Delicious! I saw this small food truck on my way to Wendy's (right across the street.) I quickly…read moremade a u-turn & headed over to try this place. Wasn't sure if it was open or not so I went to the window (side closest to the street) and the lady told me they were open. Everything on the menu sounded good but I like to keep it simple when I try a place for the first time. I wanted to try the curry chicken & the jerk chicken but didn't want to get 2 meals. Lucky for me I didn't have to because they had a combo which included the jerk and curry ($15). All combos come with cabbage and rice. I also ordered a side of plantains (3 for $1) and 2 orders of coco bread ($3 each). The lady informed me that her microwave fell so she wasn't able to heat the coco bread up for me. But that was no biggie because I heated it when I got home. Curry Chicken: OMG SO GOOD. The cabbage and the rice with the beans and potatoes melt in your mouth. If I would've known how good it was I would've gotten the curry chicken alone. Very flavorful and not spicy (I'm not a fan of spicy.) It took everything in me to stop eating lol. Jerk Chicken: They put either a mild or spicy bbq sauce on it so for me it tasted like a spicy bbq chicken. Definitely has the HEAT of jerk chicken so if you like spicy then you'll like it. Plantains: I'm used to the Dominican plantains which are much bigger & softer, but these were thinly sliced and still pretty soft. Not complaining because they were still good & she cooks them fresh so they took a little longer to be served. I didn't mind because I enjoy fresh food. Definitely was not disappointed. Coco Bread: Yummy! Not too sweet and very soft. And you get a big piece. Overall WONDERFUL. They had the Jamaican music playing through their sound system to create the ambiance, didn't mind waiting for the hot food and she let me pay for my meal after it was done. I truly feel like I ate out of somebody's kitchen in their home. No hours were posted so not sure when they are open. They also DELIVER for a $4 fee! FINALLY a good Jamaican place in Lynchburg!

This was by far the worst food truck I have ever eaten. It was at the taco fest in Roanoke, and…read morethere was not one thing good about it. First off, they just took their regular menu items, slapped it in a store bought mission tortilla, and called it a taco. Next, EVERY bite of meat/taco had a bone in it, and it was cold. I will never try or recommend this place to anyone, or risk trying their overpriced platters.

The food was fresh and incredibly tasty! And plentiful. We had the boneless curry chicken. Lots of…read moreflavor, served with a generous portion of rice and kidney beans, and cabbage flavorfully prepared(I'm not usually a cabbage fan). Jerk chicken tacos were a ton of food, Well flavored, and tho there's a lot of cheese on it they weren't heavy because the food was not greasy. Highly recommended. Clean, brightly colored sitting area in this predominantly take out restaurant. Will return when I'm in the area.

Made to order food with amazing flavor. It takes time but the portions are great and nothing short…read moreof amazing every time I have been. Freshest ingredients used to make this delicious food. Overall nice little dining area if eating in or friendly service at the counter upon pickup. I will definitely support this local business!

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.

As I am a beach person, I love the beachy colors and and vibe of Big Lick. I have eaten there…read morebefore but not for a long time and I can tell you that the fried shrimp was outstanding. I rarely say anything is outstanding but the shrimp were perfectly fried, not overly breaded or tough. And the portion size was more than generous! Their fries were the perfect texture of crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside. Sooo good! My husband ordered chicken quesadilla and said that they were the best he's ever had. Our waitress was very friendly and attentive. If I had to say anything negative, it would be that the silverware was on the cheap side but the food was so good, it didn't really detract from the dining experience. So glad we decided to go there. It is definitely my new go to place for shrimp. The only thing missing was the ocean.

For fast food, and quick carryout, this place has been my go to when in Lynchburg. The coconut…read moreshrimp is delicious, good size shrimp and the wings, and the ranch dressing and fries are so yummy. I feel secure ordering from them. They never disappoint!

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.

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

The flavor of Cuban cuisine is alive and well at this small restaurant but with a big menu of…read moreexquisite Cuban culinary masterpieces. After having been selected as number 4 of Yelp's Top 50 most prolific Elites of 2025, a year when I also was awarded the Yelp Triad Squad Photographer of the Year Award at their Yelpies 2025 Award Ceremony, an event that honored the highest-performing Yelp Elites, and where last year I was awarded the Yelp Triad Squad Yelper of the Year Award, I decided that this year, as an All-Star Yelp Elite, I not only wanted to be the first to discover new restaurants 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 Cuban Island Restaurant, in Roanoke, Virginia, is a perfect example. Founded in 2010 by Cuban immigrants, Estela Gonzalez-Perez and Manuel Hidalgo, after three years of owning and running a successful food truck by the same name, today in its 16th year as a physical restaurant, Cuban Island continues to operate as a family business using recipes passed down from Estela's grandmother. Speaking of comfort food, I consider the cuisine of Cuba, Dominican Republic, and Puerto Rico, one of the most comforting of them all. And here on Williamson Road, in the Hollins area of Roanoke, Virginia, we have a restaurant that though small in size, has gained a National reputation for autentic, home-cooked Cuban staples. I invite you to read my first review of this restaurant which I consider one of my best reviews ever, and to view my photographs accompanying that review to get a better sense of the place and its food. Today, I decided to do a follow-up review of this restaurant, even though I have continued to dine here and order their food through DoorDash. I arrived on an early Wednesday evening to the place, and it was as sparkling clean as ever. Bright and colorful, with a casual, welcoming, and family-friendly atmosphere. One of the walls of the restaurant is filled with framed articles and well deserved awards that the restaurant has received throughout the years. I was greeted by a friendly gentleman who invited me to take a seat and handed me a copy of their colorful menu with tiny illustrations of their main meals and drinks. To drink I ordered a Batido de Mamey (Mamey Shake). Mamey is one of my favorite tropical fruits, and when ripe it is very sweet and creamy. As appetizer I ordered three Croquetas de Jamon. They were so crispy on the outside and so soft and tasty in the inside. And for my main entrée, I had their Puerco Frito (Fried Pork). These are also called "Masas de Puerco Fritas." They are chunks of pork fried to perfection. Where the outside is crispy and inside is soft with the pork natural juices. For the two sides I had Rice & Beans and Sweet Plantains. The food was served freshly cooked, in generous portions, and with its authentic flavors. What a meal! And to top it off, at very reasonable prices. For dessert I had a traditional flan, which was given to me in the original container where it was made. I would recommend that it be turned around and placed on a plate and served this way. By doing so you get a better look of the flan and can appreciate its taste even better. The food was so much, that I got full and still was able to take home part of it, to heat up and have for a meal on the following day. And that is precisely what I did. I highly recommend this restaurant. Once you try it once, I can assure you it will become one of your favorite restaurants and food.

I was super excited to try this authentic Cuban restaurant, especially after seeing all the amazing…read morereviews and seeing that it was marked as one of the top best Cuban restaurants in the USA. I added it to my trip itinerary months ago. After driving for 5hrs on my route, I stopped in. I arrived around 12PM and there were 2 people sitting inside the restaurant. My greeting was lukewarm and I was seated in a cold corner and provided with a menu. After about 7 minutes, no water, no check in. Seeing the staff talking to each other and joking during that time period, I decided to take my service elsewhere. They did not seem like they cared, and I definitely did not want to be eating anyones food who is not genuinely present. It was a nice try. Yall, please implement the Southern hospitality.

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