Rudie's: It hits the spot

Usually I find it hard to locate good Caribbean food spots in my area, especially places where you can sit to enjoy the meal. So a few people recommended Rudie’s, which I finally went to check out in November. Three visits later find out my thoughts!Must have dishes:

• Rum Punch
• Lamb Jerk
• Saltfish fritters
• Sweetcorn fritters

OVERALLPrice Tag: £ (£10 minimum spend)Occasion: Friends, date nightAmbiance: 6Food: 7Location: 50 Stoke Newington Rd, Hackney Downs, London N16 7XB (Closest station: Dalston Kingsland) (Branches also in Shoreditch Box Park and Borough Market)Website: Menu 

COST

Rudie’s is very affordable and portions are generous. As a result, you can get away with ordering one main, which start from £10. Also, they have some great offers for date nights.

DRINKS

The highlights for me were the Mai Tai (£7.50) and the Rum Punch (£6.50). Both are good options if you have a sweet tooth, also the drinks have a very generous amount of rum. Overall, if I had to pick, I’d go for the Rum Punch.

STARTERS

I went for my two favourite starters, the Sweetcorn Fritters (£7.50) and Saltfish fritters (£7).The Sweetcorn fritters are a great vegan option. Different from the usual flat shape, the fritters come in the shape of bite-size balls. Overall, they were crispy on the outside, and doughy and soft on the inside - so it feels like it’s melting in your mouth. Also, it’s well-flavoured, and also spicy too. Additionally, the saltfish fritters also have a very similar texture, the only key difference is the saltiness and texture of the saltfish which is a lovely complement.

FOOD

I wanted to try something different, therefore, I ordered the Jerk Lamb (£15.50). The lamb was beautifully tender with little fat. The dish was also well flavoured with a subtle hint of spice. Separately, I ordered a quarter version of the Jerk Chicken (£7.50). The chicken was tender and subtly flavoured. However, it would be great if the jerk seasoning was stronger. In terms of portions, the quarter portion was more than enough for one person, however, you can get the half portion (£13.50).For sides, we ordered the Rice and Peas (£4) and fried plantain (£4.50). The rice was well flavoured, and fluffy. The plantain is also enough to share between two to three people, and in terms of texture it is very soft and sweet.

OVERALL

The service was great and the servers were attentive. Additionally, the food is affordable with generous portions. Overall, most of the dishes hit the spot, but things like the Jerk Chicken could be elevated if the seasoning could seep in for longer! I will definitely be back, especially for the Rum Punch and Saltfish fritters.