If you’re looking for a space that’s all about blending community and great food, look no further than Caribbean Roots. This Dominican restaurant sits in Gary, Indiana, and it’s only a five-minute drive from Lake Street Beach.   

Why “Caribbean Roots”? 

“It starts with who we are,” owners Ryan and Johanna Flemming said.

Ryan’s wife Johanna spent most of her childhood in the Dominican Republic before moving to the United States and taking everything she learned from family about Dominican cuisine. For Ryan, his passion for BBQ came from a local BBQ spot he visited frequently while in college. His culinary experience broadened even more when he was introduced to Jamaican food and traveled to Jamaica. 

When the two got married, Johanna joined Ryan in Gary, Indiana to join him in ministry while also teaching people about Dominican cuisine.

Food From the Soul 

During the global COVID-19 pandemic their church could not meet indoors, so the Flemming family sought new ways to serve the neighborhood. They decided to throw a free BBQ and serve people slow-cooked, homemade meals each month. They quickly realized that this food wasn’t just feeding hundreds of people, but it was bringing joy to the community during a challenging time.

And that’s where Caribbean Roots was born, blending strong, diverse heritage with unique flavors. Each dish is made with love, intention, and as the restaurant tagline says, it’s “Food From the Sol.” The name “Caribbean Roots” comes from their love of food with diverse flavors from the Caribbean islands.  

Bestsellers You Can’t Skip 

With 4.6 stars on Google and over 200 reviews, this BBQ spot is making a big buzz in Gary. When you walk inside Caribbean Roots, you’re greeted with the smell of smoked meat and delicious spices. Their dinners are a popular option which includes your choice of jerk chicken, Dominican chicken, puerco (pork), pica pollo (Dominican fried chicken), or BBQ rib or jerk rib tips on the weekends with two sides and a piece of golden cornbread. 

They also have bowls that feature the meat and plantains of your choice over a bed of rice, as well as vegetarian options. 

You can’t go wrong with their empanadas either. From original beef to mac and cheese to lentil and potato, there’s truly something for everyone here! 

Other Happenings in Gary, Indiana 

Along with authentic cuisine, Gary also has activities and sights worth checking out while you’re in town. 

Lake Street Beach is open from dawn to dusk daily from the Sunday before Memorial Day through Labor Day. There’s a boat launch, wave-runner ramp, and access to fishing. Parking is $8 for Gary residents and $10 for non-residents. 

You can also stop by the Gary Aquatorium, which is the former Gary Bathhouse that opened in 1922 and closed in 1971. Twenty years later, the bathhouse reopened as the Gary Bathing Beach Aquatorium. It provides awesome views of Indiana Dunes, Lake Michigan, and the Chicago skyline, so have your phone camera ready!