Original's Soldier

A Jamaican establishment that's managed to turn island cuisine into an episode of "Survivor: Restaurant Edition." As someone who drew their first breath to the rhythm of reggae and the scent of scotch bonnet peppers, I felt compelled to give this spot a second chance after years of passing by - a decision I now rank somewhere between getting bangs and investing in cryptocurrency.The food exists in that peculiar culinary limbo between "not quite terrible" and "definitely not good" - imagine if your grandmother's leftovers had their own leftovers, then decided to start a food truck. It's the kind of fare one might consume at 3 AM after a night out, when even a microwaved sock might seem appetizing with enough jerk sauceWhile I appreciate their valiant attempt at hygiene with signs warning patrons not to conduct impromptu taste tests or deliver soliloquies over the steam trays, the real theater begins at checkout. Picture this: you've filled your container, feeling rather pleased with your selections, only to discover their unique "pricing algorithm." The cashier performs what can only be described as a CSI-level investigation of your container's contents, weighing and scrutinizing it like a customs agent who's had too much coffee.The piece de resistance? You might walk in expecting to pay for a simple weighted portion but end up financing what feels like a down payment on a small island nation - all because you dared to take half a fish instead of committing to the whole aquatic enterprise. At $40 for less than a pound of food, you're not just paying for dinner; you're investing in what might be Jamaica's most ambitious economic recovery program.Suffice it to say, my wallet and I have decided to consciously uncouple from Code 1414. As we say in Jamaica, "mi done wit dat" - or in food critic speak, "I shall take my culinary adventures elsewhere, where my bank account isn't treated like a lottery winning."

DO NOT overdo it with rice and Mac & cheese food goes by weight, try a multi meat plate and add small portions. Always call and ask them what time the food is going out so you can be there to get it nice and fresh that's the only thing I love about this place when it's fresh on the buffet it's so delicious and savory.

Really really good food! Finding fish that's fresh and ready to go and affordable is a gem! Definitely coming back.

Soldier Restaurant buffet style (weigh and buy) gets a 3.5 from me. My choice of rice and peas W/curry chicken tasted really good. I think I may have found another GoTo spot when I'm longing for Caribbean food. Like many Caribbean restaurants, they too carry lots of popular non alcoholic drinks (from back home). The one staff member I interacted with was pleasant. Dear customers, why is it that even with the million signs posted about sanitizing, WHY is it before hitting the food stations and touching utensils WHICH OF COURSE EVERYONE HAS TO TOUCH, WHY do some of you choose to act an imbecile still trying to bypass this safety measure?? Lawd HaySuus! I like Soldier Restaurant Buffet. The End

Love this place the oxtails go crazy I usually make a big ass plate and it cost between 12 and 15 bucks also the lemonades are

Not a fan. I do like the sink washing station if people actually were forced to use it. I saw someone walk right on past. I scooped food from under the plastic. I had mac & cheese, bbq chicken (I believe) and some type of sticky wings. I didn't really enjoy any of it. The prices were reasonable. Not sure if I'd be back.

This Jamaican restaurant is by the pound. The food was so delicious and I'm happy I found a new spot to go to since my old spot closed. I loved the jerk chicken, the rice, and the sweet and sour chicken they have (yum!) The collard greens were canned and the Mac and cheese could have been a little more moist but when I added some of the sauce from the jerk chicken on to the greens, it tasted really good. There is no seating and you serve the food yourself.

Walked into Originial Soldier's yesterday and had to walk right out. I noticed that the floor mats were soaked although the streets were clear of ice and snow and there were "slippery when wet" fold ups, placed all over. Next thing you know, there was a drip from above hitting my arm so I looked up. Glad I did. The entire ceiling of the restaurant was covered in heavy water droplets that were dripping like rain all over the restaurant. Yeah, the food is in buffet stations under those partial covers but c'mon, that's still gross. That place needs to be closed for renovations ASAP!

I'm writing this review because I always go to this restaurant I live close by. Me and my son are nurses no time to cook. Besides trying to charge me 50 dollars for a half piece of salmon today I brought same 2 dinners I ways get oxtail and stew chicken the oxtail were not fully cooked there was no flavor to the gravy. I put oxtail gravy on all my food. The rice and beans s was too mushy. The Mac and cheese was absolutely disgusting I threw most of my food in the garbage. On the side I had 2 fried flats that was the only thing that was delicious today. I don't know if yall changed cooks.. buy the food cost way too much to be nasty. Do better. And enforce handwashing. People come off the street touching the food!!!!

after halfway eating my porridge i buy everyday i find a roach swimming in my shit. i go back for my money & they didnt want to refund me nor apologize....disgusting!!