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    Lil Red’s Takeout and Catering

    4.4 (308 reviews)
    Closed 11:00 am - 7:00 pm
    Updated over 3 months ago

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    LIL RED’S TAKEOUT AND CATERING ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Outdoor seating
    Dogs allowed

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    Leonard Jack ..

    After seeing this place on some of the Seattle top ten lists, I decided to try it. I was not disappointed, as it felt as if I left Seattle and entered into another region of the country. The cultural feeling was a great start. They have a large menu with many great choices. I ordered the hotlink sandwich, a side of collard greens, and the lb of ox tails. Everything beat expectations. The food was incredible and I will be back for more menu items, The massage chair on location adds to the enjoyment. And as a last recommendation, you must try the kool-aid, it really completes the meal. The staff was very friendly and explained the menu and recommendations for what you'd like,

    Burnt ends, bbq pork, Jerk chicken leg, Garlic Mashed Potato, Greens
    Jinny C.

    Came in for takeout and had a wonderful experience. The staff was friendly and helpful in explaining the menu, and service was fairly quick for how much food we ordered. We got the jerk chicken thigh, burnt ends, and bbq pork. Our favorite was the burnt ends and jerk chicken. The pork was a bit dry. We also ordered the greens and garlic mashed potato, which were both really good. They have two sauce options, one bbq and one that's more smoky and hot. Definitely should try both of them. The shop is small with just a few counter seats inside as it's mainly a takeaway spot. They do have a table outside as well. There are a couple parking spots in front and also street parking.

    Takeout Plates
    Jacques I.

    Lil Red's Takeout and Catering is one of the best spots for Jamaican BBQ and classic sides with a southern twist and housemade ginger beer! Located off of Rainier Avenue, it's a takeout spot only, with limited parking, but it's worth seeking. I've had Lil Red's a few times and the food is always delicious. Every time I get the Jamaican chicken, my mouth is on fire from the sauce because the heat is for real. In a good way. The chicken is tender and flavorful and the sauce just brings that oomph. Brisket is also a good choice, with its tender and smoky flavor. I mean, really, you cannot go wrong here. Sides that I love are the mac and cheese and collard greens and plantains. But whatever you get here, do not leave without the housemade ginger beer! This is the best ginger beer I've ever had with its heavy ginger flavor. Get a large over the regular size and you won't regret it. There are tables outside of the small takeout shop, but there's only four of them. There have been times I've been here on sunny days where the tables are all taken up, but most times, people are here to get takeout and are just waiting around. Plus, you can bring your dog here! Staff are friendly and the food comes out fast. I gotta try more of the large menu, like the oxtails that sell out and the catfish. See ya there!

    Pound cake
    Edwards C.

    Moldy pound cake? Cornbread was trash. No flavor. Beef patties are just okay. Chicken is dry.

    Jerk chicken and Mac n Cheese.
    Tifanny B.

    After awhile, I finally made my return to Lil Red's. Last time I was here I got the Jamaican beef patties. This time I got the jerk chicken and mac n cheese for lunch while I was getting my hair done in the hair shop on the second floor. I have to admit I prefer the beef patties but the jerk chicken was still good. I got lunch and end up having left overs that I threw in the air fryer when I got home. I want to treat myself to Lil Red's this upcoming week for lunch again. I am happy it is only a short walk from my apartment!

    Lillian S.

    Mac n cheese and garlic potatoes 10/10 Brisket 10/10 Rib tips 7/10 Jerk chicken 4/10 I would 100% come back again

    Whole Snapper, Rice and Peas, Plantains, Cornbread!
    Roubens P.

    10/10 Experience! Coming from the South, I've got high standards when it comes to food and this spot in Seattle absolutely delivered! The flavors were on point, easily some of the best food I've had since arriving here. While waiting, I had a great conversation with Red, super friendly, welcoming, and made the experience even better. The staff overall was warm and inviting. I'll definitely be back a few more times before I leave town. Highly recommend!

    Ribs and Mac & Cheese!!!
    Shelby W.

    A co-worker took me here for his going away lunch. I got the ribs and mac and cheese. I would give the ribs a 4 out of 5. They were tender, juicy and meaty. But the Mac & Cheese was a 10 out of 5. Yes you heard me right a 10 out of 5. This was the best Mac & Cheese I've ever had in my life and I've had my fair share. I wish I could make a big batch of this for myself at home. This place isn't cheap but if the food is good it's all good to me. I will definitely be back. I plan on bringing my dad next time. So I can see the look on his face when he tries this Mac & Cheese!

    Jerk boneless Chicken Meal with Greens and Yams + Cornbread
    Kathy N.

    I've had Lil Red's before at a catered event but this was my first time going in person. Keep in mind there's only like 3 parking spots but there's some street parking nearby -I ordered the jerk boneless chicken plate with greens and yams ($20). It came with cornbread. My bf got the pulled pork sandwich ($18) which came with 1 side, and he chose Mac n cheese. The food was delicious! Nice, big servings. Chicken was tender, not dry, and went well with the greens and yams. I only had a bite of the pulled pork sandwich but it looked like the bread was homemade maybe? The Mac n cheese was also great. My bf took a bite and immediately said "whoo that's some good Mac n cheese!' -Service was very kind. When we walked in, there were 2 people who had handheld payment systems and they walk up to you to take your order, rather than you going to a cash register. The young girl we had explained the menu to us and was very sociable and approachable. Service was pretty slow though. We waited I think 15-25 min to get our orders. When I walked up to the window to pick up my order, the man who prepared the order was similarly very kind and made a little small talk. -Even though it has "takeout" in the name, there is seating inside and outside. -Originally, I wanted brisket but by the time we got there between 3-4pm, they were already out, so show up early for that I guess

    Kaidi G.

    I have heard of so many great things about Lil Red's but my first try of the amazing food here was from a corporate event at PitchBook, where Lil Red's catered for us. Lunch was absolutely delicious! I tried the BBQ chicken and jerk pork, both of which were really good. The meat was tender and flavorful, and had the perfect combination of savory and sweetness. My personal take on the jerk pork is that a combination of the fatty and lean part tastes the best because it's even juicer and has just the right amount of fat. A splash of BBQ sauce elevates the flavor profile, but even without the sauce, both types of meat taste great. Rice & peas was a highlight that I particularly appreciated. The kidney beans make rice that much more flavorful.

    I've eaten a lot of bbq in my life, but this. THIS. Is the best BBQ I've ever had. Immediately you feel like you've been invited to a family cook out in heaven. Ribs were fall off the BONE! Jerk and bbq sauce -- as much as you want! Everything was a VIBE! Service made you feel like family. Thanks Red for a good time and a good eat! Make sure you stop by Jackie's pop-up for some banana pudding and some delicious lemonade.

    Menu
    Richard U.

    BBQ with Jamaican flavors! This is my kind of place! No frills here, just really good BBQ! Stuff tried: Oxtail plate with Mac and cheese, collard greens side: this was a lot of food! Oxtail was stewed in a nicely spiced sauce and not just brown gravy. The Mac and cheese and collard greens were so good! I would get this with rice next time for maximum sopping up of gravy. Burnt ends: these were probably some of the best, most tender burnt ends I've had in ages! Drizzle the jerk sauce on them for a nicely spicy zing! Meat pie: I am a sucker for Jamaican meat pies. Nice ultra thin flaky crust, and the finely minced meat is nicely seasoned. Garlic mashed potatoes: creamy and garlicky! Also paired well with the sauce oxtails Most of the traffic here is take out to go orders so there really isn't any indoor seating, just a small countertop for while you wait. There are some outdoor tables if you prefer to not wait until you get home to eat!

    Pork Ribs, Mac N Cheese, Yams & Cornbread
    William H.

    I heard about this place and had to check it out. It's right off of Rainier Ave by the playfield. Walk in and you're greeted and the menu is right in front of you. It's a small place with barely any seating. They will explain how the menu works and make it easy. I ended up getting the Pork Rib Meal with Mac N Cheese & Yams. Plus I ordered some Rib Tips & Sweet Tea. The Pork Ribs, Mac N Cheese, Yams, Rib Tips & Cornbread was ok. If you're in the area swing by and check it out.

    Brisket and burnt ends - IG @bougiefoodieboi

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    23 days ago

    Perhaps the best in the city. The jerk chicken is awesome and the staff is top notch.

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    10 months ago

    amazing food. tastes wonderful. excellent customer service. this is a must try, it will surprise you!

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    Page 1 of 8

    Lil Red’s Takeout and Catering Reviews in Other Languages

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    Un Bien

    Un Bien

    4.7
    (1.6k reviews)
    9.0 mi
    $$

    tl;dr the juicy Caribbean pork sandwiches at this revived Seattle mini-chain live up to the…read morelegendary hype Un Bien is arguably Seattle's most popular sandwich joint, and its dramatic history begins with Cuban chef Lorenzo Lorenzo and his initial shop, Paseo. Lorenzo opened Paseo in 1994, where his popular Cuban roast pork sandwiches were regarded as among the best in the country. After years of local expansion, Paseo abruptly filed for bankruptcy in 2014. The brand was subsequently bought out by a local entrepreneur, but the sale did not include Paseo's secret recipes (the reboot attempted to reverse engineer the sandwiches with varying success). So, in 2015, Lorenzo's sons revived Paseo under a new name, Un Bien, armed with their father's original recipes. Nowadays, Un Bien is generally regarded as superior to Paseo, and you can grab their Caribbean sandos at one of the three locations across Seattle. You can't miss the pastel pink-and-teal palette of the original shack on an otherwise drab block of Ballard. As you approach the wooden window, you are greeted by the aroma of sauteed meats and veggies. Communal laquered wood benches are lined up underneath a covered pergola. Fifties hits ring respectfully around the kitchen. My partner and I visited for late weekday lunch, and we ordered immediately. We opted to focus on the signature pork shoulder, so we split the #1 Caribbean Roast and #2 The Press. Across both sandwiches, we were impressed by the tender pork, rich onions, lemon-forward aioli, and marinade-soaked baguette. The standard roast pork sandwich added on pickled jalapenos and crisp romaine, culminating in a dynamic flavor that accentuated the meat. Meanwhile, The Press featured tart banana peppers, smoked ham, and melty Swiss, amping up the sweet and savory flavors alike; we agreed that this extra-messy sandwich just edged out the standard version. Our order took just minutes to be prepared, and the bill just topped $30. Despite the fanfare, I still found myself surprised by just how satisfying Un Bien's sandwiches turned out to be. Across all the food I ate in Seattle, only these pork sandwiches would be worth a return visit, even if I had to venture out of my way.

    Messy, pricey, totally overrated…read more My family and I visited Un Bien and arrived approximately 45 minutes before closing. We ordered promptly, but were told we would only have about 10 minutes to use the seating area before it closed. When we asked for clarification because the restaurant was advertised as being open until 9:00 PM, staff confirmed they were open until then but said the seating area would close earlier anyway. After receiving our food, we were told not to sit down and were asked to leave the seating area altogether. The interaction felt abrupt and discourteous, especially given that we had arrived well before closing and had purchased food with the expectation that we could eat on-site. The food itself was average, but the poor customer service and inconsistent messaging about seating left a much stronger impression than the meal. There are other better places. Skip.

    Photos
    Seating area
    Seating area
    #1 Caribbean Roast
    #1 Caribbean Roast
    Spicy scallop - so yummy

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    Spicy scallop - so yummy
    Taste of the Caribbean

    Taste of the Caribbean

    4.3
    (357 reviews)
    3.1 mi
    $$

    Taste of the Caribbean is a black- and woman- owned Jamaican restaurant in the Central District…read more (The Central District rocks as a source for minority owned ethnic foods.) Walking in, the layout suggests they are also a party/mini-concert/event space. Service is casual; we were told to sit anywhere. I should have boogied my way to the table. We happily browsed through the menu looking at the many choices, some very unfamiliar. Everything looks so good, and prices are reasonable. We need to return and be more adventurous next time. Our server was helpful, guiding portion size and optional sides. The Food: Jerk Chicken plate, add steamed veggie, $20 + $2 - 5 Stars True to the jerk seasoning, theirs is spicy, as it should be. I find it annoying when jerk seasoning isn't spicy enough. The seasoning tastes even spicier when I drink water, and the heat spreads. So good! I was also happy they use boned chicken, which is more flavorful. I asked about veggies, that is $2 extra. Oxtails plate, add rice & peas, $24 + $1 - 5 Stars With beefy stock, these oxtail pieces are well-seasoned and paired well with root vegetables. A small salad and the rice & peas are a good match to the oxtail. I enjoy seeing oxtails used in different recipes. Jamaican patty, $5 - 5 Stars These beef meat pies are freshly baked and arrived at our table smoking hot. We were happy that we ordered two, so we wouldn't have to share. Haha. Very delicious. Plantains, $8 - 5 Stars From the appetizers portion of the menu, these are perfectly fried, caramelized, with minimal blackened carcinogens. This plate was a particularly good batch.

    This should be the go to place in Seattle for people seeking authentic tasting Jamaican food. I've…read moretried some of the other places but this is still the best in my opinion. Delicious oxtail, jerk chicken, and beef patty. I have eaten there and had take out. I'll say it's more of a takeout place despite being such a large space. It's mostly empty during the day but turns into a night spot for Caribbean and African night events on certain days. I have come here for years and gotten to see the same staff and they are always so great there. Very friendly and helpful.

    Photos
    Taste of the Caribbean
    Oxtails plate, add rice & peas, $24 + $1 - 5 Stars
    Oxtails plate, add rice & peas, $24 + $1 - 5 Stars
    Taste of the Caribbean

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    Pam's Caribbean Kitchen

    Pam's Caribbean Kitchen

    4.3
    (597 reviews)
    7.0 mi
    $$

    We finally made our first visit to Pam's Kitchen after years of meaning to go - and it did not…read moredisappoint. When we arrived, there were a few tables occupied, and we were invited to seat ourselves. We chose a cozy booth near the kitchen. One thing to note: there are no physical menus; instead, you order and pay using QR codes at the table. We started with the aloo pies and, of course, couldn't pass up the jerk chicken. Everything arrived at once rather than in courses, but it didn't take away from the experience. Every dish was packed with flavor. The aloo pies had a taste reminiscent of samosas :: crispy on the outside with a warmly spiced filling :: and were served with a tangy chutney that complemented them perfectly. The jerk chicken was the standout. Tender, juicy, and beautifully seasoned with warm, balanced spices :: it was easily the highlight of the meal. It came with rice and peas (beans), which were some of the best we've had, along with a simple green salad that surprised us with its freshness and bright citrus vinaigrette. We also had the pleasure of chatting with Pam, who was just as warm and welcoming as the food she prepares. She mentioned that they often have live music on weekends, which sounds like a great reason to return. I also noticed they offer an all-you-can-eat buffet on Wednesdays, and after this experience, I'm especially excited to come back and try more of the menu. If everything else is as good as what we had, we're already sold. Oh! I almost forgot :: my husband ordered a wonderful drink, the Trinidad Smash. One sip transported us to vacation mode, instantly! So good!

    I'd give the food 4 stars and service/ambiance 2. We ordered the jerk chicken sandwich and it was…read morepretty good. I loved the coconut fry bread it was served on! That was the highlight. The restaurant didn't seem very busy the night we came in, but they did have a lot of takeout orders. We placed our order via QR code at the table and waited... and waited. There were a lot of takeout orders coming from the kitchen but those of us dining in seemed to be sitting around a long time waiting for food and drinks. No one came to check on us and since we paid on the app, there was no interaction other than being seated and having our food brought out. I'd like to try other dishes but will just order takeout from now on.

    Photos
    Inside
    Inside
    Jerk ribs plate
    Jerk ribs plate
    Spicy Jerk Wings, so good!

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    Spicy Jerk Wings, so good!
    Bongos

    Bongos

    4.6
    (1.5k reviews)
    8.2 mi
    $$

    I really enjoyed the Desi Plate from Bongos. The pork was flavorful and tender, the plantain was…read moresweat and soft, the coleslaw was fresh and not too creamy and the pickled veg was great sourness to combat the rounded beans flavor. 10/10 would order again. Good spot for the summer since it's an order and pickup at the counter spot (with ringers) and a good post-Greenlake hearty meal. The service was quick and standard, no complaints and limited conversations so not too fussy

    Caribbean-style fast food spot with a clean, brand-new interior and nice little windows for a…read morepleasant view while eating. Ordering is done at the counter, then you wait for a buzzer to grab your food, which made it feel more like a cafeteria or fast-food setup than a traditional restaurant. The food was okay, but heavily sauced and lacking the authentic Caribbean flavor I was hoping for. Being from the East Coast, I was really looking forward to some true Jamaican jerk chicken or flavorful oxtail, and unfortunately this missed the mark for me. The best comparison I can think of is making baby back ribs in the oven, pouring barbecue sauce on top, and calling them authentic BBQ ribs -- without the seasoning, smoke, or hours of preparation that make the real thing special. One big plus was the ample parking with generously sized spaces, which is definitely appreciated. Overall, probably not somewhere I'll become a frequent customer, but I could still see stopping in for a quick bite over McDonald's, Five Guys, or standard takeout Chinese food.

    Photos
    Caribbean island signs
    Caribbean island signs
    Shrimp Po Boy
    Shrimp Po Boy
    Bongo Bar

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    Bongo Bar
    Jerk Shack Kitchen

    Jerk Shack Kitchen

    4.1
    (81 reviews)
    3.3 mi

    I was really excited to try Jerk Shack after hearing great things. On a previous visit to the area,…read morewe could smell the food and it smelled amazing, which made us even more excited to come back and try it. Unfortunately, we weren't able to eat here this time. We arrived around 10:55am and waited until about 11:25- 11:30, but the restaurant still hadn't opened. I understand things can happen, but I do hope the posted hours are accurate on a daily basis since we planned our visit around them. That said, based on how great everything smelled, I'd definitely be willing to give it another try next time we're in the area.

    We came here based on a recommendation from a friend. We were disappointed the quality of the food…read more I ordered the salmon meal and my friend had the fried shrimp meal. She added an extra side of plantains, greens and Mac-n-cheese. The issue was the salmon lacked flavor. The rice and peas and plantains were clearly old food that they had reheated. Seeing pictures of other plantain orders on this app lets me know that what we had we old and likely had been reheated several times. The greens and Mac-n-cheese were good. We also really liked the hibiscus drink. The service was friendly. We won't return because the plantain and rice and peas at a Caribbean restaurant is huge part of what we were looking forward to.Our total cost was $105. with tax and tip.

    Photos
    Order window
    Order window
    Soft Shelled Crab Sandwich ($22)
    Soft Shelled Crab Sandwich ($22)
    Dining area

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    Dining area

    Lil Red’s Takeout and Catering - caribbean - Updated June 2026

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