Just want to say three years later this is the best food you can get in SB. Best…read more Any cuisine, any price point, this is it. Thank you KR

Kool Runniz is a pop up food service that can be found in local businesses in the Santa Barbara…read morearea. They do catering and aswell. I got excited upon finding this local food business And even more when I was told they have "Jerk chicken" Typically on their menu you can find Jerk pork, jerk chicken and some veggie options Meals are fixed with rice and peas, plantains and cabbage They do tacos too Jerk chicken: Authentic jerk chicken is done on the grill.. A somewhat smoker contraption This is typical in Jamaican restaurants It's spiced heavily so that even off the grill it's ready to be consumed But the majority of places have an additional liquid jerk sauce made from scratch. Scotch bonnet peppers are known to take center stage in the sauce and also in the dry rub for the grilling Fish, tofu, pork, all kinds of meats are done in this style and fashion So now that you know a little on history.. Let's go into the present Some people do jerk chicken in the oven or a combo of the latter with oven.. Kool Runninz is one of them... The spices were there... Friendly enough for the masses of Santa Barbara ( traditional stylee can be unforgivably hot) The chicken I thought was just ok The rice and beans ( in West Indian culture it's called rice and peas) Was good...It's standard to have notes of coconut from coconut milk in the rice along with thyme and possibly peppers The coconut was detectable and I'm a big fan Not a fan of cabbage so I went for extra rice ( shout out to my carb lovers out there) The plantains...ah em... I said the plantains... Wow, I've eaten plantains in different styles Look Runniz is easily in the top 3 of all time.. Crisp edges, chewy ( just enough) inside.. With great texture... Overall I thought they delivered a delicious alternative To my everyday Santa Barbara experience And I'm glad I came across them

I'm first born American in a Jamaican family and I was happily surprised to find a Jamaican…read morerestaurant, in Chatsworth of all places, that was within walking distance of my mechanic's shop. The restaurant is in a strip mall, next to a barber shop. The woman behind the counter was so friendly and helpful that I was genuinely concerned about the quality of the food. Typically in a Jamaican restaurant, the ruder the service, the better the food is. This spot is the happy exception to the rule. The food was EXCELLENT. I asked for a recommendation for their best menu option and she suggested their fried chicken and maaaaaannnnnn, I think about that chicken like white dudes think about the Roman Empire. I'm actively trying to come up with reasons to take the long drive back to Chatsworth to try more of their menu. If you're ever in the area, this is worth a visit.

I was craving Jamaican food and ordered from this restaurant on Uber Eats last night…read more Unfortunately, my order never arrived because the restaurant was closed, even though they were still accepting orders on Uber. Wanting to give them another chance, I ordered again this morning. I got the jerk chicken special with rice and peas and cabbage, expecting a fresh, flavorful meal. Sadly, the experience was very disappointing. The jerk chicken was extremely tough and dry, the rice and peas tasted old, and the cabbage appeared spoiled& had a terrible smell (not edible) I spit it right out my mouth. The entire meal was not fresh and was simply reheated in a microwave. I eat Jamaican food regularly, so I know what fresh Jamaican cuisine should taste like. I called the restaurant to address my concerns and hopefully find a resolution. Instead of listening or attempting to make things right, I was repeatedly told that the food was fresh. There was no effort to resolve the issue or acknowledge my experience as a customer. I don't normally leave negative reviews, but after two disappointing experiences in less than 24 hours, I felt it was important to share. Hopefully this helps others make an informed decision before ordering.

Amazing oxtail! The sauce is perfectly seasoned and the meat was so tender. The veggies actually…read morehad a great flavor. The rice and peas were spot on. We ate without looking up once! Ask for the scotch bonnet sauce. So yummy! This place is clean and nicely decorated and the service was welcoming and kind.

Came here for dinner this week, on our way to see Rosalía at the Inglewood Forum. Found it on Yelp…read more(thanks Yelp!). This area is not familiar to us at all, and we don't normally eat (for us) exotic cuisine. But, we were in the mood to try something new, so we stopped here. It's a colorful, cheerful little place. I think there are only like 4 tables. Apparently, it is mostly takeout. This became evident when our food was "served". We ordered a large two-meat plate and two large fried chicken plates. The two meats were "brown stew chicken" and curry goat. The meat is served in thick savory gravy/sauce. The "plates" are served with rice and fried plantains. The brown stew chicken was good. The curry goat was really good. Here's where the experience really veered sharply from our normal dining experience. The "plates" were served in takeout fold-over boxes with plastic forks. The meat itself was pretty much all adhered to bones. It was tender and delicious, but eating with our hands doesn't come naturally. So, I asked for a knife, and the sweet woman who takes the orders looked at me and said they don't have knives, and that we "just have to dig down into it". Indeed. She did give me a second plastic fork though, which I used. Nice workers. Authentic food. Huge portions. New experience which we all enjoyed.

Yes it's double price of El Pollo Loco but it's twice as good! And I love El Pollo Loco for the…read moresimplicity and value. You're next to the beach, there's plentiful sauce and the chicken is succulent and spicy. Get the medium if you like HOT and if you like really hot get the hot!

If you're anywhere near Santa Monica and craving something that hits you with bold flavor,…read morelaid-back vibes, and a little tropical escape on a plate--Cha Cha Chicken is absolutely the spot. This place isn't just a meal; it's a whole experience. From the moment you walk in, you're greeted with a cheerful, colorful energy that instantly puts you in a good mood. The vibe is casual, funky, and full of personality--think beach shack meets Caribbean street food with a California twist. Now let's talk about the star of the show: the Coconut Fried Chicken. Honestly, this dish alone is worth the trip. The first bite is pure magic--Crispy coconut-battered golden-brown crust with juicy chicken inside served with sweet mango and jerk dipping sauce. It's crunchy and flavorful without being overwhelming. The coconut adds this unexpected tropical note that elevates it far beyond your typical fried chicken. Pair it with their sides (the dirty rice and potatos are a must), and you've got a plate that's comforting, exciting, and totally unforgettable. What makes Cha Cha Chicken stand out is how consistently it delivers on flavor while keeping things relaxed. The portions are generous, the spices are on point, and everything tastes like it was made with care--and a little bit of island-inspired love. It's the kind of food you find yourself craving again way too soon. Whether you're a local or just passing through Santa Monica, Cha Cha Chicken is a must-visit. It's fun, it's flavorful, and that Coconut Fried Chicken? Straight-up legendary. Only Downside - Pricey!

The Roti here is not to be missed. Came here today when I found the place on the inKind app, and…read morewas not disappointed. The place is colorful and feels like a little slice of the Caribbean right in the heart of east Hollywood. I tried the red pepper goat roti, which was deeelish, and had a ton of great spice to it. It really does feel like a marriage of Indian and Caribbean food and is such a fascinating mix of flavors. My wife had the chicken curry roti and loved it too. We will have to try the patties or the coco bread next time... This place is popular, and can take a little time to get the food out, so be prepared for a little wait for the food. That said - it's worth it!

Great food, literally downloaded yelp to review this place specifically. Ordered the curry shrimp…read moreroti, so good! As someone who doesn't love shrimp, this place converted me. Only recommendation is to split the roti if you're not super hungry, it's quite a bit of food. Service was great, the person up front reviewed the whole menu with me. And great ambiance, good music and pretty quiet.

Wow! What a hidden gem in the SGV!…read more Both of my parents are from the Caribbean, so finding a local spot that truly gets Caribbean food right is a real treat. My mom ordered the oxtail, and my dad had the curry chicken. They both agreed it was the closest they've had to authentic, home-cooked Caribbean food since leaving home. I also took home a Jamaican beef patty and a chicken patty, and I tried them the next day. They were absolutely delicious! The service was excellent, and the staff was incredibly friendly and welcoming. The restaurant is located in a unique food hall featuring cuisines from around the world, creating a lively, social atmosphere with plenty of energy while still being a comfortable place to enjoy a meal. If you're looking for authentic Caribbean food in the San Gabriel Valley, I highly recommend giving this place a try. You won't be disappointed!

To simply put it, Caribbean Gourmet's Jamaican Patties is a dish worth driving for. I would drive…read morehere in peak traffic just to have it. This one absolutely caught us by surprise. My wife and I were craving for Jamaican patties which we haven't had for a while. A search on Yelp brought us here. It's a humble food stall with just a few decor in the food hall but wow. The patties are packed with flavor and complexity. It's spiced, crumbly, and well textured. It's literally mouth watering thinking about it. We enjoyed it so much we came back the next day to have more and buy some to take home too. Trust me. It's worth trying.

Mofongos is a Puerto Rican staple in LA. It's one of the few restaurants in CA that seems…read morerelatively authentic. I recently visited about a month ago. The serving sizes are large, you definitely get 2 meals out of one. The pernil was delicious, moist & flavorful. The arroz con gandules is decent for a restaurant. I'm very picky though, but it's because I have high expectations. There's nothing like abuela's rice. The tostones are huge! Out of the appetizer platter, I enjoyed the pastelillos most. Service is a bit slow here, or at least the last time I came, and it wasn't that busy. Seems like they might be understaffed. Overall, I enjoy coming to this restaurant. It's definitely a great representation of our culture & the PR staples.

Authentic Puerto Rican Food In Los Angeles, Serving Mofongo and other Puerto Rican Cuisine!…read moreOpen 7 days a week. 818-754-1051 Check them out! Boricua PR ! 10/10 service off the charts! The best food! Ambiance was lit! Amazing!

My friend and I had a thoroughly enjoyable evening at Versailles. We were greeted as soon as we…read moreentered. The wait staff cleaned off our table. They were attentive and very nice staff. As usual, our food was delivered minutes after we ordered. I have been going to Versailles in Palms for decades. The food and service are always superb no matter what Versailles location I go to. I strongly recommend going to Versailles.

My family and I have been coming here for decades but it's not my love for this restaurant, it's…read morebecause my wife loves their oxtail stew (Rabo Encendido). So we come here for her. I've tried almost everything on their menu and was never able to find something i ordered enjoyable. It's just not for me. This visit I ordered their Lomo Salteado and the meat was extremely rubbery and unpleasant. My daughter ordered their chicken empanadas and it was a hard no for her too. When we were ready to close out, I asked the waiter as he was clearing some things on our table, if he could bring some to-go boxes when he had a moment for things we didn't finish so we could take them home. He had a butter knife in his hands and threw it onto the table. Rough day I guess. I personally would not come here myself, but continue to do so for my wife. Will update my review when I visit again. Until next time. . .