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    Jamaican Gates Restaurant

    3.7 (76 reviews)
    ModerateCaribbean
    Closed 11:00 am - 8:00 pm
    Updated over 3 months ago

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    Recommended Reviews - Jamaican Gates Restaurant

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    Krystal J.

    I have lived near this place for YEARS!! How did I never think to stop in here, I do not know. I rectified that mistake this weekend when visiting my grandma and mom by satisfying my jerk craving. I was pleasantly surprised when I walked in and the service was so friendly! It's a hole in the wall and there is no seating so call ahead to place your order and limit your wait time. We ordered the jerk catfish dinner and oxtails dinner both were fire!! The actual jerk was not very spicy which I was fine with but the sauce that comes with it brings the heat. My grandma said the oxtails were tender and the greens were good too better than the cabbage imo. Definitely check it out if you're in the Washington Heights area.

    Jerk catfish dinner w/cabbage & red beans and rice.
    Marcius P.

    My mother & I had the jerk catfish dinner and the curry goat dinner. Everything was delicious and very fresh. One of our very favorite Caribbean restaurants in Chicago.

    a meal in a styrofoam container
    Tainesha R.

    I love this place and I've been going for years. The food is always fresh and so flavorful. Recently I just started ordering the escovitch fish and it is amazing! This dish reminds of Jamaica when I visited a place called Border. The customer service is great I've never had a problem. It is just a small restaurant so there is no ambiance to judge as it is not that type of establishment but if you want delicious authentic Jamaican food please go there!

    Red Beans and Rice

    The red beans and rice with oxtail gravy was delicious. The meat and beans were very tender. The portions served are well worth your money.

    a close up of a meal in a styrofoam container

    Every time I order the oxtails are tiny. Not worth spending the money.You only get one medium sized oxtail when you order a large plate which only comes with 3 pieces anyway.

    Mac n cheese
    Kennedi S.

    This place is great! The portions are huge, my bag felt like it was 10 pounds . I got the combo plate with brown stewed chicken and oxtails and a small side of Mac. The chicken was tender and juicy, the oxtails were super tender. The Mac was more cheesy and less creamy but still good and the small was enough for 2. I called my order in around lunch time and my food was ready within the 30 minutes or less that it took me to get there. I'll definitely be back.

    Dry Chicken Choke Salad
    Chaniqua C.

    Nope, I used to love this place. The food hasn't been consistent though. This $13 salad has the driest chicken ever on it. In addition, I've had catfish dinners that were tough. Who wants to eat tough catfish? That's Gross! Do better small business, Do better!!!

    Oxtails, redheads and rice, mac and cheese, sweet potatoes,  plantains

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    8 years ago

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    4 years ago

    Good food, faster service, decent value What else can I say? Could use a larger venue

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    7 years ago

    Best Jamaican restaurant in Chicago. PERIODT. Always call in & come in 35 minutes later lol the food is definitely worth the wait.

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    11 years ago

    Just recently tried the chicken and we're big fans...recommended!

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    9 years ago

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    7 years ago

    This place has good food and the jerk chicken and red beans and cabbage is off the chain love it

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    11 years ago

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    10 years ago

    Fye better than the villa, real Jamaican cook

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    9 years ago

    My new fav and the best all around.Chicken is on the spicy side however its the best jerk that can be had in the chi.

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    Page 2 of 2

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    Garifuna Flava

    Garifuna Flava

    4.3
    (443 reviews)
    5.4 mi
    $$

    The best oxtails I've ever had in Chicago. Tender and flavorful…read more Service was fast and friendly. Dine-in was not crowded at all. Very people were there. It was peaceful and I enjoyed the music and art which reflected the culture. The stew oxtail is worth every penny.

    A recent evening while wanderlusting in Chicago, I suggested Garifuna Flava because I'd heard…read moreamazing things about it. My fellow traveling house heads trusted my foodie instincts, but there was a little skepticism until our rideshare driver gave it his enthusiastic vote of confidence! Garifuna Flava is a Black-owned restaurant celebrating the rich flavors and traditions of Belizean, Caribbean, Latin, and Indigenous Garifuna cuisine. The restaurant isn't fancy, yet it is warm, welcoming, and one of the owners even took time to share the history of the Garifuna people with one of my friends. And making the experience even more authentic was the soundtrack of Caribbean and reggae music, which had us swaying, singing along, and feeling right at home like a spot in the Caribbean or Brooklyn. As for the food, it was DELISH! I enjoyed tender oxtails with yams, fried sweet plantains, rice, and stew beans. It was comfort food that tasted like a home-cooked meal. A nice cold Ting was the perfect pairing. I couldn't resist sampling a dining partner's shrimp dish, which was also flavorful. Garifuna Flava is located in Chicago Lawn, often referred to locally as Marquette Park on Chicago's Southwest Side. The neighborhood is home to the beautiful 323-acre Marquette Park, designed by the Olmsted Brothers (sons of the designer of Central Park), and holds an important place in the city's civil rights history. Thank you, Garifuna Flava, for a delicious meal and a cultural experience I'll remember. I'll definitely be back. But don't just take my word for it, go experience the yummyliciousness for yourself! Mmmm... #BonAppetit! Cheers!

    Photos
    Menu along wall and decor.
    Menu along wall and decor.
    Delish Jerk Chicken (Plus 2 Sides) Rice & Beans and Mac & Cheese
    Delish Jerk Chicken (Plus 2 Sides) Rice & Beans and Mac & Cheese
    Outside

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    Outside
    Jerky Jerk

    Jerky Jerk

    4.2
    (194 reviews)
    11.3 mi
    $$

    I was craving plantains so we ordered delivery, and OMG this is probably one of the best chicken…read moreand candied yams I've ever had! The chicken was grilled to perfection! The meat was juicy, the seasoning was delicious and the sauce that came with it was tangy, sweet and wasn't too spicy. But those candied yams OMG! They weren't overly sweet that it hurts your throat but just the right amount to satisfy your sweet tooth! They must have added some fruit like pineapple because it added a little tangy kick that balances so well with the sweetness and added another dimension! We will have to try this place in person next time!

    Jerky Jerk is THE SPOT!…read more We wanted something better than stadium food before the Bulls game. And the three of us love Jamaican food, specifically, jerk chicken and curry goat. So as soon as Jerky Jerk showed up on my Yelp search, I knew my search had ended, and that we found our pre-game dinner spot. Jerky Jerk blew my expectations out of the water. I'm a Chicago native, but I live in LA, where I'm lucky to be surrounded by many delicious Jamaican food spots. But Jerky Jerk has the best jerk chicken I've ever had. When I say that the smoky, slightly sweet, tender, fall-of-the-bone experience hit the spot, I mean that it HIT THE SPOT! Even the rice & peas and cabbage were cooked and spiced to perfection. All three of us devoured our plates in about ten minutes. I also love the colorful and lively Chicago sports murals that fill each wall, as well as the hospitable and vibrant service from the owners. They absolutely rock. They throw a party inside, and they make you feel welcomed and right at home. Jerky Jerk is now a non-negotiable stop when visiting Chicago. This place slaps.

    Photos
    Jerky Jerk
    Two Pick any 2 Meats & 2 Side
    Two Pick any 2 Meats & 2 Side
    Plantain (6)

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    Plantain (6)
    The Wild Hare

    The Wild Hare

    3.7
    (257 reviews)
    12.4 mi
    $$

    I'm back to update my previous review. I finally got the chance to come back to The Wild Hare for…read morethe full dine-in and live music experience. I'm really glad I did. Our server was quick and pleasant. He was refilling and offering new drinks before we even knew we needed them. I'm not even sure I really considered the menu because I really came to retry the oxtail and rice & peas. I was not disappointed, and there was nothing but tailbones left on my plate. Ambiance is fun at The Wild Hare. The live music in the back room int he evenings are definitely where it's at. I would recommend checking out the event calendar on their website to help pick which day you may want to come. My only complaint is that I really wish the DJ played more reggae in the restaurant. I expected to have a full reggae night, but all the way up until the live band, it was mostly hip hop and R&B with the occasional reggae throwback. Give us more; we came for the reggae vibes!

    Came here on a Sunday after. They had drink specials available. We were able to find parking right…read moreout front. On this occasion there were drink specials. Grabbed $7 margarita (special) which was tasty. For food my husband and I shared the full lb of rib tips and fries. We thought they were tasty. We met up with some friends celebrating a March birth (Aries). The bar crowd was friendly...everyone just enjoying the music and each other. Bathrooms were big and never had an issue getting a stall. Security present and overall just a fun experience. Would love to come back when they have a live band playing.

    Photos
    Stage in second room
    Stage in second room
    The Wild Hare
    The Wild Hare

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    Marina's Bistro and Rum Bar

    Marina's Bistro and Rum Bar

    4.5
    (134 reviews)
    17.8 mi

    Best food I've had outside of the island!!! 10/10 recommend the arroz con gandules were greatread more

    So today after many month of wanting to try this restaurant in our next-door neighborhood we…read morefinally went today and OMG it was the best northside Puerto Rican Restaurant we have have visited actually the only one in the north side of Chicago. Thr atmosphere and ambiance was amazing beautifully decorated in the place is small but cozy and you literally feel at home, the owner chef and his bartender hostest greet you like if your family. The owner Eric is so sweet and down to earth he makes you feel like an old friend visiting from the homeland. Katie was supper sweet and very informative on all the menu and drinks. I decided to try the Entre Las Sabanas made with Bacardi & Conac it was so good I asked for a second one. My wife had Tamarindo non alcohol because she was driving, we also asked for the Hummus de Gandules that was so different and so yummy served with plantain chips. For dinner I had shrimps with arroz blanco and pink beans my dinner was so good. My wife had vistec encebollado with rice and beans, she loved it. Our dessert was pudding de pan. It's a must restaurant to visit if you like Puerto Rican food. I highly recommend this restaurant and on weekends it's highly recommend to make reservations. I will certainly return again.

    Photos
    Dining room, small bar
    Dining room, small bar
    Lechon Asada with majado (mashed taro)
    Lechon Asada with majado (mashed taro)
    Booth area

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    Booth area

    Jamaican Gates Restaurant - caribbean - Updated August 2026

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