A new fast-food chain has opened its doors to the Bahamian public; I cringe as the fragile existence of Bahamian cultural development takes yet another threatening blow.

While I admire the initiative and enterprising nature of the Bahamians who have successfully brought these foreign food chains to our islands, I have to wonder whether they ever think about the type of society that is developing right before their very eyes. Give any Bahamian child a choice between a bowl of peas soup & dough and Kentucky Fried Chicken (or Wendy’s, McDonalds, Dominoes, Subway, Pizza Hut, Sbarros and most recently Quiznos and Papa Johns). What do you think they will pick?

Definitely not the peas soup & dough...

Eddie Minnis’ recent song, “Poor Tommy” gives a clear, yet humorous view of the way that a large number of our latest generation of adults have been morphed into a habitual bunch of fast-food junkies who have no skills at or appreciation of preparing a sensible Bahamian meal. A brief look at the many joggers and walkers who spend their early morning hours trying to keep fit is also symptomatic of the quick breakfasts, lunches and dinners that are most often packed with empty calories.

It can be understood that with long working hours (and horrific city traffic) it is sometimes difficult to spend the time to prepare a truly lavish meal with all the trimmings, but the question is, how will we pay for our ‘convenience’ in the long run?

Mind you, even I can be found towing the line in the drive-thru at times, but at least I can still appreciate some okra soup or peas & grits or stew fish & johnny cake. Anyone who cannot see that certain aspects of Bahamian culture are taking a serious nosedive into non-existence must be oblivious to their surroundings - or more likely ‘high’ off dem 11 herbs and spices! :chicken:

The fight to retain respect for what has been held as important to those who lived before us must evolve into one that approaches multi-cultural challenges on a holistic level. We must strive not to easily let go of the hearty local diet which kept past generations of Bahamian people healthy, happy and satisfied. To simply move along with and accept whatever comes along means we have no established structure or base to support our culture. Think about it – our society has already been weakened to the point where we are virtually unable to resist anything that proves profitable for a select few. At the same time though, I do agree that we must move progressively ahead with the rest of the world – only with more caution, inspection and investigation of unaccustomed elements and more passion for what’s natively ours.

In any event, Bahamian society will turn out to be what WE make it; It’s our choice whether we fully become a fast-food one or not.

:shhh:All trademarked names are owned by their respective companies and have not been changed to protect the innocent. This is in no way intended as a professional dietary recommendation. For a more concise consultation, please see your nearest physician…or bush doctor.

i somewhat agree, and have to say i am one of those persons who habbit fast food way too much. I just wish that someone wouldstart something likea dennies or some kind of diner that is open late, as after 6pm, unless you want to spend alot of dollars at a restarant, or drive over thr bridge to News Cafe, (which still closes at 10pm), you are only left with wendies, etc, or chicken shacks after 11pm.

However, also, alot of the bahamian food served isnt exactly healthy either, with people eating 3 huge meals a day, like corn beef and grits for breakfast, fatty greasy stew beef, with greasy macoroni, potato salad and peas and rice, for lunch and dinner. Those huge meals i can barely finish half way, and im overweight, no wonder we have so many 'gussy mais' in the bahamas, and people continuosly wasting their time (to no previal) walking up and down the cable beach or prince charles roads! I also wouldnt label tuna and grits as healthy. loaded with mayonaise and hot pepper. And a huge serving of peas and rice is also fattening.

Fish being the only healthy bahamian food (not fried). Personally i hate fish, so im stuck to other things like chicken.

I think people are hessitant to diners here because of crime when it gets dark, which is most fast food or chicken shacks only have drive throughs or windows after a certain time. Plus something like Dennies requires a huge investment, due to franchise rules etc. Still if they can start a PAPA JOHNS, yet another Dominos really, they should be able to fund a diner type restaurant so we can eat some real food sometimes!


A new fast-food chain has opened its doors to the Bahamian public; I cringe as the fragile existence of Bahamian cultural development takes yet another threatening blow.

While I admire the initiative and enterprising nature of the Bahamians who have successfully brought these foreign food chains to our islands, I have to wonder whether they ever think about the type of society that is developing right before their very eyes. Give any Bahamian child a choice between a bowl of peas soup & dough and Kentucky Fried Chicken (or Wendy’s, McDonalds, Dominoes, Subway, Pizza Hut, Sbarros and most recently Quiznos and Papa Johns). What do you think they will pick?

Definitely not the peas soup & dough...

Eddie Minnis’ recent song, “Poor Tommy” gives a clear, yet humorous view of the way that a large number of our latest generation of adults have been morphed into a habitual bunch of fast-food junkies who have no skills at or appreciation of preparing a sensible Bahamian meal. A brief look at the many joggers and walkers who spend their early morning hours trying to keep fit is also symptomatic of the quick breakfasts, lunches and dinners that are most often packed with empty calories.

It can be understood that with long working hours (and horrific city traffic) it is sometimes difficult to spend the time to prepare a truly lavish meal with all the trimmings, but the question is, how will we pay for our ‘convenience’ in the long run?

Mind you, even I can be found towing the line in the drive-thru at times, but at least I can still appreciate some okra soup or peas & grits or stew fish & johnny cake. Anyone who cannot see that certain aspects of Bahamian culture are taking a serious nosedive into non-existence must be oblivious to their surroundings - or more likely ‘high’ off dem 11 herbs and spices! :chicken:

The fight to retain respect for what has been held as important to those who lived before us must evolve into one that approaches multi-cultural challenges on a holistic level. We must strive not to easily let go of the hearty local diet which kept past generations of Bahamian people healthy, happy and satisfied. To simply move along with and accept whatever comes along means we have no established structure or base to support our culture. Think about it – our society has already been weakened to the point where we are virtually unable to resist anything that proves profitable for a select few. At the same time though, I do agree that we must move progressively ahead with the rest of the world – only with more caution, inspection and investigation of unaccustomed elements and more passion for what’s natively ours.

In any event, Bahamian society will turn out to be what WE make it; It’s our choice whether we fully become a fast-food one or not.

:shhh:All trademarked names are owned by their respective companies and have not been changed to protect the innocent. This is in no way intended as a professional dietary recommendation. For a more concise consultation, please see your nearest physician…or bush doctor.

Nah man, what you are talking about can be termed as “Bahamianized” fast food. Peas and rice isn’t what the older generations of Bahamians used to eat (e.g. the Jamaicans call it rice and peas), nor is potato salad, corned beef, tuna, stew beef or macaroni. These foods have been sadly mistaken for elements of our culture.

Also, the greasy foods that you are talking about are simply being prepared by people who are cooking according the jaded tastes of present generations.

“Dey cooking for dey wealth and not ya health” – Eddie Minnis

What I’m talking about is some good ol’ boiled cassava, roasted corn and unprocessed natural yellow grits – These are the healthy foods that the island people used to eat. Most often you won’t find these delicacies on the menus of the many restaurants that make an attempt at cooking Bahamian food.

Why are these dishes not as popular as the rest, you may ask? Perhaps because few persons will actually order them. Their taste buds have been accustomed to the high sodium, high cholesterol, high sugar-level meals which they probably grew up on!

If you really want some authentic Bahamian meals, you’ll probably have to go to the family islands. Nassau is basically a fast-food city…

Nah man, what you are talking about can be termed as “Bahamianized” fast food. Peas and rice isn’t what the older generations of Bahamians used to eat (e.g. the Jamaicans call it rice and peas), nor is potato salad, corned beef, tuna, stew beef or macaroni. These foods have been sadly mistaken for elements of our culture.

Also, the greasy foods that you are talking about are simply being prepared by people who are cooking according the jaded tastes of present generations.

“Dey cooking for dey wealth and not ya health” – Eddie Minnis

What I’m talking about is some good ol’ boiled cassava, roasted corn and unprocessed natural yellow grits – These are the healthy foods that I’m talking about. Most often you won’t find these delicacies on the menus of the many restaurants that make an attempt at cooking Bahamian food.

Why are these dishes not as popular as the rest, you may ask? Perhaps because few persons will actually order them. Their taste buds have been accustomed to the high sodium, high cholesterol, high sugar-level meals which they probably grew up on!

If you really want some authentic Bahamian meals, you’ll probably have to go to the family islands. Nassau is basically a fast-food city…

id actually rather just a sandwich, healthy as you can get (depending where you get it from, including the lettuce/tommatos that are sprayed with bug sprays in the local food stores!), or even some backed chicken with mash potatoes and mixed veg :-) yummy.