Gloria's Caribbean Cuisine

I don't often forget to eat lunch. I never skip meals. In fact, it's much more likely that I slip extra meals into the day than skip one. But I was having a rough day, and somehow food slipped my mind. By the time I realized I needed to eat, I NEEDED TO EAT.

My buddy says, "Go down to Gloria's, and ask for two doubles."

For the first time in my life, I didn't even look at a menu. I didn't ask any questions. I just walked into the spot, and did what I was told. In about two minutes, I was handed a small paper bag. In my eagerness, I just thanked the pretty girl behind the counter and started to walk away. Amused, she asked, "Are you gonna pay me?"

So I shouted, "HELLLLL no, bitch!" And ran out of the store.

Or maybe what I actually said was, "Of course. How much?" And then I probably fell in love with her a little bit when she relayed the price of $3 and it sounded like "Tree." I'm a sucker for an accent.

Doubles turned out to be the tastiest treat I had ever tasted: greasy, flaky dough wrapped around a curry chickpea concoction. And at tree dollars for two, I couldn't have asked for a cheaper, faster, more delicious snack.

This place is soooo good! Huge, all vegetarian lunches for two for $20. The veggie roti changed the essence of who i am. All of the veggies were so perfectly cooked: crunchy, buttery, garlicky. I wish all of my vegetables were like that. Recommendations include this exact meal:
Ital veggie platter dinner: peas and rice, coo coo, macaroni pie, callaloo, dal. Veggie roti. You're welcome!!!!
-susie

Whew, Gloria's knows good food. This is a 4.5-star review.

The jerk chicken was really tender and delicious, and the curry conch was also on point. The stewed oxtail was tasty but a little tougher than I liked. I prefer my oxtail practically falling off the bone. My friend's stewed chicken was tasty but not as good as the other options.

I also really enjoyed the pumpkin roti. It was nice and savory with that sweet pumpkin to balance out the flavor. There may have also been spinach stuffed inside but my memory's a little hazy on that one.

Oh, and they serve up some great sides. I first tried callaloo here and now I'm hooked. It was stewed down and full of flavor and spice. The pumpkin was just as delicious as when I had it in the roti. The macaroni pie made a good base for sopping up all the sauces and stewed goodness, but it was a little on the dry side. I wasn't a fan of the coo-coo, which was kinda bland.

Also, their portions are massive. A platter and a roti ended up lasting me three big meals.

The people working there (Maybe the owners?) were very friendly. The place is small and pretty unassuming. I'd come here all the time if it were closer to me, so... it's probably for the best that it's not.

Tried the stewed oxtail with a side of coo coo and callaloo. The oxtail was tender and flavorful but the rice seemed to be sweeter than one would expect. It was my first time having callaloo and it was my favorite. Also got a jerk chicken roti but it was kinda dry. The hot sauce will burn your face off.

Staff was nice and pretty quick.

I waited to long to write a review. Gloria's Caribbean food on Nostrand at Sterling is gone. Nov 19, 2020!

I really wished this was good. Having grown up with a Jamaican parent and eating this stuff everyday, you have certain expectations and typically stick to family cooking. This was the first time I've ever bought food I could otherwise have at home, and it may be my last.

I ordered curry goat with white rice, doubles, and oxtail with white rice. Let's start with the curry goat, or should I say curry bones. Not sure if I get the end of the batch but I had more bones than meat. I would've been fine with the curry and rice but the curry was grainy and salty AF. And I honestly don't understand how anyone could mess up rice. Like seriously? I'd rather eat under cooked rice, than unseasoned mush.

The doubles came with the filling in a container, and the roti in a small ziploc bag. And yes, I said ziploc bag. The roti was stale, greasy and crumbling out the bag. The only good part of my meal was the curried potato for the doubles. It was actually quite nice, and I'd recommend that.

Lastly, the oxtail was just so confusing. It was basically a dessert because of how sweet it was. I don't know how it is back in the islands but I'm damn sure it's not the crap I paid for here. Stay away from this. I'd rather eat the curry bones than this, as I couldn't even finish half the serving.

Overall, I'm just shocked and disappointed. I understand nothing will ever taste like family's cooking but this place doesn't even have the basics down. At the end of the day, the flavors need to be on point and just simply taste good. Having paid $40+ in total for everything, I truly feel like I was ripped off. I question every good review for this place and whether those people have had someone's grandma cook them some good curry goat and oxtail. Save your money because you're better off getting this stuff from Golden Krust and having a more decent experience.

Ordered delivery from this restaurant. Delivery was surprisingly quick. I ordered a soya chunks meal, doubles, and pholourie. The pholourie and doubles were delicious and it was my first time trying both!

However, I never received the soya chunks...instead I received tofu. It's really annoying when you pay for one thing and receive something completely different without at least being notified. And if something isn't available that day, it should not be listed as available to purchase online.

I could not get a refund so I tried to suck it up and just eat the tofu meal, but it was SO salty! The tofu meal came with callalo, red beans, and rice and peas. Literally all I could taste was SALT and no other seasonings or flavor.

I recommend the doubles and pholourie but I do not recommend purchasing any of their meals unless you're trying to raise your blood pressure.

I haven't eaten from Gloria's in a few years and was so pleased when I ordered on door dash. The food was so good and I really enjoyed it.

I ordered the Soy chunks dinner with dhal , white rice and macaroni pie. The dhal was PERFECT.

Pholurie was so soft and the sour paired perfect with it.

Doubles was hot and fresh. No option online to add tamarind sauce and pepper but that's ok. Make sure to ask for it in the store if you can handle spice.

I loved the sorrel because it wasn't filled with ginger and overpowering the drink. It was actually just right.
:)

I haven't had one complaint about my food!!!

Covid 19- they only allow 5 people inside at a time with signage everywhere "no mask, no food." Love it. My go to restaurant for curry all the time. The food is always fresh and seasoned. I can say the length of time you wait has drastically improved since the virus. I've been here twice in the past two weeks and I have gotten my food within 5-10 minutes. The juice spilled the last time but my sorrel is always on point. I never had goat before I've always eaten the chicken so I had an opportunity to try it and I've ate it twice. I will probably have it again next week.

I spend roughly $18-$25 on roti, curry, potatoes and Chana, spinach, and pumpkin. The last time I said no potatoes I never knew I had an option so I was happy not to take it. I don't like to waste food. They actually are very polite at the window when ordering so I can say they value their customers. I drive for food anywhere that has good service and good food no matter the distance.

Let me start off by saying I'm very pleased with my food that I purchased from Gloria's. This place was recommended to me by a fellow Yelper who happens to be my friend, Betula F........thanks so much for the tip.

The business has open doors so that fresh air fills the space.....refreshing. The decor is simple but nice. What I didn't understand is why was there a lamppost in the middle of the business but hey it may be symbolic.


The counter person who took my order was very nice. The service was pretty quick, I didn't wait no longer than about six minutes for my order to be ready. Upon giving me my order, he told me to enjoy and have a good evening.

I couldn't wait to get home to eat my roti and boy oh boy, it was everything that I had hoped it would be. I'm so glad that I was able to satisfy my craving with some great food from Gloria's. I will definitely be back to try some other items on the menu.

I just picked up a food from Gloria's. They had a sign for social distancing and everyone had masks. They have the most delicious callaloo (it's got okra in it) and and a conch roti that is just as good as ones I got Barbados! It was perfect. I am in heaven. Thank you Gloria's for a little vacation from my boring Yankee cooking.