Joycee's Caribbean Foods, Calgary

Roti in essence indicates bread, but it means different things depending on which world cuisine you’re talking about. Indian roti is usually a flat bread made of whole wheat and eaten alongside main dishes like curry. Malaysian roti canai is layered, crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside. I think it tastes sweeter like a pastry dough.

Then there’s West Indian roti, which can be found wrapped around stews or curries. I haven’t had many rotis in my lifetime, but the goat curry roti ($10.95) at Joycee’s Caribbean Foods was awesome.

Joycee’s is a grocery store featuring Caribbean supplies and a little hot food counter that sells rotis and Jamaican patties.

The goat curry was tender and full of slow-burning spices — not the kind that flash-bomb your tongue, leaving you numb for hours. The roti skin was thin and soft and so yummy. It was so big, I managed to finish only half of it.

There’s a small area near the front windows to sit and eat, but I got mine to take out, which came with a little green salad. (Sorry about the photo — it’s hard to make food in Styrofoam look good.)

Another reason to stop by Joycee’s this month is to buy tickets for the 16th annual Black Gospel Concert on Feb. 23 for a bargain $20.

I went last year and it blew me away. First, not only that there were so many talented black gospel choirs in the city, but also that the audience is so much fun to be part of. You will be hard-pressed not to stand up and yell “Hallelujah” just once, regardless of your faith.

Bonus: By buying tickets at Joycee’s, you bypass Ticketmaster’s “convenience” charges.

Joycee’s Caribbean Foods, 630-1st Ave. NE, Calgary, (403) 234-9940. Closed Sunday and Monday.