mass wrote: > > Anywhere in Pittsburgh that serves either? > I am orig from NYC and loved getting a beef pattie on the run from the pizza > shop and my wife misses the fried plantains we used to get from our favorite > Spanish restaurant. > Any help? There are quite a few Caribbean (mainly Jamaican) restaurants in Pgh. Bally's in E. Liberty Jamaica, Jamaica in E. Liberty Fireside in Wilkinsburg One on the North Side whose name I can't remember (if they're still there) Another one out in Wilkinsburg whose name I can't remember I think there's another one downtown (uptown?) (not Kenny B's) Kenny B's has Cuban food so no meat patties but they do have tostones (smashed, double-fried plaintain slices) but I found them to be tough and dry - I think they make them ahead and then reheat them somehow, anyway, they're not worth the trip, however I did like their Sunday afternoon Cuban buffet the couple of times I've been there and all-you-can-dring Sangria is included in the price of the meal which is very cheap - about $12 - good Cuban bread. There's also a takeout only Jamaican place on Penn Ave. down towards Lawrenceville catty-corner from Pho Minh. As far as I can recall all the Jamaican places have meat patties - usually beef and chicken. I particularly like the ones from Bally's. And they all serve plaintains when they have them. Although my friends from Trinidad say you can get plantains year-round and that there is not really a season for them, I have on numerous occasions been denied them at one or the other of these restaurants because "we can't get them right now", which led me to believe they were out of season. Now that I know differently I don't know why they couldn't get them. Anyway, plaintains are very easy to get and prepare. You can get them at the Asian center in Wilkinsburg and at the Caribbean grocery on Lincoln a few blocks north of E. Liberty Blvd. I'm sure you can also get them in the strip. I like them medium ripe but most time you use green ones. Peel them, slice them on the diagonal about 1/2 inch thick, saute in butter over medium heat until golden brown. Serve sprinkled with salt and if you like it hot sauce. I like the Jamaican-style hot sauce better than Tabasco but you could use Tabasco or even Franks. Also, on Penn Ave. west of E. Liberty there's a West African restaurant whose name I can't think of at the moment. No meat patties but they do serve plantains and also awesome jollof rice. Kate
Pittsburgh, PA