Jamaican Pat expanding with new downtown Cedar Rapids restaurant

CEDAR RAPIDS — Patrick Rashed, the Cedar Rapids restaurateur better known as Jamaican Pat, is planning a second Caribbean Kitchen location in downtown Cedar Rapids.

The longtime owner of Caribbean Kitchen in NewBo City Market and the former Fat Pat’s gumbo spot announced plans last week to expand to the Armstrong Centre’s food court at 210 Third Ave. SE.

Service at the Armstrong Centre will begin Jan. 2.

The new location will feature much of the same food available in New Bohemia, but also will offer some popular breakfast items from his farmers market menu weekdays from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.

“I was going to sit outside all winter in the food truck while my son ran the Caribbean Kitchen at NewBo City Market,” Rashed said. “Well, this Jamaican got scared of the cold weather coming.”

Comments: Features reporter Elijah Decious can be reached at (319) 398-8340 or elijah.decious@thegazette.com.