ADLY GAWAD Ritz server extraordinaire and one-time Chapati Cart conspirator
ROGER MOOKING Host of Food Network’s Everyday Exotic and Heatseekers
DESIREE D’LIMA Fearless foodie and NOW Entertainment wrangler
ACKEE TREE
$10.49/31 ounces
170 Spadina, at Queen, 416-866-8730, ackeetree.com
Monday to Thursday 11 am to 10 pm, Friday and Saturday 11 am to 11 pm, Sunday noon to 8 pm. Licensed. Access: four steps at door, washrooms on same floor.
ADLY GAWAD: “The chicken seems a bit dry and very turmeric-y. The flavour, the colour – it’s all turmeric. Not fabulous, but not horrible.” Rating: 2
ROGER MOOKING: “Rotis all come down to the skin, and this skin doesn’t taste fresh. Nice flavours in the filling, though.” Rating: 2
DESIREE D’LIMA: “It’s all right, but it’s dry.” Rating: 3
Rating: 7/15
COCONUT GROVE
$7.25/17.5 ounces
183 Dundas W, at Chestnut, 416-348-8887
Monday to Friday 10 am to 8 pm, Saturday 11 am to 7 pm. Closed Sunday and holidays. Unlicensed. Access: one step at door, washrooms in basement.
ADLY GAWAD: “Very nice skin, and the chicken’s tender. I really should go into the turmeric business. It’s in everything!” Rating: 3
ROGER MOOKING: “The skin on this one is much better than the first, but the curry’s kind of bland.” Rating: 3
DESIREE D’LIMA: “The skin is the only part I like. Mine seems to be all potato and just a little meat. And bland, bland, bland.” Rating 2
Rating: 8/15
RITZ CARIBBEAN
$7/22.7 ounces
450 Yonge, at College, 416-934-1480
Monday to Saturday 11 to 11 pm, Sunday 11 am to 9 pm. Unlicensed. Access: barrier-free.
ADLY GAWAD: “This is definitely the most flavourful so far, but it’s still not going to get a 5 from me. There’s an awful lot of black pepper in there. My mouth is glowing.” Rating: 4
ROGER MOOKING: “I like that there’s lots of sauce. The skin’s on par or slightly better than the last one. But Adly’s right, it’s very peppery.” Rating: 4
DESIREE D’LIMA: “A little messy, but it’s easily the best yet. But there are a lot of vegetables in there – tomatoes, carrots, peppers. I don’t like spinach. My mom was always trying to sneak it into things.” Rating: 3
Rating: 11/15
TASTY’S
$6.99/19.7 ounces
4 Elm, at Yonge, 416-916-7888
Monday to Friday 11 am to 9 pm, Saturday 11 am to 8 pm, Sunday and holidays 11 am to 6 pm. Unlicensed. Access: barrier-free, no washrooms.
ADLY GAWAD: “Overall it seems to have more integrity than the others. It’s holding together better. I’m a big fan of cumin. Best of the best.” Rating: 4.5
ROGER MOOKING: “This is so Trinidad. But there is a lot of cumin. The skin’s perfect, though.” Rating: 4
DESIREE D’LIMA: “I could do with more sauce, but I love the chickpeas. This is really good! Can I have the leftovers?” Rating: 4
Rating: 12.5/15
PATTY KING
$8.45/21.4 ounces
187 Baldwin, at Kensington, 416-977-3191
Monday to Thursday 8 am to 7:30 pm, Friday 8 am to 7:45 pm, Saturday 7:30 am to 7 pm Sunday and holidays 9 am to 7 pm. Unlicensed. Cash only. Access: one step at door, no washrooms.
ADLY GAWAD:“I think this is my least favourite. It makes me feel sorry for the chicken.” Rating: 2
ROGER MOOKING: “What the hell’s wrong with this? There’s hardly any spice!” Rating: 2
DESIREE D’LIMA: “I’ve got a big chunk of chicken and another of potato and that’s it. Everything’s cut too big.” Rating: 2
