Gloria's Caribbean Cuisine

Gloria's Caribbean Cuisine
764 Nostrand Ave.
New York, NY 11216
Brooklyn
718-773-3476

This was the original website for Gloria's Caribbean Cuisine.

Their new website is found at https://www.gloriasrestaurantbrooklyn.com/. Go there for their hours and ordering online.

This colorful corner storefront crafts delicious roti, oxtail stew, as well as other Trinidadian and Caribbean delicacies such as doubles and callaloo.

You'll get the point after reading the comments from some of their satisfied customers.

But this is more than just a restaurant. Because it offers free Internet, many customers arrive with an appetite and a laptop or other electronic devise. If you peek over their shoulders you will see all sorts of interesting things. One evening there was a group of about six young adults mesmerized and very animated while they watched one of their friends apparently win big a an online slots game he was playing at one of the many us friendly online casinos you can find on the web. At first we all thought that they were watching a video game, but as the atmosphere became tense at the table and then they all erupted into cheers, hugs, and back slaps it became obvious the player had won a big slot pot. Amazing. I think of online slots as a game in which the player loses more than he/she wins, but not in this case. One of the waitresses asked what online casino he was playing at. It was a US friendly site called SlotoCash (in case you are interested) that he had joined via an online website called Online-Casino-Party. That name seemed appropriate, since these folks were definitely partying on Gloria's Caribbean cuisine after their friend won!

You'll get the point after reading the comments from some of their satisfied customers.

Great food. I feel they offer very authentic Caribbean flavor and texture in the dishes. Had the stew chicken with plantains, rice and peas. OMG! Mouth-watering goodness. Plus, the yummy grapefruit juice was unlike anything I've ever tasted ~ sweet with a hint of spice. Delicious!!!

Gloria's has the best tasting roti in New York. Hands Down!!!
Awesome Curry Chicken meal!

Gloria's is a no-nonsense standout in a heavily Caribbean populated neighborhood. Get the perfect Roti whether it's the goat, shrimp or the conch and wash it all down with a honey iced tea.

The oxtail soup at this Crown Heights fixture draws customers from Harlem and beyond. Don’t miss their doubles- Sylvia's offers the best in the neighborhood.

In my opinion Gloria's has the best vegetarian pumpkin roti in Brooklyn, hands down!

Gloria's chicken rotis are on point... Those roti shells are perfectly made... Yummy & Delicious!

This place may be the best substitute for authentic Caribbean home-cooking outside of the Caribbean. You've got to try the rotis and curry chicken, and don't forget a sorrel or mauby!

The Pelau (peas & rice) is over the top....

Doubles are amazing!! Could eat a dozen!

Boneless chicken rotii was the best.

I visit Gloria's for mostly for roti (buss up shot) which are really good!
And they are my Favorite spot to get stew beef, rice, peas and macaroni pie YUM!!!

Love all their roti from the chicken to the curry goat curry shrimp. I find that their dinners are great & the mauby & grapefruit juice. Best Trini roti spot around. It reminds me of back home.

 

Fundraising To Fight Google: As many of you already know, the Google search for our establishment includes a result that reveals a drunk and disorderly citation against our founder and president. While true, the citation was issued 30 years ago and should be a private matter by now. We are seeking to raise funds to hire a takedown service that will remove the harmful search results. This much needed service uses seo and an effective strategy to undermine the relative ranks of the offending content. We are hoping to raise enough money to be able to cover the costs of repairing our reputation. If left standing, these results, by damaging the reputation of this enterprise threaten our ability to pay our great staff.

 

Not Familiar with Roti?? And Just What Is Callaloo or Doubles?

 

The food of the Caribbean is influenced from many countries including India from which ROTI is adapted. Gloria's prepares a number of roti dishes using what is called a Dhal Puri Indian-inspired flat bread. Gloria's offers their roti with some type of meat (goat), beef, or poultry curry or with vegetarian options (potato, pumpkin and spinach )wrapped inside it. In the West Indies, the term roti may refer to both the flat-bread(roti) by itself, as well as the popular street food item, as found at Gloria's, in which the roti is folded around a savory filling in the form of a wrap.

CALLALOO is a popular dish that originated in West Africa. The main ingredient is a leaf vegetable, traditionally either amaranth (known by many local names, including callaloo or bhaaji), taro, or Xanthosoma. It is served in different variants across the Caribbean. Callaloo can vary depending from which island the recipe originated. As an example: Trinidadians and Dominicans primarily use taro/dasheen bush for their callaloo, although Dominicans may also use water spinach. On the other hand, Jamaicans, Belizeans and Guyanese use the name callaloo to refer to the amaranth plant.

DOUBLES is a common street food found on the islands of Trinidad and Tobago. Basically it is a sandwich made with two bara (flat fried bread) that is filled with channa (curried chick peas) and then topped with mango, shadon beni, cucumber, coconut, tamarind, and extra pepper sauce. Delicious!

Other Restaurant Info

Phone:
(718) 673-6235
Place Order:
Order From Gloria's Caribbean Cuisine for delivery & takeout
Notes:
Major Credit Cards
Hours:
Daily: 6am-11pm
Serves:
Breakfast, Dinner
Features:
Accepts Credit Cards, Cheap Eats, Delivery, Lunch, Online Ordering, Take Out, Wheelchair Accessible
Delivery
Delivery normally is FREE but may be charged up to $4.50 depending on your location
Minimum $ 15.00 order
Pickup
Available

 

 

More Background On Glorias-Hub.com

Gloria’s Caribbean Cuisine is a celebrated restaurant that has become a cornerstone of Brooklyn’s Crown Heights neighborhood. Known for its authentic Trinidadian and broader Caribbean dishes, Gloria’s has built a reputation that extends far beyond its local community. This article provides a thorough exploration of Gloria’s Caribbean Cuisine, covering its ownership, popularity, location, awards, menu, goals, reviews, history, media coverage, audience, specialties, cultural and social significance, and more. The aim is to offer a detailed and insightful resource for anyone seeking to understand the story and impact of this beloved establishment.

Location and Proximity

Address:
764 Nostrand Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11216

Neighborhood:
Crown Heights, Brooklyn

Nearby Landmarks:

  • Sterling Place & Lincoln Place

  • Close to major thoroughfares and easily accessible by public transit

  • Not far from Western Beef, a well-known grocery store in the area

Gloria’s Caribbean Cuisine is situated in the heart of Crown Heights, a neighborhood renowned for its vibrant Caribbean community and culinary scene. The restaurant’s prominent corner location made it a local landmark, drawing both regulars and visitors eager to experience authentic Caribbean flavors.

Ownership and History

Origins

Gloria’s Caribbean Cuisine was founded by Gloria Wilson in 1974. The restaurant began as a small Trinidadian eatery and quickly became a family-run institution. After Gloria’s passing in 2004, her daughter Nicole Cumberbatch took over the business, continuing her mother’s legacy and expanding the restaurant’s reach and reputation.

Family Legacy

Gloria’s has always been a family affair, with multiple generations involved in its operation. The restaurant’s commitment to home-style cooking and authentic recipes stems from the Wilson family’s Trinidadian heritage, which is reflected in every dish served.

Legal Challenges and Resilience

Despite its popularity, Gloria’s faced significant legal challenges. In 2020, after a protracted legal battle over property ownership, the restaurant was forced to close its original location. The dispute centered on a deed theft scheme dating back to 2001, which ultimately resulted in a court ruling against the Cumberbatch family. Nicole Cumberbatch was ordered to vacate the premises and pay substantial damages, leading to the closure of the beloved Nostrand Avenue location.

However, the spirit of Gloria’s endured. Several former employees, including the longtime chef and manager Wayne Smith, opened a new restaurant, Gee’s Caribbean Restaurant, just down the street. About half the staff at Gee’s are former Gloria’s employees, ensuring that the culinary traditions and community spirit of Gloria’s live on.

Popularity and Audience

Community Hub

Gloria’s Caribbean Cuisine was more than just a restaurant—it was a community hub. The welcoming atmosphere, free internet access, and affordable prices made it a gathering place for locals to eat, work, and socialize. It was common to see patrons enjoying meals while working on laptops or engaging in lively conversations, further cementing Gloria’s role as a cultural and social anchor in Crown Heights.

Diverse Clientele

The restaurant attracted a diverse audience, from neighborhood residents to visitors from other boroughs and beyond. Its reputation for authentic Caribbean food made it a destination for those seeking a taste of Trinidadian home cooking in New York City.

Menu and Culinary Offerings

Signature Dishes

Gloria’s menu featured a wide array of Trinidadian and Caribbean specialties, including:

  • Roti: Offered with fillings such as curry goat, chicken, shrimp, conch, beef, and vegetarian options like pumpkin and spinach. The roti was made with dhal puri, an Indian-inspired flatbread.

  • Oxtail Stew: Served with plantains, rice, and peas.

  • Doubles: A street food favorite from Trinidad, consisting of two pieces of fried bread (bara) filled with curried chickpeas and topped with various condiments.

  • Callaloo: A dish made from leafy greens, with variations depending on the island of origin.

  • Stew Chicken, Curry Chicken, Stew Beef: Classic Caribbean comfort foods.

  • Pelau: A one-pot dish of rice, peas, and meat.

  • Macaroni Pie: A beloved side dish.

  • Vegetarian Options: Including pumpkin and spinach roti, and vegetarian doubles.

Beverages

  • Mauby: A traditional Caribbean drink made from mauby bark.

  • Sorrel: A hibiscus-based beverage popular in the Caribbean.

  • Grapefruit Juice: Noted by customers for its unique, spiced flavor.

  • Honey Iced Tea: A refreshing house specialty.

Menu Features

  • Breakfast and dinner service

  • Affordable prices, with most meals under $15

  • Takeout, delivery, and online ordering

  • Wheelchair accessible

  • Major credit cards accepted

Customer Reviews and Reputation

Gloria’s Caribbean Cuisine consistently received high praise from customers and critics alike. Highlights from customer feedback include:

  • “Great food. I feel they offer very authentic Caribbean flavor and texture in the dishes. Had the stew chicken with plantains, rice and peas. OMG! Mouth-watering goodness.”

  • “Gloria’s has the best tasting roti in New York. Hands Down!”

  • “Awesome Curry Chicken meal!”

  • “This place may be the best substitute for authentic Caribbean home-cooking outside of the Caribbean.”

  • “Doubles are amazing!! Could eat a dozen!”

The restaurant’s authenticity, generous portions, and welcoming environment were frequently cited as reasons for its enduring popularity.

Awards, Press, and Media Coverage

Gloria’s Caribbean Cuisine was featured in several media outlets and food shows, including:

  • Television: Featured on “No Reservations,” which highlighted its role as a staple of Brooklyn’s Caribbean food scene.

  • Press: Included in lists of the best Caribbean restaurants in Brooklyn by food critics and publications.

  • Community Recognition: Frequently cited as a must-visit for Caribbean cuisine and a cultural landmark in Crown Heights.

Cultural and Social Significance

Gloria’s played a vital role in the Caribbean community of Brooklyn. It was more than a place to eat—it was a gathering spot where people could celebrate their heritage, share stories, and connect with others. The menu reflected the diverse influences of Caribbean cuisine, blending African, Indian, and indigenous flavors. This fusion was evident in dishes like roti and callaloo, which have roots in multiple cultures.

The restaurant’s impact extended beyond food. It provided a sense of belonging and pride for the Caribbean diaspora in New York, serving as a living testament to the resilience and vibrancy of the community.

Challenges and Resilience

Like many small businesses, Gloria’s faced challenges, including legal disputes and the competitive restaurant landscape of New York City. Despite these obstacles, the restaurant’s loyal customer base and dedicated staff helped it thrive for decades. Even after the closure of its original location, the legacy of Gloria’s continues through its influence on the local culinary scene and the new ventures started by former employees.

Community Initiatives and Goals

Gloria’s was also known for its community involvement. The restaurant provided free internet access, making it a hub for students, freelancers, and anyone needing a welcoming space to work or socialize. It also participated in fundraising efforts to support the business and its staff, particularly during times of reputational or operational challenges.

Details and Insights

  • Hours: Daily from 6am to 11pm

  • Delivery: Free within a certain radius, with a small fee for farther locations; minimum order required

  • Pickup: Available for all menu items

  • Atmosphere: Lively, colorful, and welcoming, with a mix of locals and visitors

  • Staff: Many employees had worked at Gloria’s for years, contributing to its family-like environment

Examples of Community Impact

  • A group of young adults once celebrated a big win at an online casino while dining at Gloria’s, illustrating the restaurant’s role as a social gathering place.

  • The restaurant was a favorite spot for students and professionals, who could often be found working on laptops while enjoying Caribbean specialties.

 

Gloria’s Caribbean Cuisine is remembered as a beloved institution in Brooklyn’s Crown Heights. Its authentic Trinidadian dishes, warm atmosphere, and deep community roots made it much more than a restaurant—it was a cultural landmark and a source of pride for the Caribbean community in New York City. Even after its closure, the spirit of Gloria’s lives on through the people it brought together and the culinary traditions it helped preserve.

 

Glorias-Hub.com