nce upon a time Madame John sold griot, a traditional Haitian dish, out of her home. Well, as you know, nothing beats home cooking and word quickly spread. Soon Madame John’s Little Haiti home was overcome with hungry patrons who would often line up out the door for lunch and dinner. Eventually, Madame John opened a restaurant, a tiny hole in the wall where griot is still the special du jour.

Griot (silent 'o') is essentially fried pork which has been marinated in spices and onions overnight before it is cooked and served with a lip-smacking hot sauce. Poisson gro sel, another popular dish served by the Madame, is an entire fish cooked in spices and served with different vegetables. Most meals are under $10 but shhhhhhh, it's a little secret among the Haitian community.