The Jamaican Pattie Shop
CBA Business Spotlight: The Jamaican Pattie Shop ( 801 Sproul St, Chester, PA 19013, VITTLES)
What inspired you to start this restaurant and what makes it unique compared to other dining establishments in the area?
We started The Jamaican Pattie Shop as a means of bringing people with food intolerance back to the table. One of my sons who is vegan couldn’t get any decent Jamaican food or patties so I did a little research and found the market lacking for vegans, people who are gluten free and for people who want a little change from the ordinary.
Can you share the story behind your most popular or signature dish? What makes it a standout on your menu?
Ha ha, our most popular patties are our pizza, and the shrimp alfredo. Who doesn’t love pizza?? But the trick is that our pizza patty is actually vegan. The shrimp alfredo just amazes peoples taste buds since there isn’t anything like it on the market. But I have to say our “sweet potato change YA LIFE” cupcake is truly a hit, we aren’t even sure why but what we do know is that we can’t keep these cupcakes in stock and people don’t even care that they too are vegan.
How have your cultural background and heritage influenced the recipes and flavors featured in your restaurant?
Jamaican has a saying “wi likkle but wi tallahwah” meaning we may be a small operation but we have big flava. Passing down our heritage to the boys is truly important and food is the great equalizer that brings all people together.
What role does food play in sharing and preserving your cultural heritage, and why is it important to share this through your culinary offerings?
Everyone eats daily, however the trick is to make it flavorful so people can ask more questions not just about the food and why it’s so good but also get to know each other. America is a melting pot of flavor and we believe in preserving as much as we can through our food.
What advice would you give to the youth in Chester in regards to starting their own business?
Start, start with no money, start wherever you are, still like that’s impossible right? Actually it’s not there are people who you haven’t met yet that are rooting for you. Don’t let anyone or anything stop you from your goal. Yes, there are a WHOLE LOT of obstacles but if you change your mindset too there are a WHOLE lot of solutions only then will you solve a problem for someone you will be amazed how many strangers will buy your products or services. Just start!
What efforts do you make to ensure that the history and stories behind your recipes are honored and preserved within your restaurant?
I have my kids that work with me and there is no guarantee that the recipes or stories will be persevered but what you plant in one season will surely reap in another.
How does the restaurant aim to create an inclusive and welcoming environment for customers from all cultural backgrounds?
Our aim is being a second chance employer because we know that things happen and sometimes people just need a little bit of help. We are actively looking to add to our team members but be warned we work hard and look for people with a driving for success attitude. We live be the motto “respect is for all”
How do you see the restaurant contributing to the community, both in terms of preserving cultural food traditions and promoting diversity and inclusion?
Hopefully we can hire some of the amazing high school students that have an interest in the culinary art. As a former culinary teacher I still love to teach and as we hopefully expand our business model we look to do more cultural cooking classes. People can sign up for our -“Curry Every~ting “ class just in time for the holiday. With our classes they get a little bit of history behind the preparation and why.
What's next? Where do you see your business in 5-10 years? Where do you see Chester in 5-10 years?
We are looking for a satellite store currently We see ourselves in our manufacturing plant right here in Chester PA producing over 10k patties a day going all around the world!
