FOLEY — Yawdie is offering an authentic taste of Jamaica in the heart of downtown Foley.

Located at 117 W. Orange Ave., Yawdie is the brainchild of Duane “Chozenn” Besentie, a Jamaican-Christian artiste, event planner and businessman. He opened the store around two months ago after having been in the city’s pipeline for almost two years, wanting to bring Jamaica's culinary culture to the Heart of Dixie, saying he plans to be doing this forever.

“We’ve been blessed so far with the locals coming out and my niche, my Jamaican market, the Caribbean community is already engaged,” Besentie said. “The locals are engaged, and the proof is really in the taste.”

From the moment you walk in, the Jamaican influence is on full display with the space's green and yellow walls and murals of famous Jamaican celebrities. The menu includes traditional dishes such as oxtails, jerk chicken and curry goat along with Jamaica's national dish, ackee and saltfish. All can be completed with a side of beans and rice.

Even if you have never tried Jamaican food before, Besentie said they will “hit you with samples for days.”

“Jamaica is such an awesome culinary culture,” Besentie said. “We are vibrant. We are high energy people, and it kind of just fuses and gels into the food. We have Usain Bolt, the fastest man alive. We got Bob Marley, so Jamaica’s culinary culture, food and music is the ultimate factor, so this is what we are serving in Foley, and the rest is history.”

Yawdie is open Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. and from Friday through Sunday from 8 a.m. to midnight.