Ins & Outs of Barbados 2020

De Hut The menu: Bajan food that adds elements like fresh fruit salsas, crunchy ripped potatoes and grilled vegetables, elevating the whole to a new level of scrumptious. Fish, chicken, steak, lamb, pigtails, salads, plantain and of course macaroni pie. The hours: Friday and Saturday, 2pm - 10:30pm Drinks: Sweet drinks and beer. The backstory: De Hut’s enthusiastic mastermind, Dale Rowe, came up through Almond Beach Resort and his current day job is Chef Tournant at Sandy Lane. His amiable assistant, Deon Pilgrim, got his chops at KFC. Together, these jovial giants know their work and their audience. “This is my passion,” said Mr. Rowe. “I want locals to taste my food.” Don’t let De Hut’s appearance fool you; the man knows his marinades and his mise en place. Location: Black Rock Main Road, obliquely opposite the main entrance to the Psychiatric Hospital. It’s one street north of the Mahogany Bar. Look hard; it’s set back from a dark corner of Belfields Street. Know before you go: By July 2020, they expect to convert their 40-foot shipping container into a kitchen and washrooms and add a palmy, proper dining space. Meanwhile, the basic premises make takeaway the better option. Rowe’s Catering Tel: (246) 828-6530 Cobz Street Corn The menu: Corn on the cob, fully loaded in more ways than you could ever imagine, makes for satisfying and delicious food. The most popular items are the Mexican, guacamole and creamy Caesar corns. Sometimes there’s soup. Open: Friday, 5pm - 9pm, Saturday, 3pm - 9pm. Drinks: Sweet drinks, juice, beer. Made specially for Cobz by award-winning mixologist Ryan Adamson, their signature rum punch is one of the best on island. The backstory: Graphic designer Rachael Kennedy andWilliams Equipment employee, Halley Franklyn, are partners in life as well as in business. Inspired by street food on trips overseas, they opened Cobz in 2018, and have hardly had a moment to look back. “We wanted to bring something new to the culinary landscape of Barbados,” they said. “And we want to do this so good that people will be afraid to try to copy us.” Location: Fairfield Road, just off Black Rock Main Road. Turn inland at the stop lights by the gas station. Know before you go: Rachael’s design flair shows in the conversion of a vacant lot into a mini-kitchen and under-tent seating. Regulars are attracted to the great food and chill vibe. Parking is a worthwhile challenge. There’s no washroom, but the gas station obliquely opposite has super clean ones. If you want something other than corn, Rachael’s mother serves Bajan food from the front of her adjacent house. Tel: (246) 248-4449 cobzstreetfood@gmail.com, or on Facebook NIGHTLIFE  215 INS