Doubles man, one with slight pepper!

February 6, 2022

Trinidadian street food culture centres on the ritual of purchasing doubles, a popular breakfast and dinner staple defined by its unique social dynamics and flavour profiles. This narrative explores the sensory experience of navigating crowded food stands in Curepe, highlighting the competitive nature of being served.

It details the specific components of the dish, including the turmeric-flavoured bara and spiced channa, while reflecting on the impact of inflation on local culinary habits. The piece offers a first-hand account of the “pepper mouth” subculture and the unwritten rules of engagement at the “d original sauce” stands.

By documenting these personal interactions, the article provides a cultural snapshot of contemporary life and communal dining in Trinidad and Tobago.

Key Takeaways

The cultural significance of doubles extends beyond sustenance to represent a shared social ritual in Trinidadian society.
Specific ordering techniques and physical presence are essential for securing service at popular street food hubs.
Economic shifts such as inflation have altered the price of doubles without diminishing their status as a primary meal.
Authenticity is a central theme amongst vendors who compete through branding and secret sauce formulations.
Curepe serves as a vital geographic centre for the authentic street food experience in the Caribbean region.

Securing your slight pepper doubles in Curepe

By Marc Algernon. I pushed through the crowd that was growing larger by the minute. I tried to make myself be seen. My stomach ached and my mouth watered as the aroma filled my nostrils. “Gimme one doubles with slight pepper!” I was beginning to get annoyed as I pushed up my hand so sure that this one was mine… Nope.

“Why them nice woman them does always get them own first, you know how long I standing here.”

If you don’t raise your voice they don’t notice you and it helps to be very visible as well, like right up under their noses that way they try to feed you and run you fast before you start making the other customers uncomfortable, or even worse, agreeing with you.

Each of the six doubles stands here in Curepe has the words “d original sauce” written on the front in bright red letters, it is so hard to tell who is authentic.

Finally, I am handed a napkin and very soon a hot sheet of grease proof paper that plates a piping hot bara which holds the most delicious combination of curried channa, tamarind sauce, pepper sauce and shadon beni sauce that four dollars can buy.

Soon my hands are dirtied as I dig right in, this is a hand food not for the cutlery folks. Grease proof paper in the garbage (we never litter) and up goes my hand again to collect another one. I am one of the club now. No longer pushing to the front of the crowd but now one of the respected “have to pay”’ customers.

“Eh, give meh some pepper with some doubles in it.” Everyone laughs. That is Broad, one of the die-hard customers. He is what you would call a “pepper mouth”. Men like Broad don’t stand in the line, he is given VIP treatment because he got the name Broad by his big and very loud mouth. He can cause a scene in seconds so it’s no playing around with him. I wish I had his courage.

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I remember when doubles was only two dollars, then inflation stepped in but there was no decline in customers, always a great breakfast like I’m having now or a splendid dinner. It even acts as “cutters” if you have been drinking too much; just remember you cannot and should never eat just one.

Anyway I have to go now before I eat out all of my money and can’t afford to take a taxi to go home… again!

October 2013 – Issue 6 www.sweettntmagazine.com