Thanks to fellow Yelpers for recommending this place! I haven't had an authentic taste of Jamaica in a very long time. The jerk sauce immediately took me back and the chicken was super tender. The candied yams were sweet but not over done. The beans and rice needed more flavor so I added the spicy jerk sauce. My hubby enjoyed the patties. The storefront is located in a strip center off of Rt 38 and Rt 47 with parking in front. Few seats inside so we took it to go and had a picnic. Ask for extra napkins and two forks if you plan on sharing. . read more

See all

Ya Mon...this place is legit! I am so glad my fellow Yelpers told me about Island Express in Elburn Illinois. Authentic home style Jamaican food with Island Flavor at reasonable prices. Mainly a takeout place with limited counter seating,each meal is prepared fresh. Jerk Chicken,Curry Goat and Oxtails are just a few of their Jamaican dishes. We tried their Veggy Patty and Chicken Patty. Flakey crust loaded with flavor. I didn't care for the chicken patty as it was chicken curry which I'm not a big fan of..wish it would have been listed on the menu in a different way. Ordered a side of their spicey jerk sauce which added additional flavor ....bonus! Also had their Medium Jerk Chicken platter with sides of red beans and rice and sweet candied yams. Everything was delicious. If you want to experience good Jamaican food minus the sand,ocean and Red Stripe Beer,this is definitely the place to go. read more

See all

Under the radar spot in Elburn!?!?! Food is crazy good. Authentic. Support these people, stretch your food boundaries. Don't be boring

Having such a unique cuisine made me so excited to visit Island Express but unfortunately I was a bit bummed with my experience. First, there is barely any options for dining in. There are a few bar stools and a very cramped table for two that wasn't even set up. Most of the chairs were taken by people who weren't even dining in, just waiting for their food. It took 25 minutes to make our food which was a lot longer than I expected since it's set up to feel like more of a fast casual restaurant. I tried asking questions about the menu and their most popular items but the young lady at the cashier wasn't very helpful. I ended up ordering the salmon salad which was very basic. I was hoping the salmon fillet would be extra special and it was good but nothing amazing. My friend ordered the mixed plate with plantains and green beans which looked a little more interesting. Since I spent more than $17 I also got a free jerk nachos which was basically a box of 7 Doritos - disappointing. I can't say $20 was worth the salmon fillet at all. read more

Island Express Restaurant - Salmon Salad and Jerk Nachos - Caribbean Near Me - Elburn, Illinois

See all

Whenever I go to island express, I know I'm going to get a delicious meal. They have superb consistency with their food, it always tastes excellent. I cannot rave about the food enough, it's always fall off the bone delicious. Island express is a must eat if you find yourself in Elburn. read more

Island Express Restaurant - Large plate goat curry, rice and beans, green beans, and candied yams. - Caribbean Near Me - Elburn, Illinois

Maybe -0.25 stars for seating. What great food and friendly staff!! I hope to go back soon as there were many good options!!

We had this at a wedding reception last night and it was amazing!! I probably would have never tried it, but now I can't wait to go! They served jerk chicken, jerk chicken pasta, rice and beans, mac and cheese, green beans, cabbage, plantains & yams so we got to try so many things and they were all outstanding! The mild and spicy sauces were so tasty. The spicy sauce sneaks up on you after a couple of seconds. Give this place a try! You won't be disappointed!! read more

This is the only Jamaican spot for miles and miles and miles. I gladly drive to get a good meal. The food is absolutely worth it. I love the jerk chicken, mac and cheese, cabbage, and sweet potatoes. It is well worth the drive. The service is great and absolutely friendly. It's an easy 5 out of 5 for me. read more

We are so glad we found this place and tried them. The food was great and the staff was super friendly!! Will definitely be back here.

The food was pretty good, but the portions were kinda small for the price. I would definitely continue to support if the portion sizes match the price of the food given. 3 tiny oxtails with little to no meat for $20 isn't acceptable for me. Both my wife and I ordered the same thing and we both had small oxtails with barely any meat on them. read more

Saw this place and had to try, I've had Jamaican food a few times but haven't found a place near where I live to get it. Now I have! This place was phenomenal I ordered the white meat chicken plate, with plantains and mashed potatoes and spicy jerk sauce. The meat fell off the bones, the jerk sauce was bursting with flavor and a sizzling heat. The plantains and mashed potatoes hit the spot. I also got the a veggie patty and a beef patty. The veggie Patty reminded me of chicken pot pie minus the chicken, very very good. The beef patty wasn't anything special wouldn't get it again. I will be back without a doubt! read more

See all

Hands down, the absolute BEST Jamaican cuisine I've ever had!! Period. Always my go to whether I need a quick fix-me-up for lunch or dinner, or when I simply want to indulge my heart out. Their jerk chicken has slayed from day one. I especially love their signature gravy which it is smothered in. Shoutout to Kim the owner, who makes the little takeaway feel like a home. The no-frillsy vibe shows that the team here stays true to their culture, which I greatly appreciate. Their mac & cheese is the absolute perfect consistency, from the luscious cheese pull to the light peppery notes. I can confirm I've not had better from anywhere else. Their candied yams are a must as well.. If you're lucky, they may have festival (a sweet, sugary dumpling that basically tastes like a little piece of heaven) on certain days. I would suggest calling ahead of time for this. I've tried pretty much everything else on their menu: including the oxtails, curry chicken, rib tips, curry goat, jerk catfish, and brown stew chicken. I find it really hard to go wrong with anything from here. At this point, I'm honestly reluctant to go to any other Jamaican eatery in the Chicagoland area. Seriously, it is THAT amazing! Would also highly recommend for catering orders, especially with the holidays nearing. read more

See all

Very good food. Kind service. Combo platters were nicely portioned. This Local place is worth a try.

The food was delicious! Definitely try the chicken meat patty. The curry flavoring is so good with chicken. The jerk chicken was cooked perfectly and seasoned beautifully. If you like Jamaican food this place is the real deal, 100% recommend trying this place out. read more

Island Express Restaurant - Jamaican jerk chicken with Mac n cheese side - Caribbean Near Me - Elburn, Illinois

Island Express catered in lunch at my office recently, and it was a complete hit. I can't believe didn't know this place existed. I had the jerk chicken, cabbage, and mac and cheese. The chicken was grilled and seasoned perfectly. Sauces came on the side and the spicy definitely had some heat. The mac and cheese was one of the best I've ever had. I don't know if I've ever had one that was cheesier. The show stopper though was the cabbage. It was cooked and seasoned to perfection. The quality of the food shows the cook and owners really care. If you are ever anywhere near Elburn, I highly recommend you check this place out. read more

Just ordered the wing dinner with rice and beans and yams with a beef patty and Kola champagne. The champagne and yams were the only good thing. I don't know if they have a new chef or what, but the whole meal was trash a waste of my money. The only good thing is they finally had a little girl behind the counter with good customer service. She greeted with a smile unlike the other girl that usually works there. The chicken dry. The rice and beans I could have made myself and the beef patty was dry as well. I was really disappointed and will be my last time visiting. They have nothing on the city Jerk joints. I'll stay with Uncle Joes in Hyde Park. read more

The quantity, the price, the FLAVOR!! Service is good and friendly. Food is so good, seriously. The quality is consistent and food is fresh

They have the best food that elburn has to offer. Always great quality, and the cashier was super nice! read more

Island Express Restaurant - Caribbean Near Me - Elburn, Illinois

Food is really good. Very authentic. Loved the jerk chicken and patties were great. Limited seating. We carried out. read more

This food is delish! Plenty of vegetarian options, including yams that will haunt your dreams until you go back for more.

Absolutely AMAZING. This is a taste of the islands here in the Midwest. If you've been to Jamaica in particular, or the Caribbean in general and miss it, you have to stop here. It is as good as anything you've had! It's takeout only, but the storefront is Caribbean and you can feel the sunshine. Really cool ambiance while you wait. And the service here is really welcoming, you can feel the warmth of the islands, even on a cold winter day. read more

I know what you are thinking. A Jamaican restaurant in Elburn? It was my first thought when the sign went up. To be honest, I'd never tried Jamaican food before, but I have some friends who are Jamaican so I sent the menu to them. They were so impressed with how authentic the offerings are. After speaking with the owners, I can tell you they do everything they can to offer a true taste of home to their customers! And now I am so happy they picked our little town. The food is delicious and the people who run the business are incredibly nice. We have tried goat curry, chicken curry, brown stew chicken, jerk chicken, shrimp, cabbage, rice and peas, patty, yams, several of their drinks, and the kids favorite mac and cheese. But I do not miss fried plantains no matter what we order. Those are so yummy! We honestly love all the food. It's hard to pick the best thing on the menu. Try it all! It's all worth having at least once (or weekly like us). If you don't know where to start, the owners are great and happy to share their recommendations. The only thing lacking is that the location really only allows for a takeout experience. So if you understand that you can stay and eat at a counter or you will need to carry out, then you won't be disappointed. Yup, Elburn isn't the most obvious spot for a Jamaican restaurant but it has been so nice having a great, unique new restaurant to choose from and I hope they stay around for many years to come. read more

Quality food at a decent price. Nothing else like it in Elburn. Fast, friendly service in a clean atmosphere. Amazing flavors! read more

Ja Mon! Excellent! I haven't had a more authentic Jamaican meal outside of Jamaica! I had the jerk chicken...Unbelievably moist and favorful! My family had the goat and rib tips! Excellent as well! Try the cabbage as a side! Home cooked flavor! Will definitely be back! read more

See all

Great food at great prices - never had a bad meal here. The jerk chicken and candied yams are fantastic

Yea, yes, yes! I've had a lot of Jamaican food and can say this place is the real deal. We tried: jerk chicken, beef patty, stewed chicken, curried goat, green beans, Mac & cheese, plantains, mashed potatoes, cabbage, yams, and red beans and rice. The seasoning in all of the food was on point, the portions were big, the prices were reasonable and I cannot wait to go back. This will definitely be a weekly spot. My family just moved to the area and we are so glad to have a diverse restaurant in town. The one thing that was just good not great to me was the red beans and rice (but I'm picky when it comes to beans). Please check this place out, you will not be disappointed. I hope they do catering. read more

Clean friendly place. Excellent jerk chicken. Fresh green beans and cabbage. Beef patty was flaky and good. You won't need a knife!

It is so nice to have a new and unique restaurant in Elburn. The food is good. I like that if you want it spicy you can have it spicy. The atmosphere is very casual. Only two tables and a bar top, mainly for waiting. The service has always been great. I have asked for recommendations and have not be lead astray. The Oxtail and Goat are wonderful, the ribs are really good and of course the jerked chicken as a pleaser. Make sure to get the candied yams and you will have dessert built into your meal. read more

Beating myself up for not going hare sooner. Stopped in today and got the Large Jerk wings plate. The wings were excellent. Just the right spice and flavor. The 3sides were also Great. Green beans were in a buttery type sauce and the candied yams were so good. Mashed potatoes and gravy were spot on. Ordered on the phone and the young lady was so nice. Got there and picked up the food and was received with a nice attitude and a nice Hi how are you. This is Jamaican food that is prepared the right way and cooked perfectly. Definitely going back and trying everything else on the menu. read more

Delicious jerk chicken with a side of mac & cheese!! Friendly front desk lady. Check them out!!

I love, love, love this place located in Elburn, IL! Hands down the best Jamaican food I have ever tasted! Always fresh and seasoned perfectly. I've tried both the chicken and rib tips, but the rib tips are my favorite. I never get sauce with my meal because who needs sauce on perfectly seasoned food? The cabbage and rice/beans are my favorite sides. I recommend Island Express to anyone wanting authentic Jamaican cuisine for a reasonable price. read more

Just some amazing Jamaican food that you need to have if you've never tried it! this place has fantastic curry goat, and the chicken wings are to die for. Do yourself a favor and head over there today. read more

Best Jamaican good ever! Best take out in elburn by far! Super affordable and always consistently delicious! There portions are big which works out great because me and my son ( he's a toddler) split everything we get. There chicken is super juicy and the spices are not over barring. Probably will order this weekend as they were closed for the holidays and I'm having withdrawals! read more

Food was Delicious!' The lady at the front was very sweet! Definitely try their Mac and cheese!! read more

Wow, is all I can say about the food here! I had the jerk chicken with mac and cheese and cabbage. It was all so flavorful and tasty! Received my to go order in about 5 minutes, lots of space for waiting or if you wanted to eat there you could, it's not a large space, your best bet is takeout! Very clean and inviting! Don't pass this up! read more

This place is AMAZING!! I'd seen reviews for it, but it's a bit off the beaten path. Finally decided to give it a try, and i was completely blown away by the flavors. We will be back for sure !! read more

Outstanding food at a reasonable price. The place is small but clean. I got a whole jerk chicken, curry goat, large cabbage, large candied yam and small plantain for around $50!! The yams are without a doubt one of the best things I've eaten in my entire life. This place has got it goin' on. Try it!! read more

Their jerk chicken is to die for. The Mac n cheese and yams are also a 10/10. Definitely recommend giving it a try. read more

Island Express Restaurant - Beef patty, Jerk chicken&curry goat, Mac n cheese, yams, green beans and plantains - Caribbean Near Me - Elburn, Illinois

Tasty! Great addition to Elburn! Perfect jerk chicken, tasty plantains. Highly recommended.

Great addition to the area ... the jerk chicken is great, the hot sauce is even better. The beef patty is also spot on. Hope they can make it work and stay around for the longs hall! read more