Gordon’s Betta Taste

Now this is a true hole in the wall joint. If you are having issues finding this place and if the stereo system is working, you can hear them blasting music on Saratoga St.
Luckily, it wasn’t really blaring (I guess there were some technical difficulties, so this was good since we ended up eating inside) when we went, but the open sign wasn’t lit, the awning sign looked as if it has seen some better days and the interior looked super spartan… Also, didn’t help that we were probably the only Asians wandering around this particular stretch… But, we tried the door and as it pushed open inwards, in we went.
Anyways, SX and I are starving. Somehow, SX ends up ordering and of course, ends up ordering large portions of brown stew chicken, curry chicken, and a beef patty. There was no curry goat or jerk pork for the day. Each entrée ($ 9 each; beef patty was $ 2) came with super large heaps of rice and beans, cooked shredded cabbage, three pieces of plantain. I loved that he poured extra curry/​stew sauce over the rice. It was a beautiful sight and ended up being just as equally tasty. The sheer weight of food was hard to contain and carry in such weak styrofoam container, but luckily, we just ended up eating there so, we didn’t have to maneuver far. There’s a small counter top with a few stools to enjoy your meal in house. The portion size here is gigantic (way more than Trinidad Gourmet’s) and everything was piping hot (in temperature, not really in spice) and flavorful. Good flavor and extremely hearty in taste and portion, but not spicy. The chicken was all bone in and super tender (would fall apart at the touch of the fork). Chunks of carrots and potatoes to be found in the stew and curry. The beef patty was quite thin, but the flavor was pronounced and present and the pastry super flaky and golden.
My only qualms with this place: 1– this particular stretch of neighborhood is a bit too scary for me to walk here by myself for a weekday lunch. 2– I only got a fork. I really need a spoon to be able to shovel this goodness in my mouth more efficiently. Though, this didn’t hinder SX at all…

Do you like your reggae loud? Seriously.
DO YOU LIKE YOUR REGGAE LOUD?!!
Then haul your hind parts to Gordon’s Betta Taste. Follow the high decibel wails & pulsing beats throbbing on the 3 blaring from a speaker heard a block in all directions on W Saratoga St to the bright yellow awning over an innocuous Balmer storefront.
This space is sparse. No tables. Three stools? I believe carryout/​pickup/​delivery orders are strongly encouraged.
My Oxtail Plate Lunch ($ 8.50) came in a 3 compartment Styrofoam container jammed fat with healthy doses of rice & kidney beans and cabbage. Oxtail firm. Nothing heavily seasoned.
The Chicken Curry Plate Lunch ($ 7.00) gave a wee hint of spiciness. Loads of juicy chicken bedded on lots of rice & kidney beans. No shyness on portions. The Coco Bread ($ 1.50) was big, warm, and inviting.
Gordon’s serves huge portions of Caribbean fare, but not as spicy as I’m used to being dealt. I likes a lotta fire in ma belly. My preference. Their selling Old Jamaican Ginger Beer ($ 1.60) a definite plus. Staff friendly.
Do you like your Caribbean food plentiful? Then haul your hind parts to Gordon’s Betta Taste. I doubt you’ll find Bunny Lee busting on a Beef Patty ($ 2.00), but you might discover a Curry Goat ($ 8.00) or Jerk Shrimp ($ 10) that strikes your fancy.
No need of Zantac.