Cool Runnings Jamaican Grill
Jamaican restaurant · Greater Fondren S.W. ·
Jamaican & Caribbean specialties; tender oxtail, brown stew chicken
Jamaican & Caribbean specialties; tender oxtail, brown stew chicken
"While it’s primarily a takeout operation, Cool Runnings Jamaican Grill is no one-trick pony. One portion of the Brays Oaks restaurant is filled with people waiting on to-go orders of ackee and saltfish or jerk wings. But we prefer having our meal in the deceptively large dining room so we can take our time with the food. Stick with the classics—the brown stew chicken falls off the bone with a loving glance, every piece of jerk meat makes our eyes water, and the cocoa bread is fluffy enough to take a nap on. Plus, if you come by on the right night, you might find yourself having dinner while DJs spin classic dancehall hits." - gianni greene, chelsea thomas
"Cool Runnings could exist on oxtails alone. The Brays Oaks restaurant is primarily a takeout operation, and a significant portion of the styrofoam containers are nearly overfilled with fall-apart oxtails. Every bite of the rich beef comes with a warming spice from zips of scotch bonnet. And even though a gravy moat surrounds the meat and coats the sides of rice and peas, we find ourselves tempted to order extra for fun." - gianni greene
"A solo dinner at the Brays Oaks spot Cool Runnings Jamaican Grill can go one of two ways. You could follow the crowd and place your order at the to-go counter. The temptation to leave with your styrofoam tray might hit, but head to one of the booths in the main dining room instead. We’re still working out the science, but the flaky beef patties taste 90% better with Sister Nancy in the background. And whether you’re at the bar or a table, the staff isn't intrusive, which is good since you'll want some privacy with the curry goat." - gianni greene, chelsea thomas
"Some restaurants end up setting the standard for the type of food they specialize in, and Cool Runnings Jamaican Grill is one of those places. The Brays Oaks restaurant serves perfect versions of classic Jamaican dishes, and nothing can contain the power of its brown stew chicken. Cool Runnings is primarily a takeout operation—at any given time, the front is buzzing with people in line for ackee and saltfish, jerk chicken, and curry goat. But we like to hang out with our food in the deceptively large dining room. Maybe it’s the funky reggae music filling the air, or the uncles at the bar shooting the breeze and sipping Red Stripe beer, but Cool Runnings is the kind of a place people should plan to stay awhile. On the right night, you might have dinner while DJs spin classic dancehall hits. photo credit: Liz Silva As relaxed as the environment is, the food is all business. Orders are placed at the takeout counter (even if you’re dining in), and you’ll receive your meal in a styrofoam tray that’s filled to the brim. Dishes like oxtail and jerk chicken are served beside mounds of rice and peas and caramelized plantain. Every piece of meat that comes from the kitchen is loaded with flavor, and the rice and peas serve as a sponge to soak up any gravy left behind. And whether it’s bathing in a rich curry or doused in a scotch bonnet-gravy, the chicken here is impossibly tender and absorbs every bit of flavor—especially the spicy sweetness of the brown stew chicken. We don’t need an excuse to come to Cool Runnings. A trip here makes as much sense for a dinner with a group of pals as a quick lunch of beef patties wedged between fluffy cocoa bread. When it comes to making the classics shine, few other restaurants in Houston can do them justice like this counter-service spot hiding in a strip mall. Food Rundown Oxtail Aside from being astonishingly tender, we love the oxtail at Cool Runnings because of the rich gravy it’s smothered in. We’d like to give whoever makes the oxtail here a smooch on the forehead. photo credit: Liz Silva Brown Stew Chicken The tender brown stew is slightly sweet but still has a sneaky dash of heat thanks to the scotch bonnet. We get this every time we come to Cool Runnings, no questions asked. photo credit: Liz Silva Beef Patties The beef patties here are delicious on their own, but pairing the patties with cocoa bread that’s fluffier than most pillows to make a full meal. photo credit: Liz Silva Curry Goat The goat here is falling off the bone before you take your first bite. It comes bathed in a ginger and turmeric-laden curry, and no piece of meat will be left behind. photo credit: Liz Silva" - Gianni Greene
"Named for the classic film that followed a loveable Jamaican Olympic bobsled team, the extensive menu at Cool Runnings has just about everything. From smaller bites like saltfish fritters and meat patties with beef, chicken, or vegetables, to larger, traditional meals like brown stew chicken, jerk chicken, and curried goat. With most menu items under $16, it’s an affordable way to enjoy the island cuisine." - Kayla Stewart
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