The jerk chicken was every bit as hot as promised.
It had the kind of spicy heat that tickles a cough from the back of your throat, unless tempered with the likes of callaloo, or with rice and peas. The latter was splashed with a tangy-sweet sauce generally reserved for the stew chicken (like the jerk, available as a $6.50 lunch). The callaloo, shown in closeup below, blended okra and spinach, as it does at many of the city's Caribbean restaurants; the proportion and consistency vary from venue to venue. Once at Union Square I've seen another leafy vegetable under that name, and perhaps, without noticing, I've passed it by in Richmond Hill, too.
From a later visit: baked chicken (lunch special, now $7.50). The crisp-skinned, nicely cooked bird was accompanied by rice and peas plus a broad scoop of supple mac and cheese ($1 supplement).
Freda's
993 Columbus Ave. (108th-109th Sts.)
646-438-9832
Hi Dave,
Happy New Year.
Thanks for the great info on places like this.
Can you recommend a jerk joint in Queens?
Regards,
JK
Posted by: John K. | January 07, 2010 at 08:29 AM
There must be a few, mixed in with all the other West Indian businesses on and near Liberty Ave., but after the long haul from Manhattan, jerk chicken is something I've never tried in Queens. If you can't find a jerk specialist, Singh's might do, though you might find yourself tempted by the restaurant's other chow instead!
Posted by: Dave Cook | January 07, 2010 at 09:06 AM
Hey could you post a menu of Freda's food? I know the restaurant is very new but they now have a paper menu you can pick up (also posted in their front window) but no menu online.
I went there for lunch and split the jerk chicken entree with a friend (came with peas and rice and 2 sides). It was cheap ($7.99), and we were both full for a very long time!!! Freda's is amazing! Don't miss the candied yams :)
Posted by: Jill | January 24, 2010 at 06:08 PM
I tried this place out both for lunch & Dinner...Wow! Outstanding, very close to home cooking! It was so good I had them cater my party everyone loved it. The owners are very personal. The Candy Yams are outstanding!I have tried a lot of caribian places, this is the best one! Ox Tails oh my God!Prices are cheap & the place is very clean, & free Wifi. Nice place to sit down and have lunch or to take a special one one.
Posted by: Ricky Morales | February 26, 2010 at 03:05 PM
There's an online menu available on www.menupages.com now.
Posted by: Q | April 01, 2010 at 07:56 PM