Laylah's Patties & Jerk - Just the Patties

While looking to make a U-turn on El Cajon Boulevard on my way to Sang Dao, I saw brightly colored shop. The signage that said "Jamaican Beef, Chicken, Veggie Patties" can't help but get your attention.

 

A few days later, I stopped by, and found that this little shop was nice little market, so I restocked on my Grace Hot Sauce. And yes, I did get a couple of patties:

 

For those thinking that a Jamaican Patty is a piece of ground beef ready for the grill (I won't name names, but you know who you are), a Jamaican Patty is basically a savory pastry filled with meat. Similar to an empanada, turnover, or meat pie. I'd had a Jamaican Patty once before(so count me among those who is far from an authority on the subject), and though I didn't care for the "shell" which I thought was greasy, the ground beef filling was pretty spicy, and quite delicious.

So of course I got the classic Beef Patty:

 

At first glance, the patties looked a bit on the "skinny" side, not like the one's I had tasted previously. At first bite, mixed signals were sent to my brain. I enjoy the crusty-grittiness of the shell. On the other hand, I found the filling to be terribly bland, totally against character for Jamaican food. It was also kind of greasy.....

 

To my tastebuds the Chicken Patty fared a bit better. Though it also had just a thin smear of filling, the ground chicken was better seasoned and moist, though still not very spicy. Looking at the filling, I thought I saw what looked like chopped Ortega Chilies, though I'm probably mistaken.

 

Based on the patties, I'm not really motivated to return. What does motivate me to return is the "Reggae Kitchen" being built next door. I was told that it'll be a Jamaican Food take-out joint set to open in a few months. So I'll hold off on any more patties, and wait for the Jerk Chicken.....

Laylah's Patties & Jerk
5712 El Cajon Blvd
San Diego, CA 92115

Comments

[Porta Rickin Rick]

Hey Kirk,

So, I went there a few months ago and they were serving take-out Jamaican already. I grew up on beef patties in NY and can say that these ones are definitely pretty bland and very anorexic. They are supposed to be greasy like that though and, as you can probably imagine, the ones in NY are no exception. The Jerk Pork, Peas and Rice, and vegetables was a nice little combo from here, but there really isn't great Jamaican in this city.

[kat]

too bad they disappointed.

[bill]

Sorry mhan such a disappointment though the suspense was promising, maybe next time.

[Eat. Travel. Eat!]

I never have heard about these patties before. But I agree, these don't look too good! The filling kind of reminds me of school cafeteria taco mix...

Too bad they were disappointing. Hopefully the new Reggae Kitchen will fare better!

[Jennifer Madden]

That is unfortunate. They serve really great chicken patties at Island Spice. We always get a couple hot ones and order a bunch of frozen ones to take home. I don't really consider them to be greasy especially because they are baked, not fried but maybe the beef patties are different. Or perhaps they have been sitting too long.

[Kirk]

Hi PRR - I think they are renovating the restaurant, because I just passed by a week ago, and it's still under construction.

Hi Kat - yes...sigh....

Hi Bill - Next time will be better, I hope.

Hi ETE - It was a bit short on filling....

Hi Jennifer - Classic Jamaican Patties are made from beef. These were baked, which is the way they are supposed to be made, but the beef version is pretty greasy. Funny, but the person who first recommended Island Spice to me, specifically told me the patties there weren't any good....though now that you mention you like them, I'll have to check it out next time I visit.

[LAYLAH]

LAYLAHS REGGAE KICHEN IS OPEN FRIDAYSS THEY HAVE FRY UP FRY FISH FRY SALTFISH FESTIVAL BAMMY TRY THEM OUT SOON

[JENNIFER]

LAYLAHS REGGAE KITCHEN HAS BEEN OPEN SINCE AUG 1ST THER JERK CHICKEN IS THE BEST IN SAN DIEGO THEY OFFER DAILY LUNCH SPECIAL JERK CHICKEN SANWICHS N JERK FRIES OPEN MON-SUN 930 AM -8PM

[maurice]

well 2 me the meat pies are great they carry cocobread it really soft n good there kitchen is open recomend the pork its spicy n the veggies there open late to i stope in at around 830 on a friday

[marvalee]

ive been looking for jamaican yam n never been able to find it till i found the all in one favorate place for me now to make my jamaican dishe the have the walkers jerk rub n hot sauce to this place is really nicen well set up great job 2 owners we really neded this in san diego

[Kirk]

Hey Jennifer, Maurice, and Marvalee - You three (if you are different folks) have the same IP address, and have posted within 3 minutes of each other, and come from the same location. I don't take too kindly to "shills" here, ok? Plus typing in "caps" is like yelling at someone......

[cassandra]

laylahs is a truly amazing place the service is good you dont have to wait to long for your meal except when there is a big crowd but over all it always worth my wait for some great jerk chicken or the oxtails red beans n rice n greasy plantains mmmmmmmmmmmmm good

[Kirk]

Hi Cassandra - Let's see, you have the same IP address as Marvalee, Maurice, and Jennifer above.... so which one are you? ;o) I can't help but believe you're a shill.

[Anthony Redden]

LAYLAHS REGGAE KITCHEN IS OPEN THEY HAVE A WEBSITE WWW.LAYLAHSJAMAICANRESTAURANT.COM N I THINK THE CARRY GOLDEN CRUST BEEF PATTYS N COCOBREAD NOW THA NEW YORK SPICY PATTY FYI

[David]

The jerk is fantastic, and the proprietors are very very friendly. The reggae kitchen opened up and the food is pretty authentic. Jerk Fries for 1.99 is huge and a great cheap snack for a college student. Also, Kirk the IP address thing may be caused by the fact that the SDSU Dorms all have the same IP.