Jerk chicken is like a soul food for me. Had them in Texas, Virginia, and other places. The smoky smell and meaty flavor from the broth mixed with rice and the cabbage is how I like my jerk chicken and ox tail. Friendly staffs and maybe a tad bit more expensive but not significantly overpriced. Jerk chicken was a bit dry. Sauce was a bit watery not thick like I've had them elsewhere. Maybe it's just the way they do it here, but ones I really liked had strong authentic taste and flavor to them. Yes I guess we can call this a bit bland. Ox tail. This one was pricey but man, tasted like a sweetened ox tail. Definitely not jamaican ox tail I'm familiar with. Wouldn't recommend this one. Overall not bad but will search elsewhere for my jamaican fix. read more

So good I've been missing this. I had the oxtails and beans and rice and cabbage. Definitely recommend. read more

Claire is the best and the food is incredible. Tastes like home Always order the ox tail and beef Patty she never misses.

Let me start off by saying that I really want to give this place five stars but my experience making a Phone order and how clustered it was inside with who I think is Claire was running around rampant trying to get peoples orders together, made it both uncomfortable and disheartening as there was a man standing behind the counter just watching TV. Seeing her trying to do all things while he just stood there really ticked me off. Not to mention he was also the person who tried to take my order on the phone and asked me 3 times for each item I tried to place. Eventually a woman who I will assume is Claire took the phone from him and in less than five seconds took down my order correctly and made any changes necessary. Now what was worthy of five stars, was the half order of jerk chicken, Rice and peas and cabbage. Let me warn you it is definitely on the mild reaching toward hot in the heat category but so flavorful and it had chard beets an extra sauce on top of it, absolutely dream worthy. I'll definitely be going back, but I'll keep my Customer Service expectations pretty low unless it's the woman who I dealt with. read more

Claire's is good, if you don't want to travel across town for better options. I always get the goat dinner and after taxes a small is almost $20.00. They are very stingy with the meat and give you more beans & rice than anything else. One time, I ordered the large and still had the same amount of meat. WTF? I feel like they are very heavy-handed with the curry as well...like there is no balance. I'll continue to come here only if I don't feel like making the trek to my spot on the south end of the city. read more

I travel all over chicago and near citys this is one of those places that I'll definitely come back Flame jerk chicken everything fresh walaaa! read more

The first time we went here we waited 20 minutes before being told that there was no more food left. I understand it's a one woman show and that the food is authentic and delicious but wasting 10 people's time when you know you don't have enough food to feed all of us? It's ok, the food is worth it though! Just make sure you call ahead to pick up or get there before 6pm to make sure Claire doesn't run out of food. jerk chicken = on point. Smoked and ready for your consumption, you may just have to wait for her to prepare it first! read more

Claire's Korner - Jerk chicken - Caribbean Near Me - Evanston, Illinois

See all

Not so hidden gem in Evanston, based on the reviews. Jamaican food in the greater Chicago area might be somewhat limited, but this is by far the best I've had. We ordered the oxtails, goat curry and jerk chicken and when I came in to pick up my food Claire let me know that I picked all the right things. I don't know if I can deviate from the order to try something new because it had everything we were looking for. Spice levels were a nice medium heat and not the unbearable scorching that I've been left with at some other Jamaican places. The flavors were all spot on and the jerk chicken in particular had such a good char but still balanced out with a depth of unique and unmistakeable flavors and of course you have to get a patty to round out the meal (or two or three, with the leftovers/large portions). read more

Not consistent and the rice and beans were stale/sour. Not going here anymore !! Can't recommend a place that is not consistent !

This is a place we passed many times and today we had a delicious home cooked lunch of jerk chicken and curried goat.accompanied by plantains, rice and beans and slaw Lots of regulars come in. Friendly small place with great food. Wish I'd tried it before . read more

Absolute hidden gem in Evanston. Came here with a fried today and together we tried a lot! 1/2 dinner jerk chicken: Fantastic. Ive been to Jamaica once almost 15 years ago and I fell in love with jerk chicken. I constantly search for it wherever I go. Claire's jerk chicken is fantastic. You get a pretty sizeable piece, covered with gravy on top of rice and beans, and cabbage. She (I assume was claire) also freshly fries plantains in a cast iron pan right when you order. Great deal. Large Ox Tail: This was a lot of food! Oxtail is super tender. Great flavor. It just broke apart on the fork and was so good over the rice. It comes with everything the jerk chicken dinner did. For me though, the ox tail was a bit heavy on the salt so personally I'd go back for the chicken but it's still awesome nonetheless. Beef Patty: we saw these babys sitting there in the oven just waiting for us to order. It's 2 bucks a piece and boy were they worth it. The beef patties I had previously had a much different texture. The ones in the past were wider and the pastry was very floury. The corners would get a bitch chewy. These were slightly differently. It was a bit like a soft cookie. I'm not sure how to describe and I don't know which one is authentic but I really enjoyed these. My friend and I took it to the next level by dipping it into the ox tail gravy Pineapple Ginger: This was super unique for me. I never had this before. Pineapple juice with a strong ginger aftertaste. It is really good with the meal because it helps cut down and balances how heavy the taste is on your palate. A definitely add-on to the meal. The only thing was that it was 5 bucks. I thought that was pretty expensive but we had already ordered. It was advertised as fresh so perhaps it's home made and requires a lot of effort. Pricey but very good. Very happy we made the trek to check out this place. It's a definite gem and I plan to come back here often! read more

See all

At work and wanted some jerk chicken stop in there and placed my order very nice lady and the food was delish she forgot my bread but I truly was satisfied with my food very tasty and reasonably priced so I know where to come when I'm at work and want some jerk read more

Claire's Korner - Caribbean Near Me - Evanston, Illinois

See all

Absolute proof positive that you shouldn't judge a book by it's cover. This hidden gem on the NW side of Evanston is authentically delicious! The Jerk chicken tops my list. Consistent every single time. Moist, hot, juicy, spicy, crispy skinned (salivating while writing) chicken full of goodness. Same goes for the staple sides of rice and peas (never dry) with a hint of coconut. The steamed cabbage with peppers and onions, is always naturally sweet and crunchy, never overcooked. The oxtails are like buttah with gravy poured over it. These are my two go tos every time. I have enjoyed the Brown Stew and the Curry chicken as well and very satisfied but the Jerk is my absolute favorite. The service is fast and friendly, often served by Claire herself. There is a fridge full of drink options from Cola Champagne to Ting, Tamarind, to Ginger Beer, as well as the usual American soda options, but just why? Finally... the Caramel cake. Not always available but when it is, go on ahead and put it on the order as it will be that last bite that takes you to slumberland cuz the serving sizes are ample... you are gonna overeat so don't even try not to. If you are not getting your Caribbean fix at Claire's, you are missing out on ridiculous deliciousness... introduced her spot to my coworkers and they are all hooked! read more

We had chicken stew, jerk chicken and fried chicken. All delicious. The rice and beans and cabbage also wonderful. Our first time, definitely not our last. Oxtail is next. read more

Honestly best homemade Jamaican food in Chicago. Period! I was introduced to this place a few years ago and have never been disappointed. Made with love and authentic desire to put smiles on customer faces. read more

Great service, I love the food, thanks for being here!!! She is a great cook!! She has phenomenal food and great atmosphere

That's it, sista Claire is here for a reason. Her food is like home, you can feel the love in her food. We tried the curry goat, oxtail and jerk chicken and of course the beef patties, everything was delicious, not over seasoned nor over cooked everything was done perfectly, the stewed meat and sauces were simply amazing. You want authentic and delicious Caribbean food with no nonsense then look no further, this is the spot. God bless those hands of sista Claire! read more

This place is delicious. I'm actually mad I did not try it sooner! The flavor and spices are amazing. I will def be going to this spot more often. Oh and the caramel cake was delicious as well!!! read more

Best jerk and oxtails ever. I love me some Ms. Claire. Her food is the same every time...delicious! You can tell she takes time to prepare every dish and it shows in the consistent taste. She never runs out of food. I can always count on my weekly fix from Claire's Korner. read more

I love it. Great place for carry out; brown stew chicken is the star here, but the jerk chicken is also fantastic. Looking forward to trying their fried chicken; the one time I ordered it they couldn't make it for some reason. Very nice owner who cares about her business. read more

This is absolutely the best Jamaican restaurant in the Chicago area! Savory oxtails, spicy goat, scrumptious red pea soup --- everything is absolutely amazing! read more

Food was great service could be better it was only one person ahead of me after the lady took my ordered and went back to slicing bananas & frying plantains then started talking to some family members when they came In I waited about 20-30 mins almost all of my lunch break read more

About a block away the smell will hit you. Just follow your nose. The staff here is incredibly friendly and kind. We didn't really know what we wanted, so we took a few seconds to look at what was cooking on the stove top (right behind the counter) and point to the things that seemed to be producing the heavenly smells. For ~$7 I got a huge styrofoam container with half a chicken seasoned liberally, greens, rice and beans, and fried plantains. It was delicious! I wasn't that hungry, but I couldn't stop myself from eating almost everything. The plantains were soft and sweet. The chicken was juicy and flavorful. Oh, and don't forget the greens! I have never had such sweet/savory greens. A near perfect balance of salty port fat with just the right amount to crunch to not feel too soggy. TL;DR: Amazing. A great experience. read more

Absolutely fantastic! I stop by this small, two-table restaurant for lunch this afternoon. Claire was very welcoming and was happy to make a few recommendations when I asked. I've had oxtail and jerk chicken elsewhere before, so I settled on the curry goat to try something new. The goat meat just fell off the bones. The trifecta of goat meat, curry and rice was fantastic. There was a hint of spice in the curry, just enough to let you know it's there but not overpowering at all. I need to come back here outside of work hours so I can enjoy a beer with it! read more

Everything is fresh, great customer service. Claire is an amazing cook and the stew chicken and the jerk chicken is to die for. read more

Claire's Korner - Caribbean Near Me - Evanston, Illinois

I live a couple doors down from Claires, and I can tell I am going to be a regular! The patties (pastry with spiced meat inside) are fantastic, I go most often just to get those as a snack. I have also had the curry chicken, and the jerk chicken, both with beans, rice, and plantains. Both are flavorful, incredibly tender, and delicious. My only warning, is everything is cooked on the bone, so just be a little careful of small bones when eating. I am also hooked on the Jamaican ginger been that they carry. I hear the fried chicken is great, and I can't wait to try the rest of the menu. This place is tiny, with only 2 small tables, so I wouldn't suggest going with a large party, but they do take out, (everything is served in take out containers actually) and I think they might cater. Friendly staff, great prices for the amount of food you get, I recommend it! read more

A small gem hidden in Evanston. This was my family's first time picking up food from here and it was delicious! Sauce, flavor, and spice were all unique and perfect. Will definitely grab food from here again read more

It was our first time to try jamaican food at this place and it was awesome! I enjoyed the jamaican jerk and chicken curry combo with rice with beans and plantain banana. Owner was so kind gave us some complimentary bread as we couldnt handle the spice level and joked about how other patrons even added hot sauce to their jamaican jerk! read more

Claire's Korner - Jamaican jerk and chicken curry combo with rice with beans and plantain banana - Caribbean Near Me - Evanston, Illinois

This is the biggest rip off. Food is microwaved , the chicken is dry, and for almost $20 you get a plate of bones and rice no meat.

A cozy takeout joint that brings a truly authentic taste of Jamaica to the North Shore. The owner and resident chef, Claire, is a warm, cheerful lady who takes great care in preparing some of the best-loved, traditional dishes of the island. The selection is such that I highly recommend getting a small order of each of her specialties -- curry goat, jerk chicken, brown stew and oxtails -- along with an order of fried plantains, and a few bottles of Ting (Jamaican grapefruit soda) to wash it all down. You will not be sorry, and you most certainly will be back. I will concede that Claire's prices are on the high side, but considering the tiny size of her place (in a tough economy), the generous portion sizes and the care she takes with each dish, it's well worth the price. Don't miss this little gem on Emerson, just east of Dodge, in Evanston. read more

Jerk Chicken - white meat only Rice and Peas Cabbage Beef Patties Caramel Cake Good portion, good spice level, pleasant service. I've been twice in about 10 days because the food is so good. In some Jamaican restaurants the staff can be abrupt (putting it nicely), but the lady who works the counter (for all I know she might actually be the CLAIRE!) is pleasant and welcoming. I asked for two breasts instead of wings and she obliged with no problem. I'm not a big chicken on the bone eater, but the way she cuts it, I work over a whole piece and feel like I'm in heaven. The only letdown was the caramel cake - it's okay, but kinda dry and only 1 inner layer of frosting - no skin off the restaurant because I think the cake is not made on-site. read more

I have had Jamaican food before, here the food is not only authentic but it has the soul fo chef in each item. Five stars, jerk chicken & beef pastie-amazing.Cant wait to come back and try the curry goat and oxtail stew. read more

Claire is out of food. It sounds like she's ALWAYS out of food. Oxtails? Nope! Beef patty?? Hell Nawl! Jerk chicken? Yes...but...one of you is only gonna get all dark meat, ok? No Claire that's not ok. Buy some more food Claire. read more

This is a very authentic Jamaican spot. The indoor setting was reflective of that "hole in the wall" feels but I loved it. I will say that for a vegetarian plate we waited for some time. And the plate itself was not that good to be honest. It was a bit dry and it didn't have that much in it. But for the price ($7.79) it was a decent size. I just wish they would have put more sauce in it. Also, the customer service wasn't the best. I was hoping to like this place and I really wanted to but I'm not sure I'd be going back. The meat options seemed to be really delicious though, I just wouldn't personally recommend it for my vegan and omnivore friends. The oxtail and jerk chicken smelled devious though, I'm not going to lie. Maybe the carnivores would enjoy this better than I did. read more

See all

The food was amazing. Her jerk chicken is very good because she actually seasons the food. The red beans and rice has a hint of cream of the coconut which gives it a full falvor of home. I stayed to dine in but this location is mostly take out; it only has two tables. However the food and service were good. I can't wait to come back to taste the oxtail read more

Claire's Korner - 1/4 white chicken dinner! - Caribbean Near Me - Evanston, Illinois

See all

A small hole in the wall packs a powerful punch in the taste department. Wow. I can't say enough great things about this place. The food was utterly amazing...perfection in fact. The owner, Claire serves up some tasty Jerk Chicken, Cabbage, Plantains and Red Rice and Beans. This will be my go to place for Jamaican, man! read more

I rate it 4.5 stars. The food was great, the waiter was helpful, & the order was slow. The decor was primitive.

The food is excellent, especially the Jerk Chicken and the cabbage. A good value for your money. On street parking can be an issue at times.

Wonderful food from a family business that is dedicated to the community. Can't thank you enough for your dedication to our local schools. You made a recent family/community gathering even better through your delicious food. Thank you! read more

I haven't tried every Jamaican spot in the Chicago area but I've tried a lot of them and this one is the best so far. To the reviewer below who claims Claire was rude to him, you must have deserved it (assuming it even happened). She has never been anything but friendly and kind. read more