Princess Kitchen

Solid oxtail + rice and peas. Surprised more people don’t come here. Also: this place is now called Caribbean Spice, not princess kitchen. I will definitely be back for the jerk chicken.

I jetted down to this neighborhood around lunchtime today to shoot a location for a movie I am working on, figuring I would also find some cool, off the beaten track place around here to fill the belly. Lo and behold, 1 block away, there was Princess Kitchen.
As I approached the restaurant, I realized that the street entrance was simply an empty room, with a TV blaring on the wall. A… little…weird! And a sign at the back of the room saying restaurant in the back. So my co-​worker and I walked in, crossed through the hallway, and down the hall started to hear some music. There was another room, this time with tables and chairs, and a counter with the menu against the wall. And a woman sitting by herself, listening to the music. Outside, a patio for summer dining.
A nice, basic Caribbean menu, consisting of Oxtail, Beef short ribs, Goat, Snapper and Cow Foot Stew!!! Say what? «cooked to perfection and a tender, gummy taste» says the menu. Hmmm. I’m adventurous, but not so much today. My friend ordered the Jerk Chicken and I the short ribs, the small size, for $ 7. We ordered to go as I had to rush back to the office. I asked the woman how long they had been here, and she said about 2 years. I asked her what her name was — Princess came the reply. Ah, the chef and owner, and very friendly. While waiting, we split a beef pastry. Tasty, not too stuffed, but a good amuse bouche!
We got back to work and opened our stuffed boxes. My ribs were fall off the bone tender, very rich and smooth tasting. The stir fry cabbage was mild. The only thing I did not like was the plantain — overcooked and rubbery, no sweetness. But the dirty rice was terrific, some island spices and plenty of fat, I could not stop eating it.
Plenty of food, I wish them luck. 2 reviews in one day, both for the first time. A drab room, but I’m not grading their décor. Next time, I’m thinking the Oxtail and beans! Gummy Cow Foot, anyone?

3 years in Chicago and people always ask: what do you miss? Well. not a whole lot. Not the useless Chicago PD, not the racist neighbors in Bridgeport (King Daley’s old neighborhood), not the permanently reconstructing Dan Ryan freeway and certainly not dirty black snow. What I miss? Jerk chicken. Smoky, crispy jerk chicken from Uncle Joe’s. Spicy as hell jerk chicken from Tropical Time.
Tuesday is get-​out-​of-​the-​house-​for-​free days. Under the pretense of attending Korean class, I roam the streets of Mid-​Wilshire adjacent for the next great eat, worry free, passenger free. Ughhh… who am I kidding… The thought of Hangook brain-​washing for 2 hours makes me hungry.
2 months ago, I «found» NY BBQ, formerly Greece BBQ, a Chowhound favorite. Last month, I hit the proverbial MF jackpot: jerk chicken. Not just any jerk chicken, jerk chicken served from a solo operator kitchen, in the back of a former reggae record shop, on a barren stretch of Washington Blvd, with Ondal 2 being the closest restaurant. Yah, that’s right, jerk chicken 2 blocks away from Korean spicy crab. So LA!
According Desmond, the Islander proprietor, PK has been only open for a «bit». He sure can use some business, but he says all good things take time and he’s holding «Carribean parties» in the mean time. The layout of this joint is almost Chicago Southside jerk shack-​ish. Love it! Also love the extremely spiced (and spicy) grilled jerk (not smoked, but certainly not «stewed») chicken. Forgo cabbage & sides, stick to protein. Oxtail is tender and lightly spiced, curry goat reeks of goaty goodnesss (watch out for the bone bits) with proper amount of curry, and the jerk chicken, sans dipping sauce, is far superior to Ackabee Bamboo’s.
Now, who serves rip tibs? Please stand up.