•Caribbean: Jamaica •
Leon's Caribbean
February Showcase
Located in the South Side Slopes of Pittsburgh, Leon’s Caribbean is a cozy restaurant that serves as a tribute to the owner’s Jamaican heritage.The walls are covered with traditional Jamaican colors of red, black, yellow, and green to create a warm and welcoming atmosphere. This, in addition to photos of famous Jamaicans, including Bob Marley, allows for anyone passing by to know that Leon is the real deal! We interviewed Leon Rose, the owner of Leon’s Caribbean, to learn a little more about his experience opening the restaurant and his inspirations along the way.
Owner
Leon Rose, the owner of Leon’s Caribbean, was born and raised in Jamaica. He developed a passion for cooking early in his life and opted to attend culinary school in Jamaica to further develop his culinary skills. He moved to the US in 1979 in pursuit of additional culinary experience in the up-and-coming restaurant scenes across the country. Rose was hired as a chef on a cruise ship, where he worked for 10 years. Shortly after his cruise ventures, he found himself in Miami in hopes of pursuing unique culinary opportunities. Rose used this time to cater to diverse populations and expand on his own culinary skills and knowledge. Although he enjoyed his time on the cruise ship and in Miami, he decided it was time for a change. One of his close friends owned a restaurant in Pittsburgh and suggested that he move to Pittsburgh and experience its diverse culinary scene. Ultimately, Rose decided to explore new avenues by moving to Pittsburgh; this was the first step in the establishment of Leon’s Caribbean.
Restaurant
After moving to Pittsburgh several years ago, Leon noticed that there were no Caribbean restaurants in the area. As a result, he felt inspired to establish his own Caribbean restaurant in Pittsburgh. He aimed to serve unique, home-cooked food and introduce the population of Pittsburgh to authentic Jamaican-inspired flavors. He frequently draws on his past experiences from culinary school in Jamaica, his cruise ship position, and Miami when crafting new recipes and cooking popular dishes. Rose explained that, although he tweaked some of his recipes to appeal to a larger audience, he continues to maintain the authentic Jamaican flavors and spice palettes that attracted him to the culinary world in the first place. Today, he continues to cook dishes inspired by or identical to the meals he ate back in Jamaica. He enjoys making and eating all the dishes from his menu, especially jerk chicken and curry chicken, both of which are customer favorites as well. Lastly, we inquired about his overall experience as a restaurant owner and any tips for future entrepreneurs. In response, Rose recalled the importance of establishing a restaurant in the best location possible; he explained that the success of his restaurant was based on the location and the preferences of people in the area. He knew that his restaurant would not succeed if people in the area were uninterested in authentic, Jamaican-inspired cuisine. Ultimately, by selecting an optimal location and catering the menu to Pittsburgh’s population, he has garnered plenty of publicity and interest from residents in the area. The interior of Leon’s Caribbean is adorned with references to Jamaica: bright pops of green and yellow, Bob Marley posters, and neon signs.
Food
Below are reviews of popular dishes at Leon’s Caribbean from some of our Eat @ Pitt members!
"The Jamaican patties stuffed with either ground beef or shredded chicken were an absolutely great choice for lunch. The flaky pastry dough stuffed with a creamy interior created an excellent flavor profile that made every bite better than the last. Additionally, the patties had a unique and somewhat unexpected kick to them. The beef patty was the perfect amount of spicy, and the chicken patty had an earthy and savory flavor” -Jake Shapira
“I ordered the Jamaican steamed fish, and it truly took me on a mouthwatering vacation to the Caribbean! The fish was moist and packed with robust flavors, and paired perfectly with the roasted vegetables and cabbage, as well as the insanely delicious rice and beans. I was expecting the fish I selected (I picked the Whiting) to taste a lot like a regular filet of cod, but I was happily mistaken — it was unlike any fish I’ve ever tasted, and has motivated me to want to attempt a similar recipe when I have access to a kitchen again! So while Leon’s may be most popular for its oxtail and curries, never underestimate the items further down the menu—you’ll never regret what you order!” -Haeley Jones
We highly recommend stopping by Leon's Caribbean in South Side for a delicious burst of flavors that you may not have experienced before! The beef and chicken patties were some of our favorites!