Jamaican Restaurants in Philadelphia, PA

“Great music, food and atmosphere! Tvs are set in place so you can watch your favorite sport that's playing live!“

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“the ox tails with the beans and rice. yes sir“

“I dined in for an early dinner and ordered the Brown Stew Chicken w Yams & Collard Greens, Fish Soup, and Watermelon Juice. Everything was very tasty! The yams didn’t have much additional flavor though but I didn’t mind because as a side they just absorbed the sauce from the Brown Stew Chicken and got flavored that way. Also they seem to use pretty fresh produce so all the produce had more of its own natural flavor - yams, collard greens, as well as the cabbage and carrots in the Stew, and the okra in the Fish Soup. The flavors in the Fish Soup seemed unique to me and I really enjoyed it. The soup came with a tasty dumpling in it as well (not sure if there is a different name for this dumpling but I will be doing more research on Caribbean cuisines). I also liked that there were not bones in the soup as I often expect bones when ordering most meats from Caribbean restaurants but I’m not a fan of dealing with them. The Brown Stew Chicken while very tasty and flavorful, does have bones in it. Everything was well seasoned and salty, but not to an offensive extent at all - just perfect and as expected. Last but not least, the Watermelon Juice was a very refreshing addition to the meal that was much appreciated after walking in hot weather. It tasted like fresh fruit and was sweet but not too sweet! It was honestly a real necessity at the time, so I’m glad I found this place. I definitely want to come back and try more of their food.

The service was also great! Everyone working there seemed friendly, which is definitely not always the case, and I felt welcome. Someone (the chef?) came out to personally take orders to speed up the line which wasn’t even long, so they seem committed to getting people their food fast (despite “island time” existing in Caribbean cultures). The menu is simple which allows them to have everything ready quickly & at a high quality. The quality of the food is what matters above all, and it seems they understand that. Also be ready with cash as it is Cash Only.

I love the cozy vibe and the old school diner/lunch counter aesthetics, but I felt like the dining room/bar space should be better utilized. I understand this situation isn’t even necessarily their fault as we are in the era of takeout, and they clearly put their money towards making sure the food is good, which is obviously most important. I also understand they are dealing with the fact that their menu isn’t super conducive for the bar/lunch counter setting, and it’s detached from the kitchen, but it has a purpose - it’s where they make and serve the homemade juices. Something as simple as pictures of the main ingredients in the juices could be a low cost way to liven up this area and serve a practical purpose as well. They have big, comfortable tables which some restaurants in the area don’t even offer anymore, so I appreciated that.“

“The food is great and worth the price.“

“Easily the best oxtails I’ve had & you can’t beat the price point. The food is so delicious time and time again. I consistently order on DoorDash and delivery is always fast. The food is fresh and they’ve never let me down. I want to try other options one day, but the oxtails got me hooked.“

“The Ultimate Feast with oxtail, jerk chicken, curry chicken and 3 sides is a well prepared-and well-priced meal. The staff are friendly and patiently answer food-related questions.“

“I ordered a large oxtail platter with cabbage, yams rice & beans. My yams were very hairy like they were canned yams. I usually order mac & cheese instead. The rest was pretty good it just seems like every visit the oxtail become less & less (stingy).“

“I love this place it’s take out!
The lady at the counter was friendly and courteous. She made my plate exactly as I instructed. Food was great! Meat tender rice has that flavor I was looking for cabbage yess yess was absolutely good.“

“I came here a few days ago after not visiting for a while, you know how life gets lol. I had a taste for some Jamaican food and my daughter had a platter she said she got from Top Taste. Whole time the platter was from a place I frequent. Anyway, the young lady who took my order was so pleasant and I’m very big on great customer service. Her pleasantries alone made me want to return. The food was delicious too:)“

“🤤 food, service, atmosphere, kindness...its all there and its excellent. Ive had other jerk from another spot in philly and it made me wanna get a refund. But this place RIGHT HERE IS WORTH IT! I prefer spicier jerk but that is a personal preference. But it is sooooooooo good. Thank you Father and Son!“

“OMG They have AWESOME Oxtail. I went to this Jamaican restaurant for lunch and I ordered macaroni and cheese and corn bread and I noticed they had oxtail on their menu and I told they lady who worked there that I never had oxtail and I was told by my family and friends that oxtail is so good so the the lady asked if I wanted to order a platter I said no because I already brought fried chicken and I just want the Mac and cheese and corn bread to eat with my chicken so she was kind enough to ask me if I wanted to sample the oxtail and I said yes she then hand me a small cup with oxtail and gravy. OMG that oxtail was tender and falling off the bone. It tasted like beef stew and the gravy was AWESOME so awesome that I was licking the gravy off my fingers. I will definitely be ordering a oxtail platter from this restaurant in the near future. 😋“

“This place is deliiiicious. I’ve only done pick up. Not sure anyone ever actually eats there. It’s encased with plastic, kinda loud from some big fans, hard to hear. But absolutely none of that matters because they have the best jerk chicken you can get in Philly (in my experience so far). I lived in Florida for a while and ate a lot of jerk chicken. And this place does it right. Glad I came in and tried it! The people are nice. I’m a repeat customer. And I have no intention of stopping.“

“Well, this place is not extravagant is not fancy BUT it carries so much flavor. We bought the jerk chicken, it you cant handle spicy food( like me), grab your cup of milk. We wasn't expecting the level of spiciness but it was good punch. My favorite items was the oxtail, flavorful, falling of the bone, juicy, well seasoned. The rice had a sweetness that I couldn't identify but it was a good balance for the spicy chicken. Parking is awful. Is very close to an intersection and difficult to find a spot. So go with someone that can drive around if you are picking up. Customer service was just OK. Definitely going back for that oxtail.“

“The Ultimate Feast with oxtail, jerk chicken, curry chicken and 3 sides is a well prepared-and well-priced meal. The staff are friendly and patiently answer food-related questions.“

“DIAMOND in the Ruff ! !
First and Foremost, the food here us EXCELLENT! If you are into authentic Jamaican cuisine, then look no further. .
I was very impressed by menu and more impressed by the taste, from the Caribbean! The Curry Chicken was prepared to perfection! Rice peas and cabbage
mouth-watering . . EVERYTHING was Fresh and cooked right ✅️. Will definitely be back! Don't Let the Neighborhood Scare You, Just Use Common Sense, You Will Be Fine, Trust Me . . . BACK-A-Yard keep making slamming Food ! ! !“

“Food was amazing definitely the best Jamaican food spot in philly. Hat off to the chef….
family enjoy the food will be back for sure!!!
Customer service was amazing …
10/10 highly recommend!!!!
Macaroni cheese was the best I ever had from a Jamaican restaurant.“

“I had to kill time in my commute; I was right across the street, so I stopped it. I'm so glad it is the way I remember it to be 😄! This was my go-to in 2020 & 2021. Yummy food- but, NO FESTIVAL 🥲. GREAT SERVICE from the main woman that's been in the window for many years!!! I will be back!“

“We’ve been in this neighborhood for a bit and I’m so upset we haven’t been here sooner. Wowww. We got the large jerk chicken platter which comes with 2 sides. My jaw dropped when I opened the container. They know how to give you food for the price, which is a blessing with how much it can cost to eat out now a days and how some places charge so much for so little- that’s not this place. The chicken was so juicy, flavorful and tender. Collards were seasoned well and don’t get me started on the mac and cheese.. I can easily be sat in front of a whole plate of that. I wanted to call after my meal just to say thank you to whoever is in that kitchen. Thank you angels! Everyone go get yourself a platter and a yummy juice or soda. I’ll have to report back with a pic next time. Def will be ordering again! My partner is from the south too and loved it.“

“Food was fye. I had the jerk chicken egg rolls and honey wings. It took 30 minutes for me to get the food. I went right before closing so that may have been why. The cashier helped me figure out what was good since I’m visiting from Memphis.“

“Hmmm good“

“For a taste of the Caribbean in Philly, Tropical Choice Jamaican & American Restaurant is the place to be! This spot is beloved for its authentic Jamaican dishes like jerk chicken, curry goat, and oxtails, all bursting with flavor. The friendly staff and cozy atmosphere make it a favorite among locals. Whether you’re in the mood for a hearty meal or a quick bite, their menu has something for everyone. Don’t miss out on their delicious sides like plantains and rice and peas. It’s a culinary adventure you won’t forget!“

“Yes I recommend everyone to Hotspot“

“I ate from here a couple of times, and I honestly enjoyed and loved the food. The rice with oxtails and the rice w goat and lamb was truly the best I ever had. I want them to reopen so badly cause people out here starving for this cuisine.... I.E. ME..... Seriously great service and atmosphere and definitely top notch food for a good price. Next time they open, I'll definitely take quality pictures of the food for the people“

“Chances are when you go there's gonna be a line, but that's minor because it moves quick and it's definitely worth the wait. Been coming here for years and haven't been disappointed yet. Food always good and the serving size is a lot. You can either order your food to go, or go next door and dine in.

Bought the red snapper escovitch and it was not good at all, the fish tasted frozen and off to have spent $27 I was very disappointed.“

“I eat here every week it's delicious only thing it's not open everyday Wednesday through Sunday is good days so if you like good Jamaican food stop by Aunt Annie's a very good cook“

“They’re service it very welcoming not too mention the food🤪it’s been a long while since I’ve eat a Jamaican food this great 🤤they got the best rice and beans with jerk or fry chicken in the whole phill💯
Even though they oxtail is my favorite 😍“

“A friend who live in West Philly brought me a oxtail platter with rice & peas & cabbage. The oxtails were tender and flavored well. The whole platter was delicious. Wish I lived nearby.“

“You definitely need to check this out if you miss home cooking. One of the best I’ve tried that actually tastes like Jamaica food.💕“

“The food was definitely official my 1st time coming but the prices and how the charge extra for different sides was a little outta pocket. I got oxtail, mac n cheese, yams. I was charge for yams and Mac extra. The Mac was definitely homemade.Customer Service was horrible, the light skin lady very rude I ask 2 questions she kept saying do you want the food or not. I said yes twice. There's too many jamaican spots or food spots for that to be treated rude.“

“I went to the food truck at 34th and Market and the food was absolutely delicious!! I had the fried fish with jerk sauce, mac n cheese, and candy yams. Seasoned very well! And the lady serving was pleasant and personable. I devoured my platter lol“

“I wish I could eat at Island Taste everyday! The food is delicious and takes me right back to Jamaica because of the authentic taste of the food! The prices are also reasonable compared to other Caribbean restaurants in Philadelphia. Keep up the great work Island Taste!“

“The food is hot, fresh and delicious. They package everything write in front of you and it's clean. My favorites are the rice and beans, cabbage and fried chicken. Everything has a good flavor. I like the fish gravy over the rice (a must try). The staff is very nice and friendly.“

“great authentic Jamaican food“

“At the first moment you step in that place the personel give you a pleasant feeling. Very hospitable hosts, it is a good place to go out with your friends or with your date. Great food, talented chef, comfortable cost and generous service. Warmly recommended.“

“DELICIOUS. I got the mango salmon and the sweetness was perfectly balanced. I also tried the jerk chicken, and the seasoning was spot on. And best for last: the mac and cheese… I did not want to share that with my husband — it was that good 😂 Everything was incredible, and I can’t wait to come back and try more.“

“Got the Oxtail w/ rice+peas and candied yams as takeout.
Oxtail was fall off the bone, rice was flavorful, candied yams were perfectly spiced. My friend got chicken curry and that was super yummy too!
Gentleman at the counter was also friendly.
Seating seemed crowded, but I can def recommend this place as a good spot for takeout.

They were out of patties, but I'll def be back to try that and the coco bread!“

“This is some of the best food in Philly, not only is the food excellent, but the staff is so hospitable, you feel like family. If anyone wants to experience authentic caribbean cuisine, cooked with LOVE, you gotta check out Homestyle!!“