The enticing jerk chicken is about 14% less sweet than usual which is a good thing. I don't know the scientific terms but I know the sauce was first-rate. The medium seemed large; as you know I'm not the type to ask for the kid size. I also liked the pineapple ginger drink. I only found Cool Runnings through an initially unfortunate confluence of events. You may have heard about how NJ Transit service shut down on Friday due to weather. What you didn't hear is how I walked the wrong way on Valley Road. Those diagonals, man. I figured that as a long as I didn't go up the mountain I'd eventually get to closer to Newark. This was incorrect. But I'm glad I discovered Cool Runnings. read more

Cool Runnings Cuisine - Caribbean Near Me - Union, New Jersey

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The food here is still tasty but the portion sizes aren't adding up recently! There is no meat on the chicken, beef, or oxtail dishes. I've been getting a few small pieces of bone and that's it! Sad part is the flavors of the food are great. This place used to serve normal portions but recently they have completely fallen off. My whole order is rice. read more

Satisfaction has been on the decline, lots of careless mistakes being mad by kitchen staff. first incident, food label was not removed from a pepper, luckily I found it before it was eaten by my family. Second incident, I found a long black hair in my soup... completely ruined my appetite. I will be taking a break from them for a while!!!!! read more

I purchased a large chicken soup from this establishment. It tasted fine but For a large soup to come with 1 piece of meat is insane. One piece of the small chicken and filled to the top with potatoes and veggies. I felt ripped off. read more

Nobody does this. I called in my order, and asked for some pumpkin in the food, buy they didn't have any - it's not a normal part of the meal. But when I came they were busy cooking pumpkin - for me! Mind=Blown, in a time where everybody seems to be pulling back, they're still going the extra mile. Go Jo! read more

I'm surprised at the bad reviews for this small Jamaican restaurant located on Springfield Ave. in Vauxhall. I stopped in for a quick patty and Cool Runnings did not disappoint. I ordered a curry chicken and jerk chicken patty, both were fresh, hot and tasty. The women behind the counter was pleasant and even made a joke about me reminding her to take out her patties from the oven. I also ordered a chocolate and carrot cake, amongst their wide variety of dessert options. They have an extensive menu, which I plan to come back and try. Give this place a shot! read more

Cool Runnings Cuisine - Small dining area - Caribbean Near Me - Union, New Jersey

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I must say I was extremely impressed by the customer service shown by this restaurant today short story I ordered on Uber Eats not realizing there was more than one location call to place a side order and come to find out I placed side order at the wrong location nevertheless Miss norlene was very very very accommodating and very helpful she made sure that I was able to retrieve my side order and I am very grateful thankful for that because a lot of places wouldn't go above and beyond and the food was very well made I appreciate them and I will definitely refer them thank you for your service Miss norlene read more

Shocking to me that this place has such bad reviews. It is DELICIOUS. My son goes to school near there and ever since I found this place, I must satisfy my craving for it. We moved from NY and finding comparable Roti is no small task. It is as good if not better than anything I used to seek out in Brooklyn. Off the charts delicious. The lady at the counter is no nonsense but always nice, and the food comes out quick, hot, and delicious! Go eat! read more

The little place feels fight out of Jamaica or one of the other Caribbean islands. The staff is wonderful and a lot of fun. And the food was great! Authentic and delicious. read more

Ok so my bf raved about this place saying it was good and a lot of people get this food when he does door dash. We came him early evening on a rainy Friday. The place was little and empty. I went up to the counter and told the lady we were eating in. She told us to place our order when where ready without giving me a menu. Cool, I just grabbed one from the side. The tables where covered with while paper which was not the cleanest either. We ordered a medium and large bbq jerchicken, one with white rice and white meat, the other with rice and peas. As I went to order the lady yelled "eh eh, mi forget her name enuh, whe yuh want". In my mind im like "okkkkkay". I told her the order and added a side of mac and cheese and yams. I grabbed a ting (grape fruit soda) and a tropical rhythm reggae medley drink. It took about 25 min for the food to come out that was not even hot. I am well aware that Caribbean food takes a while to prepare, but it could at least been hot. O asked my bf to get me some scotch bonnet hot sauce. There were various types of hot sauces, but most where empty. When he asked the lady if they had anymore, she stated "we nuh have dat". I just told him forget it. I can understand not having 1 hot sauce but most where empty so i could tell they dont check their supply. Anywho, the food was ok. The chicken was good but not how and the cabbage was crunch when i prefer it well cooked. The mac and cheese had no flavor as well so i had to mix it with the yams. All in all we spent around $40, which was not bad. Reason for the 3 stars is soley the food. I like to try different Caribbean establishments because not many know im from the islands, so i know how food should taste. Also I never expect good service from a Jamaican restaurant because Jamaicans are not that pleasant. ( i know because i am one). All in all i would only order out and nor dine in, but id rather cook my own food to be honest. read more

Cool Runnings Cuisine - Bbq jerk, mac, yams - Caribbean Near Me - Union, New Jersey

I was Visiting my childhood neighborhood for my pops funeral, and decided to stop here since it's within walking distance to my childhood home. I was greeted by the same lady who was working there years ago, the last time i was in town. At first i figured she was friendly, but I was sadly mistaken. I pulled out my phone and attempted to shoot a little video of the drink fridge, because thats what people do in the 21st century lol. But the lady behind the counter rudely started asking me why I was recording her fridge and asking me if i asked her if it was okay before I recorded. 1. Im a grown man, I don't need permission to record a refrigerator lol. 2. What rock is she living under? Is she not aware that social media is the NUMBER ONE tool for marketing in 2023? 3. What could possibly go wrong if you let a customer record and promote your business? She had the typical closed heart, extremely defensive, and guarded attitude that made growing up in jersey unenjoyable. Visiting this establishment and being met with hostility reminded me exactly why i left jersey in the first place. So rude, not down to earth, inapproachable and negative towards others. Yall can keep that Negative Vibe. It doesn't take much to smile and be kind to others. Jersey needs some serious spiritual healing from within because this isn't the only establishment like this. I'll never go out of my way to promote this establishment again. The owner clearly isn't aware that all it takes is one social media post for her restaurant to blow up! read more

The beef patties that I've had from here are absolutely delicious fresh and flaky at all times. The oxtails are always on point and I loved that they give you more than just steam vegetables as the selection for a side with rice.I believe you can choose from collard greens, mac and cheese, rice and peas, white rice and steamed cabbage. I wasn't a huge fan of their jerk pork and ordered curry goat for my husband a definitely received curry beef instead. Without notice. Which isn't cool. I think I'll stick to patties and oxtail for this place. read more

The place seems ok.. I just ordered two beef patties, which costed me $5.. A little over price and the lady didn't seem friendly.. I was standing by the counter for like five minutes before she just was staring at me.. ‍ Anyway, at least the patties were good but I won't go back though.. read more

Absolutely incredible food! I don't know who gave this place such low ratings but gee wiz I'm in love! The portions are huge! I got jerk chicken with their Mac n cheese and yellow rice. Superb! read more

I stopped in this place real quick just for Jamaican beef patties . Although it wasn't all that welcoming I didn't let that bother me because I wasn't dining in. They had a display of a few different types of patties which I decided to get 4 mild, 4 cheesy beef and 3 jerk chicken. We really liked both beef ones but the jerk chicken wasn't all that great. They were priced at $2 each which is average at most places . I peaked out the menu while waiting which seemed to be pretty decent . read more

My first time here was last night, I order oxtail rice peas Mac cheese and cabbage. The food was good I ate everything on my tray. The customer service was excellent. I'm going back tonight. read more

I can't believe it.... the food is trash now! They must have switched chefs because at this point, it's not Jamaican. Cabbage tastes like vinegar and the fried chicken looks and tastes so disappointing . Sad sad shame read more

Cool Runnings Cuisine - Fried chicken - Caribbean Near Me - Union, New Jersey

We ordered from Cool Runnings a day or so ago and were pretty happy with the experience. My wife got the curry chicken roti and I got jerk chicken. We ordered through Door Dash and there was some confusion when I got there - the food wasn't ready yet, but they had it ready in around 5 minutes. The curry chicken was wonderful - nice and tender, well seasoned, and flavorful. The roti it was on was huge and folded over. It would have been nice if it was packed in a separate container since half of it was under the chicken and had soaked up the sauce. Nevertheless, it was tasty, and the cabbage that came with it was freshly cooked and tasty. My jerk chicken was very nice - I wouldn't claim to have tried jerk chicken at all the Jamaican places in the area, but compared to jerk chicken that I've had before, it was wonderful. Perfectly spicy, the white meat wasn't dry and the dark meat was tender, there was skin on it, and the extra sauce over the rice & peas was perfection. I wish the collard greens on the side were a little more plentiful but they were perfectly cooked. Seems like the best bet is to avoid Uber Eats and Doordash. I'd come back again. Pricey for sure but we did get a lot of food. read more

Sometimes you don't find out the true character of an establishment until you have an issue!! Today, 10/6/2021, I purchased 2 patties, one was ok but the other wasn't edible. The pattie was hard as a brick, I didn't even attempt to break it. I kept it in it's original bag and took it back to the store. I presented it to the lady working the counter and told her this isn't edible!! I then asked (not for my money back), but to exchange it for another one!! The first thing she said was "it don't work like that!!" I was in shock!! I said "what do you mean?" I said are you telling me I can't exchange this "brick" for another pattie? She reluctantly, and with a snobbish attitude pointed to the case and said pick one. So I choose one with cheese (which was a few cents more than the one I initially had) and said I would pay the difference. She immediately said "No you can't do that"!! There were two other employees behind the counter that heard and witnessed the whole scenerio and offered no remedy, which leads me to believe the attitude is pervasive in the establishment!! As a business owner I realize the attitude is everything!!! NEVER AGAIN!!! read more

For the first time ever, I decided to order from this place This was my first- and last-time ordering. I got my food, and I was instantly not pleased. The price of my order didn't match with the food I saw presented before me. I purchased 2 patties that wasn't edible. The Patties was hard as a brick, I didn't even attempt to break It was disgusting. The food was disappointing and overpriced!! I paid $12 for a cow foot soup that had no meat and One big bone and one dumpling that taste like flour will not order from them again but I won't go back though. read more

I spent my money here and didn't even get HOT FOOD! They warm up stuff like it's freshly made.

Food is mediocre. Ordered a medium Stewed beef with rice and cabbage. The only good thing out of the meal was the rice. There was a whole broccoli in the cabbage. The servings was terrible to pay 13 dollars. Got about 5 pieces of beef. Will not order from the crappy place again. read more

Pretty mediocre as carribean cousine goes... my wife called in her order at 4:39 pm, was told 10 minutes. We arrived and after 5 minutes they began making the order, 5 minutes later informed us there was no cabbage. Our food was ready at 5:15pm. I ordered the Jerk Chicken. Terrible. No skin, not grilled under seasoned and taken fresh out of the fridge. It was bone cold and tragic. Also, the seasoning wasn't really a jerk seasoning. There was a mild peper and tyme, but no pimento or scotch bonnet pepper flavor. The mac and cheese was good, but they dropped a cold chicken chunk in the 2nd side space. Their entrees also only come with one side by the way. It was so bad I could no finish it. read more

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For the first time ever I decided to order from this place. I drive past it and I always dream of how great the food will be. Yea....I woke up quickly from that dream! Used DoorDash delivery for my items. I got my food and I was instantly not pleased. The price of my order didn't match with the food i saw presented before me. (pic below) Starting with the plating of the food, the quality of the food for the price I paid was way over what it should have been. In the pic you will see the order I placed and the AMOUNT that's linked to each item. To the actual delivery and food display and very noticeable missing item. Where's my collard greens? Now I was able to get my money back for the missing item over a credit on DoorDash. But my goodness: mac & cheese was missing cheese, missing any life that usually accompanies mac & cheese. The yams, rice & peas, mac & cheese, and yellow rice were bland!!! I was highly dissatisfied and very certain that's the very last time I'll be donating my money to this business. I'm all for supporting but when it's bad, it's bad! The jerk chicken was star of this entire meal. (Hence the 2 stars)The macaroni salad my sister seemed semi pleased with it. I'm not here to bash a hardworking business BUT if it's new cooks you need to hire or retrain the old ones. Please do. read more

Cool Runnings Cuisine - The items and prices - Caribbean Near Me - Union, New Jersey

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I walked into the restaurant to order some food because I was extremely hungry. The food took 15-20 minutes to make which wasn't that long and wasn't that big of a deal. When I got home and started to eat my food I was highly upset. I ordered fried chicken which wasn't your typical fried chicken wings. They were like little fried pieces of chicken cut in half. The plantains were dry alongside the chicken and the cabbage I ordered. The red velvet cake was dry as well. Definitely do not recommend. read more

This is a new location for me. My first time here and the food was so salty and had a bit of a scorched taste. I couldn't believe the small amount of food for such a high price. read more

Cool Runnings Cuisine - Caribbean Near Me - Union, New Jersey

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Ordered take out from this restaurant and it was simply delicious. We had ordered oxtail with rice and peas and was happy we did. So flavorful and was a great portion. Haven't tried anything else there yet but they had my fiancé try their curry goat when he went to pick up the order. He said it tasted good and wanted to try that the next time. read more

I came in for lunch and ordered the oxtail and a side of Mac and cheese. The Mac and cheese was so dry!! Honestly the food taste like leftovers from the previous day. I was extremely disappointed read more

0 stars. If you actually know/eat real Caribbean food you know this place is trash. THERE WAS NO GRAVY ON THE OXTAILS. Literally 3 dry humps of meat on a butt load of rice. Then to add insult to injury, the lady working the window (charging a fortune) is so rude and nasty! I can't believe how much attitude she was giving and then had the nerve to be serving nasty food. Do not waste your time, money, or energy in this dump. read more

First time ordering for the office from there, it was just average..... nothing to brag about. Place was empty, so no lunch crowd. I called the order in and it was ready when I got there so that's a plus. Portion size was decent (i ordered a large). Food wasn't really fresh. If you're just looking for something to eat, its ok. If you're craving good caribbean, you will probably be disappointed. read more

Awful, Awful, Awful Coming through this town on my way back to the airport. I stopped here cause I saw this on my way in. Mental note go back before you leave. Great found a quick park got out and went in vibes were irie, no great smells in the air (hmmm) neat and clean with a friendly pleasant face at the counter. I ordered my food, when it came I expected the service lady to show me my food. She did not. I didn't ask either (bad move) I paid it seemed a bit high for what I ordered however I got a lot of food at another place for the same price so I assumed (how wrong of me) it was the same. When I got in the car I opened my meal and was shocked to see 5 chunks (small size) of meat, the large side full of rice with those 5 chunks of meat on top of dry rice. Take a breath took a bite and the salt was overwhelming, needless to say i just couldn't stomach the meal. $13 wasted. This just put a bitter taste to my entire trip. read more

Good Caribbean food I eat here at least once a week. The food is made fresh when you order it which is great! The portions of food is plenty. Defiently get your monies worth!! The staff is friendly and always smiling which is important. Excellent customer service...Good for take out food or you can sit and be served at the restaurant. I would recommend this place to others. It is not easy to find good Authentic Caribbean food in the Maplewood/ Union area like this. Two thumbs up! read more

So the place closes at 9pm and they got people just standing and waiting. One person taking orders and almost giving people food to wrong people. They already telling people they putting the food up. They close at 9pm and it's only 7:45 PM. I only need a soup and the woman can only handle one order at a time. She doesn't even ask what I might want. Finally someone else comes to me and they got soup but it's cold and and need to be warmed up. Instead of the guy sweeping the street he should be helping the kitchen. Watching these people let me know the mistakes not to do. My poor husband needed the soup for work and I'm late read more

Absolutely terrible customer experience. I put in an order in Door Dash for 4 items. About an hour later, they call me and tell me that they are out of 2 items. I try to make a substitute and they're out of that as well. We end up going through 7 or 8 menu option that they're all out of (including every type of fish on the menu). The woman on the phone then tells me that my driver is there and I'm making him wait. I tell her that isn't my problem since I put this order in an hour ago and I ask to speak to a manager. She tell me there's no one there. I ask for the manager's name and when she'll be there. I'm told that the manager is not well so no one knows when she'll be back. She refused to give me the manager's name. She then passed the phone to someone else and we literally had to start the conversation over again. I will never order from or eat there again. read more

If there was an option of zero stars, best believe I would choose it. This place is disgusting. I spent $20 here for my food in total. My friends and I each. They gave us come cold Mac and cheese for $5 and very salty food for $15. It was to a point where I could not tolerate it. I complained to the owner and she replied to me "we do not cook with salt, so I do not know what to tell you" . No accommodations were made, and I left the store hungry. Never again will I return to this place & I do not recommend going here either! read more

The food is horrible and not worth the price that they are charging. I order oxtails with rice, peas, and cabbage, which was a huge mistake. I opened my container of food and took a minute to realize exactly what I was looking at. The rice was dry, the oxtails were tiny, with little to no sauce on them. The cabbage was cold and tasted like cardboard box. The portions were very small, especially for $14. I will never try or recommend this place. read more

Not a food experience AT ALL . This restaurant located in Vauxhall is unprofessional. Not only did I have to wait almost two hours to get food through Uber eats, they didn't send the complete order. When we called to figure out where the missing soup was the person said they took the soup out our order and gave us back the money because they ran out of chicken soup. Instead of calling to let us know so that we could replace it with something else they decided to make their own decision as to what we do or don't need. I do not have a problem that there is no soup I have a problem that a phone call wasn't made. This was an order made for more than one person and that person really just wanted the soup . VERY UNPROFESSIONAL AND WILL MOT BE ORDERING FROM HERE AGAIN. read more

I like the food here. It is fresh and well seasoned. It's a great reliable go-to for some homestyle Caribbean comfort food. No complaints here! read more

Ordered lunch with coworkers and we all were disappointed. Very overpriced. Portions misrepresented and were equivalent to a kids meal. Was given the wrong side and when reaching out to the restaurant about their mistake, they basically told me that there was nothing that they could do. I ordered the curry shrimp with yellow rice and cabbage w/ carrots. I received THREE shrimp, rice and sliced peppers and onions. No cabbage. My coworker ordered the oxtails with rice and peas and mac and cheese. She received TWO oxtails, rice and peas, and cabbage which she did not order. Restaurant told her that there was no way that she could get her mac a cheese and that there is nothing they could or would do. Save your money and go elsewhere. read more