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    Tropical Time

    4.9 (12 reviews)
    Open 11:00 am - 8:00 pm

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    Rice n beans
    Ben C.

    I don't really eat Caribbean food, I'm not even sure if I've tried jerk chicken before but this place was definitely good. Bit expensive but for the quality of the food I'd say it's worth it. I just got the 1/2 chicken with the mild bbq sauce. More than enough food. Along with the rice and beans which was a giant serving. The inside was clean, pretty basic but I think the food is the main highlight here. Guy who served me the food was very respectful as well.

    Curry chicken dark and Jerk chicken dark with rice and peas and cabbage.
    Nicolette S.

    Tropical Time never disappoints! They deliver a generous portion of authentic flavor. It feels less like "fast food" and more like a Sunday dinner at home. If you're torn between the curry and the jerk, do what I did and get a combo plate and don't forget the plantains!

    JERK CHICKEN HALF WITH CABBAGE AND MAC AND CHEESE

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    2 months ago

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    4 months ago

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    27 days ago

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    14 days ago

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    2 months ago

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    4 months ago

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    1 month ago

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    2 months ago

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    1 month ago

    Food very good I love the chicken stew and red beans and rice people working nothing but polite and respectful

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    3 months ago

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    3 months ago

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    3 months ago

    Jerk chicken in the western suburbs!! Tropical time did not disappoint. First time in. Jerk chicken excellent.

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    Island Express Restaurant

    Island Express Restaurant

    4.8
    (66 reviews)
    21.4 mi

    Thanks to fellow Yelpers for recommending this place! I haven't had an authentic taste of Jamaica…read morein 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. .

    Ya Mon...this place is legit!…read more 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.

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    Island Express Restaurant
    Island Express Restaurant
    Jamaican jerk chicken with Mac n cheese side

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    Jamaican jerk chicken with Mac n cheese side
    Moe Joe's

    Moe Joe's

    3.5
    (658 reviews)
    16.8 mi
    $$

    The bar inside is cool. A lot of drink options. Friendly bartender. However, their service is not…read moreas nice. I ordered food to go, fried catfish, gumbo, sides. Took 45 mins (understandable for the catfish, I guess), but my sides were nearly cold. Their to go bags came with a sticker on top and it's my bad that I didn't check, but $40 and 45 mins or so later and they didn't even check. I called to tell them I'm coming back for it and they said that it sitting there and I can grab it. It's been or will be 40 mins sitting there! The sides I got were Mac and cheese (not good) and the yumbo (which was delicious and that's why I remembered I ordered gumbo or thought I did). I looked at the receipt and it was there but not in my bag. So disappointing. On the receipt it even said all to go. Sorryyyy :/ to tell their back staff. And picking it up, my daughter said they told her and my husband it was the same one sitting out! For 40 mins!! They didn't give them a new one when it was them who should've been on top of what they give out!

    It is in a really nice downtown area. It seems like a New Orleans themed restaurant and bar that…read moreis typically a lot of fun. Lots of authentic cajun options on their menu. The portions are very generous. The turtle soup was very good but a little skimpy on the turtle. We got the oysters lola and they were also quite good. The alligator fricasse was very generous in portion including the portion of alligator meat. We had a large party of nine people, but we weren't told we couldn't divide the check nor was there a sign posted indicating that we couldn't do this. Automatic gratuity was added which was what we did expect for a large party, but not being able to divide the check was a huge pain in the ass. The size of the cup of soup was pretty nice overall, just needed more turtle.

    Photos
    Bar area
    Bar area
    Seafood jambalaya with andouille sausage.
    Seafood jambalaya with andouille sausage.
    Rum punch

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    Rum punch
    Jerky Jerk

    Jerky Jerk

    4.0
    (55 reviews)
    16.2 mi

    My family got 2 meats and 2 sides with a ton of add on sides. Everything we ordered was fantastic…read more The service was great, the restaurant was clean, and the food was still fresh 20 minutes before close. We'll be back!

    Every time we've ordered from here we've come away with happy bellies and tastebuds!…read more What we get: Jerk Chicken - So good! The sauce is bright and tangy--obviously spicy, but so, so good. And there's really no place similar in this area. Paired with the rice and beans and cabbage helps tone down the spice. Goat Curry - So spicy but so flavorful! The meat is tender and it's addictive. Beef patty - This is different than others, and it seems deep fried where I'm used to baked. Always love a beef patty and our kids enjoyed it. Plantains - Our kids love plantains in whatever form. Plus, these aren't spicy so they eat them all. Mac and Cheese - I'm usually wary of getting mac and cheese for kids because it's bland and watery (my child's words not mine), but THIS mac and cheese was SO good! So much flavor and gooey cheese sauce. Both our kids loved it and said it was delicious. Easy win! Candied Yams - Of all the tasty things, this is probably my least favorite. Everything on the menu is packed with deep, rich flavor. But candied yams are just too sweet for me. I think people who like sweet things will love this, but my preference tends to lean less sweet and more savory. So if you're not huge on sweets either, maybe skip this and go for the other items. The staff here are so nice--we ordered with the high hopes of ox tail (one of the non-spicy items) but they were all sold out! My husband was so disappointed that she took pity on him and just gave him the sauce and bits and bones that were left because they couldn't sell it anyway. It was SO good. Almost better than the first time I remembered it. I could be entirely too full and still want a taste of these ox tails! Please never go out of business or change hands--this place is a gem.

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    Jerky Jerk
    1/2 Jerk Chicken
    1/2 Jerk Chicken
    Front entrance

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    Front entrance
    The Jungle Plate

    The Jungle Plate

    3.8
    (26 reviews)
    10.3 mi

    This was such a pleasant surprise from the moment I walked in. The owner of Jungle Plate is…read moreincredibly friendly and welcoming, which immediately set the tone for the experience. I didn't realize beforehand that it was an African restaurant, and since I have limited experience with Nigerian cuisine, I was excited to try something new. I ordered the beef with jollof rice, and while I wasn't expecting the level of spice, the flavors were bold, rich, and truly enjoyable. It's one of those meals that leaves an impression--comforting, flavorful, and different in the best way. I'll definitely be returning, and next time I plan to bring my husband so we can try some of their goat dishes as well. Overall, a warm, welcoming spot that's worth exploring if you're looking to step outside your usual and experience something new. Perfect for anyone looking to try something new in a welcoming, approachable setting.

    I wanted to love an African restaurant in my neighborhood but the food is never ready as expected…read more They have been known to not have many items on the menu. There was a change in the menu options and many times they are still out. The staff is kind and the food is or has always been hot. The suya chicken was good, the again is my favorite but never available, and egusi was pretty good, the jollof rice has a smoky flavor and is sometimes dry but it's okay. Their jerk wings were also good. I would love pepper soup option but haven't had any. Sadly, to avoid disappointment of not having what I want I have to drive all the way into the city on the south side for an available and consistent meal. I pray this place improves because there is potential.

    Photos
    Inside
    Inside
    The Jungle Plate
    The Jungle Plate

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    Tropical Time - caribbean - Updated June 2026

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