Fry Jacks

A fry jack is a triangle of simple dough dropped into hot oil, where it puffs into a hollow pillow, crisp outside and soft within. They come plain with beans and eggs beside them, or split open and filled with refried beans, cheese, eggs, ham or all of them together, and they are what most of Belize eats first thing. Market stalls and small diners make them fresh through the morning and they are best within minutes of coming out of the pan. Alongside them sit johnny cakes, which in Belize are baked rather than fried, and a strong cup of coffee or a bag of hot chocolate.

What you actually see

• Puffed fry jacks - hollow triangles straight from the oil.
• The fillings - refried beans, cheese, egg and ham.
• Belizean johnny cakes - baked rather than fried, unlike the Virgin Islands.
• The market stalls - where they are made fresh through the morning.

When to go

Year-round, at breakfast. Market stalls in San Ignacio, Belize City and Orange Walk make them from early morning and stop by mid-morning. They are best straight from the pan and go leathery within the hour.

Honest expectations

They are deep fried and heavy, and a filled one is a substantial meal. Hotel versions made in advance and held warm collapse and are not worth the calories. Quality varies widely; look for a stall frying to order rather than one with a tray of them waiting.

Nearby

Market stalls in every town; the San Ignacio market does them well.