Great food and friendly folks! My husband and I walked up to the door, unsure if we were even entering a restaurant and were blown away by the friendliness of staff and delicious food. Shorty sat down at our table to explain the menu and offer additional options, and while debating he offered to give us samples of the oxtail, jerk chicken, and curry chicken - all were delicious! We decided to get the oxtail and curry chicken with cucumber salad, coca bread (SO SOFT!), and vegetables. We both had enough for our lunch the next day. Definitely recommend! read more

Always a pleasure hitting up Elsa's. Been a few years since I moved from Jacksonville. I made a trip back down today and had lunch with a friend and the food was awesome as usual. A it slow on getting the food but overall tasty flavor. Ox tail, Goat and Curry Chicken! read more

Elsa's Place - Curry chicken, baked macaroni & cheese, rice and peas and steam cabbage! - Caribbean Near Me - Jacksonville, North Carolina

Don't let the exterior steer you away from this gem! Generous portions, authentic comfort food and welcoming staff. Family run business . We enjoyed the curry chicken , lemon pepper chicken, mac n cheese, collards and fried okra. Both entrees included rice also. The sweet tea is not to be missed. They even gave us dessert! When I'm back in Jacksonville will stop here again. Exterior and decor could use some work to enhance its curb appeal but it had a 95% health rating. read more

Elsa's Place - Curry chicken my 14 year old enjoyed very much! - Caribbean Near Me - Jacksonville, North Carolina

Elsa's Place was well, purely amazing. The food was great, some of the best I've ever had. Based on the outside it didn't look to be the greatest, but as soon as you stepped in you could smell how good the food would be. I would strongly recommend going to Elsa's Place and would gladly return. read more

Elsa's Place - Curry Chicken, Mac and Cheese, and Steamed Cabbage - Caribbean Near Me - Jacksonville, North Carolina

Great place. Will definitely go back. Had Goat and Oxtails on rice with Collards and Cabbage. I was expecting it to be a little hotter with spice. So, when I go back I'll ask for it spicier. She may burn me down, but I can hang. read more

This was an awesome place to eat. I recently moved to Jacksonville and had no idea I would find a hidden gem like Elsa's. The food was great but more importantly the people serving the food including Elsa, were great. I recommend you stopping by this place if you love Caribbean food. read more

Some of the very best food and service in Jacksonville! We had the jerk chicken, oxtails, fried plantains, mac n cheese, and cake - we loved everything!! Even the sweet tea was amazing! Don't miss this place! Shorty is the bomb and Miss Elsa is very sweet, you won't find a place with nicer people who really care about the customer. We'll be regulars! read more

There is no denying the fact that Jacksonville isn't the culinary capital of the world, however Elsa's Place would be amazing no matter where it was. Between the staff and the awesome food, there is no questioning this is an amazing little restaurant read more

Little hole in the walk resturant but so worth going!!! Pork chops and ox tails are amazing.

This little hole in the wall place was really good. I've been waiting a month to try this place just for the oxtail. They didn't disappoint. Service was great, the waiter which I believe to be named Shorty was very very nice. Our food did take a little longer but we didn't mind. They also give good portions. read more

This place has a huge following because the food is delicious, so do yourself a favor and call ahead to place your order. My favorite are her pork chops and goat (Saturday's only). Also awesome are the seafood salad, ox tails and the best greens in town. They also have delicious friend fish, jerk chicken, fried plantains, really, I can go on and on. Yes, it takes a while to get your food, but it's worth it and they have a friendly staff. read more

I found this restaurant while visiting for a few days. Being from NY, I've experienced better West Indian food because of the dense population of people from the Caribbean, with more flavor and spice which I'm accustomed to. The curry was flavorless, but the roti skin was good, the ox tails didn't look like ox tails, the sauce looked lighter and tasted more like beef stew. It's not like I wasn't able to eat it, but I guess I was expecting what I'm used to eating, the service was good, I'm happy I found it, but I've had better. But being from NY you expect it to taste as close to home cooked as possible. read more

Great food ! Especially the fried okra just like my grandmas . Is defiantly more of a take out style place as all the serve ware is plastic and styrofoam. Very friendly helpful staff and all you can drink sweet tea . We are just visiting but if I lived here I would return . Try it ! read more

Some of the best food in town can be found here! Their mac and cheese is wonderful! Also try the stir fried veggies! My favorite thing to order is their BBQ shrimp! It's sweet and tangy! The only down fall is it does take quite a while to get your food. However, it is piping hot and fresh when you get it! read more

This place is awesome. If you want real, home cooked Caribbean food, you need to stop at Elsa's. Staff is super nice and food is amazing. I normally stick to the Jerk Chicken, collards, fried ocra, and sweet plantains, but its alllll good. Just make sure you call your order in ahead of time because everything is cooked to order! read more

Delicious! Come hungry. Authentic Caribbean-so tasty! Cook/waiter was very nice when we had questions about menu. Everything served in Styrofoam containers with plastic silverware. read more

Owner was obnoxious. Place is filthy. Went in for coffee. Was treated horrible. Did not accept my American Express. I will never return to this pig stye. read more

Elsa's Place is great! The fried pork sandwiches are the best I've had and the staff and service is great! The price is right, too!

Delicious Jerk Chicken n Mac cheese ... Love the spiciness .. Great hiding place to go too ;)

Had jury duty a couple of weeks and stopped here for lunch. This is not fast food. Straight home made Caribbean food!!! So delicious. And huge portions. read more

Best Caribbean we've ever had!! Definitely recommend!! Everything is made from scratch, and don't forget to get the free cake on your way out! read more

Elsa's is a wonderful Caribbean restaurant. It can be a bit of a challenge to find if you are not very familiar with downtown BUT it's worth the effort. Much the food is cooked to order - so be prepared for the wait or order ahead for pick-up! It's always fun to eat in and get to know the family & staff, great folks! read more

This food was amazing! Had the jerk chicken with Mac and cheese and I can't even describe how good it was! The meat was juicy and seasoned to perfection! All for 8 dollars what a deal. Give this place a try you won't regret it! read more

The best soul food/carribean food ever! My husband and I ate here at least once a week for the four years we were stationed in Jville. Small menu but everything is delish! Must tries are he oxtails, jerk wings or the stewed white fish! Or just ask for that days special and you won't be let down! Oh, not to mention its family owned...support the locals! read more

I came in for the first time today and this place was amazing. They make you feel welcomed from the moment you step in. They go out of their way to make you and your children happy. The two male workers encouraged my 6 year old to stay in school. The food is amazing and they are always asking if you need something. I will most definitely be back read more

I love their oxtail and jerk chicken. Mac n cheese and collards are great as well. I really like this family own business

Let me tell y'all something....the food here was great! I knew, when I stepped in the place, and saw how small and quaint it was, that it was going to be good. I ordered the smothered pork chops with Mac n cheese, collard greens, and plantains. Was not disappointed at all! Will definitely be back read more

There food is always good, me some friends come here to eat and enjoy the atmosphere it's a great place

This is a small hole in the wall type of place, which means it isnt much to look at but OHH MAN the food was GREAT!! We had curry chicken, GREAT!, and Curry shrimp, GREAT!, and Jerk chicken, GREAT!, and a hamburger, GREAT!!. I couldnt say anything bad about the food. Small family owned business and they all made us feel like we were part of the family. YOU MUST GO!! read more

Great curry chicken and Mac and cheese. Everything was cooked perfectly and the taste was phenomenal! Highly recommend it. The place is quaint but very cozy with a great family feel. read more

Easily one of my favorite places to eat in Jacksonville. I normally get Jerk Chicken, Fried Okra, and Cabbage!

This is my favorite restaurant in the world. Nothing fancy just awesome Caribbean cuisine and soul food. Try the curry or jerk chicken! Love this place! read more

Great customer service! Absolutely delicious meal! Fried zucchini and squash slices are amazing. Best jerk chicken I have had in America!

Great food, great prices! Husband is from Guyana and we're so glad we found this place, remains us of family dinners in New York.

Seriously amazing!!! My husband and I had lunch at Elsa's today. The staff were amazing and the food sooooo good. Try the Mac and cheese and don't leave without cake :) read more

While flying from Atlanta To Jacksonville a very lovely Delta employee told us about Elsa's. We stopped for lunch. It was fabulous, we ordered the oxtail soup, beef patties, fried catfish lunch specials served with rice and collard greens. More food than we could eat We were fortune to meet Elsa, and spend time chatting with her about her life's adventures. Definitely a stop on next year's vacation. Thanks Elsa for the lemon cake, it was delicious. Trinidad has been added to our travel list. God Bless - Doug and Lynn read more

Great food!!! But order call in your order in advance or you will be waiting at least 45 minutes for your food. It took me 55 minutes from the time of order to get my food. And it was not even busy. But a lot on phone orders. I learned my lesson. read more

This place was recommended by a friend and it turned out to be the best food and service I've had in years. I decided to go there for my birthday and was a little nervous because I have never been here. However the moment my husband and I sat down we were treated like family and regulars. The staff brought us lots of samples including cake. I didn't even have to mention it was my birthday! We settled for the Oxtails and Chicken Curry! So good! Yummy! I can't wait to return with my boys. The only down side was you need to tell them to put the tip before you pay with a credit card. I did not have cash and wanted to leave a tip. They were so nice about it and told us that all they wanted was for us to return. read more

For the trini's out there, Moms, nuff said. Watch nah, if yuh hungry, come and eat. Comparison, look at the roti shop vibe, and add indoor dining space. Nostalgia, you could get some mauby with added aniseed essence. If you want to go home with out leaving the USA, very good place begin. read more

Food is AMAZING! The staff are nice. Order ahead of time because they start making the food when you order. You will also get your money's worth and more. read more