Jamaican Patties So Good I Spent My Light Bill Money! #InTheDarkButFull

Miami is blessed to have a large Caribbean population where, by driving from one community to the next, a critic and foodie like me can be transported across the globe thanks to the smells, sights, and flavors in mom and pop eateries nestled within Miami’s fly over neighborhoods.  Taste Rite Bakery is one of those eateries indeed, gliding me through the beautiful island of Jamaica with just one bite of their delicious Ackee and Saltfish Pattie ($3.00).  Ackee is a fruit found in West African, transported to Jamaica by slaves and incorporated with salted cod fish to create a scrumptious dish, which was stuffed inside this amazing patty.  Surprisingly, the ackee and saltfish was my favorite of all the patties.  A MUST HAVE!

Following the Ackee and Saltfish Patty, I had the Seafood Patty ($2.25), which is packed with shrimp and imitation crab meat and sautéed with a pleasant peppercorn flavor.  The Curry Shrimp Patty ($2.25) is stuffed with piping hot and absolutely delicious curried shrimp magically stewed to a soft textured and flavor packed filling.

Next on the sampling list were the Jerk Chicken Patty ($1.80) and the Stewed Chicken Patty ($1.80).  Both the jerk and stewed chicken flavors were mild. The chicken patties were ok, but I would definitely go for the other options if you want a truly amazing gastronomic experience.

The classic Beef Patty ($1.70) and the Cheesy Beef Patty ($1.90) were both delightful and nostalgic.  As with the majority of Jamaican cuisine, the beef has a nice hint of spice that all the patties (except for the veggie) possess.  Notes of thyme, onion, and salt grace the beef filling in addition to a mild cheddar cheese flavor within the Cheesy Beef Patty.

The Vegetable Patty ($1.50) was my least favorite second to the jerk and stewed chicken.  It was filled with cabbage, carrots, and seasoned well; however, the texture of the filling and the patty dough, did not agree with my palate.  To the contrary, the Callaloo Patty ($1.85) was THE BOMB.  Callaloo is a leafy green that tastes slightly similar to African-American collard greens, minus the smoked meat flavor. So if you’re a vegan or vegetarian, you can’t go wrong with the Callaloo Patty.

The crust and the fillings for the patties are made fresh and by hand daily – very impressive because you can taste the freshness in each bite.  The dough of the patties is pretty much a flaky shell, tinted golden yellow with an egg yolk mixture or turmeric. It is made like a turnover but more savory with an unforgettable buttery aftertaste. I recommend that if you are ordering a patty to also add a piece of Coco Bread (.85); which is made fresh on the premises daily. It contains some coconut milk, giving it its name. The bread is starchy and slightly sweet and comes split in half so you can stuff your patty right in the slot, pretty much forming a Jamaican Patty sandwich.  Praise God for this.  Thank you Lord.  Just thank you.

If you absolutely love coco bread, you can get patty filling inside the coco bread by ordering a Beef Loaf ($1.80), Callaloo Loaf ($1.85), or an Ackee and Saltfish Loaf ($3.00).  Each one was excellent.  The Coco Bread only scratches the surface of delicious baked goods and breads coming from the ovens of this small but volume packed bakery!

The aroma of the Jamaican Hard Dough Bread and Duck Bread are so powerful, any carb free diet WILL BE BROKEN!  Jamaican Hard Dough Bread is similar to Pullman loaf and is great with butter, cheese or jam, dipping into liquids like hot chocolate; or to make KICK ASS sandwiches. Come to think of it, Jamaican Hard Dough Bread is a little more resistant to becoming soggy and breaking apart in sandwiches with fried, greasy fillings such as plantain and egg. So in that regard, this is probably one of the most versatile breads out there.  Made from flour, water, yeast, salt and sugar, the taste is sweeter than your traditional white bread.

Duck Bread is similar to the Hard Dough, but has a lot softer interior and is actually shaped into a duck. I believe Jamaicans pull this bread out during the holiday season and for other special occasions.  You can get an entire loaf of bread for only ($3.75) or wheat for ($4.00).

Finally, there are a plethora of cakes and other breads including assorted varieties of pound cakes, cinnamon rolls with raisins, puddings, and an interesting dessert called Rock Cake ($1.50) with hints of coconut throughout. You can’t go wrong with any of the pound cakes.  I loved them all.

Taste Rite has three locations and no plans of slowing down anytime soon!  Although the service was on point and the staff at 18400 NW 2nd Ave, Miami, FL 33169 was friendly, you will likely encounter an older lady who can best be described as a Patty Drill Sergeant at the Miami Gardens North location, she was not pleasant at all.

I will certainly make this spot one of my routine go to places for a quick bite, a fast breakfast, and I almost forgot to mention their refreshing natural juices!  You can get All Natural Juices with your order! I absolutely loved mine!  This place receives 10 out of 10 stars and is definitely Hungry Black Man approved!

Miami Gardens South Location: 18400 NW 2nd Ave, Miami, FL 33169 – Phone: (305) 249-7483

Miami Gardens North Location: 171 NW 193rd St. Miami, FL 33169 – Phone: (305) 249-7483 (Mean lady works here though)

Sunrise Location: 8648 NW 44th St, Sunrise, FL 33351 – (954) 741-1555

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