Local Cuisine

Roadside vendors in food vans sell johnny cakes, fried fish, patés, chicken, goat water, etc. The cuisine here reflects a big mixture of Caribbean, European, East Indian and Hispanic influences.

Lots of roadside vendors - and some small food stands spread throughout the island.
You might google or research 'Arona Petersen" a legendary food and folklore writer of the VI.

Is it relatively cheap to eat at roadside vendors? Is it generally safe to eat? I have always loved street food the most when I go places. Any suggestions on what local tastes most seem to like or brag about?

Yes, it's relatively cheap and yes, it's safe. As far as taste goes you just have to try it and see if you like it!

Every now and then when we get out of work and don't feel like cooking, we'll stop at the Texas BBQ Pit trailers on the waterfront. Always really good, and cheap.

Every now and then when we get out of work and don't feel like cooking, we'll stop at the Texas BBQ Pit trailers on the waterfront. Always really good, and cheap.

Check out the hot food section in the back of Plaza Extra too. I LOVE their stew chicken and a huge plate of that along with sweet potato and other veggies easily feeds two for less than $8!

Have to give that a shot, when I worked for OfficeMax I used to swear by China Fast Food at Tutu Park Mall, 10 dollars or so for a container stuffed to the top with rice and teriyaki chicken plus a nice big egg roll and that would be my lunch and dinner that day. Also, I always thought the breakfast omelette, potatos with onions, bacon, sausage and toast at the little cafe at Kmart was one of the best kept breakfast secrets on island. Costed something like 7 bucks.

...when I worked for OfficeMax I used to swear by China Fast Food at Tutu Park Mall, 10 dollars or so for a container stuffed to the top with rice and teriyaki chicken plus a nice big egg roll and that would be my lunch and dinner that day.

I hadn't been there for a couple of years and was delighted to see them still serving just the other week. I had their boneless chicken, noodles (so delicious!) and all the rest and ended up getting three meals out of it.

Caribbean food St Thomas style:
Stewed, baked or curried chicken or mutton, fish (whole pot fish) fried or boiled with butter sauce, souse and potato salad
Sides- fungi, green banana, sweet potato, potato stuffing, fried plantain, pigeon peas and rice, baked macaroni and cheese (hope you like your starchy carbs!)
Soups- chicken (with whole chicken pieces, bone and all), lentil, pumpkin, kalalloo, bull foot, mutton. Soup is frequently a meal alone- veggies, noodles, dumplings, etc along with the meat.

Meals are served as a plate, with a main dish and two or three sides. No one goes hungry.

Go try the food truck called Joe Can Cook. Great stuff. it's in The mall at Strawberry usually Friday and Saturday. There is a guy that drives a white pick up truck around.....his name is Hennis(don't know if I spelled that correct). He has the best Kingfish , chicken and bread. Harveys in Csted also has great local food. I scoured the island and made friends with many locals to find the best food. I have more places if you are interested