Spicy Caribbee
Spicy Caribbee
4.5
About
We opened Spicy Caribbee on June 1988. More than a spice shop, Spicy Caribbee also sells tropical jams, Puerto Rican coffee and fragrances.
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
103 reviews
Excellent
81
Very good
17
Average
3
Poor
1
Terrible
1
Samuel P
Springfield, OH91 contributions
Dec 2016 • Couples
We bought the Puerto Rican vanilla from this shop when we visited San Juan. Just recently read the ingredients on the label and were dismayed to see that it is made with vanillin and not natural vanilla. Very disappointed.
Written November 25, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ashley C
New York City, NY278 contributions
Oct 2013 • Solo
If you like unique spices, sauces and teas, then Spicy Caribbee is for you. I am so happy that I made it a point to stoop here during my trip to Old San Juan. It's located on Calle de Cristo and not far from the old Chapel.
Upon entering it was a like feast for the eyes with the walls of sauces and other goodies. I was happy to see the tasting table in the front of the store where you could sample the sauces and jams before you purchased them. I tried just about everything and it definitely helped me in deciding what to buy.
The banana ketchup is unique to the store and sounds odd, but it works. The jerk sauce was some of the best that I have tasted and I have tasted many different jerk sauces. most of full of salt or too sweet, but the jerk sauce here had a perfect balance of both. The hot sauce is also different and is really good. And of course they sell Madre di Pique - something you're sure to come across if you eat in any restaurant in Puerto Rico.
The jams are great - I bought the pineapple and was not disappointed.
There was also a nice selection of loose teas and spices. Both were available in different sizes. The store also sells housewares such as tea towels and other small items.
The shop keeper was cordial and friendly and did make me feel pressured to buy anything, She gave me some great tips on how to use some of the sauces that I bought on what to use them with. She was great to talk to.
Best of all the store has a website, so when I run out, I don't have to run back to Puerto Rico. :)
Upon entering it was a like feast for the eyes with the walls of sauces and other goodies. I was happy to see the tasting table in the front of the store where you could sample the sauces and jams before you purchased them. I tried just about everything and it definitely helped me in deciding what to buy.
The banana ketchup is unique to the store and sounds odd, but it works. The jerk sauce was some of the best that I have tasted and I have tasted many different jerk sauces. most of full of salt or too sweet, but the jerk sauce here had a perfect balance of both. The hot sauce is also different and is really good. And of course they sell Madre di Pique - something you're sure to come across if you eat in any restaurant in Puerto Rico.
The jams are great - I bought the pineapple and was not disappointed.
There was also a nice selection of loose teas and spices. Both were available in different sizes. The store also sells housewares such as tea towels and other small items.
The shop keeper was cordial and friendly and did make me feel pressured to buy anything, She gave me some great tips on how to use some of the sauces that I bought on what to use them with. She was great to talk to.
Best of all the store has a website, so when I run out, I don't have to run back to Puerto Rico. :)
Written October 27, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Toni Ugueto
Houston, TX295 contributions
While wandering around Old San Juan we stumbled on Spicy Caribbee. We had read the reviews and it was on our list of places to shop. We walked in and were immediately greeted and shown the sample table, where all of the sauces and jams are available to taste. The banana ketchup was a very interesting flavor and I was glad to be able to try it before I bought it. My sister sampled the medium hot sauces and settled on mango pepper sauce. It is definitely worth going to the shop and exploring the flavors first hand!
Written June 10, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Doug F
Middletown, NY661 contributions
Aug 2013 • Friends
Spicy Caribbee is, naturally, a Caribbean spice store on calle del Cristo near calle de San Francisco. I was disappointed when I browsed through the shop. It had about five or six Caribbean spices in different size jars. The shop is nicely stocked and appealing to the eye but it was the same spices in different sizes and combinations.
There are some bulk spices but these spices can be purchased in any city.
I purchased some banana ketchup and pique. It was my first encounter with banana ketchup and it was interesting. I will used the banana ketchup in other entrees that I cook or as a fusion spice. The pique is one of my favorites. The price for the pique is one of the lowest that I found.
I guess I was disappointed because I was expecting a more extensive collection of Caribbean spices-wet, dry, and rubs.
There are some bulk spices but these spices can be purchased in any city.
I purchased some banana ketchup and pique. It was my first encounter with banana ketchup and it was interesting. I will used the banana ketchup in other entrees that I cook or as a fusion spice. The pique is one of my favorites. The price for the pique is one of the lowest that I found.
I guess I was disappointed because I was expecting a more extensive collection of Caribbean spices-wet, dry, and rubs.
Written August 9, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Greetings Doug!
First of all, we would like to thank you for visiting Spicy Caribbee when you were passing by Old San Juan. Unfortunately, by the time you were in town we were starting our restocking process for the high/holiday season. Now, if you visit our online store www.SpicyCaribbee.com you will see that we have even added new products to our line, such as the Coconut Curry Sauce, the Hot Pickled Peppers and the Spicy Caribbee Hot Pepper Jam. If you decide to make an order during this holiday season, please don't forget to mention your TripAdvisor review to receive a complimentary Caribbean seasoning.
Happy Holidays!
Written December 1, 2013
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
TheCaptain52
Myrtle Beach, SC8 contributions
Aug 2013 • Solo
I know this quaint little place in Old San Juan. The owners, Mark and Sica Williams are good friends of mine.
Almost like Family. Sica was a School Teacher and Mark was a Pilot. The both quit their Professions to venture into this operation. They have two wonderful Sons that are both in School ( University ).
Every time I go to Puerto Rico, I visit with the Both of them...either at the Shop or at the Home of Dona Neri....I person I know SOOO WELL.
Their product...Spices, Herbs, Coffee and small gifts are well priced. They even ship to your Home so you don't have that extra baggage to carry. They have Online facilities so you may replenish your purchases when you run out.
This Couple is a Great Pair...
Print this review and when in Puerto Rico, Visit them at 154 Calle Crist, San Juan , Puerto Rico.
Tell them...Raul Sent me...
Almost like Family. Sica was a School Teacher and Mark was a Pilot. The both quit their Professions to venture into this operation. They have two wonderful Sons that are both in School ( University ).
Every time I go to Puerto Rico, I visit with the Both of them...either at the Shop or at the Home of Dona Neri....I person I know SOOO WELL.
Their product...Spices, Herbs, Coffee and small gifts are well priced. They even ship to your Home so you don't have that extra baggage to carry. They have Online facilities so you may replenish your purchases when you run out.
This Couple is a Great Pair...
Print this review and when in Puerto Rico, Visit them at 154 Calle Crist, San Juan , Puerto Rico.
Tell them...Raul Sent me...
Written August 8, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BigJay52
Kwajalein Island, Marshall Islands84 contributions
Apr 2012 • Business
What a great lil shop I found while traipsing through old San Juan, one of its little gems, just down from the old converted nunnery thats now a hotel. Walked in to pleaasing aromatics, nice samples aand the products are priced right. GO THERE!
Written November 23, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Joshua C
Madrid, Spain45 contributions
I probably don't fit the typical demographics for the usual clientele so I wasn't too excited. I thought everything was over-priced and neither my partner nor I found anything here we wanted to buy. The shop was well merchandised, staff seemed friendly and some of the items would be interesting to others for sure. I just didn't think the prices were worth the products being sold, especially when I found the same brand of coffee in a grocery store for considerably less.
Written February 22, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jeffreywilliams2017
San Juan, Puerto Rico3 contributions
Oct 2019
If you are looking to bring back something from the Caribbean, here is a shop you must visit. It has interesting spices, sauces and quality gifts that won't break your budget.
Written October 9, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Some Bald Tourist
Fairfax County, VA8 contributions
Aug 2019
Randomly walked in here, and very happy I did. They have a great selection of seasonings and spices ... both bottled and raw. The lady I spoke with was very knowledgeable in the different ways to blend their products with food. Looking forward to getting home and cooking with these.
Written August 10, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ern B
St. John's51 contributions
Jan 2019 • Couples
Beautiful locally made hot sauces. We bought three different kinds. After getting home and using them we wished we had bought more. They were so good. It's so nice to find something that adds tastes to your cooking that you can't get with products available from your own home town.
Written February 19, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Chris L
Hoquiam, WA7 contributions
The vanilla doesn't have any preservatives does it? I forgot what it's called but some vanilla has it? Thanks, Chris
