Um, no. Just no. I'm all for divey hole-in-the-wall joints, but I will not risk it at this place again. The really leathery jerk chicken had small bits of broken bone hiding throughout. The beef patties were the same microwave convenience brand I keep in my freezer, but they were only $2 so that's fair. My biggest issue was being charged $16 for the whole "dinner," which was worse than one I could've gotten at KFC for half that price. The side vegetables were bland, overcooked and mushy. Maybe I should have tried something different, but the stomach ache I suffered afterward will prevent me from returning unless I hear from a reliable source they've undergone big changes. It's a shame because this town is lacking in a really solid Caribbean restaurant. read more

My coworker introduced me to their beef patties. They're LIFE CHANGING. They are always fresh, always hot, and so flavorful. The restaurant is cute, and the people there are very nice. The pricing is fair too! read more

My husband and I stopped by this place about 3 weeks ago about 7-8pm (they have an open late sign) and the open sign was on but when we went in they advise due they were closing and all they didn't have many options. I was in the area last week and decided to stop by and try again this time on around 3pm. I ordered the oxtails, cabbage, rice and peas. My husband order jerk chicken, cabbage, rice and peas. I took our food to go. I loved my oxtails! They were seasoned well. I typically have to put hot sauce on them to add more seasoning; however, this was not the case with the oxtails here. The rice and peas were good and went very well with the oxtails. The cabbage was okay, I probably would not order it again. I asked my husband how his food was and he thought his jerk chicken was dry but everything was good. The employee taking the order was professional and the establishment was clean. I was waited on right away. I will be back. read more

Food is great and authentic! I tried the jerk chicken with oxtails, rice, mac n cheese, and cabbage. Everything was tasty and flavorful. The lady that worked there was nice and held conversation with us( my bf and I). They offer student discounts which is great because they're located by two universities. Overall the food was really good and I plan to go back really soon! read more

Absolutely love this place. Been to a few other Jamaican restaurants in the area. Most were good, but this place beats them all. The jerk chicken is spicy, but flavorful, the mac and cheese is perfect, and the rice is great. The curry chicken was amazing, and the have Ting. Vant wait to come back. Price was very fair as well!! read more

It was delicious and truly authentic. The prices are competitive and they go out of their way to explain everything on the menu if you've never been before. read more

This is one of those hole in wall joints that is worth it! I had the jerk chicken with cabbage and mac n cheese. The chicken was moist and well seasoned. It had a dry rub and some jerk sauce. A little spicy but not too bad. And the chicken had those wonderful crispy edges I love! My friend had the curry chicken with rice and peas and cabbage. We both cleaned our plates. Will definitely visit again soon. read more

Island Grill - Curry chicken plate and jerk chicken plate. - Caribbean Near Me - Columbia, South Carolina

I came here to eat some curry goat and left unsatisfied. The curry goat was dry and had no flavor what's so ever. overall I'm disappointed

The food is great here and the customer service is better. It is nice to have someone to actually acknowledge you when you walk in, even if they are taking an order. They are making their restaurant because they know they sell great authentic food and they are making their customers feel special. read more

This place is the prime example of don't judge a book by its cover. Island Grill looks like any other small family owned restaurant but the moment you take your first bite of whatever you choose that initial judgement is out the window. The curry goat is amazing and the sides are spot on. If you are in the area and are tired of the normal tasteless food that most places serve then head to Island Grill and get ready for a great meal. read more

A Jamaican friend, hearing the woes of an anemic family member recovering from surgery, recommended we find some oxtail. We had driven by the island so decided to get takeout for dinner. It did not disappoint! We has a pound of oxtail, half a pound of curry goat, a whole cured red snapper (escovitch), collards, and fried plantains. Rice too. The oxtail was the most exciting. Hearty meat that came off the bone easily, and well-seasoned. I was sucking the flavor out of the bone. The curry goat was a saucy melange of flavors with a real kick. The escovitch was a little over cooked but still very good and was accompanied by cool cabbage and very sharp pickled onion that went well with it. Collards were good: vegetarian and not as vinegary as much you find in the Carolinas. Fried plantains were food but unfortunately a little cold by the time we got home with them. When we arrived to order and pick up the food, the employees were very friendly and cordial. We were assisted by a nice young man who helped us select the our dishes and allowed us to order family sized portions instead of the typical menu options. The only downside of the experience was that we were forced to wait for an unexpected 45 minutes, which was evidently the cooking time for the escovitch. The wait was also bit uncomfortable because the modestly sized restaurant was playing loud Jamaican music in one room, and a TV was tuned to CNN (also loudly) in the other. We were glad to take our meal home and enjoy it without background noise! Before we left, the waiter apologized for the wait and told us that their business focuses on lunch traffic, so the wait time might have been less significant if we had come earlier in the day. Our family is looking forward to ordering from the Island Grill again, but we will definitely call ahead next time!! read more

Okay....... i dont know if its because of the pandemic and people are not eating out as much but I just ordered food from here and its was not good at all. The oxtails looked and tasted like they were made last week. They were very dry and chewy. The collard greens tasted like they were drenched in sugar, and the yams were the same way. Hot sauce could not fix the collards at all. For everyone that eat oxtails know that they are expensive to order. I was just so disappointed but here's the kicker. I ordered the kids wings for my son. The wings were sooooo good. And at that moment i didnt understand how the kids meal was better than the entree I ordered. For restaurants that are open during this time I ask of you if your food is not fresh or at least pleasing to the eye please do not serve it to your customers. 90 % of my food was thrown away and that was money that I could have saved. read more

What a wonderfully delicious find! I had a taste for Jamaican and was referred to Island Grill. The staff was very helpful and kind. The lady at the register was especially helpful with the menu. I ordered curry chicken, collard greens, macaroni & cheese and candied yams!! Everything tasted so good that we ended buying more food to go. Now that's really GOOD! Thank you Island Grill. read more

When you get tired of the chain restaurants, give this a try. Curried goat or chicken will not disappount! Authentic flavor in a laid back environment, and tea sweetened with nectar! read more

Island Grill - Large curried goat, rice and peas, cabbage, and spiced bananas-very tastey! - Caribbean Near Me - Columbia, South Carolina

I drove past the Island Grill today while driving to an appointment for work. I decided to come back when I was finished and try it. It was so worth it! I had curried goat, rice, collard greens, mac & cheese, and plantains. I'm not usually a fan of collards and these were great. The meat was tender and delicious and the plantains were perfect. The folks who ran it were very friendly. I am definitely returning and planning to bring family and friends. read more

WOW!!!!! This restaurant is definitely Columbia's best kept secret. Small, family run restaurant. The food is cooked with so much love and attention and you can tell. The staff is as sweet as can be! There is limited seating, but the food is DEFINITELY WORTH well-worth the wait and possibility of having to take out. Go for a great home-cooked meal! Entrees: curried goat, oxtail, fried chicken and jerk chicken were ALL outstanding. Sides: Rice and beans, steamed veggies, cabbage, collards and plantains were fabulous choices!! Also, the Island Lemonade was also very yummy!! Definitely a must-go!!! read more

Love love love Island Grill. I always get the jerk chicken with collards and mac n cheese. I love the traditional goat curry too with rice and beans but the mac n cheese and collards are the best I've ever had so I always get them every time! read more

Worst Jamaican food I've ever had. Rice was undercooked and hard. Ordered oxtails and shrimp combo, oxtails were tough. Shrimp came from the curry pot because half of rice turned yellow. Shells were still on some of the shrimp. Not worth it at all. read more

The food was not the best . Chicken was dry and so was the mac and cheese.

I don't like leaving bad reviews, but then again, I've never had such terrible experience at a restaurant so this place is worthy of a special mention. I went there with a group of friends on Saturday when the place was nearly empty, and yet - the service couldn't have possibly been worse. 1. We were expecting under 1 hour lunch but it turned into 1.5 hours as the food alone took over 30 minutes. The shrimp apparently took a long time to cook and the waiter did not feel it was necessary to tell us in advance. He also did not bother to ask if we wanted our food as soon as they were ready or brought out all at once. The result - he held back all my friend's orders until the shrimp was ready. The result, we sat around the table with our stomaches growling. 2. The waiter also gave me the wrong side. When I complained, he rudely stated that what I got was the default for that dish and seemed to suggest that I was the one who made the mistake. Despite the long wait, wrong side, there was no apology, refund, or any exchange. Definitely avoid! read more

Delicious Jamaican food, fast service and very friendly! I had the jerk chicken, cabbage and yams. There were lots of traditional items on the menu like escovich, ox tails, rice & peas, and plantains. They have vegetarian options too. In addition to the typical drink options they also offer Kola Champagne and Ginger Beer, etc. I will definitely be back for more! read more

Sauce on the chicken was outstanding which was a good thing because the chicken was a little dry. Odd cuts of chicken, with every mouthful having a bunch of little bones in it. Rice and peas were great. Mac and cheese was not horrible. I just want some of that jerk sauce now. read more

I love the food. When I am in town i have to get some ox tails, mac & cheese, yams, cabbage

OMG this place is fantastic. I had curry chicken on yesterday and am headed back today for the goat. Everything had sooooooo much flavor. It was absolutely amazing. I am a foodie and this place gets 10 stars from me. Customer service was top notch. I could eat here for the rest of the week. read more

This is my favorite downtown place to have lunch. I've had the Oxtails, Curry Chicken, rice and peas, cabbage, collards and fried plantains. Every thing was awesome. The service is always great. read more

We ordered Curry goat with macaroni and collards; and veggie chunks with peas and rice and macaroni. Also got chicken and veggie patty. Curry goat was AMAZING!!!! sides were very good and predictable. Veggie chunks were AMAZING!!! as well as the sides. patties were not homemade, so it is what it is on that. Tea was interesting, good and a little too sweet for my taste. very disappointed they were out of dough for fried dumplings, that was why I wanted Jamaican food, I was craving the dumplings. Also, there were a couple other things they were out of, but more than made up for it with the dishes we chose. Most importantly, the portions were pretty small. For the money, more should be on the plate. Bottom line, the taste of the curry goat will surely bring me back. I HAVE TO HAVE THAT AGAIN!!! read more

Ate here with my family who were visiting from out of town and everyone was very pleased. We ordered oxtails, curry chicken, and fish. Everything was absolutely delicious and you can tell that they take their time to prepare things in an authentic method with authentic seasoning flavoring. The only additional thing that I wish they had available on the menu is plantains. I will definitely be returning, and can already tell that I will probably become a regular customer. read more