Kenneth’s Tastebud

Love Kenneth’s Tastebuds for decades. Jerk chicken that will open up your breathing! Love the curry too! The locals swear by the fish and ox tail.

I’ve been going to Kenneth’s for years. Practically since I was in diapers. That’s to say that Kenneth’s has been in Albany for a very long time.
Albany doesn’t have a ton to offer when it comes to Caribbean food. You have 2 «staple» options Kenneth’s & Roy’s.
Kenneth’s is pretty decent. The décor sucks, but who needs that when it’s all about the food. Their chicken wings, fried fish, oxtail, curry goat, and curry chicken are pretty good.
My family’s West Indian so I know good Caribbean food. Whenever there’s a craving for some good food, Kenneth’s is always on our list.

First impressions…
This place has an easy going atmosphere, and I couldn’t help but chuckle at the loud conversations from the regulars. One topic in particular… Super Cat. Lol!
The cashier was on top of everything. There would be four to five people at a time requesting orders and he handled it like clockwork… with a smile to match!
Okay, okay… on to the food.
(Please note* I’m from Brooklyn NY… Flatbush, Brooklyn to be more specific, and I grew up with Jamaican/​Trinidadian-​Oxtail cooking– Pelau eating parents.)
I ordered the curry chicken with rice and peas. In Brooklyn, they serve the meals with plaintains, but I orded a small meal and maybe plantains come with a large? No problem, I orded it as a side dish for $ 2.50.
Now I’m used to a thicker curry sauce for the chicken, but this was still good. Oh! and the rice and peas were delicious!
My friend ordered the goat… ohhh the goat. Now, I don’t usually try everyone’s goat, so I’m glad I went with my gut this time.
But! I will say this… my friend LOVED their goat! So definitely try it out for yourself.
I took one piece and…
*Pros: Fall off the bone tender, flavorful.
*Cons: Although flavorful, it was not the flavors I was accustomed to.
I did not taste the curry at all. Instead, it tasted like a Middle Eastern dish. Heavily spiced with everything but a West Indian flavor. Yes, I am very serious.
No scotch bonnet, no allspice… just something very, uhm… different (which does not mean bad, folks!). Again, I’m sure people have and continue to love it (my friend included). So don’t let this discourage you from trying it!
Next stop, Roys!