Cherylynn N.
Yelp
When in San Jo, it's Viet or Mexican cuisine. Hello, orange sauce!
It can make a foam cushion taste delicious. Ok, maybe not. But, it makes most things palatable.
I usually go for Viet food when in the area but gotta change things up!
In April 2022, a Brooklyn couple opened Island Taste Caribbean in DTSJ. Finally gave it a try over the weekend when I was in the area and saw they had outdoor seating.
They're open for takeout, delivery, and indoor dining. There's two outdoor tables in front (dog-friendly).
M E N U
Jamaican & Haitian Cuisine.
Drinks: Array of bottled drinks and their housemade sorrel, a traditional Jamaican hibiscus + ginger drink.
For dine-in, food is served in plastic takeout containers. Self-serve lemon infused water.
Make sure to check out their bottled hot sauces on the counter!
Yelp Check-In Deal: Free patty (didn't use it).
F O O D
* Beef Patty ($4.50) // 4.5 stars: http://tinyurl.com/yc4u4enu
Shatteringly crispy, deliciously buttery flaky pastry shell with a savory, juicy minced beef filling. Paired well with the scotch bonnet hot sauce (?). Wish the patty was warmer tho.
Food spread: http://tinyurl.com/437phj86
* Jerk Chicken Wings (6 pc-$10) // 4 stars
Meaty, fall-off-the bone wings (mix of flats + drummettes) in a richly spiced jerk sauce that's savory, sweet, tangy and smoky with fruity notes. Menu says, "spicy" but it was mild. While the flavor was on-point, the wings weren't heated through so they were still cold in the middle.
* Bang Bang: Griot/Fried Pork w/ white rice + beans, fried plantains, island salad ($20) // 4 stars
--Griot/Fried Pork: Freshly fried, the morsels of pork were crispy and tender with the fatty pieces being the best. Fat = flavor! The Haitian spices (garlic, onions, thyme, etc) didn't really come through for me so I loved dipping it into the jerk sauce from the chicken.
--Rice + Beans: Bomb! I think we were given the rice + peas tho (looked and tasted the same as the rice in the Jamrock). The rice was tender and flavorful with a whisper of sweetness from the coconut milk. Couldn't stop eating this.
--Plantains: Nice sweetness but very dry.
--Island Salad: The pickled cucumber, carrot, and red onion salad was crisp and punchy, a fresh counterpart to the meat and carbs.
--Pikliz: Sour and mildly spicy fermented cabbage slaw.
* Jamrock: Oxtails w/ rice + peas, fried plantains, island salad ($22) // 3.5 stars
--Oxtails: Their signature dish, the all-spice (?) based sauce was rich, robust, and flavorful. I read other reviews that the oxtails are salty. They may have tweaked the seasoning because it wasn't overly salty on my visit (I prefer lightly salted food). Unfortunately, like the wings, the oxtails weren't heated through and was still cold in the middle. Also, the meat didn't easily pull off the bone.
S E R V I C E
Friendly and kind staff. Prompt food service; visited when they opened so it wasn't busy yet.
A M B I A N C E
Casual space with 8-10 tables and IG wall for photo ops. Reggae music playing.
P A R K I N G
Metered street parking was easy during Saturday lunch time (across from city hall).
Overall, tasty Jamaican and Haitian food with flavors that were on-point but would have tasted better if it was served hot. I would return when I'm in the DTSJ area again and bring a thermal bag for 'em patties!