this sandwich was highly impressive as the main part of the…read moresandwich, it was pretty necessary that the pork be cooked to near-perfection, and i have to say it was here it gave off a deep, brown-ish color, which showed the extent of it's cooking and marination. It wasn't quite incredibly tender, but the marinade added an absolute ton of flavor. more importantly, it was present plentifully throughout the sandwich, so practically every bite came filled with pork I also have to mention how packed together the ingredients are between the buns. when you start eating, it's inevitable that a quarter of the ingredients will fall onto the wrap below, leaving a nice secondary meal to finish off after the sandwich is done. the sandwich is packed incredibly tight during the wrapping process, but it unravels a bit while eating. for me, the major highlights of this meal was the onions and the aioli Starting with the onions, these may be the best I've ever had on a sandwich. They're caramelized amazingly, placed onto the sandwich in astoundingly large pieces, are crunchy, and there's just a lot of them. They're just wonderful both texturally and taste-wise. This sandwich is absolutely lathered with aioli - practically dripping with it. This boosted the overall flavor so much, especially because this aioli was addictingly good. In my experience, the amount of sauce has been directly proportional to how much I enjoyed a sandwich, and when the sauce is this good - it's even on the top of the bun! - i absolutely loved it Somehow the lettuce stayed crunchy despite all the otherwise wetness going on in the sandwich. Props for that The jalapenos were great as well for that extra bit of spicy - I would've loved to have more of them while the bread was toasted well, the one downside was i thought it was pretty hard and tough, which made chewing kind of difficult. I found my jaw to be pretty tired at the end after eating this. I would've much preferred a softer roll that's easier to bite into I've had similar sandwiches from Paseo and Bongos, and in my opinion this does edge out both of those Comparing to Paseo, the sandwich there has way more oil, making it more sloppy and I do like the bread there a lot better, but the pork feels richer and better marinated here (although less fatty), and the onions are definitely caramelized better here as well. Bongos has a pretty similar level of pork with more, but onions are definitely a step down What moves this place above those two for me is the amount of aioli used here far exceeds those other places, which just makes the overall eating experience better For the price (about 14 dollars) this is a really filling meal

Roast park sandwich here was awesome! I had gone to Paseo way back in the day, maybe 2007 or 2008,…read moreand the sandwich tasted very similar to what I remember. The rice and beans are also amazing. I think you could probably go with any sandwich that has your preferred protein source and it would be great. The guy working the register taking the orders was super friendly as well. Lots of street parking in the area. They have one bathroom and a good amount of seating. Definitely worth a visit for a great sandwich.

Taste of the Caribbean is a black- and woman- owned Jamaican restaurant in the Central District…read more (The Central District rocks as a source for minority owned ethnic foods.) Walking in, the layout suggests they are also a party/mini-concert/event space. Service is casual; we were told to sit anywhere. I should have boogied my way to the table. We happily browsed through the menu looking at the many choices, some very unfamiliar. Everything looks so good, and prices are reasonable. We need to return and be more adventurous next time. Our server was helpful, guiding portion size and optional sides. The Food: Jerk Chicken plate, add steamed veggie, $20 + $2 - 5 Stars True to the jerk seasoning, theirs is spicy, as it should be. I find it annoying when jerk seasoning isn't spicy enough. The seasoning tastes even spicier when I drink water, and the heat spreads. So good! I was also happy they use boned chicken, which is more flavorful. I asked about veggies, that is $2 extra. Oxtails plate, add rice & peas, $24 + $1 - 5 Stars With beefy stock, these oxtail pieces are well-seasoned and paired well with root vegetables. A small salad and the rice & peas are a good match to the oxtail. I enjoy seeing oxtails used in different recipes. Jamaican patty, $5 - 5 Stars These beef meat pies are freshly baked and arrived at our table smoking hot. We were happy that we ordered two, so we wouldn't have to share. Haha. Very delicious. Plantains, $8 - 5 Stars From the appetizers portion of the menu, these are perfectly fried, caramelized, with minimal blackened carcinogens. This plate was a particularly good batch.

Great Jamaican food in the Seattle area with reasonable prices! Service is decent and the staff is…read morefriendly.

We finally made our first visit to Pam's Kitchen after years of meaning to go - and it did not…read moredisappoint. When we arrived, there were a few tables occupied, and we were invited to seat ourselves. We chose a cozy booth near the kitchen. One thing to note: there are no physical menus; instead, you order and pay using QR codes at the table. We started with the aloo pies and, of course, couldn't pass up the jerk chicken. Everything arrived at once rather than in courses, but it didn't take away from the experience. Every dish was packed with flavor. The aloo pies had a taste reminiscent of samosas :: crispy on the outside with a warmly spiced filling :: and were served with a tangy chutney that complemented them perfectly. The jerk chicken was the standout. Tender, juicy, and beautifully seasoned with warm, balanced spices :: it was easily the highlight of the meal. It came with rice and peas (beans), which were some of the best we've had, along with a simple green salad that surprised us with its freshness and bright citrus vinaigrette. We also had the pleasure of chatting with Pam, who was just as warm and welcoming as the food she prepares. She mentioned that they often have live music on weekends, which sounds like a great reason to return. I also noticed they offer an all-you-can-eat buffet on Wednesdays, and after this experience, I'm especially excited to come back and try more of the menu. If everything else is as good as what we had, we're already sold. Oh! I almost forgot :: my husband ordered a wonderful drink, the Trinidad Smash. One sip transported us to vacation mode, instantly! So good!

I'd give the food 4 stars and service/ambiance 2. We ordered the jerk chicken sandwich and it was…read morepretty good. I loved the coconut fry bread it was served on! That was the highlight. The restaurant didn't seem very busy the night we came in, but they did have a lot of takeout orders. We placed our order via QR code at the table and waited... and waited. There were a lot of takeout orders coming from the kitchen but those of us dining in seemed to be sitting around a long time waiting for food and drinks. No one came to check on us and since we paid on the app, there was no interaction other than being seated and having our food brought out. I'd like to try other dishes but will just order takeout from now on.

I really enjoyed the Desi Plate from Bongos. The pork was flavorful and tender, the plantain was…read moresweat and soft, the coleslaw was fresh and not too creamy and the pickled veg was great sourness to combat the rounded beans flavor. 10/10 would order again. Good spot for the summer since it's an order and pickup at the counter spot (with ringers) and a good post-Greenlake hearty meal. The service was quick and standard, no complaints and limited conversations so not too fussy

cant believe i havent had bongos yet! but wow it really lived up to the hype!…read more i got the bart sandwich which has both the fixins on the desi and the 1am. boy was it JUICY. it was packed with meat and all the toppings blended together in a symphony of wonderful flavors. the bread was fluffy, but definitely doesnt sit well. i reheated the other half for dinner and it disintegrated. i also tried the ropa vieja bowl. again, packed with a generous helping of meat, over rice, some slaw, and a maduro. very tender. i loved the beans. the slaw was ok, not the most flavorful but it was a nice crunchy addition. my friend ordered the tostones which i loved! fried to perfection and dusted with salt. it came with a dip/aioli which was wonderful! definitely want to come back and try their drinks and get that sandwich again!!!

Paseo is ICONIC and if you've never tried them, I'm gonna need you to get in your car and drive to…read morethem immediately so that you can stop missing out. This is THE spot to come before Mariners games or nearby concerts and nobody can convince me otherwise. I've tried them several times in the past and now have my dad hooked as well. Their signature Caribbean Roast sandwich is absolutely phenomenal and I have the hardest time ordering anything else when I'm here. I have tried the nachos version of it before as well, and that's equally delicious. The key is definitely that succulent roasted pork. I will say that the sandwich version is MESSY so don't wear white, and also just be mindful if you have plans after. This year, my dad decided to order a pre-seasoned and smoked turkey from Paseo and my GODDD it was good! We made a gravy from the drippings as well which turned out so good too. We also get their street corn that was said to serve 4-6 but it was generous and we had leftovers. Absolutely a MUST try, 10/10 no notes. There's a reason they have received so much love over the years - no questions, no notes, JUST GO TRY THEM PLEASE.

I'd give this place 4 stars, but I had an upset stomach after my meal. I was actually craving Un…read moreBien after my boxing class at Nomad, but they were sold out of roast and chicken thighs, so I headed to Paseo to get my fix. The indoor space is really cute, but I was confused as to why everything was blocked off and restricted to takeout only. I ordered the famous Caribbean Roast sandwich and a side of rice and beans, which came to a little less than $30. While it's a good sandwich, it felt a bit heavy; I really found myself looking for more acid to cut through the fat and grease. I'm glad I was sharing with Jenny because it's quite a lot for one person. I also noticed toward the end that the bread was burnt. Overall, it's a solid sandwich, but between the stomach issues and the char, I'm not sure I'd go back.

Must try! Delicious…read morefood with generous portions - overall a great value. Everything I tried so far was so well-seasoned and balanced. My absolute favorite though (so far) is the jerk pork. Selected the option for a lil heat and it was the perfect amount. Love that you can order a side order of the meats too in case you're indecisive like me and want to try multiple things. Located in U District Eats where ordering and pickup was super smooth via lockers (an introvert's dream lol). Easy pickup parking right outside. Will definitely be ordering again!

Delicious food! I tried the oxtail and the jerk pork, everything was so flavorful and the jerk pork…read morehad just the right amount of spice. Loved the veggie sides that came with the entrees too. Kiosk at the front made browsing the menu and ordering very simple. I can't wait to come back and try more of the menu!

I had the pleasure of finding that I can make it all the way to the CD and back to my office by…read morecoming here and I'm glad that I did. This place is tucked away behind Arte Noir. You can smell it before you see it. Walking in the kitchen is bustling I was surprised to see the boss man in so early. They had my to go order plates and packed up within 10 minutes of me arriving and they'd just opened. The freaking soft shell crab sandwich! Please do not miss out on the flavor bomb! So delicious and the jerk fries are the best nice and crunchy. I've since been back another time to get that meal and a Mac and cheese as well as some greens and my goodness my tummy couldn't have thanked me more. Thank you for sharing your culinary gift with the world!

I was really excited to try Jerk Shack after hearing great things. On a previous visit to the area,…read morewe could smell the food and it smelled amazing, which made us even more excited to come back and try it. Unfortunately, we weren't able to eat here this time. We arrived around 10:55am and waited until about 11:25- 11:30, but the restaurant still hadn't opened. I understand things can happen, but I do hope the posted hours are accurate on a daily basis since we planned our visit around them. That said, based on how great everything smelled, I'd definitely be willing to give it another try next time we're in the area.

Greeted by a lovely woman before walking in the door. I love a good home grown locally owned small…read morebusiness. I felt like I was walking into my favorite store I went to as a kid, a very home feeling very welcoming with music playing. I loved that there were Jamaican/Caribbean groceries inside. This place was Located in the back of the store. The wait was long but well worth it and I would do it again. Bought a beef Pattie, 2 pineapple ginger drinks, jerk chicken and curry chicken. Portions were great for the price. You could tell these meals were made with love. I would definitely come back anytime. Thanks ladies

It's a grocery story w a deli in the back. It's great if you miss items from the Caribbeanread more

I've been to Un Bien 15th Ave NW location (OG location) but this time I went to another location…read more I've gotten the #1 (their best seller) which is always delicious, so this time I decided to venture toward their seafood options. The pricing is pretty good for rice bowls (probably an underrated order, though slightly smaller portions to the sandwich). I got the seafood in red sauce and got the scallops, which was priced at $10.75 for a satisfying meal - not too big but not too small. Hard to find seafood dishes at this price point so I appreciate it being fairly accessible in price. The red sauce is like a Cajun like sauce but not spicy - it is very flavorful. The pickled cabbage adds a bit of tang to the dish to accentuate the flavors of the other ingredients. I tried a bite of my friend's fish of the day (Mahi mahi) sandwich which has similar fixings to the Caribbean pork sandwich - always love their garlic aioli and caramelized onions. As typical, their sandwiches are very juicy so definitely get your hands messy or try your best eating it with utensils. As someone that enjoys to not get my hands dirty, I'd still recommend using your hands to savor all the flavors evenly in the sandwich! For first timers I'd recommend the #1 but you can't go wrong with other options for sure!

Vary well may be the best sandwiches in Seattle…read more We dont eat much meat so my take may be off but if they can make a veggie sandwich this good then I have to imagine there other ones are great as well. We got the tofu delight and it was amazing. The mixture of caramelized onion, fried tofu, fresh bread, and sweet sauce was a perfect combo. The only bad thing is how messy it is which just means its not a first date place but if you can get passed that then it is 100% worth it. The line can get pretty long but it goes pretty quickly so the wait is never too bad. They have two benches for seating that could probably fit 12 people each so sometimes it gets full but they are easy to take on the go and with golden gardens right there it is a good spot to grab on the way. The atmosphere is nice as well. The color and lighting gives the tropical feel it was going for especially at night. The only thing I wish was a little different is the seating which would be super nice if it was a bit more open and had a verity of seating but its a small gripe for a great place. Parking is pretty reasonable since north of it doesnt fill up too quickly but its still seattle so im sure that depends on the day.

A co-worker took me here for his going away lunch. I got the ribs and mac and cheese. I would give…read morethe ribs a 4 out of 5. They were tender, juicy and meaty. But the Mac & Cheese was a 10 out of 5. Yes you heard me right a 10 out of 5. This was the best Mac & Cheese I've ever had in my life and I've had my fair share. I wish I could make a big batch of this for myself at home. This place isn't cheap but if the food is good it's all good to me. I will definitely be back. I plan on bringing my dad next time. So I can see the look on his face when he tries this Mac & Cheese!

Been wanting to check out Lil Red's for awhile dad and I stopped by this past Saturday after…read moreheading home from a visit to a gallery near Beacon Hill. Definitely want to come back cause had a hard time deciding what to get. We got the Jerk Chicken plate with greens and macaroni and cheese sides, and 1/4 pound of the burnt ends. I do remember people saying great thing ls about the burnt ends and the were spot on they were tender, chef lets you sauce them up there is a regular and spicy. Jerk chicken was tender and nice spices. I liked the texture and flavor of the greens, not usually a mac and cheese person but this was nice as well. A few seats inside, we found street parking easily. Nothing fancy space wise but welcoming and supportive of the community Service was friendly and helpful. Definitely will be back to try more of the menu like the oxtail.