Amaru

★★★★★ 4.7 (431) • $$$

"Cute place to grab dinner. Came on a Saturday evening with some girlfriends. Reservation was made in advance for our party of three. Paid parking located on North. Started out with a shot of Mamajuana which is a spiced alcoholic beverage made by infusing a mixture of rum, red wine, and honey with tree bark and herbs. Thanks for the birthday shot!!! Remind me of my trip to Punta Cana. For drinks we ordered three very different cocktails. I had the passion fruit caprihina which was good. The best cocktail was the Pina Colada. It was a very refreshing take on a drink I usually associate with the pool. The good here is served family style tapas and available in small, medium or large. I enjoyed the jerk chicken and the oxtail special. All in all a cute spot. Left slightly hungry which always happens with tapas."

Pupuseria Restaurant Cuscatleco

★★★★☆ 4.2 (92) • $

"This place as always never disappoints me or my son. We love visiting this place when we are nearby. Everything from the food, staff and environment are always so welcoming and friendly. My son loves their pupusas and I love them too but I always like to try something new and different. Please feel free to visit them if you are in the Albany Park area."

Bettie Lou's

★★★★☆ 4.4 (67)

"When a friend had told me that this restaurant was recommended on her high school page on Facebook, I was game for trying it out. We met on a Saturday afternoon and I understand the recommendation.We had salmon croquettes with scrambled eggs and brown rice. The salmon croquettes put me in mind of Southern breakfasts. The brown rice had been seasoned such that it didn't need gravy.The turkey chops beat any pork chops I've had. Add to that the sides of cabbage and cheese grits and this was all a hit.We finished with perch, collard greens, yams, and johnny cake. The perch was fried in a seasoned flour batter. The greens were the first vegan greens I've tasted that actually had flavor. Lived the yams.My friend and I tasted the peach cobbler. She hot it for takeaway. The only thing missing was a scoop of ice cream. The cobbler was outstanding.Everything is cooked to order so food coming to the table was slow. That didn't matter because food prepared to order means it's not warmed up or microwaved. You get the good stuff. For there to be a focus on vegetarian and vegan options, I appreciate the food having taste to it. And you can't beat the service. I'm a fan."

14 Parish Restaurant and Rhum Bar

★★★★☆ 4 (552) • $$

"Hated it. It's one of those places that look great but didn't deliver beyond the aesthetic. First issue is that the young lady who seated us asked had we been there before. I told her we hadn't and she promptly responded, "Well there's a 90 minute time limit on the table...". No other greeting beyond that. We had $5 shots which were delightful. The waitress brought out our rum punch and I said aloud that I had expected a red color from the pomegranate. She explains that they don't have any and assured me the drink tastes the same. It can't taste the same if an ingredient is missing but ok. The drinks are harsh. An issue that may have been solved if they'd had pomegranate juice, Idk. We order and my niece gets transparent fish. I asked for a bite and thought I was bougie but eventually realized the fish was undercooked. It was actually transparent. She tried eating around it but couldn't. IAdvised her to take it home and air fry it or send it back. She sent it back. It was slightly overcooked when it returned but She enjoyed it and I liked the more crunchy oarts. My corn muffin was more like a cake muffin. It tasted like a box mix but they added sugar. Too sweet. I could have added icing and aside from the corn I'd think it was a cupcake. The Mac and cheese was flavorless, overcooked and mushy. You could taste the jalapeño but everything else was just oil. I wouldn't go back unless I was just going for drinks."

Aunty Joy's Jerk & Pizza

★★★★☆ 4 (190) • $$

"I wanted Jamaican on a Monday and my usual place was closed, so I decided to try Aunty Joy's. I called in my order to minimize the wait time and the lady who answered the phone was very helpful, explaining that the jerk chicken dinner I was interested in only comes in one size (1/2 chicken) and comes with 3 standard sides (rice & peas, cabbage and plantain) but you can swap any of them out for an upcharge. I got the standard order and also ordered a side of Mac & cheese to try it out.I got a free drink with Yelp check in but the worker didn't know about it and had to call the owner. I got my meal to go and hubby got a meat patty for us to try on the ride home. It was hot, flaky and very tasty! When we got home the first thing I noticed was no sauce, and they didn't ask if I wanted sauce on the side or on the food. Still, the chicken was cooked well and the level of spice was perfect! I'm just used to jerk sauce, at least on the chicken. Yet despite no sauce the chicken was tasty and the white meat was not dry, although I will say that the pieces were noticeably small. The cabbage was a bit crunchy but delicious, as was the rice & peas and the plantains. I wasn't impressed with the look of the mac & cheese (looked like Kraft and not homemade) but it was tasty also. I had enough food for two meals so the value is good. Overall I enjoyed it and I think I found a new Jamaican spot."

Mima's Taste of Cuba

★★★★☆ 4.2 (498) • $

"Best ropa vieja I've ever had - bar none!It came in a cute little caldero and was packed with flavors.The kids had empanadas with cheese and it came with guava dip/salsa. My wife got the pica kos bowl and it hit the spot!We both had sangria which completed the vibe.The maduros and tostones were perfectly made.Highly recommend!!"

The Wild Hare

★★★★☆ 3.8 (250) • $$

"Came here on a Sunday after. They had drink specials available. We were able to find parking right out front. On this occasion there were drink specials. Grabbed $7 margarita (special) which was tasty. For food my husband and I shared the full lb of rib tips and fries. We thought they were tasty. We met up with some friends celebrating a March birth (Aries). The bar crowd was friendly...everyone just enjoying the music and each other. Bathrooms were big and never had an issue getting a stall. Security present and overall just a fun experience. Would love to come back when they have a live band playing."

Jerk & Soul Food

★★★★☆ 3.9 (39)

"This place just opened and in the time of COVID, that is a wonderful thing. Their menu is not huge but what they do is done very well. The jerk sauce has a great flavor and a nice heat - if you're tastebuds are Midwest accustomed, it'll be hot; if you're from Albuquerque, it'll only be a bit piquant. The Mac and cheese is quite good, though a little saucier would be better for me. The staff is super nice. Prices are reasonable - two specials, 3 extra sides and both breads was $26. Larger mains run $12-14 or so. I'm super happy this place has opened here. We need it! I'll be back for sure."

Sazon Cubano

★★★★☆ 3.9 (50)

"Time for some Cuban food. The only requirement was that they open for lunch and for sit down dining (with the usual Covid precautions).The menu features the usual Cuban dishes (like ropa vieja and pork stew) plus some pan-Hispanic choices such as jibaritos or tacos. And the menu features fried rice which I learned is a quintessential Cuban offering due the influence of Chinese sugar cane workers.We started off with appetizers - empanadas and ham croquettes. After the appetizers we went with sandwiches instead of main dishes, washed down with tropical sodas. Didn't have room for dessert but took home a couple of the homemade guava turnovers.This is a typical owner operated place with a counter and six tables. Service was pleasant, prices were reasonable and most importantly, the food was very good and had that homemade taste. I have to stop by for breakfast next time I'm in the area."

Jerk Villa Bar & Grill

★★★☆☆ 2.5 (449) • $$

"So, this spot if cool. We went here after the WNBA game. Things started out pretty good but then they turned up the music and jeez. You couldn't hear yourself think. They had one server. She was working her tail off but then another waitress came and she was barely doing anything. She was supposed to be our waiter but after waiting on her to magically appear the other girl(the hard worker) stepped in. Thankfully. They need more staff. Mt friends enjoyed their food. I was not impressed. I ate one wing, I did eat my cabbage. I wasn't a fan of the macaroni. If I return, I would try the pasta. My friend said that was good"

Jerky Jerk

★★★★☆ 4.1 (157) • $$

"I'm so glad I got to try this #hiddengem of a Jamaican restaurant and I'm mad if yall knew about it and didn't tell me!!!!! This is now of of my new, favorite Jamaican restaurants in the city. First of all - everything is fresh, made to order and you can taste it! They have it proudly posted that they do not have a microwave.... and they ARE NOT SORRY ABOUT IT! With that being said - know that you will have a wait, BUT you can place your order online, pick it up in store and sit down and eat in the restaurant.There is a bar serving up drinks and the drinks are GOOD! But the food?! and there are so many different things to choose from! There are VEGETARIAN options too and I KNOW those are amazing as well!Here's what I tried: Jerk Fried Wings w/Fries Egg rolls Jerk Chicken dinner (1 meat + 2 sides)Jerk Stir-FryJerky Chicken SandwichSteamed CabbageAnd the drinks were hitting too - very tropical! When you're in the area, hit the brakes and grab you a plate and tell them that Bri from Planes and Plates sent you! YEAH MON! Enjoy!"

Whadda Jerk

★★★★☆ 3.5 (65)

"I saw them on Chicago's Best and had to have one!! The outer shell was super crunchy and flaky, and not soggy or dripping with grease. I was impressed bc they had wrapped it in foil and I thought it'd be soggy by the time I got home. There's definitely that kick of heat of the jerk sauce but not so much so that it's uncomfortable to eat. Loved the little pop of cilantro too! Would definitely eat another one. Like, now."

Dr Bird’s Jamaican Patty Shack

★★★★☆ 4.4 (164) • $$

"We did takeout from here. The online menu is a little bit different than their PDF menu. I had to call and inquire about a few items and was told that they weren't currently available. Overall the pickup process was quick. The staff he was friendly and very chill. The interior is very spacious with one table being occupied. I'm assuming places like this are mostly takeout despite the big space. We ordered their Pop Style Poutine, Jerk Chicken Shawarma Dinna, and their Whole Smoked Whole Jerk Wings. The chicken shawarma was ordered mild, and I chose spicy for the wings but unfortunately did. It get any spiciness out of these wings. The wings did have a lot of flavor and were still tasty, but just felt like I was missing the heat that I have learned to love out of Jamaican food. The chicken shawarma was very tasty as well. The meat was tender and the flavors went perfect with the coco rice. The poutine as also a hit. You get black pepper fries, cheese curds, Dr. Birds sauce and scallions. A decent dish that is very filling. The Dinna's also came with a slaw that was so flavorful. I also ordered their plantains which are always delicious at any Jamaican restaurant. Overall I was really happy with everything we ordered. It's not your traditional Jamaican joint. It's different, and that's perfectly fine. Will definitely be willing to return, but I'm going to demand some damn heat though."

Dirty Tiff's Cafe

★★★★☆ 4.4 (105)

"Let's talk about this Bronzeville gem!A husband-and-wife Black owned business that combines Jamaican and Southern cuisines, this place serves up the food from your childhood. What it lacks in decor and seating (maybe enough room for 10-12 people), it makes up for in Tiffany's genuine demeanor and delicious menu offerings, including turkey chops! As soneone who doesn't eat pork, this alternative is hard to find, and Dirty Tiff's does it perfectly: cooked without being too dry, covered in gravy, and great portions."

Cuba 312

★★★★☆ 4.3 (368) • $$

"I have been wanting to try Cuba 312 for a few years. Last month my love and I were wandering around Roscoe Village and decided to have an early Saturday dinner at Cuba 312, which is located on Roscoe. The restaurant has a compact interior with very colorful art and murals on the walls, and there is an outdoor patio that is probably pleasant to sit in during nice weather (the day of our visit was a bit drizzly).The menu seemed about as compact as the interior. It looked like they offer jibaritos for lunch, but not for dinner. I wound up ordering ropa vieja as my entree. The little pot of shredded beef was accompanied by white rice, black beans, plantains (quite yummy), and garlic sauce. My love decided to go appetizers only and chose two beef empanadas and ham croquetas (four to an order). The bite of beef empanada was pretty good. My love was a bit troubled by her tropical sangria, which was $9 and not a particularly large serving for that price. I'd say overall our visit to Cuba 312 was good, but not great."

Jamaican Jerk King

★★★★☆ 3.5 (138)

"Solid option for jerk food! The staff is friendly and the food is tasty.The jerk salad is always a generous serving. A little heavy on the onion but good overall! Next time we'll order extra jerk sauce on the side!The Oxtails aren't terrible, yet not my favorite. It seems as if they don't sell out of the bulk, you'll get yesterdays left overs. I'd like to try them super fresh/just made.I'm appreciative that they have a large option of sides! Looking forward to exploring more of their menu."

Uncle Joe's Jerk Chicken

★★★☆☆ 3.2 (320)

"The jerk chicken here is good and the meat is juicy. There bottle of jerk sauce they sell is good too but I went here to get another bottle and she said they were sold out. Other than that great service and great food."

Tribe Supper Club

★★★★☆ 3.7 (88)

"We visited this spot while in Chicago.It has the same dining format as a lot of modern places. You can buy a booth and receive a tower mimosa. I ordered food and had the oxtails and grits. The oxtails were an 8.5 out of 10. The grits were super runny, so I didn't enjoy my overall food experience. However, I did taste my friend's chicken and waffles and they were a 10 out of 10! I wish I would have ordered that instead. The service was really good. Our server was very attentive and made sure we were taken care of the entire time. I must say that they do play music. It sets the vibe. I enjoyed the playlist a lot. They also have a stage, so I am sure there are certain times that they have live music as well. Cool Spot."

Cocina TARASCAS Mexican Restaurant

★★★★☆ 3.6 (543) • $$

"Came in with my youngest son and his girlfriend. Vive was excellent and so was the artwork and the music. Service was decent except that I felt like our waiter was forgetful. They had some excellent veggie choices which made Lesley happy. My steak was cooked the way I asked, however it was served with a heavy sauce that I would have preferred not to have. The rice and beansWere good. Gaucomole was fair. I really enjoyed the ambiance but I felt that the food was not as good as 3 or 4 other Mexican restaurants in the area."

Ja' Grill Hyde Park

★★★☆☆ 3.4 (625)

"Don't know why this place doesn't have 5 stars all across. The food is bussin and the service is super attentive and quick. we got a bunch of sides and apps to try a little bit of everything and it was all spiced to perfection. Def spicy if you're a Wisconsin raised bb but luckily being from LA I was DYING for good food. This place did not disappoint. Will return!!"

Jerk Modern Jamaican Grill

★★★★☆ 3.5 (460) • $$

"I drive past this restaurant every week and have always been wanting to check it out, finally got the chance yesterday. There's pay to park a little bit down the road which is helpful. We ordered two chicken Bbq sandwiches, jerk Mac & cheese, yuca fries, and a beer and cocoa cola. Everything was super tasty, I highly recommend getting all the sauces: rude girl, jerk bbq, and cilantro lime aioli. My favorite ended up being the rude girl sauce, it was perfect to add to the burger and the fries. Interior is spacious and the staff was very kind."