Islands In the Pines

The food is good and the portions are generous. The staff is not friendly... it was giving "just order and get out ".

After almost 10 years, I still occasionally stop at the this restaurant for some Jamaican food.It is the only one that I know that serves stewed pork, and does it really well. Though, they don't always have it. So, check before going.The eatery doubled in size a while back, so there is plenty of space for dining in and lots of parking in the strip mall on the NW corner of University Drive and Pines Boulevard. The dining room is clean and simple and decorated with an island theme. Not sure why, but lately they seem to serve everything in take-out containers. Maybe because their portions are so plentiful, there is usually something to take home and it saves on wasting paper goods. I don't mind. But I mind that each time I eat in I must ask for a knife. Caribbeans eat their food with a knife and fork. Even plastic knives are fine. But usually the lady has to go running to wash the needed utensils. The servers can be pleasant. And they can be surly. But the food and the reasonable prices take your mind off the latter. The eatery still needs to do some work to get five stars from me. First, having items available and not having it be a hit or miss on whether you can order your favorite meal. And second, the servers need to offer cordial customer service, all the time. As we would say in Jamaica: "Unno smile nuh!"

The place looked like as if it was still in Covid lockdown. The digital menu screens were broken and there wasn't even a paper menu to look at. There was no one at the counter for at least 4-5 minutes, I could see them in the back. When we finally got our food we only got plastic forks and no knives, (we ordered curried chicken so we needed to cut the food) and she came out with some barely clean metal knives. Food was okay but Donna's is still one of the best in my book.

I have endless positive thoughts about this establishment. Incredible food full of freshness and flavor. The service is always friendly. And the ambiance provides a welcoming and warm tropical atmosphere. I love this restaurant. It never disappoints. 10/10, thank you island in the pines!

I went on a Wednesday for lunch. The restaurant was empty. I ordered at the counter and my food was ready in less than 10 minutes. It is served in To-go containers. I had the brown chicken stew lunch special for $7. They charge 50 cents for a cup of faucet water. They only gave me a plastic fork. A knife would have been nice. The chicken was tender and flavorful. It was served with cabbage, rice and beans, and plantains. Overall, it was good food. It's inside dining only, but everyone got carry out they I saw come in while I was there. The ladies restroom was locked while I was there. I used the men's restroom. It had no paper towels and the faucet was missing a handle. There is plenty of parking in the attached lot.

I've been here a couple of times for pickup, their service has always been good, not excellent but good. The food has been very tasty. I usually buy the oxtail meal, and I usually ask for the extra gravy. The gravy is always very flavorful.Location is very big, but like I said I've only gone there for pickups and when I have gone there there have been few people, mostly because I don't go during the busy times.

I had not visited Islands in the Pines in many years and did not recognize it since my last visit. The restaurant doubled its space and many rows of tables were available although most were empty due to Covid times. The menus are pictured on modern flat screens and the ambiance is contemporary with Island flair.Most patrons seem to be doing take out and this is a great place to do that. I ordered by phone and conveniently picked up 10 minutes after. The lady who helped me was friendly and positive.On this visit, I was picking up Jamaican breakfast to eat with my parents. I am glad they enjoyed Ackee and Saltfish, Callaloo and Saltfish and Cabbage and Saltfish. We were relieved the meals were not overly salty. Each meal is a good size to share or have leftovers. It included fried dumpling, bolied dumpling, sweet plantains and boiled banana.

I went with a friend to try this place out and got a surprise when I found out that the menu posted online isn't what you are going to get when you arrive. It's based on daily availability so please call to see what they have and don't. My friend ordered the jerk chicken, she was very happy with it and there was so much food on both sides that we had enough for a 3rd meal. Prices are lower than expected, service was higher than expected and the food came out mighty quick. Very limited selections for vegetarians, it seems everything is mixed with some animal something or other. Plenty of parking. Nice option for homemade Jamaican food in this area.

What I like about this place is that they don't put a bunch of sugar in their food. I've gone to quite a few Jamaican restaurants in my day and it seems that sugar is the new favorite ingredients in things that are supposed to be savory. Now I haven't tried the oxtail simply because that's usually the dish they love to include sugar and for the price tag, I don't want to be disappointed. Islands in the Pines has been a staple for me since moving to Broward. Their jerk chicken is actually jerk chicken. It isn't saucy and most of all it isn't sweet. It has a nice kick (it could use more) but compared to what I have had at places in pines, it is great. I also love festival. If you like that as well, make sure you come early because that is the first to go usually. Whenever I have a taste for Jamaican food, I call in my order and it is ready for me when I get there. The portion size is generous and I can usually eat off of it for two days or lunch and dinner the same day depending on when I got the meal. Definitely will continue to come here.

Unfortunately I didn't even get to try it. On Friday they close at 9. I got there at 0725 and they said they are closed even though I walked in & the sign said open. The lady was sitting on a bench not even working. She said they stop serving an hour before closing. But it was an hour and a half before closing so why close early??