Where do the locals eat?

Newbie Joined: 23 Feb 2005 Posts: 1

Any non-tourist places to go for authentic local food at cheap prices? I can't imagine the locals eat at the Wharf every day.

Newbie Joined: 27 Feb 2005 Posts: 2

Try Coconut Joe and Eats. The cheap local places are Jamacian and you probably would not like them.

Newbie Joined: 04 Mar 2005 Posts: 4

That's true. We tried a little place near George Town beacuse sometimes the best places are those little hole in the wall kinds of spots. Well let me tell you, this was the worst food I have ever seen. They had some kind of chicken with bones in it and so much sauce it could have been 10 years old and you could not tell the difference. The rice was sticky and the whole place smelled bad. I took one bite and left. A lesson learned. We asked the conceriege about it at our hotel and she said many of those little places are for the Jamaican construction workers to get a cheap lunch or maybe dinner for a few dollars, but not to go there if we wanted really good food. There are safety concerns to consider since they do not have an FDA down there, you don't know what you are getting. I would stay with the main places that have reputations to worry about. There are so many to pick from there is no reason to take chances with your health.

Newbie Joined: 06 Mar 2005 Posts: 1

Actually, the locals DO eat at the Wharf and places like it. Those little holes in the wall suck. It's not like Mexico where the little tiny places are sometimes the best. Many of the workers on Cayman live somewhat below the US standard and can only afford to spend $5 for dinner. For them it is great, they are used to it. Most people that can afford to go to the Caymans would not like it at all. We tried a few and I can tell you that you would be wasting your time trying to discover something new that none of the rest of us frequent fliers know about. Stick to the popular places and you can't go wrong. My $.02 Smile

Newbie Joined: 06 Mar 2005 Posts: 3

Unless you are a fan of fried bananas, chicken feet, goat liver and boiled weeds, you better stick to the main restaurants. rolllaugh

Newbie Joined: 06 Mar 2005 Posts: 4

Yeah and stuff like Acki&Codfish! YUCK!!! Barf

Posted: Sun Mar 06, 2005 2:59 pm Post subject:

Where do the locals eat? The same place as everyone else. I know most places have those little hidden places, but if there are any in the Caymans I haven't found them yet. Most of the best places are well known. If anyone does find a "secret" place, let us know. Very Happy

Newbie Joined: 09 Mar 2005 Posts: 5 Location: CT

Hi-someone told us it cost him $12 for a cheeseburger alone. Can this possibly be true? I know it's not inexpensive to travel to an island but that's kinda scary!

Posted: Wed Mar 09, 2005 6:14 pm Post subject:

Hi Jen & Keith - Welcome to the fourm.

I heard about a new French restaurant in New York that charges $40 for a hamburger! This is a true story.

But to answer your question, it depends. We have Burger King like everyone else where you can get a burger for about a dollar. If you go to a 5-star restaurant, of course it will cost more. Everything is relative. Very Happy

PhislandLisa are pretty much correct. We really don't have any "hidden" secrets - at least none that I have found. All of the very best restaurants are listed in our magazine and on our web site.

Newbie Joined: 14 Mar 2005 Posts: 7

Post removed - Joe

Steve, most (not all, but most) of the places you listed are not places that I would recommend to tourists, for a number of different reasons. I am not going to speak badly about any restaurants, so I deleted all of them. I have hundreds of local friends, mostly Caymanian and very few of them eat at any of the restaurants you mentioned. They all eat at pretty much the same places as visitors - the more upscale and reputible establishments; most of which are listed here and in our magazine.

Also, the night club you recommended in a different post has a somewhat shady reputation and I would not consider that a suitable place for visitors. That post was also deleted.

When making recommendations to visitors, please do so with the mindset that it would be the kind of place that you would send a close personal friend or relative on vacation, knowing that they have a limited amount of time to experience the very best Cayman has to offer. Wink

Thank you.

Newbie Joined: 17 Mar 2005 Posts: 1

Cracked Conch has the best local cuisine. They are on the ocean with magnificent views and fast friendly staff. We go there every time. Cheers

Posted: Thu Mar 17, 2005 9:22 pm Post subject:

WOW thats right up our alley. Yall gotta have us over for dinner next time we come! BouncingLaugh

+++ GREAT new smilies thanks joe/joe Razz

Newbie Joined: 18 Mar 2005 Posts: 5 Location: Indianapolis

Joe - You seem to be very knowledgable about what's going on down there. I will be there in May. I have not been down there in about four years and am out of touch. It distresses me to hear that a lot of my favorite places to eat are gone. I love the local food and don't mind going to little hole-in-the-wall establishments to find it.

I love stewed conch and will have to have it when I get there. I enjoyed the Champion House's stewed conch. Are they still in business?

If not, do you know where I can get some. I also like fish tea (believe it or not). Where can I get some good fish tea?

Oh, and I will also have to have a mudslide. Any suggestions? :-D

Posted: Mon Mar 21, 2005 9:22 pm Post subject:

Hi Ratdog - Welcome to the forum:

I believe Champion House is open, if it is the more hardcore local food that you are after. For authentic, but more gourmet local food I recommend Cracked Conch or Lobster Pot. Cracked Conch has won awards for it's stewed conch and has been featured and recommended by CNN, Burt Wolf, The Discovery Channel, Gourmet Magazine, and many others.

Just about every bar and restaurant serve mudslides, the fun is finding the one you like the best. wink

Newbie Joined: 18 Mar 2005 Posts: 5 Location: Indianapolis

Thanks for the info.

LOL. Yes I guess I am into "Hardcore" local food. I guess I like the little local restaurants because I love to talk to the local residents. They love their island and love talking about it. I've learned so much about the island and it's history just by talking to the locals. I've met a lot of nice people. Looking forward to my next visit and chatting with them again.

I also look forward to my quest for for the perfect mudslide.

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