Doubles & Potato Rolls

Die-hard NYC connoisseurs of Trinidadian cuisine consider A&A Bake and Doubles Shop the mecca for that island's spicy trademark snacks and a recent trip to Bed Stuy revealed the obvious: thousands of devotees can't be wrong. With no seating or counter space inside Cafe Drake had to scarf our potato roll, doubles and spinach and chickpea bake in our car. Thankfully the a/c is still pumping strong in our worn set of wheels; outside temps in the upper 90s and scorching hot habanero sauce drizzled liberally over all necessitated we cool down as quickly and thoroughly as possible!

Doubles - and an infinite array of offshoots - are comprised of flat breads deep fried and then stuffed with chickpeas, mashed yellow split peas and just about whatever else you may desire. The real fun starts when the chef/vendor begins spooning and squirting on a panoply of tamarind, mango, coconut chutneys and plenty of "pepper sauce". To call this lunch of snacks "filling" would be a gross understatement so indulge when your stomach is at its emptiest.