The RGN on Location: RGN at Tassa Roti Shop

Tassa Caribbean Restaurant: DAP Tales Birthday Outing

“Is this the place?” I asked the excited DAP Tales. The unassuming restaurant blended in with the homes that surrounded it. If the GPS had not confirmed what DAP had been enthusiastically pointing at, I would have missed the Caribbean restaurant. The Trinidadian and American flags both proudly displayed on the wide front porch as we pulled into the driveway. After parking and watching an older gentleman taking out the trash with his flip flops on and dress pants, I was starting to catch the island vibe this place was putting out.

Upon entering the ranch style home turned restaurant, my mouth immediately began to water. The aroma of curry and spices wafted through the air as the kitchen staff was busy at work. DAP and I were greeted with a big smile and welcome as we found our place in line. Taking in the ambiance we commented on the numerous pictures on the wall. We were surprised by the amount of celebrities that made their way to partake in the Tassa authentic food: Denzel Washington, Debbie Allen, Samuel L Jackson just to name a few of the many that adorned their walls.

Bellies in hand we reached the counter as I pestered DAP with suggestions on what to order. She rattled off items I had only heard of in passing but never had before. A couple of doubles, goat rotis and peardrax, pear flavored drinks. I couldn’t wait to sink my teeth into the tastiness I could smell being prepared from our table in the dining room area. Fortunately, we had made it to the restaurant before the rush. The line met us at our seats. People of several nationalities and affiliations swarmed the small space hoping to get a taste of home or a good vacation from memory’s past.

As we waited, we tried our doubles, flat bread filled with curry chickpeas topped with your choice of homemade sauces. Full of doughy potato-y goodness I swooned a little. Washing it done with the surprisingly refreshing peardrax drink. Spice and flavors were what I was expecting and I happily consumed my double with vigor. After a couple of finger-licks, we watched the owner, Radhika (Ria) Edoo, expertly served every customer while occasionally coming out to check on the rest of her clientele in the dining area. She effortlessly tamed the long line that had started right after our arrival. Her team well-coordinated and efficient, each one knowing exactly what to do and when. It was a neat dance that seems to keep this business running well.

(DAP Tales and the drax)

Then it happened. Our goat roti was brought out to us. The heavens opened and shone a beam of light over them as a chorus of angels sang. We didn’t waste time digging into the neatly wrapped rotis filled with goat, potatoes and spices. Each bite tastier than the last. Picking at every last bite we sat back talking with full bellies and happy hearts.

If you have some time and have a craving for some roti, doubles, fish, oxtails, goat or chicken then take a short drive over to Marietta GA. There you will find nestled at the start of a residential area an authentic Caribbean gem that will feed your heart and soul.

*****

About our guest GNG, Yvonne Walker, Decatur GA:

Yvonne Walker is a sweet Texas girl with a big heart, a huge brain and a gift for taking the stories in her head and putting them on paper. Yvonne is hard working but fun loving person whose daily life involves all things science and writing fiction. Her favorite saying which happens to sum up her life is, “Everyday is an adventure. So go live it because you never know what you are going to encounter!” She loves life and tries to live every day of it to the fullest with an open mind and a grateful heart. Yvonne currently lives in the Atlanta, Georgia area.

Yvonne's blog: Mad Woman Ramblings

Her book: Guardian's Guardian