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    Elsa's Place

    4.5 (81 reviews)
    Closed Closed

    Elsa's Place Photos

    Business Info

    ELSA'S PLACE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Good for kids
    Good for groups

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    Recommended Reviews - Elsa's Place

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    a meal in a styrofoam container
    Olivia S.

    Elsa's is an unsuspecting place tucked into an inconspicuous corner of downtown Jacksonville. You'd easily miss this gem if you weren't paying attention. I walked in and was greeted by the lovely family that runs the restaurant, they were kind and welcoming, I instantly felt comfortable. The girl who took my order was very friendly and accommodating. I ordered two chicken Roti. First off they were HUGE! I mean full bone in servings of curried chicken inside. I had to eat it in thirds over the course of two days. I was a bit anxious to eat it because I figured it would just instantly fall apart but that thang is STURDY lol! It was sooo good. I ordered the second one for my Fiance who is Jamaican, he loved it and it he's very critical of Caribbean cuisine. I'm honestly surprised because if his mama didn't cook it he pretty much thinks it's nasty. So this is a big deal in my house. He requested Elsa's again for dinner tonight but today is Sunday and they were closed. We will be heading back on Wednesday when they open back up to try the shrimp Roti and we both can't wait!

    Jerk Chicken & Rice, Mac & Cheese, Collard Greens
    Ashton D.

    Elsa's is my favorite place to eat at in Jacksonville! This place is a hidden gem. Everything on the menu is delicious!!! My favorite thing to get is the Jerk chicken or ox tails! They have the BEST Greens, Mac, Cabbage, CAKES, and Sweet Tea in all of Jacksonville!! They give you a LOT of food and it's cooked FRESH! The prices are so cheap, the food is definitely worth a lot more ! If you haven't tried this place, I encourage you to do it! (Be mindful the Jerk Chicken can be spicy to those who aren't used to spicy foods). This place is so so so GOOD!! Gordon Ramsey would approve!

    Court Street entrance, but there's parking and entrance at back.
    John M.

    Elsa's Place is a Yelper's dream: independent, minority owned, family-run, small business that provides consistently great food in generous quantities at great prices, Granted it doesn't look like much in passing, and in fact it would be easy to pass without ever knowing it's been there for nearly 17 years, but once you've found Elsa's Place, you'll want to go back. Elsa herself hails from Trinidad with just a trace of accent in her voice and more than a trace in her cooking. She's assisted by her two sons who attended SW, and I think sometimes by husband as well. Soul and Caribbean. Collard greens and jerk chicken. Fried shrimp and fried plantain. Potato salad, oxtail soup, chicken curried or fried, and a host of vegetable options and burgers as well. Most of the mains include a hefty serving atop a generous bed of rice and two sides for around $12. Less expensive options include l include burger and fries and a Caribbean burger I have yet to try. My favorites are the lemon-pepper chicken and vegetables and my 98 year old mom loves their lightly vinegar-tinged collard greens and their shrimp with vegetables. When you step in from a bright day, Elsa's is DARK. Don't let that worry you; the place is CLEAN. Check out that 99% sanitation rating. Watch for a step down when coming in off the Railroad Street entrance (off the parking lot). Elsa's seats about 20-30 max. No room for big groups but you can pull a couple tables together if needed. No alcohol. All food available to go,, but it's not a bad place to just sit down and enjoy a good (big) informal meal, now and then, and it's quiet enough to have a conversation. Not fancy but GOOD. I look forward to eventually trying everything on the menu. Open Wednesday through Saturday until 6pm. Done items may run out before closing. Highly recommend.

    Menu
    Isabel P.

    Best little mom and pop restaurant in town. A hidden gem!!! Family owned and operated ! Great service .

    Oxtail stew.... heavenly !
    Diana N.

    After many attempts, i finally made it here. They closed at obscure times when they first opened, but now they're closed on Sunday's and Monday's. There's a large parking lot in the back that's quite full during peak hours. As you walk in, you're overwhelmed by the aromatic flavors. I was able to snag a table along with a friend of mine. There seemed to be two guys running this place. Nothing is formal here. Everyone here is down to earth and have one goal in mind- to make sure their customers are happy. I decided on the oxtail stew with a side of fried okra and collard greens, with an extra side of plantains. You can order an entree with half of one dish and half of another but priced with the more expensive dish. You can have half an oxtail stew and half curry chicken but will be charged 11.99 for the meal, same as if you got just the oxtail stew. I believe it was 7.99 for the curry chicken. They were kind enough to bring samples of the jerk chicken but it was too spicy for my taste. They also serve goat but only on Saturdays. All in all, it's one of the best meals I've ever had the pleasure of enjoying in Jacksonville .. the complex flavors of food and the great service make this a winner in my book! The decor and design of this joint is plain awful but don't let that sway you away. You feel like you're eating in a backwards dollhouse from a horror movie. It's dark atmosphere leaves much to desire. They need a designer or at least someone who knows how to pick a better paint color than peach! Just close your eyes and eat the oxtail stew... u won't regret it!

    Oxtails, cabbage, mac n cheese, and a beef patty
    Jade A.

    This was my first time eating here. I ordered the oxtail platter. I was not expecting for there to be this much food on the plate and I was expecting a hefty price tag. Good eats for a decent price. There is no parking on the main street where the GPS will take you but if you pull around back there is plenty of public parking. She quoted me 20 minutes and she was right on time. I plan to return quite a few times before I leave the area. Go get you some!

    Curry chicken, oxtail, mac and cheese and fried okra
    Stephanie L.

    This place is the epitome of the hole in the wall. The sweetest owners/workers, the sign outside is worn down so you MIGHT miss it if you don't know what you're looking for, and absolutely incredible food. We got SO much food and had so much to take with us. The gentleman who waited on us was patient, sat down and took the time to tell us all about the menu. It definitely made the experience better. The one thing I will say, because it is such a small space, it gets pretty heated from the kitchen. Try it out! You won't regret it.

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    13 years ago

    amazing food! they will customize what you want and offer suggestions. huge portions. friendly.

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    Booby's Kitchen

    Booby's Kitchen

    4.6
    (68 reviews)
    2.1 mi

    I was so excited to try this place but was so badly disappointed in the food. I had the pulled…read morechicken rasta pasta and my husband had the salmon. The total cost was over 40. Maybe it was because we got what was left over from the day, because it was a half hour before closing. But even if that were true.... there was barely any chicken, mostly bones. And it was so spicy, I couldnt taste the chicken. All it was, was burning my mouth. The pasta sauce was overspiced as well. My husband received a very small portion of trout. No rice was given, as it was supposed to be. I think maybe they were out of rice. So he was given a piece of cornbread, wrapped in plastic wrap. He gave it to me because i was so unhappy with my meal, I barely touched it. The cornbread was so oily, it fell apart when i took it out of the plastic. I got to taste the cabbage and cole slaw, those were ok. Cabbage was bland. I dont think we will go back and try again. Way too pricey for what we received. Positive note, the staff was kind and friendly, and the place was cute.

    Now I have been trying to get to Booby's Kitchen for some time now, however could never get my…read moreschedule to line up and being near. Let me tell you the short drive I had to get there and the food was incredible, let's dive right into. Jerk Chicken with Yams & Mac & cheese with a strawberry drink $21 (Lg I believe is what I ordered) Now I've never had Jerk Chicken before so this was a first and it was flavorful, great portion size, and a solid option. Tender fall off the bone meat, with a flavorful tag every bite. Now what I can say I am is a connoisseur of Mac & cheese and Yams and let me tell you. They did not disappoint, them yams and Mac & Cheese had me feeling as if I was back in Louisiana, with grandma back in the kitchen brought back some memories. The place hand really cool laid back vibe music in the back ground playing where you could hear it, however wasn't too loud to enjoy a conversation. 5/5 definitely will be taking the family to taste this place of heaven.

    Photos
    Inside dinning area
    Inside dinning area
    Booby's Kitchen
    Inside

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    Inside
    Yardies Jamaican Spot

    Yardies Jamaican Spot

    2.3
    (6 reviews)
    30.2 mi

    I got a plate from them curry chicken and rice and pees you know and I'm ecstatic first real food…read moreplace around here and they gave me a plate full of bones literally I was mad fr fr do better

    I've avoided eating here because I thought all Jamaican food included scotch bonnet chili peppers…read more Nope, not the case. Silly me. The oxtail stew was a little sweet. Ive never had oxtail before and I probably won't order it again even though it was tasty. It was a little too rich for me. The plantains were cooked to perfection and the cabbage was a surprise because it tasted almost creamy it was so good. The meat patties were coated in the traditional curried pastry and had just enough spice to have a nice kick. I couldn't tell the difference between the mild and the spicy but enjoyed sampling both. Just to give you an idea of the spice level, I usually order Indian food "mild", maybe a medium when I'm feeling rebellious. The Mac & Cheese is how I like it best. Fresh grated cheddar melted with hot macaroni. Next time I'll try the Goat Curry because I've never had goat and I'm curious about their curry. There's a hallway between them and Bays Seafood so you can order from both menus. At this time they seem to be still be set up for mostly takeout. There are a few places to sit but there is no ambiance.

    Photos
    Oxtail Dinner plate shown here with plantain, rice and peas, and mac and cheese
    Oxtail Dinner plate shown here with plantain, rice and peas, and mac and cheese
    Brown Stew Chicken Dinner. What rice and sides do you want to add?
    Brown Stew Chicken Dinner. What rice and sides do you want to add?
    Jerk Chicken Dinner comes with 2 sides

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    Jerk Chicken Dinner comes with 2 sides

    Elsa's Place - caribbean - Updated July 2026

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