Shelly-Ann Thompson, Freelance Writer

Left: Juliet Brown, supervisor at Pete's, serves up a curry goat lunch from the kitchen for a customer.   Right: Petius Chang, owner of Pete's Restaurant on Molynes Road in St. Andrew. The restaurant has gained a reputation for tasty curry goat. - Photos by Shelly-Ann Thompson

If you are in town and want tasty curry goat, Pete's Restaurant on Molynes Road should be your stop.

For more than 30 years the restaurant has been serving mouth-watering curry goat that has become internationally famous.

"I just wanted you to know about what is being described as the best curry goat in Jamaica. It is at Pete's and I know from personal experience that people who are in the know beat a steady path to that place; and many overseas friends make it their business to visit the restaurant for a plate," read an email to Food that alerted our attention to the establishment.

Owner Petius Chang said it is simply the equation of properly cooked meals and respect for members of the community that has propelled his business.

His motto states, "If the food is not good enough for me then it is not good enough for customers."

Mr. Chang, a former soldier in the United States Army, has food in his blood. He is brother of Vincent Chang and David Chang, owners of Tastee Patties and Sugar and Spice respectively. As a child growing up in Smithville, Clarendon, he often watched his grandfather while he cooked.

"It makes me feel good to watch people eat and see them nodding their heads and saying it tastes good," he said.

His wife, Janice Chang, added, "The administrative staff and manager taste the food daily to ensure that quality is maintained." Several times wives have bought meals at Pete's and serve it to their husbands who are oblivious to the act, said Mrs. Chang. "I know wives who come here, buy their dinner, take it home and serve it out on the table."

The relationship with the community is on par as the excellent quality of food Pete's offers daily. Often the restaurant helps with back-to-school supplies and recently assisted in the construction of the Maverley Community Centre that is located in front of Pete's.

"You treat them with respect and they in turn do the same and we always lend an ear," said Mr. Chang.

Existed since 1971

Pete's has been in existence since 1971, having started on Red Hills Road. In 1973 it was relocated to 96D Molynes Road, Kingston 20.

The restaurant's menu also includes oxtail, fish, conch and chicken. Sometimes on Fridays side orders such as fish tea, bammy, festival are offered. Recently, Chinese dishes such as chow mein, sweet and sour chicken and fried rice were added to the list.

Great Pastry

Pastries are also another reason why Pete's is loved. "I buy bread and patties there all the time," said Althea Gray, who lives in Duhaney Park, a neighbouring community. Breads, chocolate fingers, Danish donuts, Swiss rolls, cakes, bullas, puddings and occasionally buns are whipped up by the restaurant. "We basically bake everything here," said Heather Boreland, supervisor at Pete's.

Still, the well-seasoned and tasty curry goat stands out for many. During our interview, a Jamaican living in England called to say he was on the island and he would soon stop by the restaurant for lunch. About half-hour later he arrived.

"This is one of the best tasting meals I ever had. Once I'm in Kingston I have to keep coming back," said Alfhanso Mitchell.

"The curry goat, pig's tail and oxtail are excellent," continued Mr. Mitchell.

"Everything (ingredients) is weighed. We cook throughout the day and we do not cook more than needed," said Mr. Chang. The proportions of meals cooked is often done in quantities.

Chang noted his aim is to please his customers. "I tell my staff every time, any food that you wouldn't pay your money for, don't sell it to the customers. No matter what I eat even two pieces of curry goat has to be in my plate."

Pete's also caters for functions, sometimes for church groups and funerals, and deliveries within a particular area, expanding to Cross Roads.

Comments

Members of The Gleaner's Editorial Department sampled curry goat lunches from Pete's Restaurant. Here are their comments.

The goat meat was extremely soft, it melts in my mouth

The food was not salty

I'm impressed, I'll go there and buy lunch

It reminds me of meat cooked outdoors over a wood fire and the curry flavour comes out very well.

This is the real deal - can taste the 'rammy' (male goat) in a de meat.

Has a nice curry flavour and has the right amount of pepper content, as usually persons try to drown curry with pepper.

No taste of powdered seasonings, which is good

Tastes really like country curry cooking

To arrive still hot from Molynes Road to North Street at The Gleaner (about 15-minute drive distance), is impressive.

The low salt content in the curry impress me the most. Plus, there is a distinct taste of one of my secret ingredients.

The meat just melts in the mouth and was not oily. I would buy this again!