We decided to try this place one day for dinner since it changed hands into a 'Jamaican' restaurant a couple years ago. Formerly The Lantern, still a bar vibe/a bit dark inside. We both got the jerk chicken with greens. While we finished our dinner and it tasted good; I have several specific impressions and suggestions for improvement. First of all, both of our dinners could have arrived much hotter. They were more like "well warmed" in a microwave than truly hot- so I assume that's how they typically do it there. We were hungry enough not to send it back to be 'heated up' more -but they should be aware of how hot their food should be when presented to customers. Second, we love Jamaican food- goat curry/jerk chicken/oxtails, greens, etc. This chicken was seasoned + tasty; but the chicken honestly tasted like BBQ chicken much more than the jerk chicken I've had in any other restaurants. Finally- and in the end this was the worst issue, the gal who was our waitress either had never done a waitress job before, or was so poorly trained at this establishment that she literally had no idea what she should be doing/noticing/taking care of. At various points, this was frustrating (she didn't check on us at all), didn't seem to know if we needed more water/napkin,etc. mainly because she just didn't walk by the table/or stand back keeping a watchful eye on her table. At certain points, I heard her boss talking to her and telling her what to do next- but clearly she didn't even have a basic concept of what she was supposed to be doing. I waited tables a lot thru college and eventually I felt sorry for her lack of training in a job where you clearly represent the business. But, we were the only people in there for dinner, only 1 person drinking in the bar besides us. It was just unacceptable. We won't return-but would love to find good Jamaican food somewhere in the region. PS It was several months ago when we ate there, hopefully staff is consistently better trained now. read more

A nice addition to the neighborhood that offers something a little different. We ordered the oxtail meal, which was tasty. My only complaint is the portion size -- there was a lot of rice but very little cabbage and oxtail meat. The space is nicely decorated, and the service was friendly. read more

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First of all, let me get the good stuff out of the way, great people, they have a great attitude but some of the worst service I've ever seen. I ordered a smash burger A SMASH BURGER. Before they even took my order i was waiting 20 MINUTES FOR THEM TO TAKE MY ORDER. Back to the burger, they came with our food which felt like a weight off of my chest but then I realized it wasn't a smash burger but a regular. Already pissed off from the wait, I asked to get a smash burger because that's what I ordered DUH and then it came, my burger but for the SECOND time it was A REGULAR BURGER, dont tell me the burger tasted great I just kinda wanted want i FUCKING ORDERED. Great band playing there though but if your there at a packed time DONT EXEPCT THE SERVICE YOU WANT read more

The pulled Jerk chicken sandwich was good, but tasted much more of BBQ than jerk, there was almost no heat. However, the sorrel was excellent. read more

Our family loves going to BB's hot spot and it's one of the places we take family or friends who are visiting. Service is always excellent and the food is prompt for freshly cooked entrees. The environment is relaxed and casual without feeling fast-foody. The food is excellent and we love the option to have sorrel to drink with our jerk chicken. So good. Don't forget to order some plantains. read more

If I could give 6 stars, I would!! They accommodated our large party immediately. The music is great! The owner served us and was friendly and spent time with us. Wonderful service! The food is out of this world!!! The curried goat and pulled pork quesadillas were so delicious, we wanted seconds. I highly recommend read more

BB's Hot Spot - Curried goat and Manhattan - Caribbean Near Me - Pittsfield, Massachusetts

The people were nice and the place itself was pretty nice looking, the food was overpriced and taste like actual vomit.

Not sure if this was suppose to be Jamaican or Caribbean but I can honestly say it wasn't very good. The rice was fine but serving two small pieces of chicken thighs with what looks like overcooked veggies is not a good look. This is very disappointing. Also just as a disclaimer, jerk chicken should be dry rubbed NOT cooked in gravy. That's the difference between jerk and stew chicken. read more

Three of us went for an early pre-theater dinner (just a few doors from Barrington Stage's smaller theater)--and we all had the same thing, i.e., Jerk chicken (excellent), coconut rice and red beans and sauteed cabbage (terrific sides), and we shared a side of friend plantains (perfectly cooked and sweet). We also had home-made lemony and not-too-sweet lemonade. The place, that used to be a real greasy spoon when It was The Lantern, is sparkling clean (including the rest rooms). Service was attentive and rapid. Ambience is pleasant bar room....comfortable, intimate, warm, but not elegant. Will we go back? Absolutely!! read more

This is my second time eat here and both times the was terrible. My friend and his daughter took me to lunch today. Since my experience with this place I was very weary about going. So I ordered a salad because I felt like you can't mess that up. Well iwas wrong. My friend also complained about the meal he ordered which was pull pork sandwich and French fry. The fry was cold and soggy the pork had 2 day taste. I will not eat at this restaurant again. This place is awful the worst restaurant in Pittsfield. Also the people that like this probably have not had the real thing. Go to Springfield or Albany to try the same food and come back to bb Hotspot and you will understand where I'm coming from read more

BB's Hot Spot - This is my lettuce salad. I asked for tomato, croutons . This is after 2 bites. - Caribbean Near Me - Pittsfield, Massachusetts

They have the best coconut rice and beans! Their jerk chicken and their ribs are both delicious! Collard's are good. A lot of the menu is gluten free and I've eaten there twice with no problem. My guy, who can eat glutne, said their meat patties were the best he's had. Lovely people, too. The first time I went, I got take out and it started raining really hard when I was getting ready to leave The man behind the counter got an umbrella and walked me to my car! read more

Yummy find for lunch today. We had a big Caesar salad, curry chicken, rice and beans, cabbage and Mac n cheese. Washed it down with Ting!!! read more

BB's Hot Spot - So good! - Caribbean Near Me - Pittsfield, Massachusetts

The Lantern is under new ownership and is a great Caribbean BBQ joint. Now called BB's Hot Spot at The Lantern. read more

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Great spot and service with a welcoming ambiance. My wife had the jerk chicken and I had the oxtail. Both were delicious. Tasty sides, homemade ginger beer and a hibiscus margarita completed the island experience on a blustery, early spring evening. Took a slice of carrot cake back to the hotel for dessert. Try this place! read more

Awesome food and service! Highly recommend! Authentic Carribean food in downtown Pittsfield.

This is the old Lantern with a new Jamaican owner/menu. It's great! Same funky "dive bar" atmosphere--but sparkling clean everywhere. Billie Holiday's picture still featured prominently. Jerk Chicken sandwich was perfect for lunch. I want to come back and try goats & oxtail--hard to find around here. Owner/bartender genuinely friendly & solicitous. Plenty of burgers and other sandwiches on menu too. Definitely a quality addition to Pittsfield restaurant scene. read more

Jerk chicken sandwich with Jamaican soda and fries is a great lunch. Great service and the place looks good!

Food was excellent and wait staff was very pleasant. I particularly liked the oxtail and buttered cabbage Ristic but pleasant ambience. Thanks for a great meal read more

The food was amazing and the staff was sweet and engaged with us!! The vibes were relaxing and fun.

Very good food and the service was amazing. I also enjoyed the music they were playing and the vibe of the restaurant . Will be coming back!!! read more

BB's Hot Spot / The Lantern -- Clean, relaxed open room pub feel with a nice bar to sit at and have a draft beer. Easy parking across the street on North Street in Pittsfield. Excellent food across the simple menu. Oxtail stew with rice was awesome and Quesadilla was spot on. Beers were fresh and cold. Service was really nice! Highly recommended. read more

My husband and I went for a sit down dinner and we have plans to return this weekend. The service was wonderful. The food had all the right flavors and portions. The fresh ginger beer is what I am looking forward to most. read more

I've been looking for the perfect meat patty my entire life. Now, there's no such thing as a bad meat patty. It's just that all seem to come from a few distributors like Golden Krust down in the city, and they never get better than flavorful pop tarts. It took a lot of years, but today I found it. BB's makes their own and they are incredible. The crust is...OMG...flaky! The meat is...OMG...not only tasty, but textured. Like a great spiced beef stew meat. Now that I know that it's only a two-hour round trip, I think this is going to be a weekly pilgrimage. Oh: By the way: The goat curry is world-class, too. Keeping goat meet tender is hard. This place pulls it off in spades. If all of the dishes show this much care and craftsmanship, I've found my go-to for all things Caribbean. Bravo! read more

Pittsfield needs more restaurants like this. I haven't been back in a couple of years and I found this place while looking for a quick takeout lunch. Amazing flavor and big portions. I'll definitely order from here again! read more

Ordered here today just to try it out. It was not good. Somehow even the Mac n cheese was gross. I thought maybe the jerk wasn't my taste. Nope. It's just not good. Too over seasoned. read more

The flavors were good. I ordered the Braised Oxtail for $18.99 which was very tender but barely any meat. The dish was mostly rice and beans. I make bone broth regularly with oxtail and I have so much beef left over. Will try them again. Better luck next time. read more

Swung by BB's on the way through Pittsfield. Greeted by a friendly face, a spotless kitchen and some awesome food. Had some excellent jerk chicken (spicy, tender, with a little sweetness), some really good collard greens (is that a little garlic?), tasty rice & beans and sweet plantains. I'm bummed that I live 2 hours away, because now I NEED to try the ribs - should have gotten ribs, and more plantains to go.... read more