him that I'd prefer to have it wrapped. He told me that it could be a problem as the chicken had bones. Okay, why ask, LOL? So I got them separately. He asked if I wanted plain roti or seasoned and filled with chickpeas. Being an adventure, I went with the filled.

It took a while to fill the orders, but we got them and hurried home. I'm glad it wasn't far because the smell was making me crazy. I started to grab the foil wrapped roti out of the bag and they were HOT! I dropped it and tried again, finally managing to get it onto the table without getting burned. The gravy from my chicken had seeped onto the other things in the bag, but the were well wrapped, so it wasn't a big deal.

Time to dig in.... From the first bite, I knew I was in Caribbean heaven. The aromatic chicken was falling off the bone tender and permeated with island flavor. There was just a mild spicy heat. The roti, which was still blazing hot, even after I unrolled it, was huge! It was filled with dry, finally chopped chickpeas, which sprinkled out everywhere as I tried to eat it. I just tore it into chunks and slathered into the thick gravy surrounding the meat.

Yes, it would have been a problem if it had been wrapped. There were two legs and a back. I'll admit, I was disappointed that the third piece had almost no meat.

I also opted for the custard for dessert, which was the proper consistency, nicely chilled and flavorful with a slight hint of almond and nutmeg. It was very nice.

All in all, it was delicious and we'll be going back to try some of the other options. I'd like to know what ALL those things in the bakery...

2-23-24 Sybils get to expensive and they cut down the quantity of food and is now less food and more money now it’s 10 phulorie in a bag and they never give mango sour they charge for that. Get rid of the guy whose giving out the numbers he’s rude and unmannerly , he’s been there 4 years now

You shouldn’t need to take a ticket if your just getting a bread and two roti nor should you wait long for it unless their baking it fresh

4-22-18 I waited on the line for 30 mins to place order and what pissed me off the most I told this lady Lorena. I want hot roti from the tower ..so she sneaks over and push the roti wrapped already In a bag and when I ask her if that’ roti is hot she made a big scene...and lowrate me in front of other customers. She had the NERVE to tell me that just came off the tower....what really boiled my blood was SHE SAID IF I WANT HOT ROTI AM I GOING TO COME BACK THERE AND WRAP IT MYSELF LORENA LOOKED ME IN THE EYE AND LIED TO ME WHOLE TiME AM WATCHING HER FACE...BOLD FACED LIAR Lorena

8-18-23 Why they so stingy with the mango and tamarind sauce ?? I bought almost $100 worth of food and they gave one little cup of mango and tamarind with 2 orders of phulori and I gave the girl who take my order a $5 tip and when I bring the food home and saw I only got 1 cup and not 2 I was mad as hell. I gave tip because it was a big order and a lot of work but I think I gave too much. I have the RECEIPT it was $94.01 to be exact.

also not the first time last time in RAMADAN APRIL 2023 I Bought 2 BIG TRAYS OF PHULORIE AND THEY WANTED TO SELL ME THE SOUR SAUCE THE QUART CUP.

the prices have gone up very high

SALOMIE is very nice and pleasant.

there’s many more Good PEOPLE THERE I just don’t KNOW ALL THEIR NAMES PUT IT LIKE THIS WAY MORE PLEASANT THAN STUCK...

As a long time customer, I will no longer be frequenting this restaurant. They received a 'grade pending' meaning:

"Grade Pending” means that on both the initial inspection and reinspection, the restaurant received 14 or more points (a B or C grade)."

I noticed one of the Hispanic male workers using his bare hands to touch the surface where they prepare rotis. So why do the others wear gloves? I've been getting stomach problems after eating here more and more recently and this explains it. I checked the office NYC site and these are violations Sybil's has. They received 36 violation points. Don't feed your family here, they can get sick.

"1) Cold TCS food item held above 41 °F; smoked or processed fish held above 38 °F; intact raw eggs held above 45 °F; or reduced oxygen packaged (ROP) TCS foods held above required temperatures except during active necessary preparation.

2. Food, prohibited, from unapproved or unknown source, home canned or home prepared. Animal slaughtered, butchered or dressed (eviscerated, skinned) in establishment. Reduced Oxygen Packaged (ROP) fish not frozen before processing. ROP food prepared on premises transported to another site.

3. Raw, cooked or prepared food is adulterated, contaminated, cross-contaminated, or not discarded in accordance with HACCP plan.

4. Food contact surface not properly washed, rinsed and sanitized after each use and following any activity when contamination may have occurred.

5. Non-food contact surface or equipment made of unacceptable material, not kept clean, or not properly sealed, raised, spaced or movable to allow accessibility for cleaning on all sides, above and underneath the unit.

6. Dishwashing and ware washing: Cleaning and sanitizing of tableware, including dishes, utensils, and...