I'm fighting a cold and wanted soup or something spicy. I'd never noticed this spot before so I dipped in. $25 Curry Shrimp 3.9outta5 Cabbage was cooked nicely but lacked flavor, in my congested opinion. Plantains were ok. Beans & rice were okay. They reminded me of a boxed brand though & there wasn't a lot of beans. Shrimp were pretty damn good. Plump & cooked nicely. I requested spicy but it still wasn't spicy enough. Good service. Parking is a challenge! I'm thankful the tire shop next door let me park in their space. All in all, I enjoyed the meal & will patronize them again. read more

Jamaica Sweet Spices - Curry Shrimp, beans & rice, cabbage & plantains - Caribbean Near Me - Oakland, California

Donavan is an amazing chef. It's too bad the rent became pricey. He's dedicated and talented.

Jamaica Sweet Spices opened where El Tortas Grill once was. it's in the middle of the block next to a tire & brakes shop. street parking on side streets nearby. look for big signage of the Jamaica flag. offerings: jerk chicken, curry shrimp/chicken/goat, brown stew chicken, soups, oxtails, red snapper, pork chops, fried chicken, beverages. eats: combination plate ($35) -curry chicken was tender, didn't have much flavor, the oxtails were tender juicy melt in mouth quality but lack robust flavors. Jerk chicken had the char taste but was slightly dry. marinated rice had herbs & spices infused along with the gravy. -cabbage was well cooked. plantains were moist, had subtle and "steamed" qualtiy. -order was ready in 5 minutes, obviously scoop ready. food had steam table unami, stewed in it's own juices. 4.5 stars food was really enjoyable. traveled well. flavor too subtle so 4 stars. drink: ginger beer (6?) homemade one. -passed on bottled one since sugar was 110% of daily requirements. -nice ginger tasting beer without excess sugar. GREAT! Courteous, quick service. take outs: -just one table in corner for dining in. -jamaican music playing in background read more

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I came to Jamaican sweet spices yesterday because I was craving some good Jamaican food since I'm away from home. Upon my search this place came up. I was reluctant to try it because I was not sure it'd be good because it is Oakland. But I decided to give it a try because the next closest one was in San Francisco and I wasn't about to drive that far I ended up ordering the jerk chicken plate and the oxtail plate. The total came to $50 for both and I'd say it was worth the price because the portion sizes were very generous. When I left, I asked the receptionist, jacquille, if the food is good and he said yes, obviously bc he works there! Good business man. So I dished myself a little variety of both plates, some of the rice and peas, a piece of jerk chicken and a few oxtails. The flavor was not authentically Jamaican but it wasn't bad. The rice and peas was not made with the regular parboiled or lg white rice but it looked like basmati so that was different from what I was used to. The oxtails were very different tasting but it was pretty flavorful, kinda sweet. Overall, I am glad I got to give this place a try and I think other people should try it too! read more

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Dominican approved XD Ordered brown stewed chicken, and a side of plantain. Food was honestly a 10/10, I would have loved to get more rice but the flavor made up for it. My baby niece devoured the side of plantains so I couldn't even take a picture of it. 100% recommend. read more

Jamaica Sweet Spices - Brown Stew Chicken - Caribbean Near Me - Oakland, California

The customer service was great the place was clean. I had the fried chicken it had a nice crunch but it was very greasy and once I bit into it unfortunately it got up and ran...aka raw.. we also had the jerk chicken very nice portion it had a more of a grill taste with sauce on top.. the sauce was good but it wasn't given me a jerk taste.. read more

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Omg, where I do start. First off, I ordered through door dash by accident. I was trying to order from Mintos Jamaican restaurant and ordered from here. This food is disgraceful, sad, and it left a metallic taste in our mouths that began to tingle afterwards. I do not recommend that anyone ever try this restaurant. The beans and rice were hard, this are not fried plantains, and that may not be chicken? It all lacked flavor other than the metallic taste. I was disappointed because I thought this was a different restaurant until my co-worker look and said "you ordered from the wrong d**m place read more

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The food was mid to be honest I did like the veggies on the side the rose was under cooked there was to much fat on the oxtails and it needs more salt or something. The chicken taste like bbq grilled chicken not jerk also. There were out of fried chicken. The tap to pay was not working read more

The food was amazing and gave me exactly what I needed! I ordered the three meat combo and it was so much food left over even after my husband and I shared it. read more

Food was bomb from the first bite until the last. No leftovers on this one! Service was great, it should be known that the small spots have the best food! Let everybody know this is the spot if you want REAL Jamaican food!!! read more

My job had this catered today and I'm so glad that they did. I had passed it several times and have let parking deter me from giving this place a try. We'll parking will no longer get in the way of this yummy food. We had curry chicken , rice & peas, jerk chicken && beef Pattie's. The food was flavorful and yummy!!! Can not wait to go back!!! read more

I was driving around looking for restaurants in the area and seen the sign and was like I need to stop and try this restaurant! I wanted soul food or Jamaican food so I was driving looking. Y'all im soooooooo glad I stopped and gave this place a try. When I tell you this place is as close to authentic as you can get believe me. I had the oxtails which were phenomenal and well seasoned and cooked just right. The rice and peas were cooked perfectly along with the plantains. If you guys are ever in the area don't hesitate on giving this place a try you won't regret it. The service was also quick and they are very helpful and will answer any questions you my have in regards to the different dishes they offer. read more

Jamaica Sweet Spices - Oxtails, Rice and Peas, and Fried Plantain - Caribbean Near Me - Oakland, California

CLOSED! This restaurant closed or moved within the last couple of weeks. I live right around the corner from it and was flabbergasted to see the empty sign holder and bereft store front. I loved that place and would get food from there occasionally. The prices looked expensive, but you got way more than you bargained for and it was always delicious. I sure hope they've just moved to another spot. read more

I order through Uber eats and my order was missing the hot sauce that must have when eating ox tails.Called and talked to the cook/ owner and he worked it out. The food is delicious and they are very friendly. I would recommend this restaurant. Note : not good parking . Best to order for pick up. Crystal S read more

I was told by the worker that the Jamaican beef patties were made in house but I got a store bought patty that was barely warm terrible

Excellent service, good food and nice ambiance. My mom is vegetarian and Chef Donovan takes care of her requests and accommodates us regularly. read more

Stay away. This place is not it. I ordered a oxtail plate on the phone and was told 5 mins. Menu price online is $30, I came in and they said $28. I was like cool got a better price, but oh boy was I wrong. There was 2 pieces of oxtail and 1 piece of bone. Barely any meat. A whole bunch of beans and rice. Flavor was decent but the fact that an oxtail plate only had 2 pieces of small oxtail is not good. I'm never ever going back here again. I got like $10 value out of this $28 dollar. The ambiance is decent loud Jamaican music outside, small shop quick and ready to go, but skimpy read more

Food was very tasteful & fresh. I drove over 30mins just to get some Jamaican food and it was worth it. Ackee & salt fish delicious, yummy

Came here on a recommendation. Yummmmmm. Ordered beef patty, vegetable patty and goat curry. I devoured the vegetables patty and have begrudgingly left half the beef for my husband, he's still eating the goat curry. Which is really really good. Tasty, perfectly seasoned and you can actually taste the scotch bonnet. Great sized portions, really pleasant girl taking orders, did not disappoint. We'll be back next time we come to Oakland. read more

First time going there. And definitely will be back. The service was good and accommodating when I substituted curry chicken for curry shrimp with no extra charge. Enjoyed their mixed combo of Ox tails, Jerk chicken, Curry shrimp, rice and peas. The portion was kids meal size for such upward pricing. Seems like taking advantage of being the only authentic Jamaican spot in the east area. They taxing over there. No complaints about the robust food, tho. read more

Real yard food. Most people don't know what they're eating at other places but this restraint is authentic Jamaican cuisine. I drive from Mountain View to here because I use to live in south Florida and my father father owned a Jamaican restraint and I use to work at one so I am picky . I love this place and will come back regularly!! read more

I ordered from this restaurant for the first time yesterday. I order the Oxtails. While the Oxtails were quite tasty, I was very disappointed at the amount. The plate included four fragments of tails which combined may have made one complete piece of tails. The meal was priced at $28.00,but since I had it delivered my cost including fees, taxes and tip was over $40.00. So you see why i was disappointed. The meal included plenty of Plantains, rice, beans and a little cabbage which was all very delicious. But if I had wanted vegetables I would have ordered from a vegan place. I ordered a plate of curry goat also which i haven't eaten yet so there may be a follow up review. So all together I spent o we $80.00. I don't think I'll be ordering here again. read more

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This is "Soul Food" at its best! I actually had the Brown Stew Chicken, and WOW! Y'all I actually sucked on a bone, which I haven't done since my Aunt in Sactown (Sacramento), used to cook "Sunday Dinner After Church"! Anyway, just check it out, and in addition you're actually supporting a Black-Owned Business!! read more

Jamaica Sweet Spices - Caribbean Near Me - Oakland, California

We got the 3-meat combination plate, beef patties and some plantains. The jerk could've been spicier but the flavor was A1. I guess the other reviewer came on a bad day cause the oxtails absolutely smacked. Fall off the bone tender with good flavor. Wasn't feeling the brown-stewed chicken or rice/peas at all and that's the reason for the 4 stars. Plantains cooked perfectly. Cabbage was over cooked but the flavor was so good. Mixed it with the rice which upped the flavor. Beef patties are a generous size and also delicious. Definitely need to stay away from the ginger beer. It is gawd awful. Legit couldn't even take two swigs lol. Jamaica can keep that but we will definitely be back for more oxtails and to try the fish. Love that we have something in the neighborhood besides fast food, fried fish, pizza and tacos. read more

Jamaica Sweet Spices - 3-meat combination: jerk chicken, oxtails, brown stewed chicken, plantains, rice & peas, cabbage. - Caribbean Near Me - Oakland, California

THIS IS THE MOST NASTY JAMICAN FOOD IN THE EAST BAY! I give them 0stars! But have to give 1star just to post my comment! I order EXTRA OXTAIL AND GOT A PLATE FULL OF STEW AND 2 pieces of oxtail! Just like the other comments said b4 me it's a plate full of BONES! Sorry not sorry this place should get shut down for false advertising read more

Amazing service amazing food my first time trying to make me food and it did not disappoint. Literally about to go back tonight for dinner.

The service was exceptional even through the phone; my husband went in and FaceTimed me so I could see the menu. Tonight we decided to give it a shot and I am mostly pleased. We ordered the combination plate which consist of curry chicken, jerk chicken and oxtail(s); callilou; beef patty; and coco bread. I enjoyed my food but my complaint is the way the meat was cut. They took drum sticks and I believe the breast (because it had all of those back bones) and diced it so there were bone pieces throughout. This made it difficult to enjoy and was dangerous for our 1 year old...It also hurt my tooth. I do understand that the price of food is sky high so you gotta do what you gotta do so I tried not to be too harsh with the amount of stars. read more

Food is excellent with that Authentic Jamaican taste and Flavors, definitely the best place for me since being on the west coast

I made an order through door dash, which was immediately cancelled. Reason " restaurant is unable to fulfill your order " . Then it takes days to get your money back. So I've been trying to order directly from the restaurant, but they have some sort of block on the phone. I give up. read more

Initially I called & placed an order for a few patties over the phone about an hour in advance. The lady I spoke with on the phone seemed pleasant & said they would be more than ready by the time I arrived. Upon arriving there was firstly NO PARKING SPACE , which is not ideal but doable. I entered the restaurant and told the lady at the counter I was just picking up an order that I placed via phone call , she seemed clueless & told me to wait as she went to the back. She then emerged from the back with my patties however I additionally wanted a Vita Malt which I've never had to pay more than 5USD for , I'm from the Caribbean & I know how these prices work. She didn't tell me my total but I gave her my card anyway, no wonder they say MR TRUST DEAD because after leaving I realized that she charged me 10USD for an 11.2oz bottle of Vita Malt. I went back into the restaurant to inquire about the price which didn't seem right but she verified that it did indeed cost 10USD! THATS INSANE! I arrived home & decided to eat my Patties, ONLY I COULD NOT EAT THEM because when I opened the bag I was only further disappointed by the burnt patties she served me. Super unethical & disappointing. I root for my folks but this experience was very cut throat & I would neither recommend this place nor be returning. read more

I order a beef patty & a jerk chicken plate.. when I got the patty it was still cold I asked If they could warm it up more they just threw it in the microwave. The jerk chicken was very over seasoned. The rice & peas had NO flavor. & the cabbage was oily and salty. I didn't even eat my meal. Total waste of $30.. read more

This is the best Jamaican food in the bay area with real Jamaicans cooking the food!! #1

Not the same anymore since opening back up. The oxtail didn't have enough meat. The gravy was dry.

Food is okay. Plantains & the rice and peas were the best thing I had. Steamed cabbage lacked flavor and the curry goat was beyond salty. Giving a 3/5 because they had great customer service. Family got oxtail and complained that there was too many bones and not enough meat. read more

Just had the oxtails, rice, cabbage, and plantains. The service was average as it was quick and the food was presented well. The flavors were not great and the food lacked spiciness that I was expecting. It's much more bland than authentic Caribbean/Jamaican food. Also, the price ($28) was ridiculous if I'm being honest. On the other side, there are not a lot of other Caribbean restaurants in the bay. read more

Delicious! Friendly staff and great food! Nice to have a restaurant in the neighborhood too

Best, best Jamaican food in bay area. Keep up the good work.