Closed for Business: Christie's Jamaican Patties, 387 Flatbush Avenue

Some sad news to report: Christie's, the Jamaican patty shop on Flatbush Avenue between Sterling Place and Plaza Street, has closed. The phone has been disconnected, and there's a "For Rent" sign in the window.

In business since 1965, the shop was originally located across the street (where the eastern corner of the Crunch Gym is now) and it moved to its present location in 2006. Their $2.50 beef, chicken, and vegetable patties were about as good as it got (especially when tucked into coco bread), and their mains like macaroni and cheese, curry goat, and barbecue chicken were dependably good.

There was a scare back in November of 2011 that the small restaurant, which had a few tables but mostly did to-go service, would be forced to close, but it hung on, with owner Paul Hayes saying, “[Landlord Lina Feng] is trying to kick me out; I don’t think it’s worth the stress; it’s killing me. I’ve had so many sleepless nights.” The shop hung on, but Hayes had been in and out of court with Feng since then.

Christie's was an inexpensive and tasty option in an area where it's now just about impossible to fill up for $2.50. Another nearby option, El Gran Castillo de Jagua, is also now just holding on by the skin of its teeth, as it might be closing soon as well. If you haven't tried their roast pork yet, do yourself a favor and do it now.

As for Christie's, fingers crossed that Hayes can find a new, more hospitable location. In the meantime, their food truck will still be regularly parked on the corner of Seventh Avenue and Ninth Street.