Diary of a Foodie: King Ital

After a day of going around the New Kingston into Cross Roads area trying to sign up with different organizations to be a volunteer I was exhausted, hot and hungry. I wanted some real ital food. There was a restaurant I had heard about and decided to visit there, however, upon arriving it was closed. I stood at the side of the road for a few minutes contemplating my next move and then I decided to ask some men in the bus park where I could get ital food. They directed me to King Ital, located at 4 Caledonia Crescent (right in the deep corner by the Camp Road taxi stand). I was relieved there was proper signage which made it easy to find. I entered through the bottom gate, through a space for parking into a dining area which ushered me into another area which housed additional dining and the service section.

I scanned the menu board, made some inquiries and ordered a mixed plate of "tun" cornmeal, rice and peanut, chunks and beans, ital stew, ackee and saltfish topped with steamed vegetables. To wash it down I requested cucumber juice from the wide variety available. I saw a man sitting to the far end of the counter and went up to him inquiring if he was the owner, to which he humbly replied yes. Immediately I engaged him into conversation and found out the following:

The concept of King Ital came about when "Prince" or "Ital", as he is called, used to run "boat" with his friends back in the late 70's. Embracing the Rastafarian faith, he managed to influence his friends to eat ital food. Gradually, demand for his cooking increased as persons from outside his circle of friends got wind of his skills and started requesting a cut of the "boat". He decided to "set up shop" operating from his then place of residence at 95 West Street. After operating for a while at the said location he relocated to the United States of America on a different venture, where he stayed for one year. He then returned, this time operating from 46 Beeston Street. However, in the political violence of 1980 demand fell drastically after a young man was killed by gunmen in the shop while buying a slice of pudding. He closed for 1 year and 6 months but re-opened at 18 Slipe Road upon receiving encouragement and an offer from a friend, who now resides in New York, to patronize his rent until business picked up. At this point, he got emotional in sharing his story as he reflected on the struggles. In 1998, however, the landlord sold the property forcing him to relocate to 148 Half Way Tree Road. Unfortunately, operating business at that location was "a disaster from day one" he said. During his tenure there he did not make enough money to cover his monthly expenses and therefore relocated to the present location at 4 Caledonia Crescent in 2002. The demand at this location, he says, is "up and down" because a large percentage of his customers attend tertiary institutions around the area which reflect a decline when school is on break. He has also seen a decline in demand since he suffered a stroke in October 2012 which resulted in him having to hire a chef to take over his culinary duties. "I have never owed rent before and I am in debt of two months rent now." He broke into tears again and I consoled him by holding his hand and rubbing his shoulder. His medical expenses have dipped drastically into the profits of the business. His son took over after he suffered the stroke but got frustrated after a while. In an optimistic tone, however, he stated that he finds that he is getting stronger with each day and is looking forward to come back and take control of his business.

My meal came up to a total of $430.00
Please see my previous post, entitled "A crying man", to read about the miraculous bond and spirit of humanitarianism that Prince and I experienced during our talk.
View pictures below.

Toodles.