Belizean: Tickie's vs Garifuna Flava?

A group of 12 of us are headed to Belize in March, and thought we would check out the cuisine beforehand. There appear to be two Belizean restaurants in town: Tickie's and Garifuna Flava. GF seems to have more accolades just by virtue of being on Check Please and Food Network's DDD.

On the one hand, Tickie's is more convenient to public transportation, and by virtue of being on the north side is probably a little less scary to those members of our group who don't get to the south side that often. On the other hand, Garifuna Flava has a liquor license, and therefore Belikins... and they appear to be a little larger in size.

I've read both sets of reviews on these boards... any preferences when comparing the two as far as food and atmosphere?

bluepig wrote: On the one hand, Tickie's is more convenient to public transportation, and by virtue of being on the north side is probably a little less scary to those members of our group who don't get to the south side that often.

Be advised that it is actually Tickie's that is in the scarier neighborhood, but the owners are nice and the food is pretty decent.

They both serve pretty good Belizean food, but I would say your choice is already made for you, if you're a group of 12 looking to dine in. Last I checked, Tickie's has a table or two inside but I've seen these used mostly for the takeout service they do, and I'm pretty sure they wouldn't be able to manage a table for 12. Garifuna Flava has waitstaff and the whole bit. Both staff are accommodating and sweet, though, so a call to both may clear up any lingering questions, and they may be able to prepare something special for your group- I know Tickie's has a bunch of unusual desserts that are sometimes available but worth looking into.

TomInSkokie wrote:

bluepig wrote: On the one hand, Tickie's is more convenient to public transportation, and by virtue of being on the north side is probably a little less scary to those members of our group who don't get to the south side that often.

Be advised that it is actually Tickie's that is in the scarier neighborhood, but the owners are nice and the food is pretty decent.

One could debate the scariness of the neighborhoods, I suppose, but Tickie's is undoubtedly the most transit-convenient, a half a block from the red line. With a group of 12, you should be pretty safe anywhere you go. And once you're inside GF, you could be anywhere in the city.

With a group that size, at least one of you is guaranteed to get shot or stabbed. I'd just go to Bennigans.

[quote="Habibi"]With a group that size, at least one of you is guaranteed to get shot or stabbed. I'd just go to Bennigans.[/quote]

I'm not at all sure I understand this comment. Or, apparently, how to properly use the quote function.

Both restaurants are in dangerous neighborhoods that the OP should avoid, because with 12 people one of their party will surely be shot or stabbed.

Habibi wrote:Both restaurants are in dangerous neighborhoods that the OP should avoid, because with 12 people one of their party will surely be shot or stabbed.

I am not familiar with the area surrounding Garifuna Flava, however, I was once robbed AT GUNPOINT near Howard and Paulina--- steps away from Tickie's. This was several years ago, and the neighborhood has not gotten any safer.

If you are attempting to be funny, you are doing a disservice by painting a rosy picture of that area.

http://spotcrime.com/il/chicago/rogers+park

http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserRevi ... Cayes.html

If you are in San Pedro, stop by here for ceviche, pupusa, and belki beer. Also, you can rent a bicycle to get around the island. Great times!

cito wrote:

Habibi wrote:Both restaurants are in dangerous neighborhoods that the OP should avoid, because with 12 people one of their party will surely be shot or stabbed.

I am not familiar with the area surrounding Garifuna Flava, however, I was once robbed AT GUNPOINT near Howard and Paulina--- steps away from Tickie's. This was several years ago, and the neighborhood has not gotten any safer.

If you are attempting to be funny, you are doing a disservice by painting a rosy picture of that area.

http://spotcrime.com/il/chicago/rogers+park

Hey now, that's my 'hood you're raggin on. I have been to Tickie's dozens of times and have never been robbed. However, I was robbed at Halsted and Armitage once --- steps away from Charlie Trotter's. In fact, we crooks from Rogers Park routinely go to Lincoln Park or Skokie to commit crimes, cause like Willie Sutton (supposedly) said "that's where the money is". I think Habibi's point is that a group of 12 people has very little to be "scared" of no matter what neighborhood they are in. The OP's comment about "the south side" could be construed as somewhat racist.

To make a more useful comment, Tickie's has good food but (as noted) not much room to sit. It is also somewhat spartan. I have not been to Garifuna Flava, but I understand it is not typical Belizean food, rather a specific subset of the cuisine. Too bad Flower's Pot no longer exists. There are other Carribean restaurants in the neighborhood that serve similar food, but not specifically Belizean.

With that, let's please keep this on the cuisine from here forward.

Santander
for the mods

Sorry if I started a mini flame war.

In an effort to be helpful, here is another Belizean place that I like, also in Rogers Park, near the Morse brown line stop.

Roots Caribbean

Not sure if it is still open, but I really like their food. The room is small, so I would definitely call ahead. I'm sure they could also prepare a special meal for a group that size. The proprietors are as friendly as can be. Sure hope they are still around.

In an effort to be helpful, here is another Belizean place that I like, also in Rogers Park, near the Morse brown line stop.

The Brown Line of the CTA doesn't go anywhere near Rogers Park. Morse is the second stop south of Howard on the Red Line, after Jarvis.

Shoulda been red line, my bad.

sundevilpeg wrote:

In an effort to be helpful, here is another Belizean place that I like, also in Rogers Park, near the Morse brown line stop.

The Brown Line of the CTA doesn't go anywhere near Rogers Park. Morse is the second stop south of Howard on the Red Line, after Jarvis.

That's very true but somewhat irrelevant since Roots Caribbean has been closed for maybe a year now.

Roots Caribbean Cuisine (closed)
1343 W Morse Av
Chicago

Thanks, all, and apologies for the inadvertent debate that my post started. We're going with Garifuna Flava given the capacity constraints elsewhere. I'll post a review on the food afterwards!

jebo - big thanks for the tip on San Pedro, we'll definitely look into that while we're in AC!

As for the comment about the "south side" judgment being racist - not my intention, and more a comment about unfamiliarity with the south side since I've only recently moved to Chicago. We are ourselves a very diverse group and as others have mentioned should hopefully find safety in numbers.

Hi,

At Garifuna, they encourage you to park in the lot adjacent. They have a surveillance camera there. If you park on the street in front, there isn't anything.

I have only been there once or twice, I parked on the street.

Regards,

bluepig wrote:Thanks, all, and apologies for the inadvertent debate that my post started. We're going with Garifuna Flava given the capacity constraints elsewhere. I'll post a review on the food afterwards!

jebo - big thanks for the tip on San Pedro, we'll definitely look into that while we're in AC!

As for the comment about the "south side" judgment being racist - not my intention, and more a comment about unfamiliarity with the south side since I've only recently moved to Chicago. We are ourselves a very diverse group and as others have mentioned should hopefully find safety in numbers.

No need to apologize. I am the one who became defensive about the safety of my neighborhood. I just think that many people have an outdated fear of RP. I have lived here for 19 years and back when I moved in, it was a really scary place, but despite what some people will tell you, it has improved drastically over the the last two decades. My point was that anywhere in the city has a certain amount of risk to it. Anyhow, I should be making the apologies. I did not think your comment about the south side was intentionally racist. I just think (taken out of context) it could be construed that way (hence Habibi's humorous comment).

As much as I like Tickie's, I think you are making the right choice. Tickie's really is a "hole in the wall" take-out place. I don't know why with the large Belizean population in South Evanston, there are not any other Belizean choices. Flower's Pot used to be a great place, but it closed when the new fire station was built, and never re-opened despite a declared intention of doing so. I have intended to go to Garifuna Flava, but just have not made the effort. I look forward to your report. It is good to know that Garifuna Flava offers monitored parking. I would certainly take advantage of that.

Language, Dance and Music of the Garifuna

Ok, all. I cannot tell you this enough - go here, and go here now.

We had a terrific experience at Garifuna Flava. Our group of 13 was welcomed (and we felt completely safe, parking in their little lot outside). The restaurant was quite busy on a Saturday night around 6:30pm; we were glad that we had reserved a large table ahead of time. I think being profiled on Check Please and DDD has introduced this little gem to a wide Chicago audience, as the rest of the crowd looked quite diverse.

Hussein, the general manager and I believe son of the chef, was our waiter. From the start he was so welcoming. He's the "inventor" of their Belizean long island iced tea - potent, and tropical, with something gingery in there, and Malibu as one of the 6 liquors included. I enjoyed the Belikin Breeze, a beer cocktail with ginger ale and pineapple juice.

We enjoyed the panades, the tamales, and the conch fritters (these were our favorites) - and were glad that we ordered a round of apps. Because they were busy, we had a large group, and I just prefer to think of the kitchen as cooking with love, there was a lengthy wait for our food (both apps and entrees).

We enjoyed a variety of entrees, but I think the most successful were the Belizean stewed chicken, the stew beef and stew oxtail, and the hudut baruru with falamou, their specialty. This last dish takes extra time to cook, which might also have contributed to the lengthy wait. Our group also had a few of the other fish dishes including the whole fried red snapper, which seemed a bit less successful -- the general feedback was that the fish was a little overcooked and dry, even if it was still quite flavorful. The rice and beans and fried plantains that came with all dishes were flavorful -- I liked these rice and beans far more than those I've had in a number of other Latin countries, including Puerto Rico, Costa Rica, Brazil, and Peru. I think it's just because they were so flavorful. Marie Sharp's Belizean habanero hot sauce accompanied everything -- and made me miss that bottle that I used up long ago from my last trip to Belize.

Hussein clearly enjoyed sharing his family's culture, and spent some time chatting with us about Belize.

Consistent with what I've read on other online reviews, the hospitality didn't end with dinner. He shared an after dinner drink ("bittahs") with us -- a potent shot of gin infused with a number of herbs and spices. I think you probably have to make friends with your server if you want to try this, as they did not bring it out for every table. Then, they brought out dessert, on the house -- the caramel cake was phenomenal, and we also enjoyed the coconut tarts and the cassava cake.

Gratuity was automatically included, but we left a generous tip on top for the great service we had. Such a friendly experience -- our group promised to come back for a post-trip "reunion" after we return from Belize. This was completely worth the drive down to the South Side, both for the food as well as the service. We were there for over 3 hours -- and enjoyed the whole experience.

bluepig-

Thanks for the great follow-up. Enjoy your trip!