2 Sisters 2 Sons Caribbean Cuisine opens in Sharpsburg to rave reviews

Sisters Marline Siddo and Denise Josephs grew up cooking in Kingston, Jamaica, using recipes their parents and grandparents perfected in the West Indies. Together with their sons, Michael Brown and Kwasi Prince, the siblings are bringing that unique flavor to Sharpsburg.

Located at 1882 Main St., 2 Sisters 2 Sons Caribbean Cuisine opened for takeout on July 6. Since then, business has been hotter than summer in the tropics.

The most popular item is the jerk chicken, which comes in varying degrees of spiciness, along with traditional Jamaican offerings such as oxtail, beef patties and seafood fritters served with their own familial flair.

Brown admits to downing a plateful of the hot stuff every day. “I grew up eating this type of food my entire life,” he says.

Not big on the burn? Try the brown stew with chicken, pork, goat or seafood. Sides range from rice and peas, mac and cheese and mashed potatoes to steamed cabbage, mixed veggies and fried dumplings.

Siddo and Josephs used to run 3 Sisters, a Jamaican restaurant in Wilkinsburg, with another partner, but problems with the building forced them to close in 2017.

Unwilling to see the family business falter, Brown and Prince helped their moms go mobile at events throughout the city. Pittsburgh Jerk Fess (yes, that’s how it’s spelled), an annual celebration of Caribbean food and culture held in Highland Park, drew hundreds to their tent.

Customers quickly gobbled up all of the food, then inquired about a brick-and-mortar location.“That’s when we realized there was a demand for us,” Brown says.

Their new spot, painted green and yellow to resemble the Jamaican flag, is just a few miles from the Jerk Fess site. The former bar is roomy, with tables and chairs inside, but for now, 2 Sisters 2 Sons is a takeout location only, operating Monday through Saturday from noon to 9 p.m.

Customers rave about the place, commenting on the restaurant’s Instagram page with great reviews.

Brown is happy his culinary heritage resonates with so many people and he gets to share the experience with loved ones.

“I like working with the family,” he says. “It’s all good vibes.”