On Tuesday, November 25th, Melting Pot Restaurant, located at 4914 Avenue H, served Thanksgiving dinner days early, by hosting its Fourth Annual Thanksgiving Free Meal Appreciation Giveaway. The restaurant gave free meals to anyone who walked through its doors and ordered one.
A light rain did not prevent patrons from lining up outside of the small eatery, as they waited to receive their free Thanksgiving meal. The menu consisted of a number of mouthwatering, hot and cold dishes which included fried turkey and fried chicken, served with a special gravy, an assortment of basmati rice and peas dishes, as well as macaroni, beet and green salads.
One patron named Lyvia, who showed up at the address with her tote bags after hearing about the food giveaway, said she was surprised to learn that it was a restaurant handing out already-cooked meals as opposed to events where hampers of groceries (which she also appreciates) are handed out. Lyvia said she was pleased to receive three dinners she could share with others in her household.
By its name alone, Melting Pot conjures a sense of community — of blending and oneness. Shamila Pantaleon, who is from the Caribbean nation of Trinidad and Tobago, said she and her husband Emilio, who hails from Haiti, chose the restaurant’s name for that reason. “It covers all nationalities and different foods,” she said. Cuisine representative of various Caribbean islands, as well as specialty juices made from breadfruit or cassava, are usually available. It also provides a wide range of patties, which include smoked herring and saltfish.
Shamila shared with the Canarsie Courier that she always wanted to own a restaurant. She said she enjoys serving people and likes “giving away stuff,” so it’s easy to understand why a Thanksgiving Dinner Giveaway, which caters for 200 people, was one of the first things on the menu when the restaurant opened its doors in 2021.
Assemblywoman Jaime Williams stopped by Melting Pot during the Free Meal Giveaway and praised the Pantaleons for their kindness, generosity of always giving back and overall service to the community. “Thanksgiving is a time of giving and reflecting, and I was happy to join Melting Pot Restaurant, a family-owned restaurant, at their annual meal giveaway,” Williams told the Canarsie Courier. “Melting Pot is always giving back to the community, from their annual meal distribution to their back-to-school event, as well as their participation in many local community events. We are very fortunate to have them in our community.”
