The weekend’s almost here and like most, we too are inclined to stay away from the stove on a Friday night. Not quite in the mood for a dine-in experience, the Thursday Life team filed into the trusty Amarok and hit the streets of the capital city in search of roadside eats — eager to discover and tuck into fare readily available alongside the black top.

Journey with us to the immensely popular makeshift food court at the Harbour View roundabout that’s a busy hive of regulars and diverse meal options; to Half-Way-Tree where ‘Chef’ Garsha’s addictive steamed fish has a snaking line of patient devotees awaiting his done-to-order seafood tightly wrapped in aluminum foil; and to Olympic Way where classic hot dogs, hamburgers and French fries have community residents, adults and children alike, out in their paying numbers.

HARBOUR VIEW

Our quest for weekend-starting fare begins in unfamiliar territory. There’s a veritable food court — rife with options from fried and steamed fish and ital stew, to roast pork and conch stew — at the Harbour View roundabout. Pulling alongside the line of parked cars, we are taken with the beehive of activity at play: fragrant food-stacked pots and pans atop coal fires, a bustling crowd gathered at vendor stalls, and an easy camraderie all around. How could we have missed out on this food destination before now?

Shucking oysters for a quartet of Friday night regulars downing the molluscs with add-hot-sauce-and-slurp repetitive relish, 28-year-old David Ferron recalls being part of the family of vendors at Harbour View for quarter-of-a-century. “Is a long time I’m here,” he notes, as he pries another oyster open.

Besides oysters, other seafood is available for sale. Vendor Andre Christie’s conch stew is an immediately recognisable favourite, as is his roasted fish. Nearby, Wayne Batchelor — a seven-year vending presence at the roundabout’s food court — sells fried and steamed fish, festival, roasted breadfruit and jerk chicken.

If the other white meat is your thing, there’s the moist and delicious roast pork whipped up by Sabrina Williams, and if you’re looking for meatless options, Hugh Foster offers curried chunks, veggie mince and ackee and an ital stew.

HALF-WAY-TREE

Directly opposite Clock Tower Plaza on Hope Road is an even busier roadside haunt. Garsha Beckford’s aluminium-wrapped steamed fish and bubbling pot of fish soup are drawing what is a typical horde of devoted customers. It’s after 9:00 pm, and a line has formed that stretches a distance of people, patiently awaiting their turns to make orders. The steamed fish goes for $500 and $600, while a cup of soup costs $100. “I am here almost every Friday night,” University of Technology student Petrine Bogle shares. “I don’t know the secret to the sauce he adds to the fish, but, trust me, I’m hooked.”

Amiable but not one given to part with the special ingredients that keep customers happy and returning, Beckford has found a trusted roadside presence on the outskirts of the Mandela Park. “It’s now been 15 years,” a reflective Beckford divulges, of the time he’s spent becoming a must-do culinary hot spot in Half-Way-Tree. If the enthusiastic reception that greets him on Friday nights is anything to go by, he’s guaranteed another 15.

OLYMPIC WAY

Our appetite called for something different as we wound down our Friday night epicurean excursion and, luckily for us, the irresistible smell of French fries guided us nose-first to Clunis Grill on Olympic Avenue. Clunis Grill offers the classic American cheeseburger and fries combo, in addition to the universal street food: hot dogs. The spot has been satisfying the savoury late-night cravings of the area’s residents and hungry passers-by (much like ourselves) for over three years, serving food hot and fresh until the very last 4:00 am patron is handed his order. “We’re here all night,” shares proprietor Jermaine Rowe.

Rowe cooks up his menu items healthier than your average fast-food joint, making his frankfurters and Reggae Jammin’ burger patties on the grill, keeping unnecessary fat at bay. The crowd of children gathered around Clunis Grill who greeted us on arrival made it clear that they’re responsible for making French fries Clunis Grill’s most requested menu item. The French fries at Clunis Grill are thrown in the deep fryer when you order them, fried to crispy perfection and then topped with mayo, ketchup and melted cheese.

Situated in a busy corner, the Grill is a family-oriented neighbourhood staple, where people of all ages come together on a weekend night to enjoy the simple pleasures of being in good company and having tasty food. Clunis Grill’s done-to-order approach is simple, effective, and delicious, bringing healthier-than-fast-food burgers, fries and hot dogs at an affordable price to Olympic Way.