Pepper Pot

For authentic Jamaican food, head toward Dudley Square in the heart of Roxbury. The Pepper Pot lives up to its name, with fiery jerk chicken, spicy curried shrimp, and ‘‘patties’’ of flaky yellow pastry squares filled with tender beef or chicken. The stewed beef is delicious and hardy hearty, and the chicken soup is just what your granny would fix. The oxtails with butter beans are long-braised and fall off the bone. Owner Stanley Byfield moved here from the island 19 years ago and brought his love and knowledge of the food with him. His wife, Barbara, takes care of desserts. Try her lemon meringue tartlet. This place is far from fancy, but it offers different food with a flair. (Bella English, Globe Staff | May 30, 2007)