Wadadli

You cant help but to come back. The food is made with love, attention and care. The environment matches that sentiment with sounds of Bob Marley and photography taken from around the world. Its a piece of the owner's world. The food, the art, the music, the ambiance, the Good vibes. Wadadli offers great food across the board and has additional options for vegans. One Love. Food for All.

This jerk chicken, rice and peas, and cabbage situation was on another level. To witness a man so passionate about his jerk before it even hits your plate is different — and you can taste it. The chicken was cooked to perfection, seasoned just right with the perfect amount of heat, and it fell right off the bone. The rice and peas were some of the best I’ve ever had — moist, flavorful, and the perfect balance to the chicken. The veggies were a standout too: sautéed just enough to keep that perfect bite, with a unique blend of cabbage, corn, and string beans that tied it all together. And the music? It adds to the vibes and rounds out the whole experience. I’ll definitely be back… the jerk salmon is calling me.

The food was not it. Undersalted and they did not provide something that I paid for. I informed the young lady behind the counter that I would like to sub the rice for Mac and cheese. She charges me extra for the Mac and didn’t put it in my plate. I did not like the rice and the chicken was a bit underflavored. Disappointed to the max. Do not come here for no jerk because that wasn’t Caribbean jerk.

What a beautiful brunch Brodt served up today with his warm welcome on a snowy day. The Salmon and Jerk Chicken over rice and cabbage were delicious! I enjoyed with a pineapple soda and soursop juice--this was a great find, please support!!!

Great vibes, great service. The jerk chicken was mid for my taste buds. I'm sure it can taste great for some but compared to other places, I was slightly disappointed with the overall dish. The seasoning/sauce was slightly powdery and the overall flavor was just okay. The plantains we're also just okay for me. The restaurant has great vibes and friendly staff.

Amazing Caribbean takeout! The food was hot, fresh, and bursting with flavor. The jerk chicken was perfectly seasoned, Mac and cheese was fantastic, and the Rasta pasta was delicious. Pickup was fast, and the staff was friendly and welcoming. Easily one of the best takeout spots around. I can’t wait to go back!

I was looking for some smoke jerk food in Brooklyn and I thought to go here. Everything from the restaurant to smelling the smokers all week perfect. But I thought my food was so bland. I only got the jerk chicken platter and rasta pasta. The pasta didn't have no flavor and I think that because the sauce was watery. But add the flavor please. And the jerk chicken was okay but it needs moisture. The rice was flavorless as well and I don't understand because I feel like jerk sauce should be covering 50% of the meal. The food came out a perfect time and I ate it all maybe 10 minutes after I picked it up. So I ate it a good time. Maybe I had it a bad time or what but add the flavor. With everything, make sure it's traveling in every bite.

Love Wadadli, and Brods the owner is so passionate and helpful. The vibes and food are great at the brick and mortar, but also want to give a shoutout to my catering experience outside of the restaurant - Brods came through in a pinch very quickly and delivered amazing food that was a hit at our party in a very quick amount of time. Grateful for the chefs and Brods, and to learn more about Antigua through the delicious food. Thanks all, will be a regular customer.

Ava was dope! Explained the options and showed us the lounge we could eat at. Would come back!

$15 for a huge plate of jerk chicken, rice and beans, vegetables, and a couple of tostones. It's a wrap. That's like two coffees or one alcoholic drink. For the price point and quality it is a complete steal. The food was delicious and the jerk chicken was perfectly seasoned and beautifully cooked. Nothing was dry. Everything was tender. The portions are huge - you can easily get 2 to 3 meals out of it. I would go back here weekly if I lived in the neighborhood. 1000 out of 10

The food is amazing! The service is phenomenal and the ambiance makes you feel like you are right at home. Please also check out the beautiful pictures of families across the African Diaspora that have inspired many of the dishes here.

My wife and I were walking home from lunch when we spotted a bunch of people enjoying food on the corner on Tompkins. Curious and a little greedy, we walked over to see what was up. People enjoying jerk was up! Figuring we'd take care of dinner now, we ordered the escovich red snapper and jerk chicken combo meal from a cheerful young woman at the desk. Friendly patrons offered us seats at their table and benches while we waited, and insisted we get the baked mac and cheese so we added that. It's outdoor seating mostly, with a few two tops and a picnic table. We wanted the escovich fish which refers to the pickled aromatics, usually spicy onions, carrots and peppers that accompany the fish. There were plenty of well seasoned, sautéed veggies, but barely a hint of the telltale tangy, vinegary counterpoint to the spicy fish. Different islands do it differently, so we just took note and probably won't order that there again. Otherwise the fish was very well seasoned and cooked to perfection. The jerk chicken was tasty and well done. It wasn't the spiciest, and I found it to be more well smoked than well seasoned. They did give us jerk sauce for it, but it spilled on route. I think it would have given it the zesty kick I felt was missing. The Mac and cheese was LEGIT. It was rich, and heavy with a well seasoned roux and topped with a sharp cheddar cheese baked to toasted brown perfection. It reminds me favorably of my grandmother's recipe. We both agreed it was worth returning for. And we will! Affordable too!

Love this spot and highly recommend. Special thanks to the chefs and Brods for coming through in a pinch on a big catering order last month, the food was amazing and the portions are huge and so affordable.

The food was good, stopped by during an open street event and the service was solid, the place was packed but they were friendly throughout the crowd and heat of the day. I plan to revisit during regular operating hours

I have to say I've had way better jerk chicken. This was on the dry side. I asked for jerk sauce, but the chicken wasn't saucy at all. The macaroni and cheese was tasty, but the amount of cheese - sort of overwhelming, maybe an 80% cheese to 20% noodle ratio. As for the service, Sundays are apparently super busy, but the owner was seemingly dishonest when it came to the question of whether or not there was food left and who could be served. The process was to enter the restaurant, purchase food, take the receipt out to the area where the BBQ grills were set up under a tent, hand the ticket to a server, and receive food. Long story short, my friend and I were not allowed initially to make a purchase, yet many people behind us were - as he picked and chose who could be served. Eventually, my patience won out, and I was allowed to order after maybe an hour. And I was okay with that because I was hungry. But it should truly be first come first serve - and once we got close to the grills, we also realized there was plenty of chicken left, contrary to what we were told.

Great food and service. Been eating here for years best jerk chicken around and always have positive vibes and playing the best tunes

Really flavorful/tender jerk pork. The rice and plantain are also really tasty. Would highly recommend.

Favorite neighborhood spot for jerk chicken! it's always fresh, yummy and the workers here are great. Also great portions for the price.

Very juicy, smoky, wonderfully seasoned jerk chicken. The garlic sauce is out of sight. Perfectly paired with the homemade sorrel or ginger beer. People were so nice and attentive and it's definitely a summer must. A little spot exuding Caribbean charm. Also, the price is great for the amount of food you get. We will be coming back!

Well, I was a lit!!! They are next to a bar, which was really popping on a Sunday. The food you order inside because they had the food inside. The weather was really gorgeous this Sunday. Anyways I ordered the rasta pasta, and mmmmm I don't like my rasta pasta curried or extra spicy. I know it's jerk, but they used the HOT, not MILD. I also ordered the jerk pork with the rasta pasta and BABY that pork was the softest and juiciest pork ever ONLY problem it was too damn spicy lol. I did ask for no jerk sauce he added it anyways. Definitely ask for the BBQ sauce. The food was a little cold and it was only 6pm.

A must stop when I'm in Brooklyn. Wadadli has been a favorite for many years. The food is delicious, the service immaculate and the vibe is always 10/10. If you love jerk chicken/salmon/shrimp, enjoy a great atmosphere, do yourself a favor and stop by!

Brods, the chef, makes a killer jerk chicken (plus grilled cabbage and sweet plantain). Get it with the jerk sauce. Thank me later.

To start the pork is super scrumptious and I'd highly recommend getting the sauce of your choice as a side (if that's doable. Definitely needs to be if it's not). Now the downhill. Chicken was dry as others have said which is a shame because it has really good flavors especially with that jerk sauce The rice is super bland which would explain why their trash had several almost full containers of it tossed out. You really just eat the amount of rice you need for the protein. The sweet plantain was not ready (the flavor was between a green and yellow plantain but definitely more platano than maduro). The Mac was meh. Over cooked, mushy, with only the mild jerk flavor being the saving grace (the hard cheese skin (unmelted cheese) was truly unnecessary). Overall it's filling and affordable so definitely grab something to eat if you're very close by. The ordering system is quite nice if you're around for a drink at the adjoining business and get a hankering for some smoked meat. They place the order quickly and are helpful explaining anything you may be questioning. Once you pick up you're food outside you can sit, sip and pig out :)

Decent spot for Carribean food in a time when original great Carribean food spots are fading away. I've tried several dishes at Wadadli over the years. Aside from the chicken and rice and peas which are decent, I do have a soft spot for their Jerk Macaroni and cheese. I'll normally stop by just to grab only that for sometimes no reason at all. Like yesterday for instance. They even expanded from the street and took up a small shop space. Definitely a great spot for consistent Caribbean food offerings. I'd say it's healthier than other offerings in this cuisines genre. This may take away from the experience, as other places tend to be not as health conscience.

I love the service and the ambiance. The food is amazing! Best Jerk spot in Bedstuy

Always a Vibe! Great food and even better customer service. A community staple. If you know, You know.

This place is a hidden gem. The food has authentic flavor, the energy of the staff is always positive and the food is beyond delicious. There are many so so restaurants but this place is one of those places that are extra special and above and beyond in quality, vibe and execution. 10/10 I eat here 2-3 x a month and my 6 year old son also loves it. Highly recommended!

I've been a regular of Wadadli since they were just a grill stand outside serving delicious authentic Caribbean, even through the cold winter months. Since moving into their cute little spot adjacent Bed Vyne pub I feel the quality has gotten even better. I can't get enough of that salmon with the hot pepper sauce! I'm confident their other dishes are great but I just can't resist the salmon. The owner is a cool dude, always friendly with the customers. Great member of the burgeoning Tompkins Ave

It was Ba Ba Ba Ba Banging. I can still taste it like it was yesterday.. It literally was yesterday tho lol

Walking to meet friends for lunch elsewhere, I could smell the chicken from a block away and that was when some would me going home for dinner. The people here are so nice. Dealing with long lines, folks outside in this heat hangry, drinking (they are next to Bedvyne Brew) and they are calmly cooking jerk chicken, shrimp and salmon on a giant grill, serving it all up. They had quite a few sides as well, but I just wanted the chicken. The prices were on par with other shops throughout Brooklyn. I reheated the pieces and it was pretty tasty. Not as spicy as I usually get but definitely worth taking home for dinner.

on my momma this shit SLAPS. slaps so hard i was removed to woodhull. bring my son jimothey mahiney here sometimes for the backyard bbq... great way to get some food in the stomach before a night of drinking (he's 16 btw...)i get litty. the pork is great. WADADLI forever! if you dont like this place go wadadli yourself!

The service from the owner is disgusting. Came here 6/9/24. My friend and I went inside to place an order we were advised that they ran out of food and if we could wait 15 minutes to see about more food coming out. There was no clarity or system on how to order food. We waited on line then was told we need a ticket and to go inside to place our order. While waiting outside 20 min later I approached the owner to inquire if there is more food. He advised there is only pork left. Which was not true. My friend and I saw 2 big grills full with chicken. While we were waiting we also saw people who were after us with a ticket. I went inside to inquire about this with the woman at the counter and she advised the owner told her who she should service. I witnessed the owner telling people there's no more food when there was plenty of food to sell. I will never come back here with this kind of selective service!!!

Tried this spot recently and was able to chow down in a nearby park to get its full effect . Long story short , this is about average in taste . Chicken was towing that line on being dried out. The rice and peas wasn't the traditional type that's made with coconut milk. Although it was good on its own, the lack of coconut milk created a less soft rice and thus a further dry-er and less savory eating experience . To top it off the older lady was very succinct and not too friendly in her service . It's a one and done for me .

Wadadli Jerk is a delightful spot with authentic Caribbean flavors. Cooked outdoor, over open flames, the jerk has a perfect balance of spice and smoky flavors. Add a tropical beverage or tropical soda to complete the taste of paradise.

I was hungry I wanted something good to eat I happened to see the spot and I got jerk chicken the chicken was excellent well seasoned and moist that was three weeks ago I was craving for jerk chicken June 26th and it was not the owner cooking it was someone else and I did not enjoy that chicken at all it was dry so I say this to you owner I know you need help but if they're not cooking it the way you're cooking it my advice to you is to do it yourself Jerk Chicken. I really enjoyed your chicken I come from east ny for it. If the owner cooked it I would have given him 5 stars

OMG I've been in Brooklyn all these years and I'm just finding out a about this spot from the Tompkins Block Party. I have never, ever had Jerk chicken taste this good and the Mac and cheese. LORD HAVE MERCY. Don't waste your time or you money going anywhere else. If you like Jerk. THIS IS IT!!!!'

The jerk chicken is so so good here! And the rice and salad that comes along with it, as others have said, is a good balance. Food is made fresh to order, the line moves quickly, and for what you get, the prices are right. Oh! It's also the perfect meal to pair with the beer that you can snag from Bed Vyne.

I don't get the hype! the rice is always super bland no flavor at all! when I got my jerk chicken it mostly had bones in it. I was expecting to eat a flavorful jerk chicken dinner and I got exactly the opposite. Three stars for the customer service.

This place is INCREDIBLE! I'm mad I know about it because I'm about to gain 50 pounds from eating their food! Seriously the best jerk chicken I have ever had and their Mac and cheese is so rich and delicious (broiled in individual servings so it is nice and cheesey gooey crunchy at the sides). I can't wait to try their breakfast options!

My fav jerk spot. Owner is super cool. Chicken is always on point. The rice and peas really is my favorite. I go with the salmon and it's just as good. My go to at least a few times a month.

The best spot for jerk in BK. I enjoyed their food several times alongside drinks from bed-vyne before hiring them to cater a party. Everything was as great as if it just came off the grill at the bar. The owner, Brods, is a great guy. My favorite from the pop up is the jerk pork because it's amazing and you don't have to pick around chopped bones (standard with jerk chicken anywhere). The catering menu has wings though, and I want to eat them every day. My wife's favorite is the shrimp but everything is awesome. Be careful with the pepper sauce!

I love the food here literally everything is delicious. However, don't let the little guy make your plate he's cheap. For the prices of the food, they could give you more but he does not, the owner and slim fella hook you up. The place was closing and he was still counting how many pieces of lettuce to give me with the salad...mind you my second order was no salad. Jerk Shrimp and grits off the chain, next time however I will pay extra for more shrimps because I finished my shrimps but still had grits that were delicious with a little salt and sugar added by me

The service here is amazing! My friends and I were staying in Brooklyn for the weekend. One day on our way to Target we passed Wadadli and it smelled amazing! The next day we were so pressed to go and try the food. So, a little bit before noon we walked to the corner where it was located. We all wanted chicken, but it was not going to be ready for another 20 minutes. The chef gave us his number to preorder our meals and walked around Bed-Stuy. We came back 20 minutes later and he recognized us! And boy was it worth the wait! I ordered jerk chicken and it came with plantains, salad and rice & peas. Next time I'm in Brooklyn I will definitely be back at Wadadli.

I like the food And service. Have no complaints. Price is right too! The jerk chicken is not too hot. Mac n cheese is good too. A nice casual weekend eat!!

best Jerk Chicken in bk on my momma great service and you can get fire drinks across the way too.

Great jerk chicken! Black owned. One of my fav Brooklyn spots. High quality every time

Had my mouth set on jerk chicken, I mean salivating!!! But it was lowkey a disappointment.

I entered jerk heaven today...without any sauce the chicken was grilled to perfection and the heat level enjoyable! Service with a smile (thanks Paula!); the charismatic owner generously shared one of the desserts (bread pudding) and let's just I was rewarded for doing something good in this life! Lawdhavmercy! Drove from the Bronx for his food and left smiling as usual! Do yourself a favour and visit! Food for the soul; high vibration people! One love Sonia

Food is always bomb and the owner always looks out! Fresh and tasty. Supports local business and the community plus BLACK OWNED!! My boyfriend & I LOVE Wadadli keep up the good work and great food.

We tried this spot for the first time and we are very disappointed with the food. The jerk chicken was burnt and not edible. We are from the Caribbean and we will never eat there again. unhappy customer

Amazing food must try jerk chicken spot in Brooklyn. Jerk salmon is also great. They do catering as well