Off The Beaten Path – West End, Grand Bahama

Tanya Russell

“Sundays are better in West End”

By Yolanda Hanna Photography courtesy of Matthew Wildgoose

W

hen sunshine, a blue sky, fluffy white clouds and turquoise waters are in search of a place to relax and unwind, Mother Nature comes to hide away in beautiful West End, Grand Bahama.

West End is the best end…

The small, oceanside fishing village of West End, Grand Bahama— where the beers are ice cold, conch fritters are conchy, the fish and lobster are freshly caught, and the panny cakes are deep-fried to golden perfection.

The ambiance of West End will warm your heart and lighten your spirit.

Void of high-rise buildings, bustling traffic and the standard tourist activities, the lure of this historically rich settlement is immersed in the atmosphere, the residents and the food.

West End is an ode to the quintessential nostalgic elements of island life that Bahamians can appreciate and visitors to Grand Bahama never forget. Birds In Flight In West End

Colourful history, strong community...

Once the thriving capital city of Grand Bahama, history documents that West End was a bootleg haven during the Roaring Twenties, with an historical connection to notorious rumrunners and bootleggers including the infamous Al Capone.

The settlement is filled with historical landmarks and information that the residents proudly share as a reminder of the pivotal role West End played in the development of Grand Bahama Island.

Climate change has taken a toll on West End over the years. Past hurricanes have damaged homes, businesses and the economy, and galvanized residents to swiftly rebuild their lives and the community.

And although the West End that exists today is very different than the settlement that existed in a bygone era, the characteristics that attracted the ‘rich and famous’ in the past are very present today and can be found in the hospitality of the people.

Birds Resting In The Water

Tanya Russell Conch Salad Preparation

Sundays are made for the West…

West End is the place where residents from settlements across Grand Bahama flock to on Sunday afternoons to relax, regroup and enjoy some of the best food Grand Bahama has to offer.

As a proud island girl, and lover of all things West Grand Bahama, the idea of heading to the west on a Sunday is never met with any opposition on my behalf.

My decision to take a ride to the west was further prompted by a wonderful report that had reached my ears. I was informed that my favourite fish fryer and female conch salad maker, Tanya Russell, had recently relocated her business, T&T Restaurant, from her food truck into a newly built space.

Today seemed like the perfect day to invite my friend Matt to join me in the west, to check out Tanya’s new digs and have something good to eat. Tanya Russell Conch Salad Ingredients

T&T Restaurant History, Family and Home

As we drove along Bay Shore Road in West End, my eyes marvelled from the passenger seat at the welcoming sight of anchored fishing boats swaying back and forth on turquoise waters.

Something about this picturesque scene fuelled my anticipation and my appetite. It was a perfect day. A mild breeze was blowing. On the left and right-hand sides of the street were food vendors and bars serving customers with their unique brand of hospitality and flair. I saw small crowds of people basking outdoors under large umbrellas, and on the sea wall, while enjoying food and conversation.

When we arrived at T&T, we met Tanya at home in her new location, wielding a knife in one hand, and a fresh conch in the other, while serving customers with her trademark smile.

Born and raised in West End, Tanya has been self-employed in the food industry for more than 21 years. She credits her love for the industry to her mother, Sandra, who taught her everything she knows. Thus, when Sandra decided to retire from the business, Tanya stepped in to continue the legacy.

Today, Tanya and her daughter operate T&T, which is in a two-storey building across from the ocean next to ‘Coffees on The Bay’, operated by her brother Tye.

Great food, great customer service and Tanya’s magnetic, larger-than-life personality keep customers coming back to T&T again and again. Her sense of humour is accented by a delicious menu that is filled with West End ‘must-haves’ like conch salad, tropical conch salad, scorched conch, lobster and conch salad, conch fritters, cracked conch, fish and panny cakes, and lobster and panny cakes…. and burgers!

We placed our orders and chatted with Tanya as she prepared our salads. Then, we retreated to the sea wall across the street, to sit and marvel at the birds, while we enjoyed our food.

I watched the birds fly across the water as I finished my conch salad and I thought to myself, even the birds head to the west on Sundays. UA

Coffees On The Bay