Breadfruit
- Price Range: $
- Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
- Parking: Street
- Attire: Casual
- Good for Groups: Yes
- Good for Kids: Yes
- Takes Reservations: No
- Take-out: Yes
- Waiter Service: Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
- Outdoor Seating: Yes
- Good for: Lunch, Dinner
- Alcohol: None
15 Reviews for Breadfruit
What can I say... went here for lunch. I really liked the place and god knows it fills a very vacant niche in the Phoenix restaurant market, but... I l know, nothing good every comes after but. I really like you, but...
Hmmm, I ordered the jerk chicken. I was very excited. I love jerk chicken. But... it was dry!!!! I have only been there once, so take my review with a grain of salt. However, jerk chicken has got to be the signature Carribean entree, so they gotta execute. Will I go back? Absolutely. I really did like the place. Will I oder the jerk chicken again? Probably not.
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The first time I went it was on a Friday evening. The small place was filled but they only had one waitstaff on duty and it took us an hour and 15mins to get food. That TOTALLY sucked!
Yesterday went back and the place was empty and we were served immediately. The first time I ordered the Jerk Chicken and it was barely seasoned. Yesterday we ordered the Jerk Shrimp and the Jerk sauce was HOT and tasty but the shrimp was over cooked.
The sticks of bread are AWESOME (and kinda sweet) and so are the sodas that they serve (they are Jamaican and made with real sugar cane)!
I'll be back but I had much higher hopes.
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Sorry Breadfruit - I'm not a fan.
I met a small group of friends for dinner last night. I had read the reviews, I had perused the menu, I was prepared. I loved the location and the little tables out front - if it had been cooler and our party smaller I would totally have loved to sit out there. I loved the decor inside - yes it was minimal - but the little candles in the windows were a nice touch and I thought it had a sort of sleek, urban feel.
Unfortunately beyond the look of the place I was not impressed. Service was fine - no real issues there - but I found the food to be a disappointment. I ordered the Beef Patty on Coco Bread in an attempt to be different. This was a mistake! Patties in Jamaican cuisine are similar to empanadas. The result of this was beef goo inside something crusty served between two slices of sweet bread. Ick. I did not like this at all and while I know I'm a picky eater I can't imagine that anyone would find this appetizing.
But I couldn't write them off just based on that so I sampled some of my friend's dishes. I will say that the sauce for the Brown Stew seemed tasty but the person who ordered it seemed to barely touch their plate - not a good sign. I also tried my cousin's Jerk Chicken and it was ok, but to me it seemed kind of dry. Lastly I ordered the Grape nut/Jello dessert thing to share. It was pretty good - probably the best thing I'd had all night but not spectacular. Oh and the festivals are pretty tasty.
If this review was based solely on my experience it would probably be a one star but I feel that's unfair as it seems I may not be a fan of Jamaican food and I can't hold that against them. Based off of what everyone else said I'm giving it two stars. The overall consensus was " I don't need to go back there." I would say I'd go back again and give it another try but the menu is super limited. Perhaps if they expand their offerings sometime in the future I might give it another shot.
For those who do still want to give it try - the waitress said they got approval for the BYOB thing so beginning next week you can bring along your own beverage. Perhaps alcohol can help the experience?
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Dear Breadfruit,
We became acquainted on the internet, like so many relationships these days do, and I must admit that I became fascinated with you quickly. Your menu sang to me with so many tasty words, and your location couldn't be better.
We finally met last night, and I am disappointed. While you have a very cheery atmosphere and wonderful staff, your food just didn't woo me at all. The fish was overcooked- burned on the ends,even- and left me unsatisfied. The slaw looked promising, but proved to be nearly impossible to eat. (you try picking up long strings of cabbage and bean sprouts. Just see what happens.) And the breadstick? Oy. The taste of it was fantastic, but it was so overdone that I thought for a second that I might have to send you a dentist's bill if I finished it.
My dining companion was enamored with your curry tofu. Sadly, the one bite of his tofu ended up being the highlight of my meal. Sigh.
I wish that things had turned out better, Breadfruit, because I really wanted to like you. But, when visiting you leaves me hungry for the hole in the wall Caribbean place on Camelback and 35th Ave, I know that it just isn't going to work out.
Good luck to you.
PS...did a midget design your bathroom? I had no idea they even made sinks that small.
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Low lights, bright colors and soothing Caribbean music sets the mood for a casual dinner at Breadfruit. This restaurant offers a healthy alternative when eating out. I started with the avacado spring roll which comes with a delicious mango chutney and tropical slaw. It was nice to see a few vegetarian and vegan options on the menu. The black bean coconut rice that came with my curried tofu was delicious. Service is great and the place is so clean!
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I'm a bit nonplusseded with Breadfruit. I even went back a second time before writing, because I felt like I was missing something and the bad experience must have been fluke with all of the rave reviews.
The vibe is awesome, and it's full of smiles. I've stopped by twice for lunch since they opened and enjoy the atmosphere. They've appeared shorthanded on both visits, but the second stop, the resturant was nearly empty.
The waiter is incredibly friendly, but has a tendency to forget me. The first visit, I had to wait over 25 minutes for water, despite leading me to a table and taking my order moments after my arrival. I tried to get some attention, but somehow he managed to look in every direction but mine. Once he realized I was there, he was incredibly apologetic. The annoyance is diminished slightly thanks to my tendency to eat with a book when dining solo.
Both times it took more than forty minutes to get the food. The jerk chicken and dumplings have both been lovely, but not to the extent that I'd be willing to deal with the wait or service on a regular basis. I'll give them some time to work out the kinks and check it out again. To fall into the Yelp cliche, I really want to love this place. I think my next trip will be take-out, so I can assess the food without any strings or grumpiness of an overall crappy experience attached.
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Breadfruit is the truth.
This is corroborated by the fact that Exhibit A, i.e, the Jerk Chicken will make you a believer in a deity, be it God, Buddha, Allah, Brahman, Akal Purakh, Zeus, or Marley.
The bird is marinated in hot and spicy seasonings and finished to perfection on the grill. It remained tender and juicy throughout, except for the masterfully charred ends that added a slight smokiness to the entire dish.
But lets back up a second.
The space itself is brilliant in its simplicity. The walls are lime and slate gray with classy darkwood furniture. The glassed walls look out onto the stoic skyline of downtown Phoenix and onto the hidden pave of Pierce, an homage to side-street gems that one would find in cities like NY, SF, and Seattle.
It is comfortable and cozy inside, with exposure to the cuisine sharks tending the kitchen. At all times, there is activity, but just enough so that you feel the life of the kitchen spill out onto the dining area. I love restaurants that pull this off.
For an app, we started with an order of the Curry Chicken Patty. It was sensational. Within the pastry was a harmonious balance of chicken to curry with a noticeable, but slight burn throughout. Two came in an order, which must be shared with a partner because two pre-meal would fill you up too heavily.
When the grilled jerk chicken was presented, it was glorious because you find the Caribbean influences presented on the dish; a white wine vinegar drizzled slaw, roasted pineapple, and a succulent, savory corncob. Where the chicken is the heart of the meal, the corn was the soul. Paired together, I couldn't have been more delighted.
To drink, we had the D&G Spicy Ginger Beer imported from Jamaica. Erm, I typically like Ginger Beer, but this one was branded as spicy and they f'ing mean it. Be careful that you are prepared for spice-on-spice if you order it. Looking back, i probably should have stuck with water, although the Ginger Beer was rudimentary for palate preservation as you meander through all of the various flavors of this cuisine. Honestly, I cannot wait to go here to grab a Guinness (a Jamaican staple according to Zane Lamprey) or a Red Stripe. The surging spiciness demands a brew that could handle this oral development.
Overall, I'm very pleased Breadfruit braved the Great Menace that is downtown development. Here's to them gaining credibility as they continue to master their art (its not perfect yet, but please believe, its in the mail) and invigorate a local following of foodies and tourists alike to sample some mean Caribbean food.
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Delicious. I'll be back for seconds, and thirds, and fourths...
In quintissential Phoenix style, Breadfruit is housed in an unassuming, small space in a nondescript neighborhood close to the heart of downtown. The space itself needs a little more character and decor to qualify for true "Phoenix hidden gem" status at the moment, but it's only the first week of its existence so time will tell.
Still, I was sold at first glance of the menu. Lots of stuff I've never heard of, with descriptions that all tempted the taste buds. I decided to zero in on the brown chicken stew, which is actually not a stew at all but however you want to describe it, it was damn tasty. As a starter my friend and I also split a two-dollar chicken curry patty, which I'd describe as a cross between the crust of an apple-less apple turnover, a samosa, and chicken curry. YUM. I could see myself going back just to eat another one of those alone.
A small complaint, one that I don't often have at American restaurants that are addicted to overstuffing their obese customers, concerns the portion size. I do like, and favor, smaller portions at any restaurant I go to. But the brown chicken stew was just so good that it left me wanting just a *notch* more. Also, beware if you're new to this particular entree as I was, because the chicken contains bones.
The service is alright. The waitstaff struck me more as just... "a bunch of dudes," as opposed to professional waiters/waitresses. But the "dude" we had was perfectly friendly.
Another great addition to the downtown scene. I suggest they consider expanding their Friday and Saturday night hours though.
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I first tried to go last week, but when I walked by there was a sign on the door that said cash only for the evening. I guess their credit card machine was broken. I like that they put a sign on the door, some places don't think to do that. I was disappointed though, the smells coming out of the Breadfruit were delicious.
I went again last night and my experience was excellent.
Their menu is small but certainly not limited. I had the Ital soup, which the waitress informed me is vegan and salt free (good for those with restricted diets). It was yummy and came with a side of coconut bread. One bite would be spicy, the next sweet, due to the wide variety of veggies and fruits in it. Then I had the brown stew chicken which was awesome as well. The wait staff was very attentive and interested. Service was good & I had no problems using my debit card. A very good addition to the neighborhood.
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The Breadfruit fills two niches at once. The first gap is a culinary one. The Phoenix area has always lacked Caribbean restaurants. They've come and gone over the years, but with the exception of Irie in south Phoenix, few have gained much traction. The second niche is geographical. Currently, the Downtown dining renaissance in progress exists mostly in two areas: the heart of Downtown between Jefferson and Van Buren and the north end of Downtown near Roosevelt. Until recently, there have been few places to eat in the in-between zone surrounding the burgeoning ASU Downtown Campus.
The Breadfruit takes its name from the fruit of the same name, although actual breadfruit does not appear to be on the menu. Still, the name evokes Jamaican authenticity that is felt throughout the cooking. The restaurant is not a islands cliche in the style of the Bahama Breeze chain, which closed its Phoenix locations several years ago. Instead, it's a small, tidy, and unpretentious place occupying a one-story building along Pierce Street, just east of the Downtown Phoenix Public Market.
The menu is Jamaican with a healthful twist. Fried foods and red meat are deemphasized in favor of dishes based on fresh vegetables, fish, and chicken. For the most part, this approach succeeds. A plantain avocado spring roll matches its inventive filling with a chutney topping. As with many dishes at the Breadfruit, the portion is modest, but this starter works as a light and flavorful appetizer for two to share. Among the entrees, Escovitch fish pairs grilled tilapia with a vinegary sauce containing Scotch bonnet peppers and allspice berries. Since the sauce is served on the side, the spice level can be adjusted to individual preferences.
Speaking of spice, no Jamaican restaurant can succeed without good jerk, and the Breadfruit executes this style of cooking admirably with both shrimp and chicken. The dry heat of the Breadfruit's jerk dishes is paired nicely with roasted corn, roasted pineapple, and a sort of light coleslaw. A milder yet still satisfying level of spice is found in the vegetable, beef, and chicken patties. Unfortunately, flavor is lacking in the Breadfruit's Ital soup, which pairs al dente vegetables with an underpowered broth.
The menu at the Breadfruit is a little confusing, with occasionally insufficient or incorrect information about which items are a la carte and which sides go with main dishes. The ital soup, for example, is listed as coming with a side of bread, but that bread actually has to be purchased a la carte. Some items are paired with festivals, a sort of starch halfway between a bread stick and a biscuit, but it might be more straightforward for the restaurant just to offer a basket of them to each table. Until the Breadfruit perfects its menu, it's best to verify everything with the server.
The restaurant's dessert selection consists of two items: a sweet potato "pudding," which is really firm enough to be more like a bread pudding or cheesecake. It's restrained in its sweetness. For those who want something more sugary, the restaurant's other dessert pairs vanilla ice cream, Grape-nuts cereal, and cherry Jello. The mixture is far more successful than it might sound. Right now, beverages are limited to bottled iced teas and D&G Jamaican sodas, including grapefruit-flavored Ting, Kola Champagne, and ginger beer with a spicy kick. A liquor license may follow in the months to come.
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Enjoying it. I live near the restaurant and have been 3 times since it opened. The Jerk Chicken is very spicy and extremely flavorful, the curry chicken had a great taste, but needs caution while eating as not only are there bones, but there are VERY small bones. The avocado spring rolls are great, and the mango that comes with them is kind of addicting. The staff is friendly though never very attentive, and once mischarged my credit card, took 3 days to get it cleared up. They also list items on the menu that come with the entree, but dont show up. When you ask about that item, they tell you there is an extra cost for it... odd!
+1 for being a unique option to Phoenix, and +1 for being clean as a whistle.
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~~~~UPDATE~~~~
We went back to Breadfruit last night, and I must revise my original review to reflect our experience, which deserved more stars.
When we arrived at 7pm on Saturday night, the place was packed. There wasn't enough room to push two tables together in order to accommodate our party of 4, so we walked around the block until some tables were open. The waitress was extremely nice and we were seated about 20 minutes later.
For appetizers, we ordered the avocado spring rolls and the roasted plantains. Despite being small portions, they were both very good. I was inspired to go get some plantains in the Asian market this morning in order to try to make them at home.
As an entree, I ordered the curried tofu again. I wanted to try something else (the Ital soup or the veggie patty), but they were out of a vital component of each dish, and they don't make the soup in the summer.
When my entree came out, I was initially really disappointed to see that they had made it with chicken, again. I asked the waitress and she assured me that what I was seeing was actually a soy product and I had nothing to worry about. I must say, it was disturbingly, uncomfortably meat-like. So much so that I made my husband try it and tell me that it was in fact non-meat before I would put it in my mouth. When I did eat it, it even had the texture of meat - very disconcerting. The flavor was excellent, and I would definitely order this entree again - if I can get over the extremely realistic meat analog. The sides were good (definitely better flavor since last time), especially mixed with the curry sauce.
I have to issue a heartfelt apology to Wayne and The Breadfruit for the disparaging review that I wrote after my last visit. I should have called to ask about the dish and had them clarify that my dish was, in fact, fake meat. It has been so long since I ate chicken (and I don't generally eat fake meat), that I truly thought it was meat. (Lesson: Don't assume anything!)
My dinner companions all ordered a chicken dish, and all enjoyed them thoroughly. I tried the festivals (breadstick) from someone's meal, and I have to say that Breadfruit should offer a basket of those as an appetizer. Yum.
When we were almost finished with our meal, the waitress brought us full sized samples of the carrot juice. Another Yum! It tasted a lot like Thai Iced tea - similar seasonings, and very rich and creamy.
I will definitely go back to Breadfruit. The food was good (Festivals=crack), the atmosphere and the service is EXCELLENT, and it is close to home.
Home Run, Breadfruit.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Downtown Phoenix NEEDS a Jamaican restaurant (and an Ethiopian, Italian, Mexican, etc), and I have waited anxiously for Breadfruit to open - riding my bike by there every afternoon for weeks looking for any sign of life.
Finally, just this week, I see people eating there. So, we went for lunch today ( at 12:45... at the end of the lunch rush), of course, we arrived at the exact same moment as Phil Gordon. I think we threw them off a little bit by ordering our meal to go, but they don't get a by for that.
The wait was long (35 minutes), but they were really busy, and they just opened, and the mayor was there, so it was understandable. We forgave. The lone waiter brought me a Fiji water, It tided me over slightly.
I was excited to see several "vegan" options on the menu - mostly sides, but it looks like some of the entrees can be modified to fit vegetarian requirements.
I ordered the curried tofu (that is the name printed on the menu, no modifications!), which comes with sides of steamed plantains, beans/rice, and steamed cabbage/green bell peppers.
Unfortunately, I recieved curried chicken, a fact that I discovered after getting back to my office... and I was WAY too starving to go back to get it fixed. I ate around the chicken, something I am normally loathe to do... but as I said, STARVING.
The beans and rice = bland. Nothing spectacular, they were just that: beans and rice.
Plantains = undercooked. Just slightly. I wanted them to be so much better than they were.
Cabbage/Green Bell pepper = boring. They were just steamed cabbage and green pepper. I love cooked cabbage, but with salt please!
Nothing that I ate was seasoned at all. I had bite or two of the curry sauce since it was touching the rice (starving!), and it tasted ok... am I allowed to pass judgement on a sauce that was poured over something I don't ever eat (because I think it is disgusting)? Its hard to say.
Admittedly, I would have enjoyed this meal A LOT more if I had recieved a meal that did not contain meat.
I will probably go back... Breadfruit is new, and they deserve another chance. I will definitely eat in, and I will try David's reccomendation of the avocado rolls.
One strike. They haven't struck out just yet.
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Where do I begin?!?!?
First, the staff is awesome. They were diligent in delivering great customer service, and their focus is to make the experience enjoyable to the guests.
Second, I LOVE THE FESTIVALS. :] You already know I'm recommending those as a starter, in addition to the plantains I could live off of those two! But honestly don't need to ... because after those comes the chicken. I've been twice now and first tried jerk chicken second time the curried chicken (second time ended up getting to take home my friend's brown stew . . .) They were right . . . taking it home and letting it sit over night made the flavor AMAZING for left overs. :] Such flavor . . . it's certainly an impact. Must have the festivals as it does cool the taste buds for us not so used to the bite of the jerk. :] Curried not so powerful as far as the spiciness is concerned. But still amazing flavor, and I enjoyed the coconut steamed veggies on the side. Those weren't blasting with flavor, but that is the purpose. I don't eat peppers so I didn't try those, but I did enjoy the cabbage in between those curried chicken bites. :] Certainly tender, and you can still taste the coconut flavor lingering in each bite. Honestly I can't pin point my favorite.
The corn on the cob is the most amazing I've ever eaten by the way . . . might as well order a side order of those by themselves. :] Tender and still extremely juicy! That on top of the pineapple that is grilled . . my goodness you can't go wrong here.
Little of EVERYTHING!
The veggies, the festivals, the chickens, the ginger/sweet potato pudding!!!! Can't forget the Ginger Beer!!! :] :]
I did give in and try the pineapple, grape, and cola drinks . . . my fav is still ginger beer. There is no where you can find that flavor in American drinks. :|
I'm extremely happy to call this my second home. :] Now if I could just get that chef to come cook for me in Tempe! When are we expanding my friend?!
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Breadfruit is one of the places that offers eccentric flair and cultural diversity in which Phoenix lacks at the moment. The decor has this cozy setting and I'm a big fanatic of red brick walls..Was content with the staff and they were courteous.
The food was scrumptious! I ordered the rice and peas that was mixed up with coconut milk but however there was a tiny piece of a habanero pepper and my mouth was shooting flames which was unexpected in my dish. Another dish was the Ital soup which is ideal for people who have a cold and a good cleanse after a good workout at the gym. I saved the best for the last - the vanilla ice cream combined with jello,plump raisins, and grape nuts (cereal). Had to savour every bite!! Next time - I will inform them not to put habanero peppers in my rice dish because that was beyond too hot for me but I will be back to try their other dishes!!
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The "vegan Jamaican" food was embarrassing. Also, guys, you need to use salt. Sorry.
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