After an incredible two-week journey through Trinidad and Tobago, it was time to say goodbye to this vibrant island nation. But before heading to the airport, there was one essential mission: one last taste of authentic Trinidad doubles! Join me as I embarked on a delicious Trinidadian street food adventure, hunting for the best doubles just before my flight home, proving that amazing food near me can be found anywhere, even at the last minute!
Doubles are truly the heart of Trinidadian street food. This iconic dish, a local twist on Indian chole bhature brought by immigrants from India, has become the ultimate on-the-go meal in Trinidad. Imagine fluffy, golden-brown flatbreads called bara, generously filled with flavorful chana (chickpeas) and gravy, and then often enhanced with a variety of chutneys, fresh vegetables, and sometimes even meats. And the best part? They always give you two baras, hence the name “doubles”!
First Stop: Sauce Team for Delicious Doubles
For my final Trinidadian food experience, I met up with my friend David from Foodie Run TT. Our first destination in our search for the best “food near me” was Sauce Team. Here, I was treated to a classic Trinidad doubles, expertly crafted with chana, refreshing cucumber, and a vibrant chadon beni sauce, made from the local culantro herb.
Sauce Team offers a range of tempting toppings, including tangy tamarind sauce and fiery roasted pepper sauce, allowing for a customized flavor experience. Beyond doubles, they also serve savory pies and hearty triples. At just $6 TTD for doubles and pies, and $8 TTD for triples, it’s an incredibly affordable and delicious “food near me” option.
The doubles at Sauce Team were a textural dream – perfectly soft yet with a delightful crispiness. The pepper added a welcome kick, and the chana was cooked to perfection, neither too hard nor too soft. Eating doubles is a wonderfully messy affair, and every bit is worth savoring, even licking the paper at the end! We also watched them prepare an aloo pie with the same enticing toppings, further showcasing the versatility of Trinidadian street food.
Next, our quest for amazing “food near me” took us on a drive to the western peninsula, in search of a renowned doubles and pies stand run by a husband-and-wife team, famous for their intensely hot pepper sauce. This part of the island was new to me, revealing charming small towns and quaint fishing villages, highlighting the diverse culinary landscape of Trinidad.
Exploring Western Peninsula Doubles and Indian Delicacies
We arrived at Western Peninsula Doubles and Indian Delicacies, a true treasure trove of flavors. This spot elevates the doubles experience with an impressive array of chutneys and sauces. From creamy coconut chutney to smoky roast pepper and spicy masala chili, the choices were abundant.
Their signature “mother-in-law” sauce, a fiery blend of carrots, hot peppers, and garlic, lived up to its reputation – it looked incredibly hot! Western Peninsula Doubles opens early, at 5:30 AM, and is a local favorite, so arriving early is key to avoid missing out on their popular offerings.
While doubles are their specialty, I opted for a triples, eager to sample more of their flavorful condiments. My triples was loaded with chana, their famous pepper sauce, fragrant coconut chutney, roast pepper, sweet tamarind, and piquant masala chili – a total of seven incredible condiments!
The triples was indeed hot, but the explosion of flavors was phenomenal. The sweetness of the tamarind beautifully balanced the heat, and the baras had a satisfyingly denser texture. The combination of tastes and textures was truly exceptional. To cool down, we enjoyed some refreshing sorrel-tamarind juice, a delightful blend of sweet and tangy notes. I was so impressed that I purchased jars of their coconut chutney and roast pepper sauce to take home, a delicious reminder of the incredible “food near me” experiences Trinidad has to offer. The warmth and friendliness of the people there made the experience even more memorable.
Castro’s and S. Hanif & Sons: More Doubles Discoveries
Our “food near me” journey continued as we headed back towards Port of Spain to Castro’s, a doubles institution with 27 years of history, and 7 years at its current location. At Castro’s, my doubles arrived generously topped with chadon beni, cucumber, chana, and a unique addition – sweet mango!
The flavor profile at Castro’s leaned towards heat, with a vibrant spiciness balanced by the sweetness of the mango. The dish was visually stunning, bursting with vibrant colors, reflecting the diverse culinary influences of Trinidadian cuisine, a beautiful fusion of Caribbean, Indian, African, Chinese, Portuguese, and Latin American flavors.
Next, we ventured east of Port of Spain to Ken’s Hot Doubles and Pies in Curepe, another incredibly popular spot with 18 years of serving delicious “food near me” to locals and visitors alike. I watched them expertly prepare doubles alongside tempting aloo and cheese pies. The people at Ken’s were incredibly welcoming and generous with fillings. The doubles were wonderfully creamy and flavorful, with a delightful crunch from the fresh cucumber. This version was milder in spice and noticeably sweeter compared to the others.
Finally, even at the airport, the search for “food near me” led to one last doubles experience at S. Hanif & Sons in the food court. This airport doubles was lighter in style than the previous ones, with a particularly lovely tamarind flavor. What struck me most throughout this doubles tour was the delightful variety – each vendor offered a unique interpretation of this beloved street food staple, proving that even when you’re looking for something as simple as “food near me,” Trinidad offers a world of exciting culinary discoveries.
