Gordon's Jamaican Taste

(10/23/2012) Recent addition to the vendors at the East ("new") side of Lexington Market. Gordon's is in the Food Court/Arcade entertainment area. Menu is short and sweet. Beef Patties are tinged yellow-curry orange, chewy and flaky thin pastry; scant beef filling is smooth like paste, spicy, hint of Madras curry. Jerk Chicken was well-seasoned, lots of allspice and clove in the mix, chopped chunks of a half-breast with wing, grilled. Spicy sauce had some definite Scotch bonnet heat, subdued well with rice and peas, and a side saute of cabbage. Would've like the sweetness of some plantains to temper the heat, but those were missing from the box. A "small" is larger than you think (probably a pound of food) and only $6. Good addition to the eclectic mix at the Market.

I've had a lot of Caribbean curry chicken, both in the States and in the islands. This one was very good. Rice was done right (cooked so the flavor of the kidney beans came through, and not too moist or too dry.) Flavor of the curry was spot on, not too greasy, and the chicken was moist. I always skip the cabbage. Good portion (small size) for less than 6 dollars. Brave the market (bring your most imposing friend and wear sunglasses) it's worth it!

The jerk chicken was pretty good, it even taste good after being reheated and not drying out. Because I asked for extra jerk juice the vegetables ended up being soaked in it and too hot for me to get the full effect. (Totally my fault) However, the rice and peas was horrible. It's tasted too much like boiling bag rice and it was kind of mushy. There are 2 Gordon's locations and not sure if they're associated. They come up under 1 location (Saratoga St) on Yelp. I've been to both places more than once but this review is based on the Lexington market location. Their prices are a lot more reasonable than the Saratoga location but in my opinion the food taste better at Saratoga and obviously they're open later.

This may be sacrilegious, but the crab cakes at Faidley's Seafood in Lexington Market are only ok, but nothing outstanding. It costs $21 for a crab cake, some pickled beets and cucumbers and very small salad. I am not complaining about the size, but rather that the crab cake was nothing special and the side salads tasted like they were out of a can. I was so hungry I went to the front of Lexington Market and found a restaurant called Gordon's Jamaican Taste. for $6.36 I got some jerked chicken that was first class on a bed of rice and beans and Jamaican vegetables. So, if you want to really eat something with flavor and be satisfied, skip Faidley Seafood and go to Gordon's at the the front of the Lexington Market. You will be much more satisfied, take my word for it.

Had to go back today...had the curried goat with rice, and veggies...This is the Best Jamaican Restaurant around town. The prices are just right. Friendly staff. If you want your lunch $ to go far and have a good, delicious meal..This Is The Place!!!!

The goat curry was the bomb. They spiced it right--not too spicy or salty. If I were from this town, I would eat here every couple of weeks. I missed trying their ox tail dish when I got there too late one afternoon. They cook a big batch and when it's gone it's gone. I know they have jerk chicken too, but I would stick with goat curry over rice or the ox tail over rice.

I work nearby and eat from Gordon's at least once a week. Often times twice a week. I love their food and the people that work here. I'm a big fan of Caribbean/Jamaican food and this place gives you great taste and great portions for an unbeatable price. I normally switch between the jerk chicken white or jerk chicken dark meat because I like spice, but I've had both the stewed and curry chicken options as well. All good!

I know everyone usually gets crab cakes at Lexington Market, but I promise there is so much more to the market. Gordon's is one of the places I recommend whenever I bring friends to the market. I typically get a beef or chicken patty, $2 each, or I get their oxtail platter with rice and peas. The patties are your standard patties and full of flavor, good if your need something on the go. The oxtail is nice and tender. A large platter is typically $8-9. While I love the food, service is spotty. Sometimes it can take an eternity to get your food, and there have been times when they didn't have oxtail. While the chicken is decent, it doesn't compel me the way the oxtail does. But overall, this is one of the better places at the market. It's located in the Main Arcade of Lexington Market, near the Eutaw St entrance.