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.

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.

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.

I think I might be pregnant. I have this inexplicable craving for rice and peas. One of my…read moreex-girlfriends had a Jamaican grandmother who made the best rice and peas. When she dumped me, I should have sought her grandmother out and started dating her. I've been here a couple of times. I tried the jerk chicken which was decent. I didn't find anything special about it. Good spice and char on the chicken. The oxtail was pretty good. The meat was very tender and flavorful. However, the let down was what I was craving for. The rice and peas were pretty bland. I couldn't really taste the coconut or thyme or any kind of spice. The cabbage was whatever. The place is pretty small and it is located next to a laundromat. There is essentially one or two counter seats and one table in the place. They have a grill outside. Overall, I would stick with the meat and get a lot of gravy or sauce to cover up the rice.

Dry, dry, dry, dry meat!! I have been disappointed by this place too many times to go back. A new…read moreplace just opened down the street: 2328 Melrose avene 540-844-4884

Passing through the area, I thought I'd give this place a try despite the lack of reviews...long…read morestory short, this is one of the best $20+/- meals I've ever had. The restaurant was neat and clean, and the lady was very welcoming and friendly, but the food...wow. I had the oxtail, which came with a small salad, a huge serving of rice, fried plantains, and a black bean gravy/sauce (I'm not familiar with the cuisine, so I don't know what anything is called..). The seasoning and preparation of each aspect of the meal was simply stellar. Even the presentation would not have been out of place at a fancy joint. The serving size was huge; I am a BIG eater and could not finish everything. I was the only patron, but I was there at an odd time (mid-afternoon on a Sunday). If this place isn't absolutely packed during normal meal times, then, Roanoke, you are missing out on a true gem.

We ordered the fried pork and the fried chicken with sides of rice and beans as well as fried…read moreplantains. The pork and chicken was so dry that I found myself excessively chewing and taking sips of water trying to get it down, although the flavor and seasoning was ok. Even the rice was dry and kind of hard, like old rice. The pikliz was not very fresh and was warm made me wonder about food safety. They do give alot of food. I am Haitian, I cook Haitian and eating Haitian food my whole life so I know what it's supposed to taste like. The environment was absolutely awful, I thought I was going to go in and sit and down to eat, but when I walked in there I felt like I was in an oven. They did not have any air conditioning on and their thermostat actually showed the inside temperature of 98 degrees inside of the restaurant. When I asked them if there was AC they told me the vent was just turned the wrong way which was not truthful, the window units were clearly not powered on. I couldn't barely take standing to wait for my food and felt sick for a while after standing in 98 Degrees restaurant for about 25 minutes waiting for my food. I ended up eating in my car and only ate a little of the food and discarded the rest.

Amazing!! Authentic and pure Puerto Rican food. I know because I am boricua and I can tell…read more Delicious and fresh. Is like tasting the island. My new favorite place.

We like to try foods that are unfamiliar to us, so we jumped at the chance to try some Puerto Rican…read moresnacks when we found this restaurant while in Roanoke recently. We were more interested in some snacks, so we concentrated on the "Everyday Menu" rather than the "Daily Specials" (which were complete meals). We were at a disadvantage as that part of the menu was in Spanish, which we don't speak. We were familiar with the Empanadas on the menu, as these stuffed fried pastries are common throughout Latin America, Spain, and Portugal. We ordered one each of the chicken and beef empanadas ($3 each). We also ordered an Alcapurrias ($3.50), which was completely unfamiliar to us. We found online later that these are famous Puerto Rican stuffed fritters that are commonly sold at roadside stands. The dough is made from a starchy vegetable, either green plantains or grated yucca, then stuffed with a savory mixture of ground meat or pork. The filled dough is shaped into a cylinder and deep fried. Overall, we mostly enjoyed the snacks and, if we were to return to Roanoke, we would return to this restaurant to try more Puerto Rican foods. We can't speak to the authenticity of any of the snacks -- but found that both of the empanadas had a generous amount of meat and were fried to crispy golden crusts. For our tastes, they were somewhat dry and we would've liked to have some kind of dipping sauce to balance out the dryness. We enjoyed the Alcapurrias a bit less as there was very little filling and it was overpowered by the dough. It too was quite dry. Service was a bit slow but, that said, the snacks were freshly fried while we waited. They were also well-priced.

The food is beyond delicious, well worth the strange service and dubious aura.read more

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!

A couple of weeks ago a Jamaican cuisine restaurant opened its doors on Williamson Road, Roanoke,…read moreVirginia. A friend of mine who knows I enjoy eating at different restaurants invited me to go this afternoon to try it out. We arrived at the restaurant in the late afternoon for an early dinner. It was located in a light yellow building with a white door, a large window, and a small parking lot on the side. It's restaurant's sign was a piece of plastic material with the restaurant's logo painted on it and it was screwed to the wall above the front large window. It had a copy of the menu taped to another window on the right of its door in the center. We reviewed the menu before going in. Once we went inside, the restaurant was very clean, with humble decor. The floor was light linoleum. The walls were painted white with some green stripes. Had some Jamaican flags pattern repeated above the ordering counter, and different posters all around the walls. The furniture was simple design, but comfortable tables and chairs. As we approached the counter a very friendly young lady welcomed and greeted us with a big smile. She seemed to be the owner of this local family restaurant. She showed us a menu and took our order. At first we both ordered Jerk Pork, but she told us they had ran out of pork. Then my friend ordered a Jamaican Pineapple Softdrink and I ordered an Island Mango Juice to drink. And to eat my friend ordered Curry Goat with a double portion side of sweet plantains, and I ordered the Oxtail Beef with sides of Rice and Peas and a second of sweet plantains. After we ordered and paid we went to take a seat at one of the tables in the dining area. When the food was ready, it was brought to our table on trays in white square plates and bowls, with nice silverware. We drank the drinks right out of the bottles although straws were provided. This was the first time I ever eat Oxtail but it tasted very good with Jamaican herbs and spices. I had to separate the meat from the bones, but that wasn't much trouble. The Rice and Peas was very good and with the sauce from the meat even better. The sweet plantains weren't ripe enough so they liked softness and sweetness. The mother of the owner seemed to have been the cook because she came out to say hello while we were there. Before eating here I had only eaten Jamaica Patty and had loved it. They told me they had it here as well. If you want to experience the Jamaican cuisine this is a nice place to do it.