First time here. Amazing food. Family place. I'll be back! The milk cake and coffee topped it off…read moreperfectly!

My 20-year old son (who attends Virginia Tech) and I were pleasantly surprised to find authentic…read moreCuban cuisine near the Roanoke airport. We found this place through Yelp for an early Saturday dinner. The restaurant was full of customers at 5:30pm - so we ordered takeout to bring back to our hotel. The service is warm with a family-friendly vibe. I would strongly recommend the vaca frita - which was outstanding and ideal for carryout. The red beans and rice were also delicious. I tried the ropa vieja (which is a bit more messy for takeout - but a great option if you're dining in). We also enjoyed the vanilla flan dessert which was very sweet (ideal with coffee). Overall, this was a great surprise in Roanoke - we hope to return to Cuban Island Restaurant on our next trip to Blacksburg, VA.

Arroz con gandules and pernil! You have to try this dish if you go. Typical Puerto Rican dish…read more Family run. Small peaceful place to enjoy a lunch, dinner.

Nice vibe for an intimate date or someplace that isn't loud, amazing food with such a variety of…read moretastes.

I love Salvadoran food, and I was visiting my mother in Staunton, so I knew we'd have to check it…read moreout! Since the weather was nice, we ate in the outdoor section. Didn't get an opportunity to see the indoor section of the restaurant. The server was very friendly, but they were very busy and it did affect speed of service. In terms of beverages, I ordered horchata because I always order horchata. I have yet to meet a horchata I didn't like, and this was no exception. Sweet and delicious. I ordered birria tacos and a loroco pupusa. The birria was tasty and savory, as to be expected. Like most people, I dip my tacos in the broth because it's delicious. The loroco pupusa was really cheesy, which is a plus for me. All in all, this was a great place and I look forward to going back to try other items on their menu.

Vibe: welcoming, bright, comfortable Service: friendly,…read morepatient, and quick Value: great value. The two of us had 3 pupusas and an entree for $26 (pre-tip). All of the pupusas were delicious - perfect blend of crispy and gooey. We had the chorizo pupusa, bean pupusa, and queso pupusa (which was our favorite). The queso pupusa paired wonderful with the red sauce in the bottles on each table. We also had the pupusa ranchera, which is a chorizo pupusa topped with a fried egg. This dish comes with fried plantains and rice & beans on the side. The entire dish was wonderful! The plantains were perfectly cooked.

This weekend I was fortunate enough to be able to attend Kirk & Soul's Second Soft Opening and it…read morewas amazing. After being awarded the NC Triad Yelp Squad Yelper of the Year 2024 Award at the Yelpies Award Ceremony last year, an event that honored the highest-performing Yelp Elites, celebrating their contributions and accomplishments throughout the year, I decided that this year, as an All-Star Yelp Elite, I not only wanted to be the first to discover new restaurants and businesses, and bring them to the attention of the public, but also to uncover those found in hidden paths that for one reason or another have not reached the public in its totality. And Kirk & Soul, in Downtown, Roanoke, Virginia, is a perfect example. I loved the interior renovations of this new restaurant. Its beautiful hardwood floors contrasts perfectly with the lovely and very elegant black dining furniture, comprised of booths, tables and chairs, and bar counter, all with outstanding black marbalized table tops that give the place class. The restaurant's simple decor seems to emphasize its best features. Its high ceiling painted black also gives it a nice touch. And the large windows that go all around the corner bring in the light making the hardwood floors and table top shine to highlight their best features.The restaurant also has an open second floor, as well as a corner three steps high stage for bringing live entertainment that will provide the place with another exclusive detail to attract its clientele. I had an opportunity to meet the restaurant's manager, Blake, and he had great ideas that, when implemented, could most likely make this place one of the most talked about or highly regarded restaurants in the heart of fine dining in downtown Roanoke. Owner Justin Hayden described the menu of this Second Soft Opening as "a soul food Caribbean-style menu with a New Age twist." It included dishes such as Jerk Chicken with rice and beans, Oxtail Rasta Pasta, Classic Cheese Burger, Loaded Fries or Nachos, Wing Basket with your choice of sauce, and Garden Salad. Hopefully in the future they will also include other Caribbean dishes from other Caribbean Islands such as Cuba, Dominican Republic, and Puerto Rico, who have excellent cuisines. Today I ordered the Oxtail Rasta Pasta and a Coke to drink. I was the first one there and had to leave early because I had another commitment. The dish looked and tasted delicious, with just the right amount of seasoning. I highly recommend this new restaurant to all, and am looking forward to returning when it's in full function.

Read reviews before we came so we knew that it would be an order at the bar and the food brought to…read moreour table kind of vibe. Our table was clean, vibe was good, food came pretty quickly but was clearly cooked to order (so not super super fast). Our food was excellent. Flavor on the jerk chicken was great. Catfish was delicious, fries were a surprise standout. I'm not usually a French fry person but these were cut thick enough to be fluffy inside which still have a really nice crisp exterior texture and they were fried at the right temp and didn't have that old oil taste you get a lot of places. Primary flavors: potato & salt. Owner came out toward the end of our visit and made sure everything was delicious. Really nice guy, he said they were going to add more soul food to the menu in 2026. I hope this restaurant makes a go of it, we will be back the next time we come down to see family.

Have tried this food truck twice recently. Food is tasty. Both times, service was kind of rude and…read moreran out of food very early in the evening (6:15 PM on a Friday at a brewery is a bit early to be crossing out menu items). The second time, my order was misplaced or forgotten...waited 30 mins before I realized that people who ordered after me were receiving their orders before me. Even so, service was VERY slow. A little expensive but not outrageous. All in all--I'd seek out a different option if available.

This is the best food from home my Caribbean native husband has found in the US! We absolutely love…read moreCountryman Jamaican Grill--when we know he's at our local brewery, we make sure we go. The oxtail is out of this world, the jerk chicken is excellent, and I love the curry. The rice and peas and the fried plantain taste just like home. We absolutely love this guy and he always has great vibes.

From the outside, this restaurant tends to attract people to enter and try it out. And that is…read moreprecisely what I did today. I guess I was impressed with all the food picture posters taped to its front windows. I really had high expectations that I would enjoy it and its food. But there are times that no matter how much you try, you are disappointed. And this was one of those times. Inside, I was impressed with the restaurant's colorful and lively decor, especially its very creative bar design. The place was almost empty with only one family dining at one of the booths. The very hospitable and friendly owner welcomed me, took me to one of the booths and handed me a menu. To drink I ordered a Pineapple Soda. For appetizer I ordered a Beef Patty and Cornbread. And for my main entrée, I ordered from their Specialty section of the menu, The Caribbica Plantain Burger. Between the owner and his wife they served me the different items of my order. The Jamaican Pineapple Soft Drink came in a bottle. As was about to drink it from the bottle when the owner's wife brought me a glass with ice. As I was pouring the soda into the glass, I noticed that it didn't look too clean. Then they brought me a plate with the Beef Patty and a square piece of corn bread. The patty didn't look too fresh. Its dough had wrinkles, like if it was not served fresh but reheated in a microwave. The cornbread was somewhat tasteless. I didn't complain because I didn't want to hurt their feelings, since they were so nice people. The wife of the owner comes by and asked what I wanted on my burger, without telling me that there was an extra fee for some of the items she mentioned. I then notice that a young Asian couple that were dining there got up and went to the counter and spent some time there discussing before they walked out. When the Caribbica Plantain Burger arrived, the first thing I noticed was that it was served with chips, and not with seasonal fries like listed on the menu, and that the sweet fried plantains were not acting as buns like in the menu description. But it looked good so I went on to eat it. As I was eating it, I noticed it did have buns under the plantains, but they weren't that fresh and you could tell that the burger patty came from being frozen and had become dry in the process on unfreezing it. The plantains were the only good thing about this burger. But I didn't complain. I ate what I could, waited, and asked what they had for dessert. It was either Chocolate cake ot Coconut cake. They told me they had ran out of their Rum cake. So I ordered the Coconut cake. When the slice arrived, I noticed it looked a bit dry. Even the frosting was not soft. Like if it was sliced and sitting there for a long time. Then I tasted a piece and what a disappointment. It tasted like insecticide. I could not stand it anymore. I called over the lady server and explained why I would not eat this cake and returned it. The husband came by and asked if I wanted the Chocolate cake instead. I told him, No Thanks. When I walked over to the restroom to wash my hands, I passed by the kitchen and it didn't look very clean at all. Afterwards, I paid my bill, and when I got home, I noticed the following statement written on the bottom of the receipt: "ALL SALES ARE FINAL. No refunds. Same day exchanges with receipt may apply at management's discretion. By dining with us, guests agree to house policies." I definitely not recommend this restaurant at all, and consider it one of my worst dining experiences ever and a waste of my money.

Omg this place is amazing. The best red snapper outside of the Caribbean. Everything on the menu is…read moreso good.

On a gloomy, rainy afternoon, Ocho Rios was the pick-me-up I needed! The jerk chicken and curry…read morechicken dinners came with 2 sides and were so fresh. The dining area was simple and clean amd jamaican music was playing in the background. We were helped by a super friendly young woman who informed us they also deliver with Door Dash and Grub Hub. I went home with lots of leftovers!

We were so excited we found this place, and our expectations were exceeded. We had Jamaican style…read moresnapper, delicious cornbread, jerk shrimp, plantains, and juices. I loved the tamarind juice! All the food was super tasty and it was served with smiles and courteousness. Even got a chat with members of the staff. We enjoyed and learned about bammy. Wonderful experience and we will return. Oh, and the music!

Up until recently, I was convinced there is only one option for decent Jerk Chicken in Roanoke, VA,…read moreReggae Grub, but after trying Island Jerk, located on Melrose Avenue, I'm happy to say there is another great Jerk spot. The brilliant green-painted food stand gives an incredible aesthetic and draws you in while making you crave delicious food. Additionally, the master barbequer/chef is a wizard with his Jamaican Jerk pan/smoker. What he produces is pure culinary magic. One of the greatest strengths of his Jerk Chicken is the savory, spiced and smoked flavors coming through in every bite. Another great element of this food stall is the variety of ways you can order your Jerk. While a lot of time and preparation go into cooking the food, the service is quick enough for the quality of the cuisine. The prices are reasonable too considering the state of the economy right now. I personally think local places like this gem are worth visiting and I look forward to trying other items on Island Jerk's menu in the near future.

There food need to be checked cuz it's getting ppl sick I will never understand why people eat…read morethere food

It was one of the highlights during my Thursday afternoon in Roanoke, after walking 2 miles from…read more3rd Street Bus station to Grandin neighborhood. I discovered Gianni's restaurant almost by accident and decided to try it, since it was in the area of my Airbnb. Other restaurants including the nearby 7-Eleven didn't seem appropriate especially when I was on vacation. I arrived on a Thursday afternoon after 3pm. I was already famished from having just a smoothie 8 hours before and nothing else. I walked into the restaurant that was small and had about 6 tables. The vibe was quiet and interesting since I was a tourist carrying my luggage. I thought that this place was the type to close in between lunch and dinner shifts, but luckily for me, they weren't. I went to the front counter to see the staff and was seated promptly. I spent about an hour here and it was quite nice. The menu was very limited but they had Louisiana soul food on the menu and I was happy that they were here. I ended up getting a large bowl of red beans and rice. A side of french fries and a bowl of jambalaya rounded out the meal. I also gotten a Diet Coke for the drink. I didn't really care about price since I was just hungry, but at the same time, too much food can be a bad thing too. I started off with the French fries, which were crispy and hot. Definitely hit the spot after a long travel day. The fried okra was amazing and finished the meal with the red beans and rice. It was a great meal for a starving tourist on his first time in Roanoke, Virginia. I enjoyed the spice level that was the red beans and rice as well as with the fried okra. It was especially amazing and delicious. I definitely recommend and enjoyed my time here. The overall experience here at Gianni's restaurant in Roanoke, Virginia was great and typical at the same time. The lady who was the Waitress was friendly and polite. I would say that this restaurant is one of Roanoke's hidden gems. The restaurant itself was small but can hold a small party for an afternoon or evening. Everything was nice and the ambiance was very nice and quiet. A table that was occupied with 6 people left when I started eating. I occupied myself with my phone while eating and it was bliss having the meal after a long day of travel. The ambiance was good and quiet and didn't notice that there wasn't much air conditioning that I felt. I don't know if there was any WiFi connection for customer use either. It doesn't matter though since I didn't need it at the time I was in the restaurant. For the most part though, the entire experience here at Gianni's restaurant was nothing short of amazing. I thoroughly enjoyed New Orleans Cajun cuisine so much and the meal I had was really nice. Definitely delicious and the spice level was very welcoming for sure. The prices here was a little bit expensive but it was very very good. I think that I enjoyed myself here a little too much. I wished that I went back that evening and purchased dinner, but ended up elsewhere instead. Oh well. I definitely recommend Gianni's restaurant because it's one of the best that Roanoke has to offer. You won't regret it. Gianni's restaurant is located in the Grandin neighborhood district in Roanoke, Virginia. It's physically at 1908 Memorial Avenue SW in the heart of the neighborhood. They accept major credit cards as well as cash. As far as parking goes, it is very limited. Your best bet is to find street parking where you can find it nearby in the residential areas and walk on over. It's a walkable neighborhood and doesn't seem like they get a lot of vehicular traffic on any given day. If you enjoy public transportation in the city of Roanoke, you can ride routes 65 or 71 and walk on over after getting off the bus. I got here by walking from the 3rd street bus station, which was 2 miles away. Way to build up that appetite, I guess. There's always uber and Lyft if you desire comfort and convenience at your fingertips. For the most part though, it was actually one of my favorite time of the day while I was in the Grandin neighborhood. If you are here in Roanoke and want to enjoy some New Orleans inspired cuisine, consider coming over here and enjoy. You will not regret it I promise. 5.0 stars for the overall experience. It's very good! Support local! A+

I came in during lunch, and this lunch special was all bang for your buck. The Catfish was…read moreperfectly crispy and seasoned to perfection. This food was also fresh and piping hot. The Owner/ Operator was so kind and informative, I loved the service and the food. I was on my lunch break so I didn't get to try everything I wanted, but I immediately texted my friends and they came by the next day with the same raving reviews

A few coworkers and I decided to try this place after work. It's a fairly new place. When we…read morewalked in it had the feel of an old time diner, nothing elaborate or fancy. Just tables and a few pool tables. Every single staff member we came in contact with was friendly and amazing! All of us ordered the same meal. Fish and shrimp. Listen, I was worried about eating seafood in a new city and at a new place, it was BEYOND DELICIOUS! The portion sizes were ridiculous! We all had leftovers to box up. The fish was crispy on the outside and tender and delicious on inside. The shrimp.. worthy of seconds! Service was spot on. After talking with the server for a bit, next time we are diving in to the "taste of the islands." I portion of all meats cooked for the day! Can't Wait!! Go here! Eat here!

Great place to eat, food was delicious and season to taste (chicken wings (fried, lemon pepper,…read morebbq) fries, (regular and sweet potato), Mac n cheese. Great service, Great cooks, pleasant personalities and good atmosphere. Visiting the area and will come back.