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    Jambo Grill

    3.2 (39 reviews)
    ModerateCaribbean, American
    Open 11:00 am - 2:00 AM (Next day)

    Order Jambo Grill Takeout or Delivery

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    JAMBO GRILL ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Good for groups

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    Recommended Reviews - Jambo Grill

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    Full menu
    Deyon J.

    4 generous stars. This is a new spot in Hoover (next door to Perfect Note). They've only been open about a week so I tried to give them some grace in this review. Two of my sisters and myself went here for dinner. Right off, I liked the quaint and casual ambiance of the dining space. We were seated immediately by (whom we'd later learn is) the owner Kim. The actual waitress however passed us by with no initial acknowledgement. Kim eventually came back to us to take drink orders and answer menu questions. They had a limited menu so we needed to clarify a couple things and be educated on some of the cultural dishes. Kim was nice, accommodating and knowledgeable... unlike our poor waitress. When she did finally get to us, she didn't know any answers to any questions. On to the food, Kim let us sample the Pepper soup... so good and spicy. I ordered bhajias to start. For my meal, I ordered the oxtail which came with 2 sides, rice and peas and cabbage. I opted out of the rice and peas and went with jollof rice. We waited quite a while for our food to arrive. It seems like the to-go orders may have been priority over us dining. The starters came right before the food and I didn't like that. Although my food was truly yummy, it wasn't very hot. And this is a meal that should be served hot! Oh, my sisters ordered samosas... we agreed they were very good! One had the jerk chicken, I loved it... she hated it. Lol. It isn't too sweet or too spicy but good flavor. Kim really saved the experience and the food was good enough for a return trip. They definitely need time to get a groove with the staff, the kitchen and managing to-go orders. Our waitress had only been there 3 days and we could definitely tell. But if you are in Hoover seeking some Kenyan or Jamaican food. Go try Jambo Grill and lemme know what you think!

    Outside
    Zuri C.

    Good service and delicious food. What more could you ask for. The portion size was good for the price. I will be back.

    Pepper Soup with White Rice and Cabbage
    Mischa J.

    It's date Night! I am back, of course, with my Boo. When I walked in, Aaliyah recognized me, saying, "you're back"! I felt all welcomed and noticed. The place is empty tonight, but the cook is still present in the kitchen. We started with the Kenyan samosas chased with a couple of bottles of Ting (Jamaican sparkling grapefruit soda)! This stuff here is good! For the meal, Bae got oxtail stew with Jollof rice and cabbage, with a side of Mac and cheese. Delish. I tried the wings, with sauce on the side, Mango Habanero, not my favorite the jerk sauce, much better to my palate. I also tried the pepper soup with white rice, it came highly recommended and it did not disappoint! Y'all already know, we enjoyed and I'll be back Aaliyah!

    Kenyan samosas
    Allyson B.

    We went here last night on whim. I was craving oxtails, and yelp provided haha. Let me preface this with they are brand new. Service was a little slow, but it didn't really matter. They were kind and attentive once they got to us. The atmosphere is great! The restaurant looks fantastic and features some stunning artwork. It is relaxed and warm and inviting. One of the guys that helped us is also one of the chefs. They were all kind and incredibly helpful. We had the Kenyan samosas for an appetizer! They were delicious! He brought us a chili sauce to try and it was fantastic with them. My partner got the kebobs with fries. They were delicious and moist! There was another hot and spicy sauce on the table that was similar to a spicy ketchup that paired well with the fries. I got the oxtail stew with Ugali and jollof. I normally don't order two starches, but I couldn't resist trying both! It was incredible. The oxtails are by far the best I've had in Birmingham. The jollof was delicious as well, but the thing I was most excited for is the ugali. I have never had it, only heard of it. It was fantastic. It absorbed the oxtail stew so well. We've had a need for more Afro Caribbean food in Birmingham for a while. This was one heck of an addition. I have to say, I'm incredibly impressed with them. The quality of the food is amazing. The people are kind and helpful. The portions are generous, and I got to have some stew for lunch today. Even better the next day!

    Kelly B.

    I went on a Friday a little after 1:30 so the rush crowd had time to clear out. I was so impressed with this place. It's beautifully decorated, the artwork on the walls, the decor, and the music playing truly is an experience. Then there is the food, amazing! I hadn't been there before so I wanted to sample a little of multiple things. I had the samosas, sausage, goat stew with jollof rice, and plantains. Everything was perfectly cooked and the staff was so friendly. I left with a full belly and in a great mood. It was a wonderful experience all around.

    Kenyan Bhajias
    Dedrick E.

    The food here is seasoned well! Love the cabbage! You gotta try the oxtails, samosas, jerk chicken, plantains, and bhajias!

    Oxtail stew with jollof rice and cabbage...18.99 and barely any meat!
    KeeWee W.

    Found this place on yelp. Called in my order of samosas and the oxtail stew plate with 2 sides. I asked for jollof rice and cabbage. When I got there to pick up and pay, I noticed that the jollof rice was charged separately. I asked why, since my order came with two sides and she said that the ox tail stew plate already comes with rice and peas. I said that's not what I asked for and that's not what the menu says. So she charged me correctly and when I looked in the bag when I got in the car, there wasn't even any rice and peas with the oxtails! Just the 2 sides that I asked for. So what was she she saying?! Anyway, the samosas were good. Simple but good. The oxtail plate left much to be desired. 18.99 and I barely had 3 oxtails. Smh. And it clearly wasn't an oxtail "stew". The sides were just ok. Nothing special. Gave it try. Wouldn't try it again.

    Janis T.

    Wish I could be more positive for this small business but we had a terrible experience there a few months back. We had a group of 15 so I personally visited two weeks beforehand to make sure they could handle a big group on a Tuesday and also texted the owner the night before to confirm. Upon arrival the bartender did not seem in a hurry to serve up drinks and keep up with the flow. Then we ordered food and it took over 90 MINUTES for some of the dishes to appear with no explanation. The food, once it came, was just ok and we were at a hunger point that we just ate whatever they put in front of us. Found out the next day they were missing an ingredient for one of the side dishes and the manager on duty went to the store to get it. We would've much rather had a heads up and the option to make a different selection. One person in our party ordered wings and waited 30 minutes only to be told they were out. This is basic stuff. Cannot recommend this, especially with a group.

    Goat Stew

    Visited last year first time and tried the egusi fufu meal and it was so good, then visited again and had oxtail also yummy. Decor was beautiful very welcoming atmosphere and great music. I've been wanting to visit again but bad anxiety won't allow me to drive, saw them listed on Uber eats and decided to try the goat stew this time and oh my lamb it was sooooo delicious. I plan to try a different meal each time I order but idk the goat stew had me wanting to Uber again, just might be my go to meal. Pepper soup im coming for you next lol. Delicious delicious delicious

    Curry Chicken Plantain Mac & Cheese

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    11 months ago

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    2 years ago

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    Jambo G.

    Its african oxtail stew. The server didn't know well, sorry

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    2 years ago

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    4 years ago

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    Jambo G.

    Thank you! See you next time!

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    3 years ago

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    3 years ago

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    4 years ago

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    Jambo G.

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    2 years ago

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    4 years ago

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    Jambo G.

    Thank you! See you next time!

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    3 years ago

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    3 years ago

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    Jambo G.

    Great improvements have been made. Thanks

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    4 years ago

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    Jambo G.

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    4 years ago

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    Jambo G.

    Thank you! See you next time!

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    4 years ago

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    Jambo G.

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    2 years ago

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    Jambo G.

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    2 years ago

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    Jambo G.

    We apologize for this. We have made improvements. Thanks

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    2 years ago

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    2 years ago

    absolutely not good food it make me stomach too spicy and I threw up and a really bad test. That's absolutely not delicious food.

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    3 years ago

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    Jambo G.

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    3 years ago

    Great vibe. I enjoy the food no matter what I get. And the service is alway like they want to make sure you return!!

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    3 years ago

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    3 years ago

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    4 years ago

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    Jambo G.

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    4 years ago

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    Jambo G.

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    3 years ago

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    Jambo G.

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    2 years ago

    Kenyan Samosas are absolutely fantastic! 100% recommend. Fast and helpful and good is great!

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    2 years ago

    This place was such a surprise! The food was excellent! A wonderful experience! My friends and I tried it in a whim and we all loved it!

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    3 years ago

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    Jambo G.

    Thank you! See you next time!

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    3 years ago

    Food was Amazing. Service was awesome. Atmosphere was so nice and laid back. Jambo Grill is a whole VIBE!!!!!!!

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    Jambo G.

    Thank you! See you next time!

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    3 years ago

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    3 years ago

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    3 years ago

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    3 years ago

    Everything is amazing at this place I don't have o complaints, I eating here numerous of times never had a bad moment here food great

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    3 years ago

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    3 years ago

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    4 years ago

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    Jambo G.

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    3 years ago

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    Jambo G.

    Thank you! See you next time!

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    3 years ago

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    Jambo G.

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    3 years ago

    Best jamican food in the city!! Nice customer service great drinks and peaceful atmosphere

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    Cayo Coco Rum Bar & Restaurante - Smashed okra

    Cayo Coco Rum Bar & Restaurante

    (279 reviews)

    $$

    Cayo Coco has been on my list of restaurants to try for a few months now, and I can confidently say…read morethat I'll be back soon! I genuinely could have ordered almost anything off the menu; everything sounded delicious. Unfortunately, I don't have the budget or the ability to consume every dish off the menu, so my boyfriend and I settled on splitting 2 small plates and 1 entree. What we ordered: -Smoked Fish Fritters: a Cuban delicacy. Still thinking about how good these were. Plenty to share! -Snapper Ceviche: personally not my thing, but my boyfriend loved this. I honestly wanted to like this, but the raw fish started to weird me out. -Jerk Chicken: served atop a tomato/bbq risotto that was devine. The inside here is so cozy and slightly tropical. They have a huge alcoholic selection too if that's your vibe. I'm so excited to return and try some more dishes!

    Cayo Coco restaurant missed the mark for me. I really enjoyed how the dining areas really lean into…read morethe tropical theme. I ordered the Espresso Martini ($14); it was lacking something in the flavor, but that could possibly be from me going against the grain when ordering. I had the jerk chicken, it was not a true jerk chicken ($29) it was basically grilled chicken with sauce so when expecting something more authentic it was disappointing to say the least. The tamarind caesar ($15) was also different than I expected; although I would make a trip for it, I would order it again when visiting. The best thing I tried was actually the typhoon brusssel sprouts ($12), I was very happy with them and honestly would have been okay if that was the only thing I ordered. The wait staff was great, very personable and being willing to dicuss the menu and give suggestions. Espresso Martini(Vodka-Carajillo) 7/10 flavor is not what accustomed to might have been better with the Rum normally fixed with. Tamarind Caesar- at first glance definitely not my regular Caesar. Definitely not an average Caesar the lettuce is grilled giving it a smoky flavor, caught off guard but I would order again. 8/10 Jerk Chicken- overall was a good dish first time trying farro wasn't sure what to expect made me think of oatmeal, the mango salsa and sauce on the chicken was good the chicken itself was a bit dry but still good. Overall I would give the dish a 7.5 I rarely order chicken out and I think this was a reminder why. Typhoon Brussel Sprouts- had great taste 9/10 I could come back and get a drink with the Brussels. Would consider the Star of the night The price was consistent with the area, nothing seemed overly priced. Portions were also large enough to be split so if with a group and wanting to try multiple items you would be able to do it and have enough.

    Jambo Grill - caribbean - Updated May 2026

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