Shopping and Dining on Flatbush Ave.
Family-Owned Restaurants and Bakeries Are Bustling in the Flatbush Avenue BID
Los Tres Chiflados
Caribbean L BQ ife, Aug. 23, 2019 33
The Flatbush Avenue BID (Parkside Avenue
to Cortelyou Road) boasts a multitude of
popular restaurants and bakeries hailing from
the islands and elsewhere. Among them you
will find a gem, an award-winning Caribbean
Restaurant, Peppa’s, MangoSeed and Sister
restaurant, ZuriLee. The list of Caribbean
Restaurants continue along Flatbush Avenue
and include include the very popular, Jamaican
Pride Bakery, Jen’s Roti, and many more.
Every morning, you will see customers
lining up at the family-owned C & J Jamaican
Restaurant & Bakery (875 Flatbush Avenue)
for Ackee and Saltfish. This is a national dish of
Jamaica that is very popular with Caribbeans.
During the midday lunch hour, you will see
many people waiting to enjoy a dish of Oxtails
and Macaroni Salad.
One server, at C & J Jamaican Restaurant,
explains that their food “reminds people so
much of their home town”. And, he continues
to say, “even if they’ve never been to the island,
the dishes are something embodied in the
families.” The restaurant is open daily from
7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. The owner adds, that
their employees are “typical of people who
work in the area: they work long hours!”
Another staple in this Caribbean
neighborhood would be the Island Express
Caribbean Grill & Bakery (998 Flatbush
Avenue). This bakery was inspired by
Sybil Bernard who started a bakery out
of her home. This bakery soon became a
neighborhood favorite and well know staple
of the neighborhood. The bakery was later rebranded
from Sybil’s as being “fast and casual”.
Island Express is still owned and operated by
Sybil’s daughter and grandson. The restaurant
continues to thrive while keeping it a well
known family business. The family is very proud
to still be known for their pastries and bread.
Their bakers arrive daily at 7:00 a.m. to start
baking in time for the breakfast rush, therefore
guaranteeing fresh baked good every morning,
another reason for their popularity.
A relative newcomer to the Flatbush Avenue
of restaurants would be the popular Los Tres
Chiflados (1046 Flatbush Avenue). Los Tres
Chiflados opened in 2017, across the street from
the majestic Kings Theatre. When the Theatre
opens up for its array of live performances,
featuring popular artists (for upcoming shows
like Dionne Warwick, Majah Hype’s Annual Labor
Day Comedy Show, and Baby Shark Live!) you
will notice large lines for the restaurant. These
shows generate a hungry crowd of theatre goers,
that Los Tres Chiflados will become very packed.
The restaurant then would have to open up their
back room to serve the overflow.
The restaurant’s chef learned to cook in
his native Mexico from his grandmother and
parents. That is the case for most Mexican
families; they learn to cook from their elders.
He creates favorites like Pescado Taco (lightly
fried battered fish, cabbage, pico de gallo
and chipotle mayo) and Torta de Chorizo con
Huevo (Mexican sausage with eggs and pickled
jalapenos). Customers enjoy these savory tasty
dishes along with a full bar, which are a staple
back home. It has been announced that coming
soon in September they will have an opening of
backyard dining, a definite must visit.
So the next time you’re shopping on Flatbush
Avenue, remember to allow time to eat!
King’s Theatre
Flatbush Ave., Brooklyn Jen’s Roti