Celebrate the Moment – Jamaican Entrepreneurs Bring Caribbean Flavours to Riverview
Wish you could experience the bold flavours, friendly vibe and comfort of the Caribbean right here in Riverview? Look no further than Spicy Grillz. When you walk through the doors at 567 Coverdale Road, you’ll be transported to an island oasis.
Full disclosure, your mouth will start watering immediately.
Owners, Hamerika MacNeil and Novelene Taylor made the leap from their nursing careers to open the restaurant in 2021 after a successful previous pop-up at Moncton’s multicultural festival. Opening a business during the pandemic took immense bravery and a belief in what they were bringing to the table. And are we ever glad they did. They introduced Greater Moncton to unparalleled Caribbean comfort food, and it was love at first bite.
“We are both of Jamaican origin, love food and have good kitchen skills, so this was a natural evolution for us,” explained Hamerika. “Especially when we saw that there was nowhere in Greater Moncton to enjoy Jamaican/Caribbean flavours. It was something we were excited to share with the community.”
Not into spicy food? No problem. While it’s in the name, that doesn’t mean your dish will make you sweat – unless you want it to! At Spicy Grillz, spice is more about the flavour than the heat, as you can customize the intensity.
“The name honours the traditions of intuitive Caribbean cooking methods and flavour combinations,” she said. “For example, one of the hallmarks of Jamaican Jerk is the infusion of the pimento wood and seeds to get the distinct flavour. We give you flavour and allow you to choose your spice level.”
With so many delicious options, we asked them what are the top three meals for a new customer to enjoy?
“You’ve got to try the ackee and saltfish – Jamaica’s national dish (vegan ackee available),” said Hamerika. “The Oxtail and the curry goat are also must-try dishes.”
‘It's a vibe’ perfectly sums up the experience at Spicy Grillz. You feel like family the moment you walk through their doors – you’ll hear the enticing music, smell the bold aromas, and be greeted with a smile.
“We decided on the Riverview storefront location because it met our business needs of being available and affordable, as well as the population becoming more diverse,” said Hamerika. “Riverview is a welcoming community and we have so many regular customers who have really embraced our business. We can’t thank them enough for their support over the last year.”
Join the team at Spicy Grillz this Sunday, September 4th to celebrate their official grand opening and 1 year anniversary party! They’re hosting a flavourful feast from 1-5 p.m. and tickets range from $25-35 (includes one of three meal options with a drink). Tickets must be purchased in advance. Wear red or white and come support this wonderful local business!
spicygrillzgirls@gmail.com / spicygrillz.com / (506) 384-1143
