It is exactly what it sounds like: a loving marriage of Jamaican and Italian food. Is that a real thing? Sure it is – you’re in Toronto now. Some is a little more Jamaican, some a little more Italian, and some really is a blend of both (Rasta Pasta is an actual menu item: soft, fluffy gnocchi sautéed in a garlic and olive oil sauce, and served with ackee and saltfish – mmmm!).

I can’t lie, though. As much as I attempt to expand my horizons each time I come back to Rasta Pasta, I somehow always end up getting the same jerk chicken meal. For $ 7, you can get a surprisingly sizable container of fluffy rice and beans and a side of steamed veggies, with the famous jerk chicken. If I am there at the right time, I (im)patiently wait by the barbecue drum outside as the spicy, succulent chicken finishes grilling before it is chopped into smaller pieces and laden onto my waiting bed of rice and veggies. It’s perfectly crispy and seared on the outside, so tender and juicy inside, and so very flavourful throughout.

Note that Rasta Pasta is very small, so I recommend grabbing your food to go and taking it people-watching in Kensington Market (hopefully renovations on Bellevue Square Park, the main park in the neighbourhood, will be done soon!).