Beat the Cold With Jerk and Tikka From Trini Paki Boys

When Lunch’er Steve informed us that the Trini Paki Boys Cart (43rd btw. 5+6th) was now serving jerk chicken, I quickly headed over to try it out. I was treated to a delicious mess of a plate, a huge piece of bone-in chicken, covered in gravy served on a bed of rice with a healthy serving of chickpeas and vegetables next to it. When I went back for more jerk chicken, they practically forced me to try some of their new chicken tikka as well (they didn’t have to force hard). Check out the ridiculous plate of food I got for $7 after the jump.


That is a thing of beauty. Admittedly, I’m the kind of person who really enjoys a bunch of food slopped on a plate together (I’m from the birthplace of the Garbage Plate after all), but it’s hard to imagine anyone finding fault with this heaping plate of awesome. The styrofoam could barely close around it all. It’s a little hard to describe what is going on flavor wise because everything is mixed together (and covered in sauce), but here’s a closer look at the two kinds of chicken.

The jerk chicken itself was drier on the outside this time than my first, but the flesh inside was moist both times. I kind of like it with this dry skin more, especially since the whole plate of food is covered in copious amounts of sauce by the time they’re done. The flavor will be familiar to anyone who has had jerk anything before, and their preparation provided plenty of heat. Their sign claims they have boneless jerk chicken as well. I’m someone who places a great value on convenience, but there was only a small thighbone to contend with in this large chunk of meat, so I see no reason to stray from the real deal.

The chicken tikka was small chunks of boneless chicken stewing in a dark sauce. It’s basically the Trini Paki Boys version of tikka masala, though it doesn’t taste like what you will get in Indian restaurants. It’s not creamy and there’s no tomato flavor. It’s less spicy than the jerk chicken although everything had some spice due to the hot sauce that got heaped on everything.

Tucked under the jerk chicken were some potatoes and there was a healthy serving of vegetables and salad included. It was a formidable amount of food and there’s really no reason to eat the entire thing in one sitting except that it’s extremely hard to stop. The food was piping hot even after I lugged it back to my office and the temperature and spice make it a great cold weather dish.

The Trini Paki Boys can be a bit erratic with their specials, but the jerk chicken has been written up on their chalkboard menu all of the times I’ve been recently on various days of the week. I imagine the chicken tikka is there most days as well. Separate, they are certainly worth giving a try. Together they make a unique lunch totally worth going out of your way (and braving the cold) for. For $7 you really can’t go wrong.

Trini Paki Boys Cart, 43rd btw. 5+6th

6 Comments

  • WOW. That looks amazing. I want me some jerk and tikka. I hope they keep that plate around.

    And It doesn’t looked too overstuffed though (where the container will collapse by the force of the food). Good deal at $7 though.

  • o man, im drooling. how does the TPB jerk chicken compare to jamaican dutchy’s?

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    So how do you order the combo? Do you just ask for the Tikka Jerk combo?

  • I often cannot decide between two items here so I’ll get a combo. One of my favorites is Curry Shrimp/Curry Beef; I call it the “Surf and Turf”. They’ll give you combos of anything you ask for.

    The Jerk Chicken tastes a little more like bbq than I usually prefer but it’s so good that I don’t care. It’s always been boneless when I’ve gotten it. The Chicken Tikka is unlike any I’ve ever eaten. Usually it’s boneless Tandoori style and not spicy at all. This version tastes kind of like Indian style pickle and is a little spicy. It’s really good too. I’ve gotten a Jerk/Tikka combo the last 2 times I’ve gone to the Trini-Pak cart.

  • Another new menu item: soup! Today it’s corn chowder – just $3 for a pint. It’s more of a stew really, full of potatoes and dumplings and just a touch of heat. Very nice on a cold day, and with a couple of samosas a perfect-sized $5 lunch.

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