A Taste Of The Islands At Caribbean Delight

Have you been dreaming of the islands but can’t go on vacation any time soon? In this episode of The North Chuck Hookup, we’re going to introduce you to Vanessa Campbell and her restaurant, Caribbean Delight. We’ll learn about all of these popular Jamaican dishes that will give you a taste of the islands right here at home.

A Taste Of The Islands

It’s easy for Caribbean Delight’s Chef Paul to craft the delicious dishes featured at Vanessa Campbell's restaurant. Starting each day early in the morning, everything the kitchen serves up is made fresh from scratch. Main dishes like chicken, oxtail, and curried goat are seasoned two days in advance for optimal flavor that goes right to the bone.

While all of their island specialties are fan favorites, oxtail, jerk chicken, and curry chicken are some of the best-selling dishes. Their seafood offerings include three main types of fish—with escovitch fish a popular choice. This fried fish is topped with onion, bell peppers, and carrots.

Another favorite dish is the brown stew fish. The fish is fried and cooked down in brown gravy with bell pepper, onion, carrots, and a blend of special seasoning. Lastly, the steamed fish is cooked in gravy and coconut milk for a truly traditional Jamaican experience.

How It Started

Vanessa Campbell, the owner of Caribbean Delight, began her business with her husband, Ambrose. Working at the local rubber plants, Ambrose dreamed of creating his own business where he could work for himself. As Jamaican natives, the pair grew up knowing how to cook. The pair started the restaurant in 2015 and has been going strong ever since.

Since not everyone can hop on a boat to Jamaica, they’ve brought Caribbean food right here to Charleston. Though Jamaica is a small island, they’re known worldwide for their food, music, and love—which is manifested in every dish they create. Along with Jamaican native Chef Paul, Caribbean Delight successfully serves up authentic island dishes to the community.

Not Missing A Beat

One of the things that Caribbean Delight prides itself on is consistency. Even if there’s a new cook in the kitchen, the food is always a top priority. For example, new cooks follow a seasoning guide with measurements until they get the recipe down. This ensures that each dish always has the same delicious flavor on every visit.

Vanessa and Ambrose recently opened another restaurant in Monck’s Corner. Customers would travel far and wide to get a taste of Caribbean Delight’s cuisine—and they’ve been asking for a second location. When the opportunity arose in 2020, the new Monck’s Corner location was opened. Despite being in the middle of a pandemic, they took the risk and were rewarded with plentiful business since opening day.

Because of limited dining options, the Monck’s Corner customers appreciate Caribbean Delight’s presence in the community. Of course, Vanessa says the feeling is happily returned. The larger location—which features a bar—is a great place for friends and family to gather and enjoy the island ambiance. The space even allows them to host events like parties and conferences.

Enjoy The Flavors Of Caribbean Delight

I hope this gave you a good idea of everything that Caribbean Delight has to offer. Whether you’re homesick for island food or want to try something new, make sure to stop by to sample authentic Jamaican cuisine at its finest.

Don’t forget to subscribe to our channel so you never miss an episode of The North Chuck Hookup, the one show all about Charleston living. Stay tuned to the next Foodie Friday to see what tasty fare I feature next!