Calypso Grill and Smokehouse

Our first time here; what a hidden gem. Absolutely blown away by the quality food and friendly service. Everything tasted like homemade. If you want something different and you want to support local business, please visit this restaurant immediately and often!! Amazing options for Gluten Free (thank you)!!! Yuca fries and arepas with guacamole appetizer were delicious, and that was just the start! We cannot wait to go back!!

As I travel the country we decided to try this local restaurant. Unfortunately it was not a good experience. Service was unorganized and slow. After ordering the food took an extremely long time to receive. This can be a good thing if it's home cooking but not the case here. The cubed pork was dry and not seasoned well but the BBQ sauce was good. The corn fritters had minimal corn, maybe 2 kernels per plop, were basically hush puppies with no seasoning and served with mayo that they call areola. Some chicken mash served with lettuce on top was just atrocious to look at, not flavored well and not edible. A chicken leg that was on the sampler was just gooey, parts were dry and parts were too moist. Figured it was leftover from the day before. This came with a cup of sauce that was the worst part of the meal. A mix between A1, Worchestershire and some granular substance. Nothing here is carribean or smoked properly. I normally give place a 2nd chance but not here. While in the area there is much better small companies to support. The only edible item was the Mac & cheese. If I were then I would start here and scrap everything else. We did like the art work. I have shared that info on the pictures to help support the artist.

This place has excellent customer service with no wait time. I ordered the wonderful Shrimp Pupa-Lickie. It was one of the freshest and tastiest meals I’ve ever had. The shrimp was big and breaded perfectly. The butterfly slushie was to die for🦋

Outstanding service and delicious food. The staff at Calypso Grill went above and beyond to accommodate us, opening up the patio so we could enjoy the beautiful weather. As someone with celiac disease, I was thrilled with the gluten-free options available. I had the arepas with avocado as an appetizer, pork belly for dinner and the fantastic cinnamon rum glazed plantains for dessert (which I reluctantly shared with my fiancé). A definite recommendation for both exceptional service and incredible food.

Our party of six had an incredible experience at Calypso Grill and Smokehouse! We kicked things off with the fried plantains for an appetizer, and it set the tone for a fantastic meal. The feedback on all our dishes was off the charts! The Smokehouse Sampler was a hit, the Calypso Lunch Bowls were bursting with flavor, the Jerk Wing Meal was perfectly spiced, and the Calypso Red Snapper Sandwich was simply delicious. Everyone loved their food, and we can't recommend this place enough. Can't wait to come back!

Love this place. I have run the menu with no complaints on flavors. They have a full bar with craft beers, local coffee, and on-site sodas. Friendly wait staff is knowledgeable about menu offerings. There have been some menu changes. Still have the best key lime pie.

Heard great things about this small local place in Yellow Springs. The service was good. We ordered 1. Corn fritters (4/5)- were a bit chewy for my taste. I like them a bit more crunchy. 2. Shrimp pup-a-Lickle (4/5)- the same batter as corn fritters. The shrimp was great. Got the yuca fries and plantains as my sides. The yuca fries were amazing. The plantains needs to be a bit sweeter. 3. The jerk chicken (4/5)- the chicken was spicy and cooked well. Needed a bit more jerk flavor. I haven’t tried their BBQ though.

The staff was amazing, everyone had such good vibes. I love how eco friendly this place is too, from cloth napkins to biodegradable take out containers. My friend and I wanted to try everything this place us to offer, so we got the chicken empanadas, the ropa vieja (that came with plantains and the coconut rice), the smoke house sampler (which was the winner in both of our opinions) and the jerk wing meal. We also got a side of yuca fries and the callaloo greens. We ere not disappointed in any of the items we sampled! The pork belly was the absolute best part along with the wings and the greens!!! I cannot wait to come back!

Very good! Can't wait to see the new menu. Excited for the future. The plantains were the best I've ever eaten.

Island coleslaw tasted like hot garbage and Madison didn't really care. Everything else was just about as tasty as it comes. Esp Jerk Pork. Sexy applause. Still, probably wouldn't go back due to really indifferent servers and worst coleslaw ever.

POV: you take a Monday day trip down to Yellow Springs from Columbus with your dog for some hiking and exploring. After turning up to several dog friendly restaurants only to find them closed (don't rely on google for accurate info here) and being turned away by several others that aren't dog friendly, you and your dog finally get a spot on the Calypso patio. THEN, you order the jerk chicken wings appetizer. Beautifully seasoned and crispy- the perfect protein punch you needed after a long hike. No, your dog does not indulge in the wings, but the server brings him a nice welcome little treat. You proceed on with your order: Mojo pork. Ridiculously tender, with vibrant flavors and colors popping throughout the dish. You throw some island slaw on the side for funsies and some crunch. You pass on dessert because you want another excuse to make it back to Calypso ASAP. Truly a gem of a place. I cannot wait to come back here- will make another trip to Yellow Springs soon just for this place alone. 12/10- don't sleep on this place.

Title: Calypso: A Caribbean Culinary Oasis At Calypso, indulge in authentic Caribbean cuisine that will transport your taste buds to paradise. The Pork Belly Rice Bowl is a standout, perfectly cooked and paired with flavorful coconut rice. The cocktail selection is equally impressive, and the lively music adds to the vibrant ambiance. With consistently delicious dishes and ample parking, Calypso is a must-visit spot for anyone craving good food in small town. Will be definitely coming back again when I'm in town and I recommend others to go if they have the opportunity.

If you are seeking a brief getaway with an island-like vibe, look no further. We stopped for lunch and were pleasantly surprised by the Caribbean decor and soothing music. Parking was conveniently accessible, and we were promptly greeted and seated Given the extensive menu options, we ultimately chose the Calypso Lunch Bowl, as we intended to go on a hike in the Glen shortly after Overall, the food was excellent, particularly when paired with the coconut rice and sweet grilled plantains. The avocado's freshness was evident, and the corn was roasted to perfection. I highly recommend selecting the jerk chicken with the "hot" spice level, although I personally did not find it particularly spicy Sadly, the owner intends to sell the establishment, but I understand the reasoning behind this decision, as they wish to devote more time to their family. We hope that the new owner will keep the current theme. I definitely recommend this restaurant before they close #OneLove

It's an old KFC on a state route. The sign sucks. But don't let appearances fool you -- this is darn near my favorite restaurant in Ohio. I've been here three times now. I've never had a single dish miss. Everything on the menu is loaded with succulent flavor. In recent trips, I've shared the mains in my photos: Calypso pork belly, mojo pork, and jerk pork. All 5-star dishes. My fave was maybe the pork belly because of how decadent it is. You'll want a nap afterwards! Purely on a sauce basis, I'd take the mojo. But who cares? You can't go wrong. All three dishes absolutely rocked. The plantains are a lovely side. The island slide is delicious. The house-made sodas also kick butt. If you are anywhere even close to Yellow Springs, get over here with your appetite.

Sought out this restaurant due to the array of items on the menu on our way to Yellow Springs. Service was not as quick. There was only one server during lunch hour. However, place was not big in size, maybe 15-18 or so tables. Very casual. Oxtail stew w/ rice was phenomenal. Very flavorful and the meat was tender it just fell off the bones. From the lunch menu, we also ordered: Jerk thigh combo w/ 2 sides (coconut rice + greens) -Thigh was very dry, jerk sauce was on the side. I was expecting moist with bold flavor but it was lack thereof. Rice and greens were good. Calypso Lunch Bowl w/ Jerk Chicken -The jerk chicken was overly doused with what we assume the jerk sauce? Our friend kept saying it was overly sour. I taste it and knew immediately it the was sauce on the side with my Jerk Thigh Combo. Friends could not finish their food and ate around it. Crispy Snapper Sandwich w/ Yuca Fries -Good sandwich first time trying snapper burger style. Fries were so good! Disappointing to experience dry chicken thighs and overly seasoned jerk chicken bowl. We're not one to send food back, but hope this review catches the cooks eye. Would I go back, yes for the oxtails!

Highly recommend! We will be back again. Took a weekend trip to Dayton/ Yellowspings and we were surprised at discovering this place! Parking: plenty of dedicated (free) parking lot spots. Ambience: Caribbean tunes overhead, chill vibe. There's dine in: indoor and bar seating. There's also a drive thru. Service: great. They were knowledgeable about the menu and helped us to decide on what to try as first timers. They're known for their jerk dishes - so try this for sure if you're a first timer. Quality: absolutely deliciously, flavorful and perfectly made. We almost hurt ourselves from eating so much. The cocktails were also good. I recommend the punch over the mojito if you like sweeter drinks. Price: $$ very reasonable.

Heard great things about this small local place in Yellow Springs. The service was good. We ordered 1. Corn fritters (4/5)- were a bit chewy for my taste. I like them a bit more crunchy. 2. Shrimp pup-a-Lickle (4/5)- the same batter as corn fritters. The shrimp was great. Got the yuca fries and plantains as my sides. The yuca fries were amazing. The plantains needs to be a bit sweeter. 3. The jerk chicken (4/5)- the chicken was spicy and cooked well. Needed a bit more jerk flavor. I haven't tried their BBQ though.

Our party of six had an incredible experience at Calypso Grill and Smokehouse! We kicked things off with the fried plantains for an appetizer, and it set the tone for a fantastic meal. The feedback on all our dishes was off the charts! The Smokehouse Sampler was a hit, the Calypso Lunch Bowls were bursting with flavor, the Jerk Wing Meal was perfectly spiced, and the Calypso Red Snapper Sandwich was simply delicious. Everyone loved their food, and we can't recommend this place enough. Can't wait to come back!

Came up to Yellowsprings for a short getaway and found this spot. Cool vibe with gyros and cold draft beer. Wendy, our bartender was awesome and took good care of us. First time having yuca fries and i have to say that I'm now a fan. Hit this spot up!!!

Absolutely horrible service! I don't mind that you're busy. Acknowledge me! Offer me another drink! They just walk by with blinders on.

We had lunch here recently and thought it was really good. I ordered the Jerk Burger, served with yucca fries, cooked medium. My husband ordered the Calypso Pork Belly and an iced tea. The burger was cooked perfectly, the meat juicy and it was seasoned well. It was delicious! And so were the yucca fries. My husband said it was one of the better pork belly dishes he's had. He really enjoyed the rice and slaw that was served with it also. The service was good too! Overall - good food and good service.

Service is RIDICULOUSLY slow. But the jerk chicken is RIDICULOUSLY good!!!!! Definitely worth the wait. Rice? Not bad. Corn fritters? Kinda bland. Not exciting. Mac and cheese? Very good! Mojo pork? Excellent! Definitely worth a stop.

Got carry out for the first time. Oxtail stew and key lime pie. Both were delicious. Will be back!

Yah, mon, we doing the Caribbean here in Ohio! If you're looking for a different taste, stop here in this little island for some West Indian flavors. I was tired of the run-of-the-mill "American" restaurants and ready for some jerk! We were on our way up to Springfield and made it a point to stop here for lunch. Starting with the Chicken Empanada appetizer, it is a trio of chicken stuffed corn meal pockets served with chimichurri aioli and aji salsa, a tasty start. It was hard to choose a lunch dish so we shared. My wife went with the Vegetarian Platter, a mixed dish of Corn Fritters, Rice & Beans, Cole Slaw and Maduros with some Aioli for dipping. It was light and did not weigh you down if you're looking to get back on the road afterward. Me, on the other hand got a heavy duty lunch, the Smoked Sampler with a Jerk Chicken Drumstick, Pulled Pork and sweet and tangy Pork Belly. I also had the Pepperpot Soup as a side. I love soup and this was just the right amount of spicy. Luckily I didn't have to drive after lunch because I was snoozing in the passenger afterwards!

Today I had lunch in the Caribbean!! Okay, not really! A guy can dream, can't he? Actually I was in Yellow Spring visiting my good friend Dave Chappell. Okay, that's not true either. I was actual in Yellow Spring where Dave Chappell calls home and decided to stop for lunch. I saw this little spot pop up on Yelp so I thought I'd give the Calypso Grill & Smokehouse a try. It was such a beautiful day, I thought some island food would hit the spot! The restaurant is casual but nice. They have a small bar and dining room. A group of senior women had chosen this place as a lunch spot too. They were having a blast so I wondered if they had tapped into some island rum. Unfortunately since I was still on the clock, I had to pass on the cocktails. I decided to go with the following: Smokehouse Sampler: Jerk Chicken Drumstick, Mojo smoked pork, Calypso Pork Belly, Plantains side Island Cole Slaw side The waitress was friendly and everything was delicious. Be sure to give this spot a try!

Tried this place for an early dinner on our way to Clifton Mill. The food was delicious (we ordered the Fish and Chips, Mango Curry with Chicken, and Jerk Chicken), but the fried plantains were a little dry and lacked their own flavor. We did try to order one mojito, but it didn't taste like there was any alcohol in it at all! TOur server was very understanding and exchanged it for a sweet tea when we asked about it. One last thing, this restaurant is definitely in an old McDonald's building, not a big deal but kinda funny to look around and notice the original tables and chairs (plus the drive thru ). Overall, a pretty good locally owned place!

Disappointed. This was the third time I've eaten here, and the only time in the past 2 years. In the past food was pretty good, great flavors, etc. This time was only okay, Friday night, ordered off the spring specials menu. Specials are supposed to be good. Shrimp po boy was okay at best. Cabbage slaw and fried shrimp on a Kaiser bun... after I removed bun it was a bit better. Plantain appetizer with pico and guacamole was okay but nothing special. Mixed drink featured was mostly carbonation and not much alcohol or flavor. Service was base level but I would have thought server could have directed me to choose better items. Environment was fine but not fun or cozy. At nearly $70 for 2 without dessert I likely won't be back. Hopefully others experiences are better than mine.

Everything was awesome! The food, the ambiance, the service, and spending time with family. The house-made hot sauce was superb. The key lime pie was to die for! What a nice way to spend a rainy Sunday lunch!

How do you review a place like this without foul language? You can't. It's impossible. Holy SHIT this place is 10/10. Service 9/10, Ambiance 7/10, Food literally 13.5/10. One of the best restaurants I've ever had the pleasure of patronizing, anywhere. Jerked Snapper: 10/10 Fried plantains: 9/10 Mojo Pork: 9/10 Jerked Wings: 11/10 It's an A+, truly.

The parking lot was full but there were still spots to sit inside. The staff was very friendly. I got the pork belly with coconut rice and slaw. Each was good on its own but put together they were so delicious! Homemade sodas were interesting and fun to try. Only reason not giving 5 stars is because it kiiiinda smelled of cat pee when I first arrived. A friend I went with said it didn't smell the previous times she's eaten there, so perhaps it was an unexpected varmint issue last night? Regardless, it either faded or I became nose-blind to it by the time my food arrived. It wasn't bad enough to hinder my commitment to return. Next time I want to try the oxtail soup!

I loved it here! I was visiting yellow springs for the day and I'm vegan and have family members that have a gluten intolerance. This restaurant had great vegan potions, gluten free options and are also known for their pork belly , jerk chicken and seafood, so anyone can be satisfied going here! The food and service was good and it was really cute inside ! I would definitely come again when I'm back in yellow springs!

Good food, authentic Caribbean food. Good service. A different type of restaurant in the area

Fantastic fall off the bone smoked jerk chicken wings!!! Well worth the drive. Will be back!

Another gem in Yellow Springs Just south of downtown Some vegan stuff! Busy, but great service

I have been wanting to try the Calypso Grill for awhile now after hearing multiple friends rave about it. And it definitely lived up to the hype. It's a small restaurant that has not only indoor and outdoor seasonal options, but also a drive through. Which made sense as soon as we got our food super fast! They also deliver which is good to know. The ambiance and vibe is super fun. And the menu has many authentic Caribbean and Jamaican options. There are also some that they have seemed to put their own twist on. I'm a huge empanada fan and they give you three and let you mix them up. I had one chicken, beef, and one corn and black bean. So amazing! The corn fritters and rice are also delicious. And the chocolate pudding is a must. Very rich and delicious. My husband got the black bean and rice bowl which he also loved. The service was also outstanding too. The prices and portions are great value too. Highly recommend and we will definitely be back!

Very unique atmosphere that you wouldn't expect in Ohio. Waitress was friendly and prompt. Food was okay.

Close to the Clifton mill and happened to find this fun restaurant! Eclectic and a Caribbean vibe to the atmosphere. Great food and service ! Cocktails are unique and tasty. Many choices to pick from for both food and drinks.

the food was not great. we had jerk chi wings, corn fritters, jerk snapper and Yuma fries. I thought it was pricey for what it was. Just so-so and same for service. Won't be going back.

Calypso seems completely random, so much so that I almost passed it by! Though it's location and cuisine are a bit odd, and the food is worth trying. Met a couple friends here on a snowy Saturday, about an hour and a half after the restaurant opened. I almost missed it because upon approaching, it looks sort of shabby and rundown, to the point where I wasn't even sure if the restaurant was open. Maybe this is just a place where the locals go, but if Calypso wants more customers, which by the looks of it they need, they should do something about their façade. If you or your dining party have any dietary requirements like vegan, gluten-free, dairy free, then this is definitely a good place to stop! It is one of the few places in southwest Ohio I have been to that actually mark these things on the menu, and if I ask about something they actually seem knowledgeable. Menu wise, the soup is the stand out star! I only ordered a cup as a side, but would have gladly eaten entire bowl of it. Nice spice level, can't wish for much more! I ordered the pulled jackfruit at my main and I have to say I was somewhat disappointed. Though it's awesome to see jackfruit on a menu, I wish more places had this, the truth is the texture wasn't right. It needed to have been pulled a lot finer, but the spices were good on it, not something you get every day. The slaw that came with it is more on the vinegar side, which was needed next to the spices of the barbecue jackfruit and the soup, however the meal would have been more balanced if there was a citrus component to the slaw. Calypso is very reasonably priced, with excellent portion sizes, making it probably one of the best choices for your wallet. I would probably stop here again, and hope they made some exterior and interior improvements.

personally i don't really like carribean food but i would hate to give this place a bad review that's on me for not liking it. but it was a cute little restaurant and the staff was very sweet! totally recommend the place. my partner loved the plantains! the jerk chicken was really good!

I ordered the pork belly and it's probably some of the best I've eaten. The rice was flavorless and not the best. Comparable to instant rice from grocery store. Key lime pie was good and service was good.

Yum!! So glad this place was open on Memorial Day. Everything else was closed. And man did we hit the jackpot! Delicious food, great staff, fun atmosphere. Would definitely come back if I lived closer. Thank you Calypso!

Among the best places around here to eat. Calypso is certainly worth it. It has a location on the far south of town. Has lots of drinks and food. There's many choices for vegans. Came here with my boo. It was lunch. There was too much to choose from, a good problem. Many vegan choices. There's a whole lot with a Cuban theme. Both of us got a Mango Margarita. It's about $8 and is a lot to consume at once. This is spicy and sweet. I had the Black Bean Empanadas. It's about $8 for a few. These are crispy like the real thing. She had the Jackfruit Curry. This is about $11 and comes with rice and spice. It overall is good for Cuban food. Mostly authentic. This is Americanized kind of for tastes.

We stopped by at 4:45 PM on a Friday. The manager identified himself. We asked if we could have a drink and hors d'oeuvres at the bar. He was very.terse, stating the kitchen doesn't open till five. Considering such in hospitality, we will not return

Great service and amazing food! Lots of vegan and gluten free options! I'd post a pic of the food but it's all gone ha.

I had great service, cool atmosphere and the food was good for the most part. I had the plantains as an appetizer and I loved it! I ordered the oxtail coconut soup and it wasn't my fav.. but I wanted to try something new so that's on me I'd visit again nonetheless.

I absolutely love Calypso Grill and yellow Springs! The food is amazing. Sometimes I am left, wanting just a few more bites of the sides, but the portions are healthy! But the drinks.... Some of the best everything taste fresh we were born and unique! Favorite drinks: Painkiller Strawberry ghost pepper, margarita Island in the heart Favorite food : Empanadas Brazilian steak tips Calypso snapper Jerk burger Favorite sides: Coconut rice Maduros (grilled plantains) Dessert: KEY LIME PIE

I love this place. Anything that is sauce based or a stew is great. The jackfruit Curry, oxtail stew when they have it and the smoked chicken. It's something different with unique spices and very affordable. Its a must see when you're in YS.

This Caribbean restaurant is inside an unassuming but charming building that appears to be a former fast food restaurant. My wife and I tried it due to the good reviews here, and we were not let down! The service was great, they had local beers on tap, and the cocktail menu was excellent. We had empanadas to start, and they were terrific. We had mojo pork and my wife was able to switch chicken instead of jackfruit in a mango curry dish. Both were very tasty. We had plenty of leftovers for lunch the next day. Will happily return.

This place has really good food. It is unique and refreshing, the food is made on the spot and all vegetables are freshly cut-highly recommend.

After hiking well over ten miles, we stopped in for a mid afternoon meal. If you love uniquely delicious food, do not drive by this place without stopping. Fried yucca, grilled plantains, corn fritters, mango curry, grilled jackfruit....every single item we tried off the menu was met with rave reviews. Caribbean fare served up in style, friendly and informative staff, great prices, fun atmosphere. The restaurant is just outside of town, not too far; worth the extra few minute s of driving!

We went there a couple of months ago. The service was good! The food was okay. This seemed like a more of place to go for drinks not food.

Traveled to visit for a Memorial Day weekend event and the food was terrible on top of the fact my plate had a piece of hair in it. They asked if I wanted them to remake it and I said absolutely not. We finished our meals but the next time we visit we won't be back. Just fyi the coconut rice is not made from scratch and is a big NO....

If you're looking to spend a day in beautiful Yellow Springs, Calypso Grill and Steakhouse is a great place to stop for a meal. Featuring a tasty blend of Latin American and Caribbean flavors, there's options for vegetarian and meat eaters alike. My party split an order of the black bean and corn empanadas to start. They came served with a delicious chimichurri aïoli and light aji salsa. I had the mango barbecue pulled pork and slaw sandwich for my main course. It was very savory and came paired with a stack of deliciously crispy and well seasoned yuca fries. With the addition of a refreshing painkiller cocktail, lunch was complete and very satisfying. Service was very attentive and friendly.

Wow, this place is insanely good. My new favorite restaurant in Yellow Springs. I got the jackfruit mango curry and I'll admit, I was a little bit skeptical. There was no need to be. I highly recommend adding some of their house-made scotch bonnet and pineapple hot sauce. I couldn't finish the island rum cake that I got for dessert and that will haunt me. Just the perfect blend of molten chocolate, rum, and chopped nuts. 10/10, I'll be back for sure.

Awesome atmosphere!!! Amazing food! Especially is your GF/V!! I highly recommend the Colombian Shrimp with coconut rice and Chorizo! YUM! The "painkiller" rum drink is divine also!! Well worth the 1+ HOUR DRIVE! We will be back!! Such a great find!! (PS-they have a dedicated GF fryer!!)

We had a fabulous meal at Calypso Grill. Food was delicious, staff was friendly and attentive as always. Chicken Pup-Lickie, Callaloo Greens and Fried Plantains (Tostones). Delicious