Taste of the Caribbean - Long Beach

To see the food, watch my vlog: https://youtu.be/uZM_5WkUNXcA couple of friends and I went to Taste of the Caribbean for a galentine's dinner. I ordered the curry shrimp, rice and peas, with a side of extra plantain. Everything was so good and I cleaned my plate. My friend ordered the oxtail with rice and peas and the cocoa bread. My other friend got the rice and peas plate with fried plantains and it was phenomenal. The restaurant was a little small but the music was fantastic. It is more of a take-out kind of feel but you are more than able to sit and eat there. They have up to date electronics and the riddim dancehall music is always on point. I will definitely come back to this place for dinner.

Food was seasoned to perfection! Made to order which was very appreciative! Customer service was divine!Love the reveals of the Jamaican culture inside of the storefront will be back to try more dishes on the menu!

I've gotten take out from Taste of the Caribbean several times since discovering this place earlier this year. My in-laws are Jamaican so I'm accustomed to what most of the menu items should taste like. What I liked: Lobster Mac n cheese, the beef patties, the rice and peas. The curry goat dish was solid with good flavor, my only gripe was the potatoes and everything was kinda mushy like it had been overcooked. What I didn't like: The jerk chicken (wasn't want I'm used to. I prefer more of a char/smoked taste), the Rasta pasta. The service can be a bit slow, even if you order ahead but the staff seem nice.

Was excited to try this restaurant but it wasn't as good as I thought it would be. The food was okay, it was lowkey lacking salt. The rice didn't really have flavor but overall I'd rate the food a 6/10. Edible but not my favorite oxtail plate. They do, however, give great portions. The location and restaurant itself is very clean and very comfortable. Servicing employees were very professional.

This is the second time I've had Caribbean and I must say I think this is the first time I've had Authentic Caribbean!! Wait was maybe 15 Minutes and that I do not mind because I know my food was freshly made. We got the Ox Tail and rice, Ox Tail and pasta, and the Lobster Mac n Cheese. The food was AMAZING!! The OxTail fell right off the bone, the seasoning was delicious. Lobster Mac n cheese had a nice amount of Lobster and was really good. Finished off with the plantains, and they were cooked perfectly. This place did not disappoint at all and is a must try. We will be going back. I wish I would have taken pictures of the food before we demolished it.

I've following this spot since b4 they actually opened in Lb. I'm constantly searching for some good Jamaican locally, and finally I have and it's only 15 mins from my home.There was much to choose from. I asked for a recommendation between the jerk chicken and jerk shrimp. The guy at the register said shrimp (but he's a vegetarian) then he asked sm1 in the back, and they too said "jerk shrimp" Well they did not lie. The Jerk shrimp was just the amount of spicy w/ a sweet undertone. I typically don't like the cabbage salad w/Jamaican dishes; but this was good.My husband ordered the oxtails and curry goat. He said his was good too. We also got a side of plantains. Now I'm used to the plantains being included; and I typically like them thinner and crispier; but I must say they were better than anticipated. It's a small little spot w/about 6 tables and tables outside. We were gonna eat there but it was hell hot and there was only a fan in the restaurant.I will definitely return.

Strange all the negative reviews, I thought this place was great. I was actually going somewhere else for lunch but they were still closed 30 minutes after their open time. I went on yelp bookmarks and sorted by distance and found this restaurant was only a few miles away. I headed on over and saw it's located where Big Mista's used to be. I arrived 5 minutes early but right on the second of their posted hours they opened the door.Was 90 outside but inside was nicely air conditioned. There's about 4 tables inside and some patio tables outside. Most of the customers were takeout orders. Service was very friendly and welcoming.I ordered the jerked salmon which came with a mixture of cabbage, carrots, onions, and green beans. Also came with a mixture of rice and beans. It's hard to tell from pictures but the portion is huge. Giant cut of salmon with the skin on served on top of giant portion of the sides. The packaging is microwave safe so perfect for takeout and reheating leftovers. It smelled amazing and looked delicious. Luckily it tasted just as good. The jerk sauce isn't as spicy as other places I've tried it but just enough to burn your tongue without ruining your tastebuds. I loved every single bite. The salmon must be pan fried because it has a nice crispy exterior while being moist on the inside. The side dishes were delicious too and I ate every bite.They had a lot of unique Caribbean bottled and canned drinks I've never heard of but I went with their homemade fruit punch which brought out my inner child. To finish I tried their homemade rum cake. Very moist white cake saturated with rum flavors and topped with a thick rich vanilla frosting. I loved it and was a great way to end a fantastic lunch! I can't wait to return and try some more stuff!The only negative which almost caused me to give 4 stars is they had a hidden 3% fee for using my credit card. I did not see any signage warning me and I didn't know until looking at my receipt later. Since I'm not 100% sure there's no sign somewhere I'll let it slide but be warned. Sales taxes here is 10.75% so tacking on the 3% + tip makes for one expensive meal.

I don't know why this is under 4 stars, it is amazing. I will start that I ordered delivery so I can't comment on Ambiance but can comment on this amazing food! I will also say this review is over 2 orders not just 1 and ranking didn't change. We took advantage of the BOGO Jerk Chicken which was a great deal. I love me some oxtails so we had to get that as well. We also ordered the Coco Bread, Plantain, Roti, festival, wings (honey garlic sauce) and red velvet cake. Again over 2 orders, but it was a lot of food, so judge all you want. Jerk chicken has great flavor and spice. Not too much for my husband who is sensitive to spice; he had no issue. You can choose 2 sides, cabbage and rice/peas. We did 1 of each both times and it was wonderful. Tender chicken, fresh sides and great flavor across the board. With 2 dishes for $30 it is a great deal. Oxtails were some of the best I have had and I cook and eat them whenever I can! Great flavor and very tender. Some people rush an oxtail and these are perfectly stewed. Same side options so we stuck with 1 of each. I found it well priced for that cut and serving size at $32. I have had it cheaper and more expensive but I really liked this value to flavor ratio. Plantains standard and well cooked. Not much to do but ordered them both times so says something. I think $7 ish and would order again. Coco bread and roti were new to me but both good. Roti a savory flat bread, think thinner and denser naan, intended to eat with your food. Coco bread a bit sweet but not a dessert, think hawaiian sweet roll but denser. Only ordered the first time since wanted to try new things but both were tasty.Wings with garlic honey sauce well done, were damn good wings. I am a dry rub kind of girl but these have me switching sides. Fresh and great even after being delivered about 4 mi away, that says a lot and would order again. It think $12 for 6, $18 for 12...ishFestival was also fresh. This is a friend bread dumpling, it was perfectly cooked, not too greasy and hot upon delivery. Huge positive and since I love Festival I would order again for sure. $7 ish for 3. Red velvet cake was an accident wanted to try rum cake but not mad. It was moist and great flavor. Tastes homemade or at least very fresh so big unexpected win and would order again. $7 ishBeef patty! This was the whole reason I came here, first time sold out, 2nd time, boy was I lucky! Perfect flaky crust and well seasoned tender beef filling. It is a go to for sure, I think $6 ish each and they have a few flavors. Order again every time!!!! So good, one of my favorites!Looking forward to try in person but for you delivery people it is great quality and service and worth trying! Try something new and give it a shot.

Me and my Daughter decided to hit this place up.... ( order food from here) There was a family in the dining area and no one in line so we went straight to ordering. The young lady asked if this was our first time and we said yes. She was extremely patient with us. We ordered quite a few things-Curry chicken plate ( Rice & peas, steamed veggies)-Jerk Chicken plate ( Rice & peas, veggies)-Side of plantain ( pronounced like MOUNTAIN with a "P")-Beef patty -curry Chx pattyAnd coco breadEverything was delicious... nice and spicy ands flavorful ( just enough kick) , the chicken was moist the plantain was semi firm and sweet just how I like it.... My daughter loved the curry and the potatoes were just right not mushy at all! My only hang up was that it was hot as hell in the lobby, well that day itself was a hot one but it gave us a chance to sit outside. It was a bit of a wait But!! When dealing with good food there's always a wait, trust me you won't be Disappointed. Thank you everyone for the experience

Second time in two weeks I've tried to come during open posted hours and they are closed. Food looks good, but who knows. If they are ever open during posted hours and I get to try the food I'll update, but I don't imagine I'll be trying again any time soon.I'd call before driving over. Made that mistake twice.