Cuzz it up!

Today I had a Cuzz Cutter...yet another food gem that you can only find in Barbados. "Cuzz Cafe" is situated on the south coast of Barbados on Pebbles beach. It is very popular among locals and tourists alike and has been put on the list "101 Best Places to Eat Around the World". One of the chefs who was involved in the selection said: "It's a fish shack with a line out the door. From a cook's point of view, everything is wrong with their sandwiches, like the cheese on them, but they're so delicious." (Marcus Samuelsson, New York). I'd say that's a pretty accurate statement.

This "restaurant" does not really have a menu on display, but if you squint your eyes and look really closely into the shack, you can see a piece of paper with the menu options jotted down on it. The best thing to do is ask. You can get:
- Fish, cheese, and a fried egg
- Fish and cheese
- Fish and a friend egg
- 2 friend eggs and bacon
- Fried egg and cheese
- Cheese
- Fried egg

Cuzz is super affordable, the price of a cheese cutter (aka the world famous Bajan "cheese on bread") is 3 BBD and if you get everything it will be $11.

I opted for the whole 9 yards with the fried egg, cheese and fish cutter. It was delicious and really fresh!

Obviously if you go to Cuzz for lunch you are obligated to eat your sandwich on the beautiful Pebbles beach which is a few steps away, just sayin' :).

Not your average fast food joint

Barbados has amazing food at every level: from street food to fine dining there are so many delicious options. These options are (not always, but usually) small, modest and sometimes hard to find. Yesterday I had a late lunch at one of my favourite places. Situated in Eagle Hall, Bridgetown is an extremely popular small bar & rotisserie amongst Bajans. It's called R.A. Mapp (Mapp's for short) and the menu is very simple: rotisserie chicken and chips. You also have the option of tossed salad, macaroni salad or coleslaw but the chicken and chips are the stars of the show and the sweetness is definitely in the sauce. If you haven't had Mapps you haven't lived. Yes, it is really that good. 

Sidenote: If you are reading this and you aren't from Barbados I just want to clear up that we call fries/french fries, chips.

So whats the process when you arrive? Well when its not busy, which is a rare occurrence, you can just walk right up to the counter and place your order. But the words "Mapp's" and "busy" go hand in hand and they have a procedure for everyone to follow. If you aren't a regular it may all seem kind of strange especially since there are no instructions as to what to do. Lucky for you I was paying close attention yesterday so now I'm an expert! 

Ordering at Mapps:

1. Take a number

2. Wait for one of the ladies working to call your number

3. When your hear your number, shout your order

4. The lady will then write down your order on a plastic bag and she or another lady will go get it

5. When your food is ready they put it in the bag and you pay 

If the wait is long like it was yesterday you can enjoy a drink or run across the street and take photos for your blog (I may or may not be be guilty of the latter). 

Mapps has taken something so simple (rotisserie chicken and chips) and perfected it. The food is always fresh, full of the amazing sauce, and generally wonderful. If you haven't had  it make an effort to go because it will not disappoint. I have not tried the salad options but I have heard rave reviews about the coleslaw. Will have to try it next time!