What an experience! From start to finish, the service was excellent. You order at the counter and then take a seat, and the young lady taking orders was incredibly polite and welcoming. Balla, the owner, was just as engaging--he came over to our table, interacted with the group, and even snapped a few pictures with us. That personal touch really stood out. The food was superb--perfectly seasoned, not overwhelming, and absolutely satisfying. The brown stew chicken was generous, cooked just right, and the meat fell right off the bone (even the bones were melting!). Someone else ordered the curry chicken and could not stop raving about it. Two others had the oxtails, and wow--the meat was overflowing out of the container, incredibly tender, and seasoned like it came straight from a Jamaican spot in Jamaica. Authentic is the only word that fits. The ambiance was great--nothing fancy, but full of Caribbean flavor with the music and layout setting the tone. There's also a bar area where the music spills into the street and the drinks flow freely, adding even more life to the experience. Several of the ladies in our group said they had no idea this place existed--even though they live nearby--but they'll definitely be back. This is a true slice of down-home Jamaican culture and cuisine, and Balla has created something special here. Highly recommend! scene? read more

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I truly came in for jerk chicken but they were sold out. I got the curry chicken instead and it took the cook in the back a few times to actually listen and comprehend what the young lady in the front was telling him in regards to me not wanting cabbage but instead just rice and peas only. The meal was flavorful and hot. I'm from Virginia, so I was in town visiting and it was good to find a good Caribbean food spot while visiting that tasted good. I'd recommend and if ever in the area again I'd like to see what their jerk chicken tastes like too. read more

Stewed beef was exactly what I was needing! Flavorful umami with pops of carrot, onion, and potatoes so perfectly cooked, they melt in the mouth. Rice and peas needed the gravy to counter the dryness, but was banging with the added moisture and flavor. Cabbage was decent. Lemon cake was not overly sweet with a good texture and perfectly light lemon flavor without any hint of artificial flavors. Service was quick and so friendly! Ladies working helped me get exactly what I needed to share with two others. Prices are decent, comparative to other local businesses. Large was enough for two people to share. read more

Stopped by here to grab a little lunch. Customer service was attentively excellent. She took the time to describe the various meals to me. I ordered and waited a short time for my meal, peppered steak with bean rice. Not only was the meal delicious, but the portion size was better than average. The atmosphere in the dining area was peaceful and clean. I will return to try their curry goat. read more

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We were craving some good Jamaican food and this place had a few decent reviews. So we slid in to check it out. Upon first entering-the menu was extremely limited and they didn't have anything i could eat (as I'm a pescatarian). We decided to leave. On the way out, we were stopped by Balla the owner. He asked why we were leaving and after we told him-he said he make something with shrimp. So nice of him. That kind of thing tells me his business matters to him. He made a curry shrimp and rice and beans. The rice and beans was so good! Super flavorful and would totally go back just for that and Balla's customer service. The shrimp was ok-but the rice and beans! It would be awesome to see all the things this place has to offer. read more

The food was horrible! The rice did not taste fresh or authentic. The turkey was just shelf bought smoked turkey that was boiled and then stewed which made it oversalted. The veggies were so overcooked you didn't even have to chew it. My plate went straight into the trash read more

Balla's Caribbean Restaurant - Stewed turkey, rice and peas, cabbage - Caribbean Near Me - Jacksonville, Florida

I love the food that they serve there especially the oxtails with rice and beans along with cabbage the restaurant is always clean It has a at home atmosphere read more

True jerk flavor; has a nice level of heat. Meat was perfectly cooked. Rice & peas delicious. read more

Balla's Caribbean Restaurant - Jerk pork, rice & peas, cabbage - Caribbean Near Me - Jacksonville, Florida

Best Jamaican food in Jax! (Coming from a Jamaican) Affordable prices for the amount of food given! The owner Mr. Ballas himself is a kind man with great customer service! read more

The Best Jerk Chicken!!!! If you want good Jamaican food in Jacksonville this is the place to go. The staff was so nice as well. The food was seasoned just right and you get a nice size portion with the small and medium meals. The jerk chicken we are still wanting more of. We came to Jacksonville for a wedding and stayed at a hotel 10 minutes away. The food was so good that we had it for lunch and went back to order dinner the same day. Then went back for lunch before the wedding. We would have had it a fourth time but they are closed on Sundays. Whenever I visit Jacksonville I will be stopping here to get some food. We also ordered curry chicken and fried chicken both were delicious I attached pictures. read more

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I finally got a chance to check this spot out. My husband went in to order our food so I can't speak on the customer service. Once I got home, I realized the dumplings we ordered were not in the bag. I was upset because I really wanted them but luckily they're only a dollar. My jerk chicken taste like it came off the grill in Jamaica. Normally I'm unimpressed with jerk chicken made in the states but this was really good. My husband ordered the curry chicken. It was good but doesn't even come close to touching the jerk chicken. Next time I go, I'll order myself and make sure everything is in the bag. read more

I may have ordered the wrong meal. I ordered Turkey Wings through Door Dash and was quite pleased with how heavy the package was when it was delivered. I was even more impressed when I opened it. I thought "great value". The steamed cabbage and beans and rice were very good. The delivery was on time and the food was hot, but I really thought that I either ordered the turkey wings at the end of the day because they were quite dry and old tasting. Because I the reviews I am reading and the service was good, I may try another meal, but I think that I will go in to see for myself. No more delivery. read more

The food was GREAT. The owner (Balla) was friendly and you could easily tell he took pride in the food. Looking forward to going back to Balla's. read more

Balla's Caribbean Restaurant - Oxtail dinner - Caribbean Near Me - Jacksonville, Florida

I ordered the jerk chicken. It was dry and overcooked. Definitely not fresh. The jerk flavor is good not too salty. The rice and beans was average. The cabbage was good. read more

The energy is very positive and professional. The customers come in knowing that they're order will be right and fresh the cook is amazing. They do a swell job connecting with their Guest. Will definitely recommend to others this is a must eat spot!!! read more

By far my favorite Caribbean restaurant in Jacksonville!! Moving to Jacksonville from Miami a good Caribbean restaurant was one of the first things on my list. This is at the top of my list. The good food is amazing. The prices are great and the portions are good sizes. Love this little spot! read more

I have nothing but good things to say...the mac and cheese was awesome! the jerk pork and curry chicken were excellent. and the portion size is more than enough! im still waiting to try the fried chicken but they are always out of it. o yes and the brown stew chicken was very good too! i would recommend them to everyone! read more

This is my favorite restaurant in the Jacksonville area to get Jamaican food. The jerk chicken is the best and the rice and peas are delicious! I'm a newbee when it comes to the curry chicken and brown stew chicken, both of which were very good, but I don't have enough comparison at other locations to post. Everyone who I've taken here were amazing at the good food. My only advice is to call before you come to make sure they have what you want. read more

The Jerk Chicken is good. The fish soup is on point. The Fried Chicken is the best in Jacksonville! Just try this new spot when you are in the area and you will be happy you did. read more

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Not all that but not terrible either. They do season well but when I went they only had like four menu items available because it was close to close so I had to get the stew beef, something I don't usually eat. It wasn't terrible. read more

The food is okay but not nearly worth the level of disrespect, unprofessionalism, and attitude from the girl that answers the phone and handles orders. They should definitely hire a more mature front line attendant to represent their company. I've attempted to purchase food from this location 3x, spite the reviews about customer service, I thought they just caught her on a bad day. Nope! This is consistent and the level of disrespect is utterly disgusting. I would not recommend the customer service or wait to anyone! In the reviews they state that the employees are friendly... That must only be for known customers. I was extremely disappointed, I refuse to order from here again. read more

Great food just don't be having the beef patties made lol but I loved the food good and fresh friendly employees

Terrible service. DO NOT ORDER FROM THIS PLACE. The lady who answered the phone was rude and mentioned they don't have "it" whatever "it" was I couldn't figure out because she never specified what "it" was. I asked could I order it over the phone and pick it up and she said "pick what up?" And I replied, "FOOD! Is this not a restaurant?" Her response was "they are closing and they don't have it" AGAIN HERE IS THIS WORD "IT" again. I ordered food at 8pm for 1 large brown stew shrimp and 1 steam Snapper fish. Total was $41.16. I can't believe they waited a whole 45 mins to not even give the distinguished courtesy to call the customer (i.e ME) to inform me of the cancellation. Stay clear of this place. They don't respect your time, nor your money and it's clear they don't know how to communicate to their customers yet alone convey what they supposedly don't serve. If your closing time is 10pm don't start closing the fucking place at 8pm. It's annoying how you as a black person want to support a black business and this is the bullshit you have to deal with. Again STAY CLEAR OF THIS PLACE. I would give this place an ENTIRE negative -10 stars if I could. read more

Came here late one afternoon in search of "boiled dumplings" but to my luck the menu was limited at the time (winding down) so instead I ordered my always favorite "Curry Chicken" and let me tell you MAAAAAN did that have some flavor to it and it was well portioned plate equal amount of Curry chicken/White Rice the chicken wasn't dry at all when I got home everything was fresh and flavorful. SN:I'm coming back for the Curry Goat lol . I HIGHLY RECOMMEND read more

I'm going to rate the place 5 stars because the food is normally good and I don't want to hate on another entrepreneur......... But, please check your bag before you walk out with your food. I did not check my bag upon leaving and as soon as I got home I noticed that my not that cheap side item was not in the bag. Since I live literally two blocks away I figured I would turn right around and go back and grab my side. Upon arrival I was told that my side item was sold out for the day. I was offered another side (which is not what I wanted) and not one peep about a refund (which is also not what I wanted but would have been better than nothing). After visiting this place several times and bringing friends I'm afraid that's it for me. I get annoyed with bad business practices more than most and don't want to have to feel like I have to be on my A game to get what I paid for. On top of that I left a cash tip the first time which few people do for takeout. Fool me once shame on you, fool me twice shame on me. Check your bag before walking out the door if you visit here is the moral of the story. read more

Great place, authentic Jamaican food. I am Jamaican and it is one of my favorite places.