Trinistyle Cuisine
Restaurant · Gramercy Park ·
Authentic Trinidadian fare: doubles, roti, oxtails, bake 'n' shark
Authentic Trinidadian fare: doubles, roti, oxtails, bake 'n' shark
"On weekends at a semi-permanent Gramercy Park corner, Merlin Garcia—still holding a City of LA day job—serves Trinidadian staples that inspire a loyal crowd. Doubles and roti stuffed with chicken, goat, curry goat, beef, or shrimp anchor the menu, Saturdays bring a traditional soup, there’s covered seating and a refreshing ginger–pineapple drink, and it’s best not to take anything to-go—sit, eat, and take in the scene. Must-try dishes: curry goat roti, scorpion pepper wings." - Rebecca Roland
"Trini Style in Inglewood serves classic dishes from Trinidad & Tobago on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Turmeric-colored doubles are filled with generous scoops of chana and tangy tamarind sauce. Garlicky goat curry is simmered until it’s fall-off-the-bone tender. But the star of the show here is their bake ‘n’ shark—a glorious sandwich of puffy fried bread and crispy chunks of shark, all smeared with avocado, tamarind sauce, and mango chutney. This dish in particular is only served on Fridays, but we’d gladly coordinate our flight in sync. Before you come, be sure to check out their current menu on Instagram to see what you’re in for." - cathy park, brant cox
"If you’re looking for Trinidadian food in Los Angeles, Trinistyle is your best bet. Located in a strip mall in Inglewood, this counter-service spot specializes in doubles, roti, and oxtails. Our favorite dish here is the bake n’ shark, a puffy fried flatbread sandwich stuffed with deep-fried shark, chutneys, and creamy avocado that is served exclusively on Fridays. Trini Style Is only open on weekends, and the chalkboard menu next to the counter will look different depending on which day you visit, but the good news is you will eat very well no matter when you show up." - brant cox, garrett snyder, sylvio martins
"Merlin Garcia, a former Los Angeles Public Safety Department worker, started a street food stand and catering company in her spare time. Now Garcia has a proper South LA brick-and-mortar restaurant that serves fantastic doubles, stewed oxtails, corn soup, and goat, beef, shrimp, or vegetable rotis that represent the varied and deeply delicious food of Trinidad. Don’t miss the buss-up (paratha) combinations; weekends see specials introduced from Friday through Sunday." - Mona Holmes
"Congrats, Aquarius: there’s a supermoon on the horizon and it’s got your name on it. On August 11th, the full moon in Aquarius (also known as the Sturgeon Full Moon) is the last supermoon of the year, and will thrust you into the spotlight. This is a time to make moves, dream big, and journal your little heart out, so head to Trini Style Cuisine in Inglewood. It’s a weekends-only spot that serves some of the best Trinidadian food in town, like curry goat bowls, stewed oxtails, and a fried shark sandwich. Trini Style is takeout only, but there’s a peaceful umbrella stand nearby ideal for inhaling that glorious sandwich while manifesting your deepest goals." - kat hong