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Island Riddim

4.3 (55 reviews)
Open 11:00 am - 11:00 pm

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ISLAND RIDDIM ATMOSPHERE

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Recommended Reviews - Island Riddim

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Ariadna S.

It's a nice casual spot in a mall adjacent area. The guys working were really nice and energetic. It was a good vibe overall with very lively music playing. They don't cook-to-order, everything is made ahead and you let the know what you'd like. I got chicken curry and it was actually really food. My only with is that for curry to be slightly thicker. But overall great meal. I had leftovers and enjoyed the rest of the meal later!

Combo oxtail and goat currry....not as good for me
Angela M.

I went here for a yelp elite but also purchased additional items. I'd recommend showing up in the middle of the lunch special as when I went they took a little while to cook everything but it was fresh and I didn't mind waiting. It's a cute and clean space and everyone was very nice...I didn't take a good picture but the beef patty with the coco bread was the best item I got. Very soft an fluffy coco bread and patty was hot flaky and delicious not too spicy. The combo I got was the oxtail and goat curry with the peas and rice. The rice had a nice coconut milk flavor and were cooked good. The plantain was cooked well also but I would have preferred sweeter. The slaw was decent, I wish it was dressed. Unfortunately, I would not recommend the oxtail it was small and not cooked long enough it was tough. The goat curry was mild and had decent meat on it. I would come back though to try the jerk chicken and get more of those patties!

Menu :)
Kia L.

This was my first time trying Island Riddim!! It's a new location in Round Rock right across from IKEA and HEB so after shopping stop by and grab a hearty and filling lunch! I ordered the oxtail( $25) which came with a side of cabbage, plantain and rice and peas. The rice and peas were the star of the plate! Not a huge fan of plantains but these were pretty good. Very well seasoned. The oxtail pieces were a bit small and "fatty" it would have been nice to have more pieces with meat on them. Everything tasted fresh and service was top notch and very friendly!! Plenty of parking in the area and they have a nice outdoor patio that is covered.

Kevin V.

Need a good place to eat after a hard workout, shopping in IKEA nextdoor!? The jerk chicken was pretty good. Definitely could have been bigger pieces and spicier, but I enjoyed and would return if I'm in the area cause the staff was friendly. The tropical island art inside and reggae music make for a fun chill vibe.

Bbq ribs, so good!
Josh P.

We stopped by around 8 this evening and were nicely greeted upon entry. The staff was friendly and helpful throughout our visit. We decided to go with the curry and then also the bbq ribs. The bbq ribs were far and away the star of the show! Fall off the bone with a great sweet and spicy flavor and it went really well with the slaw and rice. My Fiance almost fought me for the last bite lol. We'll definitely be back to get the ribs again and probably try the fried chicken next time as it looked delicious.

Adrianna E.

GO RIGHT NOW!!! Authentic Jamaican food, ribs fall off the bone, jerk chicken to die for !!!! Brand new so go in with a good attitude and enjoy this amazing small business !! Owner Wayne was amazing and accommodating!! Chef Jermaine and Shamari were in the best in spirit and the food is SO DELICIOUS! We quickly became regulars and can not get over how flavorful the chicken and rice was !! Truly felt like the island and we are planning our trip for the jerk wings and oxtail!! So excited for this place to be open and it is beyond delicious!! Portions are healthy and the price point is fair !! So dang good !!!

Kerry M.

I love Jamaican cuisine and have been to the island multiple times. We had NO idea this place was open! (Context: we had a baby and hardly go out). Stopped in today for curry goat with rice and peas. Tastes and smells like the island, can't wait to come back!

Oxtail: Large Size
Natalie K.

My hubby and I are extra-excited about trying Island Riddim Jerk & BBQ Grille because Jamaica is one of our favorite vaycay spots, and we've both fallen in love with those island flavors! This place is cute, and the vibe is very island casual. Also, can I just say that we were greeted so dang sweetly! It definitely feels like Jamaica! Red Stripes were what we went with for drinks, naturally! We ordered the curry chicken, the jerk chicken, and Hubby grabbed a large oxtail. Curry Chicken: shockingly good! Jerk Chicken: shockingly good! Oxtail: shockingly good! Holy sh*t, y'all! This food is just INSANE good! Absolutely DELICIOUS! This is Jamaican food. Full stop. The best Jamaican food that we've ever had! In fact, Hubby just ordered us both to-go large Jerk Chickens for us to take to work tomorrow, plus 6 Jerk Wings. That's the level of good that this place is, y'all! Thanks so VERY much, Island Riddim Jerk & BBQ Grille! We'll definitely and WITHOUT question be back!

Jerk chicken
Askia L.

It's so nice to finally have good Jamaican food near me. I came here on a Sunday afternoon around 3 p.m. and was warmly greeted by Jamiah, who was friendly and happy to answer all of our questions about the menu. We ordered the jerk chicken and the ribs, and both were really flavorful and well done. The jerk chicken definitely takes the top spot for me--so good. The ribs were also great, though they did have a lot of sauce. The sauce itself was tasty, just a bit messy. The rice and beans were excellent as well. The portion sizes were really great. We both ordered the smalls, and it was plenty of food to enjoy, with enough left over for later. The atmosphere was chill and welcoming. They have a good number of tables, including outdoor seating. There are options for two-seaters and four-seaters, and the largest table they can put together seats about six people. Overall, this was a great experience, and I will definitely be back.

Another plate shot!
Freddy H.

My wife and I went to try Island Riddim on a Thursday because "free will" right? Anyway, the restaurant is nestled in a place off of university drive in Round Rock, which makes accessibility very easy. The internal decor screams island restaurant, with bright colors and open seating that screams community. Our server quickly greeted us and answered all questions we had about the food. Now, let's get into the food. I got the Oxtail and curry goat plate and my wife got the curry chicken plate. The curry goat slid off the bone with ease and tasted amazing. The oxtail was sticky, which is how I like it. I washed it down with a bottle of ginger beer that enhanced the eating experience! I loved their selection of Jamaican drinks! My wife ate her whole curry chicken plate, and it was her first time eating island food. My only gripes were that they gave a large portion of the rice and peas, and that the plates only came with two plantains that could have been a little sweeter. I understand though, as Austin area food portions rely on sides to keep you full due to supplies. The food was very affordable, especially for ordering a two meat plate and a one meat plate. I definitely look forward to coming back in the future!

Beef and chicken patties
Scarlett T.

After vacationing in Jamaica, I can't help but crave for Jamaican Caribbean food! I'm happy Island Riddim is bringing those flavors to atx! The staff is super friendly and service was great. They have all of the food premade and on warmers where they just scoop to order. Items I ordered: *Beef Patty: 5/5 the filling hit a nice spicy level but it's not scorching hot. More mild and does not linger type of spicy. The seasoning is spot on and the pastry was flaky soft with crispy edges. I devoured this patty and wish I had gotten more. $4.50 per one. *chicken curry and ox tail combo: 3/5 the curry was mild and went well with the rice. I wish it was a little bit spicy because there's no heat. The ox tail was really disappointing because there's hardly any meat on them. Majority was bones vs meat and I got only bones without meat at the bottom. $27 is on a higher end so I was expecting bigger and more meatier ox bones. I understand ox bones are not cheap. The ox tail bones were about golf size ball diameter. The rice and beans were excellent. The cabbage needed seasoning and I personal like sweeter fried plantains. This plantain has not ripen so it was on the bland side. Do I recommend Island Riddim? Yes, Overall I would definitely come back for the beef patties!

Island Riddim
Nathan F.

EXCELLENT Caribbean food!! This place has great food and great service and is a Black-owned, family business. I highly recommend giving them a try!

Lauren S.

LOVE trying new things, and this was a fast, fun, friendly service, that is the taste of the islands. Absolutely hit the spot for a quick lunch while shopping in Round Rock. We tried the Curry Chicken, Jerk Chicken, Fried Chicken, and more! Everything was flavorful and delicious. Bright, clean, and welcoming with some fun island music.

Cabbage / Plantains/ Peas & Rice

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5 months ago

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Wayne A.

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6 months ago

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7 months ago

Service was fantastic. Jamaya was really helpful and sweet. Jerk chicken and oxtails were delicious. Great music as well.

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7 months ago

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Wayne A.

Thank you, Brooklyn! We are glad you enjoyed the food.

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7 months ago

Best Jamaican spot I've been to in Texas! The food was sooo good and full of flavor! The cashiers were very nice and helpful!

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7 months ago

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Wayne A.

Yes, Keisha! Good food. Good vibes.

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4.1
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When it comes to big box chains I'm usually quite picky. This Rudy's location has been a go to for…read more21 years. In all that time and many visits they have never ran out of anything! The extra moist brisket is to die for, burnt ends and melt in your mouth delicious. For me the brisket goes on white bread with raw onions, pickles and some Rudy's sauce. Pork ribs here are meat that falls off the bone. I like the St. Louis ribs due to more meat. Sides are good my to favs are Cole slaw and 3 bean salad. Get ready to get greasy and mo' napkins please'. I definitely recommend Rudy's!

Let's start with the positive - I ordered 1/3 lb turkey and despite the slices being small and…read morediced it still tasted good - it would have been nice to have some full slices. The guy taking my order needs to go through training again/ hopefully it's not the new standard. When he showed me the turkey that had been sliced, it was all closed up and he did not show me what was actually sliced and prepared. Instead he clinched his fist and asked how it looked - I could not see of the bbq until I asked him to please open up his clinched fist and show me the turkey It looked mediocre at best, but I didn't want make a scene so I said fine. Rudy's used to offer bread with the meal, but I was not offered and did not see any... It would've been nice to have some bread with my barbecue. But I guess they're trying to cut cost and increase their bottom line. There were no napkins to be found . I finally found some back by the drinks. Before the ownership change therre used to have some paper towels/napkins at every table. But I guess they're trying to cut cost. The turkey was average at this, but instill come back to the fact that it would be nice to have some bread and make a little mini sandwich. However, that was not an option for me. Average barbecue Horrible customer service Lots of better options around Pretty pricey for the product received

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November 2023. Communal dining tables.
November 2023. Communal dining tables.
Rudy's "Country Store" and Bar-B-Q
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Southside Market & Barbeque - Hutto

Southside Market & Barbeque - Hutto

3.1
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We like this place. The meat is good, service is good, sides are good. Driving through Hutto, we…read moredefinitely stop to have Bbq.

I try to give places a chance before deciding they are not for me…read more When I first moved to Hutto, I was intrigued by Southside Market and their history. I had known about the historic location in Elgin that claims to be the oldest barbecue spot in Texas. They have updated their processes to keep up with the times and in the last 15 years have begun opening new locations throughout Central Texas, with one in the Co-Op District of Hutto. I have had plenty of barbecue in my time, from chains to Texas Monthly recognized and Michelin star winning locations. I understand that not all barbecue is the same, but I also understand that barbecue served all day like at Southside Market can still be good. I do not think that is truly the case, though. My first experience was when Southside Market catered a holiday party for my work. I thought it was alright, but I gave them the benefit of the doubt, saying that it was catered. You do not judge a meal based on it being kept warm in a pan that was probably cooked at 8 am that morning or the night prior. It is not the same game. I went back a few months later for a birthday lunch and got their combo plate with sausage and sliced brisket. My first thought: This tasted like it was catered. The Jalapeño Cheddar sausage was decent but tasted a little too smoky, and the brisket really did nothing for me. The side of potato salad was good, but you cannot mess up potato salad that badly. Their mac and cheese was good, I think. I do not remember it whatsoever. I went back recently after almost nine months with a desire to get a baked potato with chopped brisket for lunch. I got it without sour cream but kept the rest of the toppings of cheddar cheese, chives, and butter. I took it to go, which I rarely do, but it was a busy day. I cannot describe how disappointing the potato was. First, the potato was smaller than I had expected. The saucy chopped brisket tasted like a smoked Sloppy Joe thrown on a spud. It was really too smoky for me to even enjoy it. I felt like I was eating a chimney. It did nothing to raise my spirits and like that, I was forever out on Southside Market. I am probably one in a million because they have steady foot traffic inside on a frequent basis, but I wonder if the name is doing all the work. The staff was great and the space is well done and spacious, but the food actually has to be good to make that a plus factor. I have no idea if the food is any better at their original Elgin location, but I would rather go to Smokey Mo's across the tracks in Hutto because the potato is a good size and the brisket had a good flavor to it. Here, I just was not impressed. I will not ever return unless I am invited with co-workers or something, and even if I am, I will debate the idea of saying yes.

Photos
We do our very best to serve the highest quality food and keep our dining room pristinely clean for our guests.
We do our very best to serve the highest quality food and keep our dining room pristinely clean for our guests.
Baked potato loaded with slow-smoked brisket, cheese, sour cream, and chives
Baked potato loaded with slow-smoked brisket, cheese, sour cream, and chives
Look for the neon sign and follow the smell of smoke!

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Look for the neon sign and follow the smell of smoke!
Smokey Mo's BBQ

Smokey Mo's BBQ

3.1
(52 reviews)
7.7 mi

For being less than five minutes from me, I have never had a meal at Smokey Mo's BBQ until…read morerecently. First things first, their breakfast tacos are fantastic. They have great proportions of egg, cheese, bacon, chorizo, potatoes, and all that jazz. I think they have some of the best breakfast tacos I have had in town. I have had them a few times now. Yesterday, I went to Smokey Mo's for dinner because I wanted a baked potato desperately. I walked inside with only a few other people eating and no line. I ordered a chopped brisket baked potato with all the fixings, with an individual sized side of their pinto beans and a regular drink. They have plenty of drink options from bottled beverages, alcoholic beverages, and their Pepsi fountain drinks. They also have a section to serve yourself with pickles, onions, lemons, and peppers. It was only a few minutes before I got my meal, and the baked potato was excellent. I ate it as quickly as I could for recently having my wisdom teeth removed. It is a pretty large potato, and it was able to fill a hungry guy like myself up pretty well. The chopped brisket was plentiful and was quite savory. I missed brisket. As I finished my meal, I went to get a refill of my tea, and they had already removed the teas from their fountain drink area. There were still other customers inside besides me, and they were still open for another 40 minutes, so that was a little disappointing, but it did not really make or break the visit. I have not had their main barbecue, but it looks decent for being a seven days a week chain. That baked potato was delightful though. RIYL: A spuddo in Hutto.

I booked this special dinner with my family -- people I haven't seen in over a year -- dreaming of…read moresliced brisket with smoky bark, juicy and perfect, the kind of meal that makes reunions unforgettable. What we got instead was a fistful of greasy fat with a few scraps of meat, slapped together like it didn't even matter. The bark? Nonexistent. Slices? Fiction. Flavor? Decent, yes--but it doesn't matter when the main event is a fat mound masquerading as brisket. This wasn't just a meal gone wrong; it ruined a rare, $100+ family gathering, turning what should have been warmth, laughter, and indulgence into awkward chewing and regret. Every bite screamed "cheap, careless, lazy," and every dollar spent felt like it vanished into smoke--literally. Smokey Mo's, your brisket is a betrayal in foil. If you want BBQ that actually honors your family gatherings, keep driving. Don't let anyone you love endure this!

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Family order of three different meats, mac and cheese, and coleslaw.
Family order of three different meats, mac and cheese, and coleslaw.
Mo's Chopped Baker
Mo's Chopped Baker
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Smoky Buns

Smoky Buns

4.9
(20 reviews)
6.1 mi

Late posting this review. I've been here twice with my husband now (recent visit was this past…read moreSaturday). I only have pictures from our first visit, but the second time around I got the fried pork belly fried rice as my side to go with the pork ribs. The pork ribs are moist, tender, and fall-off-the-bone delicious! On my first visit, I got the potato salad as my side. It was okay, just not as flavorful as I personally like -- but everyone has their own preference when it comes to potato salad. I ended up adding a little extra seasoning to mine, which is why I decided to try a different side the second time around. The pork belly fried rice paired really well with the ribs! The BBQ sauce could use a little more flavor in my opinion, and the portion they give is pretty small, so I ended up adding some of my own sauce. But the pickled onions and pickles on the side? SO good. Especially the onions -- they had such a distinct flavor that I could honestly eat them by themselves. They reminded me of the pickled veggies you get on a bánh mì sandwich, just without being overly vinegary. Honestly, if they ever made a brisket bánh mì sandwich using those pickled onions and veggies, it would probably be amazing! My husband always gets the brisket sandwich and loves the onions and pickles with it too. The location is tucked away down a small, rough-looking road near some duplexes. Our first time coming, we almost turned around because we were in my husband's coupe, but the second visit we took my SUV instead. Don't let the road scare you away though -- the food is worth it. The staff was friendly and helpful both times we visited. The location is also super convenient for us since we live nearby. Definitely happy we found this spot!

The Best in Central Texas!…read more I've tried BBQ from all over, and while I might be a little biased, I firmly believed that the best BBQ was in Florida... until I tried Smoky Buns. First, let's talk about the location. It's tucked down a bumpy road between two duplex apartments. It sounds a little sketchy, but trust me, it is so worth it (definitely drive your truck or SUV if you have one!). This place is a true hidden gem. They have a dope setup with covered outdoor seating if you want to chill and eat there, but we ended up taking ours to go. Now, for the food. I ordered the 1 Meat Brisket Plate, which comes with a side, sauce, and pickles/pickled onions. Bro... that brisket was like butter. I know "tenderism" is trending all over social media right now, but this right here is the real deal!! It was so incredibly soft. For my side, I got the potato salad. To be honest, it was a little bland on its own, but it actually worked as a nice, solid base for me to hook it up my own way once I got home. Overall, Smoky Buns is a dope spot and easily hands-down the best BBQ in Central Texas!!!! I will absolutely be back.

Photos
Smoky Buns
Brisket, Ribs, Sausage  Pork Pork Belly Fried Rice, Mac Salad
Brisket, Ribs, Sausage Pork Pork Belly Fried Rice, Mac Salad
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Island Riddim - caribbean - Updated July 2026

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