Grace’s Cafe | ★★ | Jamaican cuisine | 1909 Texas Parkway | 281-261-8451
The aromatic whiff of slow-braised beef from a nearby table was all the confirmation I needed to order the oxtails. As I waited in line behind a glass counter, I picked up hints of allspice and fresh garlic, ingredients that had been simmering for hours. The only decision left to make was which sides to order.
Rice and peas — to soak up the rich, molasses-like gravy — are non-negotiable. I asked for steamed cabbage to balance out my plate with a vegetable, but the man behind the counter told me it wasn’t ready. Fried plantains would do…