I can't believe that I'm the first to review this place. It's very rare that I post a review several seconds after devouring my meal. King Barka, I owe you this. The jerk chicken is absolutely fantastic. I got a 'small' size with rice and peas, plantains, and some kind of curry/jerk sauce. I haven't tasted jerk chicken from Jamaica, but I can imagine this version comes very close. A word to the faint at heart: it's pretty spicy (runny-sinuses-grab-a-tissue-chug-water/beer-spicy). The place is open 24 hours, which means I have every intention of trying every single thing on their menu and posting it on here. No seating. Pretty much hole in the wall, affixed with a swivel glass window through which you can retrieve your food. I ordered my food by yelling through a locked glass door, which was fun. They take card. read more

I ordered two chicken soups and when I tell you terrible taste baby, tbh that's an understatement! The soup is watery with zero consistency. The flavor was so off I it had zero Caribbean herbs and spices. I couldn't tell the difference between their soup and a Lipton soup. I hate the fact that my son and I wasn't feeling well and we had nasty food on top of it. read more

This is a perfect hole in the wall serving great Jamaican food to go. I've had the jerk chicken, the oxtail, the Mac and cheese, the rice and peas, and the cabbage. All fantastic, bar none. It's just a window you order through, like an old school drug drop or drive through bank with a spinning box you put the money in and get the food through; no place to sit or anything like that. The prices are reasonable as all hell - the small plates range from $6-8. The mediums are $9-11, the large are $14-16, they all come with a main and 2 sides. The large is easily more than one meal's worth of food. There is often a line of people , all jammed into a tiny space, but everyone is so happy to be on line there, no one complains. In fact everyone just chats while they wait. The only bad part for me was sitting on the B/C trains heading home with the smells enticing me as they rose from the bag. read more

The line look crazy long but we was in and out really fast. The wait is no longer then 10min or maybe less. I didn't keep time but I wasn't too upset about waiting . This spot has good food . read more

Amazing food 24/7 ! I'm so happy I accidentally found this place, it was the best late night food I've had in a while!

This is the best of the late night 24 hr spots around this part of Harlem. Don't fall in love with any one particular item because sometimes you order what they have. And don't be surprised if you have to wait in line outside the door because a lot of people know this is a go to place for a sizable amount of good food at reasonable prices. read more

I had the oxtails and mac and cheese, they weren't that good. They give you a decent size of food but I wouldn't go there again.

Love this place! There is always a line no matter what time you go, mind you this spot is open 24/7. They take cash or card

If you want authentic style Jamaican food this is it! The oxtails are to die for. Food is always fresh and the staff is so kind and very helpful. It's a small place but once you go in and when you taste the food, you understand why they've been around so long ! This is my favorite neighborhood spot read more

Food is *okay* in a pinch. But mostly bad, and definitely doesn't sit on the stomach well. Plus the staff is ruder than they need to be. Like, I know it's hot back there - but chill! read more

I'm so incredibly disappointed. I came on a recommendation from a friend in Harlem and ordered a med oxtails with no cabbage but received something in a sticky bbq sauce. The lady was nice enough and I tipped her $4 for her kindness but by the time I made it back to crown heights super hungry and opened the container, I was shocked and extremely disappointed at what I received. I had chewy whatever in a bbq sauce and also cabbage was in my dish. Very sad and disappointed. read more

I love this small Caribbean restaurant in Harlem. The food is very good, and the oxtails are to die for....only downside, they never have patties available lol. Highly recommended! read more

The oxtail was amazing. Super savory, mouthwatering and memorable. The portions were huge and I couldn't get through a medium in one sitting but that's a good thing, I had left overs for lunch the next day! I used the oxtail bones to cook my rice with and let me tell you, one of the best decisions I've ever made. Loved being reminded of the delicious meal I just had and getting all that deliciousness all over the white rice. Their rice is good too, not amazing. If you're Hispanic then you'll be used to better but the sauce from the oxtail helped elevate it. I definitely do not recommend the Mac and cheese, lowkey disgusting, get the cabbage instead. It's not too busy but it's always got a line because everybody loves getting food here, so be prepared to wait around 10 min. They're open 24/7 which is amazing because on the late nights you don't have the energy to cook and clean you can just stop by here. Gonna take my girl to eat here next time! Good stuff overall. read more

King Barka - Oxtail with Rice and Peas, cabbage + Macaroni and Cheese - Caribbean Near Me - New York, New York

The most bland, tasteless West Indian food I've ever experienced. The jerk chicken was OK but not anything worth purchasing again. The oxtails were so blahhh and the cabbage had like no seasonings, spices at all! Will not return. read more

Me and my boyfriend are from Philadelphia and this is our first time staying in New York and our first time ordering at this restaurant and there was a roach in my order read more

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If I could give this place no stars, I would. The food is "next levs" - no question. Thank God for Ms. Laverne. If she ever left they would suck plenty salt. Anyway, the reason why I am giving them a bad review is because, just like your typical West Indian, they have no idea how to do business. I tried having a potluck at my place of employment in downtown Manhattan partially catered (for approx $800). They lied and said they would/could cater and that I would only need to give two days notice. I had the Office Coordinator at my job call two days before the event, all of a sudden, they don't take cards over the phone, they don't take business checks, the owner Ms. King-Richards asked why I was only calling two days prior (uh, because you told me to duppy). They don't deliver - I thought that was a part of catering. They already don't have an online presence...what a mess. "Dem not ready fe nuttin'. Never see, come see. Wash you foot and come King Barka". I'm disgusted!! read more

Had the oxtail plate with rice, beans, plantains. Pretty good but the lady taking the orders is quite rude when answering questions. Eyeroll and all. read more

This restaurant never has anything that you want, every time I order from them my order gets canceled, secondly I ordered jerk chicken and what I received was not jerk chicken it tasted more like BBQ chicken, which was still good but that's not what I wanted. Lastly this restaurant doesn't include plantains with their orders, you have to purchase that separately. I do not know any Jamaican restaurants that charge for plantains unless you are ordering extra. The rice and peas were good, cabbage was good, the jerk chicken was not. The delivery man doesn't come upstairs either. I will not be ordering again. read more

Hands down the best oxtails I've had in a long time out of Harlem. They were very tender and they give you a good amount for both size options. read more

I found a long piece of hair in my curry goat. Haven't been back since. Prior to this incident, the lines were usually about 20 minutes long, and the customer service could use massive work. The worst part about this place is the inconsistency. Some days the food was pretty good, and then some days, not so much. I would order the jerk chicken on a regular basis with a side of collard greens and rice and peas. Sometimes the jerk chicken was delicious, and sometimes it lacked seasoning and that smoky flavor that makes jerk chicken highly sought after. I've also tried the jerk chicken wings, oxtail, curry chicken, and macaroni and cheese. Definitely not the best at what they do. The only thing that I can say that's decent about this place is the price for small meals--roughly under $7 for a generous amount. However, you get what you pay for. read more

I am Jamaican and this food is TERRIBLE (The fish is tuff and the goat is mushy) and the customer service in HORRIBLE! I will NEVER order food from here again...I am literally about to drive to the Bronx after coming home, receiving the wrong order (despite this woman repeating the order to me) and tasting this TASTELESS MESS. Waste of time and money. read more

My friend brought me here at like 3am after a night of drinking and the food was amazing and hit the spot!! I've been craving since I had it but didn't see them available on uber eats. I just called and the woman fixed the issue they had with the app so that i can order. Then when I realized the sides that i wanted to order weren't available on their app, she manually took my order by phone and just told me what to select on the app to cover the cost of the food so that I can still get what I want. She was so patient as I was customizing 3 orders. Now I'm just waiting for the food to arrive .. so excited. Thank you!!! read more

Chicken shouldn't have only leg and thigh! They must be buying a huge box of low grade chicken legs and thighs. Ridiculousness.

Their jerk chicken is bananas. Spicy as all hell but worth it. I had to go to a workshop at a nearby school and my coworker and I decided to try them for lunch. Its a hole in the wall spot with nowhere to sit but those often have the best foods...dont they?!?! The rice and peas were cooked just right and pouring some oxtail gravy over it slammed it home. If youre a fan of spicy jerk, definitely give them a try. Thank me later read more

The first time I went to this place I asked for jerk chicken. The female worker behind the glass said, we are out out jerk chicken........Ok I then I asked her what was the meat in the buffet tray. She said not jerk chicken (very nasty). So I said, I just want to know what it was, (again very nasty) I said we don't have jerk chicken.....Miss I heard you I just want to know what that is I don't eat pork..... We don't have jerk chicken.....Wow unbelievable so I walked out never to return to this place again never.......Sad read more

Heard that this spot has great food, I ordered the Jerk Chicken and rice. The food was so delicious and filling, very flavorful. I hate I live in Brooklyn because I would be here weekly... but its so good I still might. read more

Each time I've ordered from this restaurant over the past two months, my order has been canceled without explanation. If they are closed, they should remove their menu from seamless. That's what other restaurants have done. read more

Ordered the curry goat. Tasted and smelled good. Only complaint is the rice and beans; there was too much of it and not enough goat. I didn't realize that it came with rice and beans, which did not taste as good as the goat. read more

The debit card machine hardly ever works and the way they pack your food needs to be better. The food is pretty good most of the time.

I mean... tryna get good Jamaican food in Harlem is hard period but ... this wud have to do.. smh sometimes I order and the rice tastes like that's the rest of the rice they used all week. There's one lady with a nice attitude and of course I dnt see her anymore then all of a sudden they start charging tax and of course ITS TOOOO SMALLLLL and they need more than one person at the register really ! read more

Delicious food at any time of the day. The oxtail and jerk chicken are always on point.

The jerk chicken was soft but lacked the spices. The jerk sauce was sweet and tangy! The rice with beans was delicious along with their collard green. The medium can feed two people if they are on diet! Lol read more

Hi King Barka, So, I ordered Oxtails and Curry Goat on 3/2 @ 6pm. Question. Why can I not request my own sides on grub hub. There was a space where they ask you if u have a request. I asked for white rice for my Curry Goat, but I recieved peas and rice. . I ordered a side of Mac n Cheese, as soon as I opened the container I smelled burnt, didn't look burnt but it sure tasted burnt!!! Why y'all did that, y'all knew that pot of mac was burnt, yall smelled it then served it.. not nice!!! I will say though Oxtails and Curry Goat even peas and rice were very yummie. but!! as a consumer I should be able to choose what type of sides I want. Please don't serve burnt food no more especially when folks can't drive or walk to change order and pay good money for dinner. Thanks.. read more

The food is great and they give good portions . Two customer max inside, they'll come outside and take you're order while you wait in line. I don't think they take card. read more

Very soft curry goat. I must say very spicy, but we'll cooked soft falling apart from the bone.. rice and peas nice coconut taste.. and best of all good portion for the price.. will definitely visit again... read more

This is the BEST Jamaican Food for me. BEST prices and BEST CUSTOMER SERVICE. I'm not being rushed to order or given crazy looks when I ask questions. I Love It Here!! I come from BX to get this..Wow! read more

I did my order on Grubhub. I ordered oxtails peas and rice with Mac and cheese. This meal was delish. It came super quick and they listened to my request to add extra gravy on my rice. Thanks King Barka read more

First of all I used to love the food and the customer service. This place has truly changed for the worst from the way the food taste and the customer service. The food rating is a B which is disgusting and the food looks dry and nasty from sitting out all day. They never have enough of anything and they stay open 24 hours. The rude a$$ waitress all need to get fired they have no respect for the customers. Im never going back to this hoie in a wall! read more

Great food recommends oxtails, stew chicken, baked salmon good options depending on the cook food can be somewhat spicy remember not to bite down on whole peppercorn. read more

I really love the fact that this place is open 24/7 but 3/5 times the oxtail are undercooked. I only go here when I'm craving oxtail late night. Half the time I'm frustrated bcuz the oxtail are so tuff. When I first started coming here the oxtail were great, I'm not sure if they got a new cook but it's really sad to spend 15 bucks on oxtail & I can't enjoy them. I also had this issue with the goat once. Idk if undercooked is the right word but I'm use to oxtail falling off the bone and it's just really tough. read more