Case in point came with the June 1 opening of another Jamaican-themed eatery at 1011 Broadway St., where Caribbean Flavaz took over a traditional sandwich shop that had been a local institution for four decades. Mr. Sub shut its doors and new owner Ron Edwards introduced regulars to something quite different.
“People are learning about it, and they are liking it,” said Edwards, who kept many of Mr. Sub’s staples on the menu to satisfy more-traditional U.S. taste buds and said the food orders are about “half and half” but widening. “We are seeing the same faces come back every day, so we’re doing something right.”
It’s so ‘swicy’
Known for its “swicy” (sweet and spicy) flavor profile, Caribbean cuisine blends combinations of heat (Scotch bonnet pepper, curry), sweet (molasses, coconut), spices (allspice, clove, nutmeg), juices (lime, mango, pineapple) and herbs (thyme, garlic, ginger) to create contrasts between super savory and sugary.
Caribbean staples include jerk chicken and pork, oxtail stew, curry goat and brown stew chicken, while common side dishes feature rice and peas, fried plantains, steamed cabbage, beef and chicken patties, and a classic pelau that is reminiscent of local delicacies perloo and chicken bog.
The unique flavors of the Caribbean also hit close to home for their connections to traditional American dishes, particularly Southern cuisine.
In fact, the South’s beloved barbecue was introduced by enslaved Africans from the Caribbean using bold spice rubs and a pit-style cooking method.
Southern staples like shrimp and grits, Hoppin’ John and Creole gumbo are also rooted in the islands, so the local boom isn’t too surprising.
‘Jamaican’ me hungry
Locals and visitors looking for a taste of the islands in Myrtle Beach don’t have to travel far.
In addition to the two new Caribbean-themed restaurants opening this summer, others in the neighborhood include:
Bachata Caribbean Bar & Grill at 811 Seaboard St.
Clarendon Cuisine at 1605 N. Kings Highway
Homestyle Restaurant at 5114 8th Ave. N.
Island Vibez Cafe & Coffeehouse at 533 Broadway St.
Punta Cana Bar & Grill at 633 Robert Grissom Parkway, and
Reggae Island Grill at 803 S. Kings Highway
Dining and Cooking