by Shawn Nowlin
If there is one thing the Roanoke community can collectively agree on, it is an appreciation of quality food. A few weeks ago, a new Jamaican Restaurant opened in downtown Roanoke and has already started to spice things up.
Located at 32 Market Square SE Unit 127, the Reggae Grub menu primarily consists of brown stew chicken, curry chicken, curry goat, beans, rice, banana bread, steamed cabbage, and oxtails. So far, curry chicken, oxtails, and banana bread have been the most common purchases.
At his core, Kevin Brown, owner of Reggae Grub, is an artist and has always viewed cooking as an art. “My mother and grandmother taught me everything that I know about cooking,” he said. “Growing up in Jamaica, many kids my age looked forward to playing outside in the afternoon and on weekends. I was the type of kid that got excited about just being in the kitchen. Everything that I learned in Jamaica, I brought to Roanoke.”
He added, “There are a few Jamaican Restaurants in the city, but we wanted to add a different flavor and feeling. For months, the City Market building needed new tenants and we were able to negotiate terms that were fair on both sides.”
The first time that Henry Morrow tried Reggae Grub, he was hooked. What makes their food so delicious, he explained, is the attention to detail that comes with every order.
“I work on Campbell Avenue and often stay downtown to get lunch. Recently, some friends and I were walking through the City Market building and Reggae Grub caught our attention. We all purchased the same thing so we could give our honest perspectives afterward. All it took for me was one bite. I think I’ll be supporting this business moving forward at least once a week,” he said.
On most days, Brown usually arrives at Reggae Grub around 4:30 a.m. to prepare for whatever the eatery will need that particular day. From there, he makes the commute to his job, Bimbo Bakeries. Everything is made from scratch, something Brown takes tremendous pride in.
Because Reggae Grub is fairly new, Brown and his three employees are still in the process of getting to know the community. So far, the feedback given has been overwhelmingly positive.
Open Mondays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., additional information can be found at citymarketbuilding.com.
