Cuban in Bergenfield NJ

I’ve been meaning to go to this tiny Cuban place in Bergenfield called “El Caney”.

It’s a stone’s throw away from our favorite Filipino pan de sal place.  It’s been a while since I’ve had Cuban and I was ready for some picadillo, chuletas, pernil, and other Cuban standbies.

I tried their bacalau with fried plantains, black beans and white rice.  I washed it all down with a tamarind soda.  It was very good, like good home cooking should be.  And also quite filling.  I also got a guava empanada which I am looking forward to having for dessert tonight.  It’s too bad they didn’t have the guava and cheese empanada.  That sounds even better.

Iliana, the friendly waitress/cashier of El Caney, said they had regulars from NYC who visited every weekend.  At one point during my meal, she took an order over the phone.  Very shortly thereafter, a NJ Transit bus actually stopped in front of the restaurant and Iliana gave some take-home Cuban fare to the bus driver.

The bus driver and a growing number of people know – El Caney is worth the stop.  I’ll definitely stop by again.

Jamaican Food Truck

“The Jamaican Dutchy” is a rather large food truck that claims to serve “authentic Jamaican cuisine.”

I came across this truck yesterday and couldn’t resist trying some Jamaican fare.  After all, I haven’t really had good, authentic Jamaican food.  I’ve tried “jamaican patties”, jerk chicken and the like but never really enjoyed them or considered them authentic.

So I was hoping the Jamaican Dutchy would change my opinion of Jamaican food.  Thankfully, it did.

I ordered a “mini-meal” of stew chicken and some red bean soup.  It was all served in styrofoam and wrapped in plastic.  The stew chicken reminded me a little bit of adobo.  Stew chicken supposedly uses scallions, garlic,  thyme and lime juice and something called “browning sauce”.

The red bean soup was thick, heavy and hearty – perfect for a cold, damp day.

Next time, I ‘ll try their cow’s feet . . .