Keith H.
Yelp
Looking for the closest thing to soul food on the Far East corner of the Inland Empire...you just found it! I have an affinity for black owned restaurants that serve soul food and Southern food and Creole food and Caribbean food. Dhat island offers a little bit of all of these. They offer good food and a very comfortable nice atmosphere in a hidden corner of Redlands. They are one of my local favorites so I wanted to share what I've discovered.
I've had a few restaurants that I like to go to for soul food here in the Inland Empire especially on the eastern end of the Inland Empire which for me would include cities like Ontario, Fontana, Riverside, Moreno Valley, Rialto, San Bernardino, and Redlands. I'm sorry to now report that due to COVID 19 some of them have shut down. That makes Dhat Island all the more valuable of a find!
At Dhat Island you will find a Caribbean family restaurant that serves a mix of Caribbean and creole foods. Some of my favorites here include Meli-Melo (their Caribbean version of Jambalaya), Jerk Chicken, Bourbon Chicken and Gumbo! Most meals are served with your choice of sweet or green plantains, Caribbean red beans and rice (also known as peas to the islanders) or polenta with black bean sauce. They also have additional side dishes that may be ordered ala cart such as macaroni and cheese southern greens candied yams.
Most recently I ordered their southern gumbo with a side of macaroni and cheese and peach cobbler for dessert. Everything was excellent! And the Mac and cheese was on point! It was my favorite among the three things I ordered...I would go back just for that! But wait, there's more...
The Gumbo was surprisingly good and very close to authentic (although if you're from the south like my family from Houston and New Orleans and you have eaten Gumbo that was made from seafood from the Gulf of Mexico you may be unconvinced as to its authenticity). The Gumbo had real pieces of crab leg and crab meat as well as pieces of chicken, sausage, shrimp!
In contrast most places that say they have Gumbo 1. ) Aren't made by people from the South, so they don't really know what it should taste like 2.) Only give you a bowl of seafood soup that might have a few pieces of chicken and maybe some tasteless, frozen, bay shrimp but can't really be considered real Gumbo.
#PleaseDon'tGetMeStarted!
In summary Dhat Island is an excellent black owned business that specializes in Caribbean and creole food. You will also find unique treasures if you want some soul food favorites. They do everything well but I think they are best at the Caribbean island fare. Like most places they do several things extraordinarily well and everything else is pretty average. Their prices may feel a little steep ($8 sides, $20 bowl of Gumbo) but during this pandemic I try not to think about that as much. This is why I rated them four out of five stars.
Dhat Island is still serving (takeout service) during this ongoing pandemic situation. If you're in the mood for Caribbean, Creole food, or Seafood or Soul food with a southern flair in the vicinity of Redlands check them out. Their restaurant has an upscale feel and the food is delicious!