Everything 'under the sun'

Sam’s Caribbean Marketplace
225 Hempstead Turnpike, West Hempstead
(516) 858-0054
www.sams247.com

Items are imported from the islands and stocked. From ackees to guava jelly, and jerk seasonings to Scotch bonnet peppers, Sam’s Caribbean Market has it all. Sam’s offers at least a dozen varieties of Jamaican Patties from both Gold Krust Bakery and Caribbean Food Delights (Royal Caribbean Bakery). Fillings include beef, several types of chicken, mixed vegetables, shrimp, jerk fish and even soya.

Among Sam’s impressive inventory are the popular Jamaican Pure Bulk Syrup, Blue Mountain coffee, Ferrol Compound, crunchy Caribbean crackers like Crix and Wibix, a myriad of breadfruits, curries, several dozen hot sauces, and a multitude of childhood and homeopathic remedies. Tropical juices include concentrates from tamarind, key limes, guava and passion fruit.

Sam’s Caribbean Marketplace offers a host of cookbooks with traditional recipes as well as novel ones. Among the CDs are collections of reggae, calypso and Caribbean gospel. A host of DVDs, beauty products, flags and Caribbean novelties fill the shelves as well.

The new store is airy and colorful, and caters to all ethnic groups. “Café on the Island” lets you sit down at tables and enjoy ready-made food and beverages. From cocktail patties to stewed oxtail or curried goat, it’s a culinary adventure. Sam’s “Jerk Wings” and “Island Ginger Wings” should not be missed.

Known to be courteous and friendly, the staff is always eager to help. Prices of everything are kept competitive. Store hours are 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday. They are closed on Sunday.

Products are also available online at www.sams247.com. In addition to several hundred Caribbean products already listed, future plans for the website are to include DVD sales and rentals, scholarships, recipes, and a ticket outlet. Items can be shipped to anywhere in the world.