Compiled By NAN Lifestyle Editor
News Americas, NEW YORK, NY, Fri. Aug. 19, 2016: Usain Bolt has created a Jamaican revolution globally where everyone now wants to be Jamaican or experience things Jamaican, including the cuisine of the island. For US nationals who want to experience Jamaican food or for Caribbean nationals looking for a good restaurant serving “yard” food in their city or state, here are the10 top Jamaican restaurants in the U.S. based on the most positive reviews on Yelp:
NEW YORK
If you are looking for a Jamaican experience in Manhattan, NYC, then Negril Village is your best option for authentic Jamaican cuisine according to the Yelpers. From rice and peas to jerk chicken, oxtail, cod fish fritters and more – Negril serves it along with a great rum punch. However, service at times can be iffy but this joint makes up for it in location and food. And its weekend hang on the lower level can turn into quite a great Jamaican party!
NEW JERSEY
In Union, NJ, Yelpers are raving about Mama Shers Caribbean Cuisine. It’s a small restaurant and caters more to take-out lunch orders which serves up all of the usual – including flavorful rice and peas, curry goat, curry shrimp, fish, jerk chicken, oxtails, cabbage salad and plantains. You can also choose from beef patty, and jerk wings here. Mama Shers is located at 1406 Stuyvesant Ave., Union, NJ in case you are in the neighborhood and want to check it out.
CONNECTICUT
Looking for Jamaican food in Connecticut? Then, according to Yelpers, you must check out Jerk Pit Café at 2940 Main Street, Hartford, CT. This restaurant, like the name suggests, offers up great jerk options – chicken and well as pork – and you can smell the smoke as you pull up! They also serve up other entrees like curry chicken, brown stewed chicken, oxtail, or chicken soup but their specialty is indeed in the jerk!
LOS ANGELES
In LA, Caribbean foodies are raving about Taste of The Caribbean. Located at 1642 N Cahuenga Blvd in Los Angeles, CA, this restaurant created by Chef Bernard James, offers a modern day twist on traditional Jamaican dishes. There are Jamaican favorite like jerk shrimp in a taco as well as shark taco , jerk chicken tacos and Curry shrimp taco, with a side of bread pudding. All this can be washed down with Jamaican rum punch. Chef Bernard is always ready to interact with his customers but get ready to shell out more than usual here. This joint is a bit pricey with items ranging from $15 and up.
WASHINGTON, D.C.
In Washington, D.C., Yelpers are raving about the authenticity of Andrene’s Caribbean & Soul Food Carryout at 308 Kennedy St NW, Washington, DC. This is real “yard” food some diners boast, as the chef here offers up rice and peas, oxtail and stewed, curried and jerk chicken along with a side of fried yellow plantains and cabbage. It’s a go to lunch spot for many in D.C.
ATLANTA, GA
When in Atlanta, GA, Yelpers say you must check out Scotch Bonnet Jamaican Eatery at 4454 Campbellton Rd SW Atlanta, GA. Past diners rave about Scotch Bonnet’s jerk chicken and jerk pork which comes with rice and peas as well as cabbage and plantains. There is also a smoked platter which includes bites of curry goat, beef ribs, and jerk chicken and of course oxtail as well if you are in the mood.
TAMPA, FL
In Tampa, FL, foodies are raving about Yah Mon at 301 W Platt St, Unit C Tampa, FL. The ambience and service here are a hit with many diners as is the food options of course. This restaurant caters to nearly everyone – from vegans to vegetarians, to those that can’t take spice, and those that crave spice. Two types of bread are also served complimentary here and entrée options range from oxtail to curry chicken or goat to brown stew chicken while dessert options run from rum cake to coconut cake.
MIAMI, FL
It’s a hole in the wall but yelpers are raving about the authenticity of the food served at Jamaica Kitchen, at 8736 SW 72nd St Miami, FL. It is so authentic that Jamaica Kitchen serves Cow Foot, along with bammy, ackee and saltfish and callaloo as well as the more known rice and peace with oxtail and Butterbeans, Jerk chicken and curry goat. And they also have a little grocery with island delights here so you can also get your shopping done after eating!
PHILADELPHIA, PA
In Philly, Jamaican Jerk Hut is the go to place for many craving a bite from yard, Yelpers say. It is also a very cost effective option where you can have dinner for $15 which can include oxtail or stewed chicken served along with a good helping of rice and peas as well as plantains and cabbage. You can also order up codfish fritters here along with curry goat, curry chicken and more. Jamaican Jerk Hut is located at 1436 South St., Philadelphia, PA.
OAKLAND, CA
In Oakland, Kingston 11 Cuisine is all the rave for Jamaican foodies. They serve up a contemporary take on Jamaican cuisine offering up the traditional cod fish fritters, along with a side of carrot and squash as well as jerk chicken and curried veggies as entrees to cater to the vegetarians as well. Wash that all down with dark & stormy or fern gully drinks. This restaurant is located at 2270 Telegraph Ave., Oakland, CA 94612.
