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

Lil Red's is a small Jamaican bbq and soul cuisine spot that offers takeout (order ahead and provide credit card info; ~15-20 min wait) and dine in with a small table inside and many tables outside. There's street parking only so ease depends on the hour/day. Staff let us know everything is made in house with love so they can run out of a lot of different things if you come late. For my visit I got the boneless jerk chicken meal with a side of baked beans and Mac and cheese. Based of first impressions, the protein portion looked like half the amount and I expected more for a $22 meal. The chicken was lightly seasoned but came with a sauce that was robust and spicy. The Mac and cheese was pretty heavy but very seasoned and creamy which was nice. The baked beans were like typical bbq baked beans but with a bit more spice. Cornbread was nothing special. read more

Lil Red’s Takeout and Catering - interior - Caribbean Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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Been wanting to check out Lil Red's for awhile dad and I stopped by this past Saturday after heading home from a visit to a gallery near Beacon Hill. Definitely want to come back cause had a hard time deciding what to get. We got the Jerk Chicken plate with greens and macaroni and cheese sides, and 1/4 pound of the burnt ends. I do remember people saying great thing ls about the burnt ends and the were spot on they were tender, chef lets you sauce them up there is a regular and spicy. Jerk chicken was tender and nice spices. I liked the texture and flavor of the greens, not usually a mac and cheese person but this was nice as well. A few seats inside, we found street parking easily. Nothing fancy space wise but welcoming and supportive of the community Service was friendly and helpful. Definitely will be back to try more of the menu like the oxtail. read more

Lil Red’s Takeout and Catering - jerk Chicken Dinner - Caribbean Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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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, read more

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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. read more

Lil Red’s Takeout and Catering - Burnt ends, bbq pork, Jerk chicken leg, Garlic Mashed Potato, Greens - Caribbean Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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! read more

Lil Red’s Takeout and Catering - Takeout Plates - Caribbean Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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

Lil Red’s Takeout and Catering - Pound cake - Caribbean Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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! read more

Lil Red’s Takeout and Catering - Jerk chicken and Mac n Cheese. - Caribbean Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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 read more

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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! read more

Lil Red’s Takeout and Catering - Whole Snapper, Rice and Peas, Plantains, Cornbread! - Caribbean Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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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! read more

Lil Red’s Takeout and Catering - Ribs and Mac & Cheese!!! - Caribbean Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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 read more

Lil Red’s Takeout and Catering - Jerk boneless Chicken Meal with Greens and Yams + Cornbread - Caribbean Near Me - Seattle, Washington

Some of the nicest staff I've met at a restaurant. The menu is very extensive. I ordered a brisket sandwich and it came with a side so I ordered mashed potatoes. The food was very flavorful and I feel like the portions were pretty good for the price. There's limited seating inside, but there are some outdoor tables. It wasn't too busy when I came at noon. I definitely need to come back on a sunny day and eat outside. read more

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. read more

Lil Red’s Takeout and Catering - Caribbean Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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. read more

Lil Red’s Takeout and Catering - Caribbean Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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I don't get bbq often but I will after having lil reds. The barbecue sauce was immaculate, it gave the meats the right amount of flavor. Brisket 9/10 - the fat in between the meat tendons barely held it all together, storing sauce inside the slices Rib tips 9/10 - soft inside and slightly burnt edges with soft meat, I love cartilage and this hit the spot Jerk chicken not my thing but I could taste all the flavors and seasonings at work. The chicken was very soft and juicy Coming back whenever I'm in town read more

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! read more

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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. read more

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As the name suggests, this restaurant is primarily a takeout business, but there are still some seats outdoors and indoors if you desire to eat the food immediately. Portions are fairly huge so a meal can easily serve 2 people, so don't be too intimidated by the high price point. We got the oxtail meal with rice & beans and yams for the sides, and a la carte jerk chicken large, a la carte quarter pound burnt ends, and a la carte quarter pound brisket. The oxtail is really good, despite the high price point of $32+tax. The 2 of us were already quite full from just the oxtail meal, so we had enough leftovers for another meal for the a la carte meats. The oxtail is very tender and the meat falls off the bone easily. There is a lot of sauce but they packaged it quite well. The sauce pairs really well with generous servings of rice and beans, which also has brisket inside, and a good amount of yam that tastes quite sweet with a hint of banana (plantains). The jerk chicken has a nice spicy kick and may be slightly dry, but the sauce within and the jerk sauce we added on top enhance and made the chicken fairly delicious. The brisket is also fairly tender, not the best compared to BBQ specialized places, but still pretty delicious. The burnt ends was good but felt a bit dry. I was hoping it to be fairly flavorful too, so I was a little underwhelmed by that one. I took off 1 star primarily because I saw we got charged a bit higher than posted prices, which are not even inclusive of tax, and instances of nickel and diming. We asked for sauce containers and that would cost 80 cents (who knows, with whatever surcharge, it would probably close to a dollar, and then add tax on top). But we can add as much sauce as we need for the meats we ordered (I guess environmental, but we could have just used our own containers and fill that up? Feels like a nickel and dime attempt). But otherwise, the food is excellent and worth a try once for Jamaican / Caribbean style BBQ. read more

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Whenever I have my BBQ cravings from time to time, Lil Red's is the only place that can satisfy me. I genuinely believe this is the best spot in Seattle that does BBQ. The setup is very small with limited parking, so your best bet is to call in your order and pick it up when it's ready. I believe you can also order online through Uber eats as well. I ended up ordering in person and having a beer while I waited. The guy in the front that takes orders is also very helpful. What we ordered during the last visit was the brisket, burnt ends, Mac & cheese, and beans. Everything was so tasty, my only complaint is that I don't live closer! read more

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Brisket was dry, $30/pound would have been amazing if it wasn't dry... BBQ sauce was acceptable. We will not be going back. read more

Absolutely delicious. We're so glad we found this spot looking around Google maps. One of the best meals we had during our trip. What we ordered: -Oxtail Meal: We were told to choose a meat as the main entree and two sides so we went with the oxtail, mac and cheese, and mashed potatoes. We honestly should have chosen the rice or greens for one of the sides as the mac and potatoes were pretty heavy together, but we really wanted to try both and won't be able to visit again soon so it was worth it and filled us up from sharing one order. I'm used to seeing the typical yellow elbow mac at many bbq spots, so I immediately knew this mac was going to be amazing the way the sauce looked with all the spices. The mashed potatoes were slightly chunky but probably the most garlicky I've had; I literally said "woah" after trying a scoop. Oxtail was tender and fall off the bone. We were cleaning each piece because it was so good and the flavors were so on point. The order also comes with a small cornbread which we didn't care for as much because it tasted oily. Not a problem because we were very satisfied with everything else. The restaurant and parking: The restaurant is open for only half the week so we were glad to catch them on our last day of our trip. We came shortly after they opened on a Sunday for an early lunch, and there was only 1 guest ahead of us though it started to pick up with orders and catering requests soon after. The restaurant itself is pretty small and humble. Limited seating but seems like most people take their food to-go anyway. You can also order online ahead of time. Young employee at the front was helpful in giving us a run down of the menu and chefs in the back prepared it quickly. Food came out piping hot. Parking was free along the street out front. Overall: I wish this spot was closer to us because we live two states away, but after our experience, Lil Red's will continue to be on our "Must Visit" list any time we are back in Seattle. read more

Lil Red’s Takeout and Catering - Storefront - Caribbean Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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This is the kind of place that has you thinking about when to go next. This is more of a takeout spot (hence the name) but there are outdoor tables. I couldn't wait to eat the food and sat outside and devoured what I got: Jerk chicken - tender and juicy. Their jerk sauce is fire. Oxtail, Mac n cheese and collard greens - amazing flavor. The Mac n cheese has got to be one of the bests I've had. It's on the creamier side. Burnt Ends - chefs kiss especially with a side of their bbq sauce. I usually don't like bbq sauce because it's too sweet but lil red's is just right with the right amount of sweet, tangyness and mild heat. They also make their own homemade drinks which I think are seasonal. I tried the ginger drink and sorrel tea and both were delicious!! I can't wait to go back and try other items from the menu! read more

Lil Red’s Takeout and Catering - Oxtail meal and Burnt Ends - Caribbean Near Me - Seattle, Washington

Best customer service, the food is always delicious! The alcoholic slushy is also amazing. My biggest recommendations is to order and pick up food early. It's so good that the longer you wait to order you risk missing out on the food you most desire. read more

Heard about this place from seeing a post on IG by local food reviewers Justin and Christina. They recommended Lil Red's, and since they're from the South (like myself), I figured they knew what they were talking about. I got the oxtail meal and everything was really good! I am so happy to find a place that serves up delicious oxtails...definitely will be back to try everything on the menu! read more

Lil Red’s Takeout and Catering - Oxtails with mac & cheese and collards - Caribbean Near Me - Seattle, Washington

First timer, food was warm, flavors are seasoned to perfection! Service was great, provided us a lunch/ breakfast menu, great items on the menu! A little warm inside, so it's best to sit outside for better seating and a little bit of sun. Food came out within 10 minutes. Corn bread on the side isn't all that great. Kool aid mixed with all the flavor's is the best way to go! Jerk chicken was so good, had to buy another one! Beef patties are great as well! Try this place out because they also sell out quick! read more

A must try the greens 5/5 Curry 5/5 Brisket off the chart Mac 3/5 Ginger drink 5/5 Yams 3/5 Red and Rice 5/5 Next to try the rice and peas and the whole chicken Service was excellent & fast read more

From the Presentation to the BBQ ribs, hands down some of or if not the Best in the Business! Outlaw approved! Tender, presented in a wonderful aluminum tray, Two sauces on the side! BBQ-AND JERK SAUCE! Ribs are PRIME RIB ON A BONE! Delicious! No meat left on the bone, just melt in your mouth! Expiernce 10 read more

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Wow. Absolutely fantastic food and service. The jerk chicken was moist and full of flavor. The plantains made me weep. Loved everything about Lil Reds! read more

My husband had seen a review on TikTok about Lil Red's, so we decided to check it out for breakfast this morning. So glad, because they serve THE BEST SHRIMP & GRITS!!!!!!!! OMG - I can't believe it took a TikTok kid to get us to try this place, because I am telling you, that was dynamite! read more

Thank you Lil Red's! Appreciate your act of kindness . Always there to help anyone's who needs something to eat. And the food is always great and the staff always friendly! Danny P read more

Let me tell you. I got two items. This really needs to be 3 dollar signs. Got both meals that totaled $48.17. The jerk chicken was meh. But the brisket was amazing. The greens and Mac n cheese probably the best I've ever had. So flavorful. It's got a kick to it. Corn bread was good. Yams was a meh. I'd get the Mac n cheese, greens and brisket again. Service was great. Love it. read more

Lil Red’s Takeout and Catering - Brisket - Caribbean Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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Amazing jerk chicken, all the meats were succulent and flavorful. Mac and plantains were also good. In the interior you are hit with the smell of spices that allude to the kitchen in the back. Staff was friendly and fast, there's lots more to try so I will be back! read more

Awesome staff and chef - they were so friendly and welcoming. The brisket had a great layer of smokey fat, and the meat itself was decently tender. The mashed potatoes are super rich and garlicky, with almost a sour cream tang to it. The cornbread was pretty tasty too - fluffy and sweet. The boneless jerk chicken had a sweet and mildly spicy sauce. BBQ sauce is on the sweeter side as well. Very cool that they also had some free fudge samples from a local maker too. I ordered through an app and it was ready right on time on a Friday evening. The people working there made it memorable and I'm glad such a place still exists in Seattle. I'm happy to finally be able to visit after all the news hype recently! They deserve the rave reviews. read more

This place is closer to 4.5 star but rounding up because of just minor minor critiques and is probably one of the better bbq places Ive been to. We knew this place was busy so we planned ahead and order early and it worked out great. We ended up ordering the burnt ends meal and the jerk rib tips as an extra side. It was pretty hard to narrow down to these two as my fellow yelpers apparently like everything here :) Burnt end meals came with 2 side choices and a corn bread, so we got the Mac and cheese and the collard greens. This meal was very generous in portion and everything in here was sooooo good. The burnt ends was tender and has some fatty parts to it which was nice, and has really good flavor. I do wish to get a little bit more of the 'burnt' part but not a big deal. The Mac and cheese was one of the best I had. They use bigger pasta and the sauce wasn't like those artificial Kraft Mac and cheese flavoring. And it also has a hint of smoke to it. The collard greens was also one of the best I had. It was fresh, wasn't over cook and wasn't too watery and huge pieces! Corn bread was at the border between dry and moist. It was nice and crumbly and flavor was on point. The jerk rib tips came with jerk sauce on the side. The jerk sauce was unexpected but very very good. We kept the sauce for future purposes :) the rib tips was also super tender. We keep expecting to throw out some bones or cartilage but it was so tender we didn't even notice. Price is very reasonable for what you get considering how everything is inflated these day. I definitely want to come back to try their other things here for sure read more

Lil Red’s Takeout and Catering - Side of rib tips - Caribbean Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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Lil Red's Takeout and Catering is a hole-in-the-walleqsque gem that serves delicious Jamaican and southern style BBQ! We went on a Saturday around 12pm, quickly ordered and had a brief wait to get our food. To note, the parking in the area is a bit questionable as there are only like 4 (or 5?) spots in front of the restaurant itself but there seems to be street side parking on the street right in front of the restaurant. Just a heads up for future visitors/visits to Lil Red's! We got the jerk chicken and burnt ends meals, and a variety of other foods which I'll review down below: Burnt Ends & Jerk Chicken: Man, the burnt ends are delicious! The ends have a good ratio of fat to lean meat, and with the addition of the sauce (you can have the bbq sauce drizzled over or on the side) - the tanginess complements the richness of this cut of meat. A dangerous combo that leave you feeling full, but you definitely want more of the scrumptious richness! The Jerk chicken was tender, and the Jerk sauce had a small kick to it. You really can't go wrong with either of the options here! Mac & Cheese and Cornbread: This is a really delicious side - would recommend! exceptionally creamy, and you could taste a hint of nutmeg and some other spices every bite that lingers a bit afterwards. One of the better mac & cheeses that I've had if not the best - not oily (no pool of oil at the bottom, which was the case with some other ones I've had!), delicious consistency and flavor. The cornbread had a good crust with a crumbly interior - as well as having a good buttery flavor. Plantains & Greens: The plantains were absolutely tasty! They had a delicious crust that sealed the flavor well on the outside with a fluffy but filling interior - one of the side dishes that I enjoyed most! The greens had a slight sourness that cuts through the mains well, a good complement to any of the richer entrees you order. Rum Cake & Banana Pudding: They were not kidding when the menu said Rum Cake, because this cake tasted very strongly of rum - Like they drenched the cake in rum for like an hour strong of rum, no false advertising here! Aside from the flavor, it was delicious - encapsulated the moisture well and had a pleasing texture. The Banana pudding had a good strong banana flavor, it had custard-like consistency with wafers to add an additional dimension of texture. A pleasing rich dessert! Overall, spent about $46 for everything - a very flavorful experience for sure! It may not be the healthiest food by any means, but you will definitely remember how good your soul would feel after enjoying some of this delectable soul food! Would recommend you give Lil Red's a go! read more

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

This place is serving up by far the best barbecue I've had in Seattle. I would highly recommend getting a meal (comes with your choice of meat and two sides). The beef burnt ends is my fave cut of meat, with brisket being a close second. I've tried the pulled pork (great, but nothing too special) and the rib tips (honestly a little dry) as well. The Mac and cheese is absolutely amazing. Also, they give the most generous portions. The store does have limited outdoor/indoor seating, but tbh I feel like it's more of a takeout joint. I don't think I've ever seen anyone actually eat there. Service is fast and I've never had any issues. read more

Lil Red’s Takeout and Catering - Brisket Meal w Mac and Cheese and Garlic Mashed Potato - Caribbean Near Me - Seattle, Washington

This fish right here!!!! Was the best fish I've EVER EATEN! Seasoned to perfection! Coleslaw was excellent, Mac and cheese was heavenly!! Can't give this place a higher rating!! Amazing! Better than in Jamaica!!!! read more

Lil Red’s Takeout and Catering - Swai fish,rice and peas, and coleslaw. - Caribbean Near Me - Seattle, Washington

How they don't have a line constantly out the door- I don't know! First of all, everyone's energy here was amazing. But most importantly, the food was mind blowing. This was genuinely the best meal that my boyfriend and I have had in Seattle since moving here years ago. I got a plate with jerk chicken, greens, and red beans and rice. My boyfriend got ox tail, mac and cheese, and plantains. We shared a banana pudding for dessert. We will definitely be back and slowly try the rest of the menu! read more

Lil Red’s Takeout and Catering - Jerk chicken, greens, red beans and rice. In the back: ox tail, mac and cheese, plantains. - Caribbean Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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