Fresh patties. My whole family of all ages loves them. Highly recommend. The owner is a wonderful lady as well. Grateful to have this establishment in our community. read more

Have been coming here since high school. Mrs. Joy is the sweetest lady. The best patties in town in my opinion (for the best price)! I have been loving the spinach patty lately but you can't go wrong with any of them. Used to always get the beef cheese patty on coco bread back in the day which is delicious as well. Have heard great things about the other food, too (oxtail, etc)! read more

J & J Caribbean Restaurant - Spinach patty, amazing flavor and the patties are always flaky and delicious! - Caribbean Near Me - Maplewood, New Jersey

Have been going to J & J for years. Never disappointed. Can't go wrong with Mrs. Joy's patties. Love the oxtail dinner, delicious and good portion but need to order a day in advance. read more

I've been going to JJ's for 24 years. There are days Mrs. Joy does not cook certain dishes, and then there are days that you get lucky. And if you do, order the Curry Chicken dinner, and the Jerk Chicken dinner, you will not be disappointed. You might be upset when you hear, "No, we don't have that today." But, don't let that get to you down, just wait another time and call again. I have been to a lot of restaurants that serve curry and jerk, and you will not find any place better than this. Mrs. Joy has helped so many of us mothers who were too sick, too tired, or too hot to cook, over the years. The food is organic, nothing from a can here, nothing. The chicken is skinless and amazing in taste; the cabbage is fresh and lite; the plantains are firm, not mushy, and sweet; and the patties are delicious, (and always there, so long as the high school students haven't eaten them all) not to negate the fresh bread. Mrs. Joy is a gem, and she is good at what she cooks. So, I am not mad at her when she is out of food, or is not cooking food the day I call, she is only one person, and I wouldn't have it any other way. So, I will just wait, wait, wait, for another day. So a final word of advice: Call first to see if she has the dish you want, before you make the trip over to the restaurant. Call early, because sometimes the food goes so fast. read more

I've literally been coming to this place for over 10 years and have never tried any platters but if the platters are anything like their beef patties this place needs an award. They are always fresh, hot and perfectly seasoned while the outside is flaky--- it's not just a pleasurable appetizer it's an experience--- lol---let me stop. Seriously, the place is known by the local people for the beef patties and the seemingly serious woman behind the counter is so sweet and good natured. She has a way of handling the barrage of teenagers that enter the super small restaurant that lets them know "she don't play dat" but always respectful. The restaurant itself has about 6 or small tables--- it's a little hole in the wall but, a gem nonetheless. If you're in the area spend the 1.50 on the patty. What was that... You need coco bread n cheese with that--- you got itb read more

J & J Caribbean Restaurant - Caribbean Near Me - Maplewood, New Jersey

Used to come here all the time years ago and just visited again for first time in awhile and its still just as good. Same lady that has been running it is always friendly and the food is always very good, be it the oxtail, curry chicken or my favorite - beef patty with cheese. I'm glad it's stayed in business all this time and I think a big thanks goes to the nearby high school students that contribute to that. Its always clean in here and a decent amount of seats considering how small it is. Its a great place to go just after lunch to beat the student crowd, great food. read more

J & J Caribbean Restaurant - Cheese filled. Just how I like it. - Caribbean Near Me - Maplewood, New Jersey

See all

They have great food, plentiful and friendly service. My go-to for Jamaican food. My only complaint is that they close early.

Absolute gem, especially for the price. The jerk chicken is out of this world. If you're in a rush, the patties next to the register make for a delicious and filling snack. read more

I had the veggie patty. It was tasty and not too doughy. Will go back to try the chicken. read more

J & J Caribbean Restaurant - the inside of a sandwich - Caribbean Near Me - Maplewood, New Jersey

J and J has done its thing for as long as i can remember. Beef cheese cocobread.. thats the homerun right there each and every time. It started in high school, so we have been going to her for over 20 years! Its family owned and looks like "how the hell does she do it..?" But its 100% on point and worth a stop. You can choose to sit and eat in the small quaint and quiet tables she offers, but chances are youre going to get your meal (more than likely a beef or chicken and cheese w cocobread).. and be on your way. Dont forget to get the jamaican kola to top it off! read more

5 stars for what this place is. Don't think of this as a restaurant, because it really isn't. This is a hole in the wall, Jamaican food stand - and its wonderful. There is a very small menu here, but I've never known anyone who ordered anything besides a beef or chicken patty. Get the "Beef & Cheese," or better yet, get two. This place only takes cash - so make sure you bring some. Also, while there are tables inside, again, this isn't a restaurant, per se. Feel free to order your food, and sit down and eat it - but just understand what you're doing. Whenever my cousin is in from Atlanta, he loves to swing by and get some J&Js. Hell, whenever pretty much any of my friends are home, they've got to get some. This place is a staple. read more

J&J's is a part of my childhood. I grew up attending the local high school and during our lunch time we'd all head down the street to J&Js to get "Beef Patties with Coco Bread and Cheese." That's all I've ever eaten when I've gone here, and I've never had a better Jamaican Beef Patty in my life. Get it with Coco Bread and Cheese and you've got a thick bun surrounding your flaky yellow beef patty, which oozes delicious meat and cheese once you bite into it. Every time I'm in town, I head for J&Js. Truly a local treat. read more

Great little spot in South Orange. I would say most of their business is to go. They have a few tables. Everything looked excellent and very inexpensive and nice sized portions. The owner is super helpful and nice. Will definitely be going back to try other things read more

J & J Caribbean Restaurant - Beef m cheese - Caribbean Near Me - Maplewood, New Jersey

Thank you Mrs J for the delicious spicy beef patty with cheese on cocoa bread on a cold autumn day! I went on a school day and was greeted by many sets of young questioning eyes as soon as I opened the door. I asked if she had oxtail and she said another hour, meaning after the school lunch crowd was done, so say 2pm. I definitely need to go back for their full lunches, although I did enjoy my $2.50 lunch! read more

J & J Caribbean Restaurant - Spicy beef with cheese on coco bread. Yum! - Caribbean Near Me - Maplewood, New Jersey

See all

Not a fan of the food. Took one bite and threw the rest out. Very sweet lady but the food lacks seasoning.

This is the best Caribbean food you can get in the area, besides your aunties kitchen of course. She doesn't cook every day, which can be a downer. I believe the days she doesn't cook are Monday and Wednesday but a lot of it goes to trial and error (which is why I give her 4 stars instead of 5). Make sure you call ahead and have a plan B! For the days she IS cooking, she cannot be beat. She has the best oxtail I have every tried. It's amazing. I also love her curry chicken cheesy patties. My mouth is watering just thinking about it. Highly recommend. read more

Over the course of a lifetime there are few gems that you come across, this is one of them. All of the menu items are affordable and tasty but the creme de la creme is the beef patty; with cheese or with cheese on cocoa bread. This place is unbelievable and Ms. J is the warm and friendly woman who owns the restaurant Nom nom nom nom nom read more

I love this place. I basically only ever get one thing: chicken patty with cheese and coco bread ("coco bread" is amazing). The owner of the place is really nice. In high school I would go during lunch (I feel like at least once a week). Sometimes I felt like getting a veggie patty, and if she didn't make any that day, she would ask if I'd like it tomorrow, and she would make it. Awesome place overall. read more

An absolute gem that I have driven by a thousand times ! Patties were really good with a soft but not fall apart flaky all over the place crust! About ten times better with the coco bread. Two patties one with coco bread and a drink for 5 bucks! That is the best deal I've had in a long time. read more

J & J Caribbean Restaurant - a bakery counter with a counter top oven - Caribbean Near Me - Maplewood, New Jersey

I stopped by yesterday to pick up a beef pattie and cocoa bread; it was absolutely delicious! I'll definitely be back!

Some friends said they wanted to go here, but I didn't remember the place by name, however automatic nostalgia set in as soon as I walked in. I haven't been here since high school days!  The food is as good as it's always been.  More specifically, the patties are bomb from the crust to the filling.  There is nothing special about this restaurant, but just a simple place with good food is all I need. The owner's name is Joy and she lives up to her name. Mrs Joy is always a pleasure to be around and greets you with a smile.  She has been in business for over 20 years so the food, customer service and consistency speak for themselves. read more

I love this place. I've been coming here since I was in High School. Her patties are the best Jamaican patties you will ever have. They are hand made, home made, and reasonably priced. Two and a drink for under five bucks. I personally recommend the chicken patties, they are the most flavorful. If you are really hungry, ask for cheese a bread. It is this type of unassuming place that provides the best food and service in the food service industry. No pretension, just a good place to good whether you want a heavy meal, or a light snack. read more

Love this place been going here since High school . the beef patties are always fresh & hot. I recommend getting the beef pattie with coco bread or the beef patties w/ cheese on coco bread , either way they're both delicious. prices are reasonable & inexpensive . Never had the full meals there but i'm sure as hell those are good too! read more

It takes her so many rings to answer the phone or they are never open . She picked up the phone "hi how may I help you " hi Can I place an order ? "What would you like ?" May I have an oxtail plate ? " no we don't have that today " what do you have ? " we don't have anything today " ..... I drive past & she sitting in the window reading a magazine .... over this place . I will forever miss their sweet oxtails . read more

Delicious, easy, and quick. I stop by whenever o get a craving for a beef patty with cheese and coco bread (which you will get once you try this place once!) Highly recommend it for a grab and go lunch, and it's so inexpensive it really can't be beat. read more

When i'm in this part of Jersey i go here... Great Caribbean local spot, looks like & business hours are a "Caribbean bodega", lol... if that makes sense, but the food is good. I have been several times & will continue to go. Good Location also. read more

I have yet to eat at this Caribbean restaurants. Over the years I have made many inquiries regarding food service. Only to have been met with "sorry we are not cooking today, we aren't cooking lunch, no oxtail! Only beef pattie!" I've given on this place! I don't think it's a restaurant. read more

This place is great!! There is a small menu, and they only take cash. The woman who worked there was so sweet. I had the oxtail, my go-to at a Jamaican restaurant I frequented before I moved here. While I do agree with other reviewers that it is sweeter, it is still soooo good. Next time, I am trying the curried goat. read more

Just outstanding food and friendliest atmosphere in a small but cozy Jamaican restaurant, in an unassuming neighborhood. We have a new friend, Judith Joy (J&J)! read more

Joy is always there with a big smile. The food is really good. I've been taking out food from here once a week.

Great place to eat, very small on the inside so it's more of a grab and go spot. However, you'll be satisfied. The food is always hot and tastes amazing! You won't be dissatisfied. read more

Great authentic Jamaican cuisine. Owner does most of the cooking. Pretty much take out only. Great homestyle meal. Jerk chicken is outrageous. Ms. J is her name! They've been there about 15 years. read more

Hole in the wall Jamaican. Limited menu, about 6 dishes plus beef and chicken patties. Serves lunch and dinner, but when I was there around 7pm they had only a few things left. The large plates are quite substantial, the jerk chicken was at least half a chicken. They serve the dishes with peas and rice, cabbage, and fried sweet plantains. I tried the oxtail, jerk chicken and tasted both patties. Really tasty stuff, even the beef patty was noticeably good. So. full. I will be working my way through the rest of the menu over the next couple weeks. read more

Have been there 3 times now. Have gotten the beef pies and the chicken curry pie. Definitely recommend it. So inexpensive. Great for lunch. I live 3 blocks away. Can't believe this has been there and I've never walked into it until a month ago. read more

Patties are always delicious and Mrs J is awesome . I stop in at least once per week to get beef patties and my Ting. They are always baked fresh. read more

MOST IMPORTANT WHEN ORDERING. Other than the patties, best to ask what she has rather than ordering off menu. "When in J & J, act as through you are in the Caribbean." What she has, will be good! (BTW, someone needs to correct the spelling. Caribbean, only one "r" and two "b's". See the other reviews for more info. read more