Admittedly, a holiday Monday after Caribana is probably not the best day to try a roti shop or any Caribbean joint for that matter. You might imagine that you'd end up with nothing but the leftovers from the weekend's prep. "Glass half full" would tell you that the 3 extra days of marinating would do wonders and by goodness it did!
Roti Lady occupies a tiny space just off the main drag in Parkdale and has all the ambiance of countless similar shops in the Caribbean. You are transported immediately to warmer climes upon entry. A couple of small tables are scattered about inside. Outside are two picnic tables beside the jerk smoker.
Friendly, smiling Roti Lady takes your order and disappears behind the wall to reheat and reappears with my plump stew chicken roti (she happened to be sold out of the curry chicken, not surprisingly).
The wrapper was not dhal puri but instead, a roti prata. (a little doughier and no chick pea (dhal) filling). The ample filling of chicken, beans, potatoes and lotsa gravy with an extra dollop of homemade hot sauce all made for one delicious mess. Roti Lady peeked around outside to ask if I was enjoying it to which i replied "best roti in Parkdale!" -- that is without exaggeration.
What Roti Lady may lack in trendy decor (Bacchus) or mass scale (Island Foods) like her competitors in the area, she sure makes up for in making food like your aunty makes at home - good home cooking, nice friendly lady, low low prices all makes for a satisfying stuffer of a meal.
I'll definitely be back!