Only One Jamaican Restaurant

Small hole in the wall, delivering amazing flavor and delight to your mouth with authentic Jamaican recipes and a few American classics. This place speaks to my soul, the rice and peas is delicious the curry, gold, oxtail, stew, pork, Jamaican, beef patties, fried chicken, Esco chicken all amazing you won’t be disappointed.

Very good portions! Delicious food

Poorest customer service..the attitude of the server was terrible, she almost counted out the pieces of oxtails. It was not even good enough for me to go back. They had a tip jar on the counter. Here’s a tip, appreciate customers whether they are Jamaican or not.

The Best Freshest Carribean food in boston the ladies are awesome !!

Walked in on 1/30 at around 7pm. Upon my arrival, I witnessed one of the workers yelling at her coworker for not paying attention. Although this was tacky, I would soon see why this individual was being reprimanded. The lady that was being yelled at messed up my order and then began arguing with me about what I supposedly asked for. She attempted to “fix it”, and still got it wrong. The Barbe-fried chicken was as salty and the curry goat was blah. They didn’t have anymore brown stew or oxtail gravy… Customer service sucks and so does the food. My ppl have to do better, it’s embarrassing at this point. Hire people with basic customer service skills and manners.

There's only one Jamaican restaurant.(the original Norfolk street location). The flavors of the food that I've had from this establishment was flavorful and full of life. The spices and seasonings of the stews are authentic, the dishes they offer are exquisite and taste great every time I come there. Everything from the rice and peas to the soups to the stew peas to the stewed meats are excellent. This is the location right here. The original location of the 5-7 "only one Jamaican" restaurant locations.

Food is good but price is too high for the small rice portions! They give the same amount of rice for both medium and large plates.

Best Jamaican food around Boston. The portions are huge and everything is very reasonably priced.

If you want some good Jamaican food, Only One has to be a stop. I always stop in when I'm in town. You can get anything from curried chicken, jerk chicken, fried chicken to oxtails. I usually order the medium oxtail and jerk chicken dinner. The food is always tasty and consistent. I took off stars because you cant buy the meat alone. You have to buy a dinner. For the folks trying to avoid carbs, They give you a lot of rice and beans. So, you could ask for vegetables (cabbage) only. The drinks are pretty much bottled and they didn't have any water bottles you could buy. Be prepared to wait 10-15 mins for your Order to be ready.

Service (staff didn't greet me even though I said hello to them... they just asked what I wanted on my plate. Food is okay. Coco bread had a piece of hair embedded into it.

The beef patty is Wal-mart/restaurant depot frozen paste filling kind. That is against all rules for a Jamaican restaurant.

Came here 5 years ago and yesterday 11/5/22 I came back and the food is still good! I am a sucker for oxtails and let me just say... FLAVORFUL & TENDER customer service was A1 as well! This place will continue to be my go to when I visit!

food is not authentic...i dont lnow where these ppl come from,but not jamaicans hunayyy!! taste very disgusting and not chopped or cleaned properly.. at your own risk...brockton might get a tiny pass.. but doesn't tast good either.

I have no words to describe the food here. I have been to many restaurants that serve Jamaican food, but the food here is truly ambrosial. If I could, I would give a 100 stars. The goat meat is so tender, the oxtail is to die for, and the jerk chicken is a delight to the taste buds. Yes, some items have gotten more expensive such as oxtail, but I have no complaints.

Rude. Slow. TERRIBLE service Yuh wan food wit attitude??! Come here AND... no peppa sauce. Or they didn't feel like getting it. Like, come one now.

I try to be fair in reviews. That said I'm taking off stars for specific reasons. -1 star: The owner only has information for bowdoin location listed. Bowdoin and Norfolk location have different closing times. This results in confusion if you try to go to these locations late at night when of them may be closed but Yelp lists them as being open. -1 star: A plate of oxtail cost me 18+ dollars. I don't complain I just pay. What annoys me is that on the website: https://www.onlyonerestaurant.com/ it lists the price as 13+ dollars. I get it. The price of oxtail has gone up. Still though...as a business it's YOUR responsibility to update your prices. I shouldn't have to have a situation come up where I'm surprised at higher than normal prices. The plate was good, food was cooked well and plentiful. No complaints there. Since the business doesn't update prices or information about their business online I will have to call ahead to get this info even if I'm willing to pay anyway because I no longer TRUST what they post about themselves online. Losing trust is a very serious concern.

Ordered the oxtail - lacked flavor and there was very little meat. The service was quick and friendly. The 3 star rating is for the Mac & cheese. Don't know where to begin with how horrible it was but basically cold and flavorless. Literally made a single cup of kraft to substitute it. On a better note the bbq chicken looked and smelled amazing. I will go back for that and update my review.

This place truly is the Only One. Best fried chicken, best oxtail, best curry goat, best everything. Been to other Jamaican places and they are good, but there can be....Only One.

Best Jamaican food in the area... Good service and the owner is a very nice warm guy. Always smiling.

My first time here to get some take out food a few days ago. Totally impressed. 5 Stars! Got 2 large dinner plates. - Curry Goat : AMAZEBALLS! So good. No words. - Oxtail: given my first time, trying Oxtail, so glad I did. Now officially hooked The Staff - If I had a restaurant of my own, that would be my criteria to hire staff as good as they are here. I never bring my ID when I need to use my credit card. The wonderful girl who was taking the order - she said next time don't forget - when I apologized for leaving my ID in the car. And took my order. A simple smile made my day! Thank you. At the pick up : another sweetest soul asked if I could wait 5 minutes while the boiled cabbage is ready. I didn't think twice. The last time I had Jamaican food was in Atlanta earlier this year while there for Super Bowl. I had Goat Curry then - to honor the Goat TB12. I did that again last night. So happy. I am a fan. Will be standing in the line to get their awesome food again!!

Takeout only, not really any room to eat on site. Friendly service, big menu, generous portions, great bang for your buck. Jerk Chicken was cooked to perfection but could benefit from being spicier. I wanna come back and try the other stuff on the menu.

1.) extremely slow service and it's not cooked to order 2.) lousy customer service 3.) check your bag before you leave 4.) The girl taking orders is extremely unprofessional.

This was hands down the absolute worst "jamaican" food I've ever had in my life. The oxtails were TRASH, the cabbage was wack, the rice and peas wasn't hitting whatsoever, and they messed up my order. Someone that ordered with me said that they're food was terrible as well, so drive past this restaraunt or go inside to be disappointed.

Love there salmon really good for when I didn't wanna cook. The location is perfect and they have w lot of them and I don't think one is better than the other

Love! Love ! Love their Jamaican Jerk chicken! It's probably the only thing I crave for whenever I go (which is like twice/3 times every month) ! I always ordered the jerk chicken , rice and peas and sautéed cabbage ! It's the best thing ever there! The portions are huge and filling that I always have to finished the next day! The jerk chicken is pretty spicy & comes with about 4-5 pieces and goes so well with the coconut flavored rice and peas. I've been dying to try their Mac & cheese but they're always sold out of it whenever we go (because we always go late lol). Their BBQ chicken and Baked chicken are also delicious and has a good amount of flavor that it doesn't taste dry! All their chickens are soft and fall off the bones; it's great I tell ya!

Really good Caribbean food. Whenever I'm craving authentic food, I make the 45 minute drive for food. Good prices and a "small" plate easily serves 2 people.

Great food. The wait starting from placing your order at the cashier to getting a ticket and waiting for your food is relatively long but that is to be expected with a non-commercialized establishment. The only thing I do not like about this place is that they discriminate against African-Americans: they always ask for my ID even though I live on Milton Ave and order food from them at least 3 times a week. Furthermore, I have observed various cashiers not asking for ID with customers who have a Caribbean accent.

Since the Pandemic started being a good cook I have only ate food I have cooked at home just to be safe. Today 57 days later I've decided to eat out again and of course it's gotta be a place I trust. This restaurant is always clean and never disappoints. The food is always great quality and good quality cost which is expected. I can only speak on what I get every time the Jerk Chicken and the Fried chicken never never fails always good! If your looking for good jerk chicken this is definitely a place to go. Yes they will give you a attitude if you give them one but if you show respect when you order you will get respect back that's common sense! I will continue to frequent this place and always recommend them to friends and family!

Very clean restaurant! Ordered a patty with coco bread and cheese- and an oxtail dinner. The patty it was fresh- the coco bread was soft. They do not carry Jamaican cheese- but the America cheese was just as good. The oxtail dinner was delicious! The rice was fresh- I could tell it wasn't leftover from the night before. Their portions are generous.

This is my favorite Jamaican food restaurant in Southie. The fried chicken is so juicy, crispy, and flavorful. Very affordable. Don't forget to ask for extra gravy/sauce on your rice and beans. My partner always gets the patty Coco bread and cheese. Comes out piping hot. This place can get busy because of the dinner rush (6-8pm) so I tend to get there early.

The food was good. Portions were small for the amount charged. Probably won't be back based on the small portions. But i would recommend to try it.

Whoever owns this business needs to re-organize your staff is horrible and the customer service horrible, the food in general was OK! but yet not Jamaican standards. To be honest not anybody standards it is garbage, and the location in Boston and Brockton is not worth the effort to go to .:. Don't ever visit, The food is not acceptable at all, the customer service will give you upset stomach they are disgusting beyond recognition thank you for your time.:.

Today was a disappointment of all days during Carnival the service I received was terrible. I ordered the stew fish and didn't receive any gravy ,spicy chicken was soggy and the portions for the curry goat was small and mostly bones. I have been going to only one since they open their doors. I only have 2 places I go Lenny's and this one. After today there maybe just one. Please get it together mon

2 plates jerk chicken cost 50$ smh such outrageous prices prevents one from enjoying the food, not going back.

If you wanna wait forever and a day for some West Indian food then this is the place for you.

Um....if you like flavor, quality and deliciousness, this place is for you. Everything is so goooood.

Their Chicken soup is very good but I tried their Salmon and cabbage last night and that wasnt too good. Not sure if I'll return!

When I first moved here all I heard was the hype of this only one jamaican restaurant. Eventually I made my way over to see what all the hype was about. First meal was a mediocre plate of under seasoned tough oxtails on top of a bed of dry rice. Very disappointing. Months later I decided to give it another try. Was a little annoyed at how slow the line was moving but eventually I got my order. This meal was a little better just a plate of jerk chicken. Still a little under seasoned but overall just okay. It's really unfortunate because this restaurant is down the street from my house and it's really convenient. Honestly I much rather prefer Flames on morton.

Man listen, you can't go wrong with the oxtail, or fried chicken plate with oxtail gravy. As any other Caribbean place you might get a little attitude from the workers but I'm rarely ever disappointed with the food. It's only annoying when they run out of my favorites

Best Jamaican food in the area hands down. Must try. Love the Patty's, the curry goat and the ox tail. Higho recommended.

If you get a cashier named Jody Ann turn away IMMEDIATELY! She is rude and disrespectful. She rudely shouted "we don't have that" several times after I ordered something straight off the menu. I was embarrassed in front of the long line of people waiting behind me and left the store unsatisfied.

Great,Great Caribbean food and the line might be long but it's well worth the wait! Venture into the Mattapan/Dorchester line to Discover some deliciousness. It's a take out spot and things can get messy so your nose will me tantalized by the aroma coming for your bags!

So, this is my second review for this place. I'm a big believer in trying out a place a couple times before deciding whether it's good or not. Well, the verdict is out, I was as disappointed this time as I was last time. I went there with a couple of friends to grab a quick bite, I ordered the medium fried chicken with rice. Having failed to check the food before leaving, when I got home I was presented with what appeared to be a mountain of rice (I swear it was higher than Everest) and three pieces of chicken that barely had any chicken on it. All of these transgressions are forgivable, however, what I found inexcusable was the fact that the mountain rice had absolutely NO SAUCE. And this is after I had mentioned to the cashier that I wanted extra sauce. If it was April, I would have thought it was an April fools joke, but seeing that it is June, I'm not quite sure how to explain this injustice. In short, DO NOT GO THERE.

Next to my parents cooking, Only One is the best Jamaican food in Boston. If you want authentic Jamaican food, then this is the restaurant you need to visit. Only issue is they move very slow, so don't come super hungry, you will get aggravated waiting for your food.

Very very busy place and small, but aside from that the food is amazing! The shrimp was either under or over cooked , but aside from that it was really good. The fried chicken was perfect golden brown and taste soooo good.

Okay, so I'm not really big on Jamaican food, I like the simple beef patties. However, this place has the cleanest serving line I've seen in a long time, and the traditional dishes LOOK so appetizing. Like saltfish and akee. Looked so good, I almost tried it. Anyway, great beef patties and a generous selection of Jamaican dishes. Nice clean place, small, not much room for seating, but there is some. Staff is always very polite. Prices won't break ya either.

I'm not one to buy Chicken out, simply because i feel that if I'm going to spend money that its going to be on something extravagant like Lobster, Oxtail, Curry Goat or something. But, I have to tell you, I am in love with this places Jerk Chicken, I dream about it on my way home from work. The Jerk Chicken has great Flavor and is nice and tender,falls apart at a forks touch. The Rice and Peas are un-adultuated. What does that mean, simply, I do not have to pick Thyme springs out of it, or anything else. The rice is clean on your palate, Love It. The most important part of this review, has to do with the establishment, CLEAN, CLEAN, CLEAN....cannot stress how clean the owner and employees keep this place. Pans containing food is spotless, employee attire and grooming is a relief to what other establishments want their patrons to accept as the normal. They are very systematic and professional. I really feel good spending my hard earned dollars here for a meal made with love. Thank you......

The best Jamaican food in Dorchester and Brockton I mean I love the oxtail curry goat curry shrimp jerk chicken steak jerk pork the soups and those sweet and spicy wings omg but what I also like is the fact that both restaurants are very clean and sanitary I've never gotten sick eating Only One!!!

This is one of the best curry goat you will find in Boston. The only thing that gets me here is the speed at which service operates, fast pace for food already prepared is not the best.. i have to bear the slow service to get the curry goat because it taste so good.

I really love this place! When I think caribbean food in Boston, this is first place I go. All of the best if not all of caribbean restaurants are in dorchester and mattapan and this is the best one!! When you talking about jerk chicken Only One Jamaican is it!! Place your oder in one window and grab your food at the next one. You may have to wait awhile because the line can get ridiculous. Good food come to those who wait. No real seating area because the restaurant over head takes up most of the space but there are stools and counter if you feel the need to eat in. I would suggest you take out. Like I said it can get crowded. If your looking for a little dessert with your meal they also have red velvet cake and a host of other delicious desserts on display.

Warning do not ever go to this place i got a plate with rice and peas and i found roaches in the rice.

This place is mainly take out with a few stools to sit if one chooses however it won't be relaxing by any means. As the two table tops are right at the door by the take out line. Oxtails are always good prob caught them on a bad day once other than that very flavorful and beefy taste. Curry goat and jerk chicken are great too. I never find either too spicy/hot as I can't tolerate much heat in my food, but everyone is different. I always get the rice and peas which has a hint of coconut flavor. At $2 the Jamaican patties are good for a snack, but not much variety. I'm not sure if its just the day I tried them but they didnt have any other fillings besides beef. Overall I think they are the best Jamaican food Ive tried in Boston and always have a line so prepared items don't sit long. Give them a try!

I really like this restaurant a lot but today I went in and there was one women ordering food with no mask on. The problem was she was being very very picky with everything, so there for she's talking a lot with no mask on, now she goes over to the window in the back with her face in the window talking about her order where the food is being prepared talking a lot. I was really grossed out and then there was a worker in the back with no mask handling food while everyone else had on mask..I think they should put up a sign No Mask No service... I had to microwave my food when I got home and said a pray. I won't be going back no time soon even though I love there food. They have to do better...

Raised in this area ... moved to the chi.. brought my man from the chi to the bean and he said hands down best jerk he ever had. now when we come.. ah pure jerk him want ... I loved the jerk pork .. 5 star hands down .....

The food was good! The jerk chicken had a little heat , the cabbage and rice n beans were great. The oxtail sauce over the rice was delicious. Seating was minimal. The place was organized. I don't think the jerk was grilled, instead baked but good!

I'm surprised there aren't more reviews of this place on Yelp. It was packed for lunch when I last went. Service is fast but friendly, and the platters are enormous...enough rice and peas for two meals and large portions of moist jerk chicken. I had to learn the hard way that the "banana" is not sweet, though.

stop putting too much gravy on the food. the bag is literally a balloon. my car seat is ruined.