This place is amazing and the community is lucky to have it! The team working was very upbeat, welcoming and accommodating. They greeted me upon entry and explained all of the options I have to customize any of their signature bowls. Although they have a very clear menu, it was great to feel the extra connection with the people there. The restaurant is very clean, all food looked and tasted very fresh through the glass, and the art+vibe is perfect Most importantly, the food and juices are amazing! Fresh, fresh, FRESH!!! I had the Mango Caribbean Jerk salad with a scoop of pineapple coconut rice added and a tropical fruit punch. I would get the exact same thing and know I'll love it again but I'm excited to try everything on their menu...definitely upgrading my "Chipotle budget" to Spiced Black budget read more

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I have been here a few times and it never disappoints. I've tried many of their salads and proteins and they are all very good. It doesn't hurt that the staff is friendly and helpful. It's great to have this type of a black owned establishment close by. read more

Dem bowls Dem bowls Dem bowls We saw a post about this spot from a local critic on IG. Boy did this spot NOT disappoint. The menu is far from basic but not extensive at all. They offer just enough options for the indecisive and portion sizes that will feed poppa bear momma bear and baby bear. The ingredients are definitely fresh and very healthy. They offer options for multiple dietary restrictions. The venue is in a shopping center so there is plenty of parking. The interior offers a nice amount of seating for a smaller store front with just playing bright lights and a good vibe. The staff was very helpful and offered a lot of information to us after they asked if we had been there before. The menu was split into two main options - grain and salad bowls. You can add toppings and proteins like any other salad/grain spot. Pricing was perfect. The three sizes were clutch @ $6 $12 $18. The fruit juices were a little pricy at $5 for about 8oz. But it was definitely fresh. We could not decide on all the options that were presented. So the most obvious choice was to get two kids bowls each @ $6 and still included a protein. The portions were still filling, price was half of a regular bowl and we got to try two for the price of one. Each and every one of these bowls were exceptional. The deep profile of the jolloff with heavy levels of spice . The tropical notes of the pineapple coconut curry. The reminiscence of Sunday dinner with grandma in the bbq southern bowl which had cornbread croutons . Last the beauty of the bayou in the jambalaya and etouffe whose whole roasted okra wasn't slimy at all. Side bar. The Jolloff has pickled habanero peppers. Don't let the word pickled fool you. They got heat heat. I am good with spicy food. But you better be ready for the heat at the start and after enjoyed if you get what I'm saying. Will definitely be returning to this spot for a salad bowl and another rice bowl. Low key if you do meal prep this spot would be a great option I'm just saying. Go try it for yourself. read more

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Five Stars before I even started typing!! The true test was in reheating my last bowl....pure amazement! Between Friday, Saturday and Sunday, I purchased 5 bowls...4 Grain (BBQ SOUTHERN SOUL, CAJUN JAMBALAYA ETOUFFEE) and one salad, that I'll surely be back for! I can tell you now, coming up the beltway to make sure nourish myself properly will be NO issue. Customer service is at a premium here and the establishment is so very clean (restrooms included)! Whoever is in charge of the playlist understands that food and tunes can work in concert. With everything in PG County, this gem easily moved into the top of the tops. Lord have mercy.... Please treat yourself. You'll see exactly why I gave them FIVE stars!! Love! read more

Spiced Black - It WAS a BBQ Chickpea Ranch salad in this bowl, it stood no chance. In the bag, Cajun Jambalaya Etouffee for the take-home. - Soul Food Near Me - Upper Marlboro, Maryland

First of all, Thank you Manager, Jerry for your patience with us as we navigate through all the awesome choices for the first time. We chose to build our bowls. Soo many choices, which is great. There are several choices of protein which is extra,but that's ok, it's worth it! Everything was fresh. I especially loved the mashed sweet potatoes and the roasted okra! I meant to take a picture for this review, but as soon as I got home, I went straight for the bowl. We will be back. read more

We really enjoyed our food! It was fresh and infused with southern and Caribbean roots. I loved that I could add things like plantains to my bowls. They had pre-made popular bowls and some make your own bowls which we did. The service was great. They were helpful since it was our first time. It is a fast food counter-style set up with limited eat-in seating. We will definitely be back in our travels! read more

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Food is good! Service is good! Atmosphere is ok (little small to sit and eat), but very clean. If you're used to all of your food being sugary, you might don't like this place. Good quality food, wholesome ingredients, the way food was meant to be eaten. I've been about 4-5 times each time a hit! My favorites are the greens, grilled and bbq chicken, chicken sausage, and sweet potato! So many combinations it's crazy. read more

Grains and green bowls curated for you or make your own! I honestly believe Any combo you get will be tasty with the fresh ingredients. Toppings are unlimited annnddd they had my favorite, beets! The adobo shrimp really took the flavor profile up a notch. I'm in love with what they are doing here and can't wait to get back. You may spend $20-$25 on an order, but I'm just so elated this place is here and I'll spend it for something fresh! read more

Spiced Black - Coconut curry bowl - Soul Food Near Me - Upper Marlboro, Maryland

The food A+ + The service A+ The ambiance/decoration A+ I love to see a strong black business in the community. Not only was this place easy to find, the parking was convenient. I tried the Jerk chicken bowl with mango and mixed greens. The server didn't even hesitate to add and ingredients to the bowl as it was very hearty (I got extra plantains chips anyway -highly recommend) everything tasted fresh from the chicken to the lettuce. Just a delightful symphony of flavors. I only tried the one bowl and the rum cake but trust me when I say I'll be back for more. I will be back to this soul food chipotle asap. read more

Spiced Black - I think the mango jerk chicken bowl, extra plantains chips - Soul Food Near Me - Upper Marlboro, Maryland

Mannn thos place was nice. It suggested to me online. I'm glad I went. I got my food and bought it for lunch today. And all I got to say, I'll be back. Thst food was wonderful. read more

Spiced Black - Soul Food Near Me - Upper Marlboro, Maryland

I tried spice black recently and would definitely recommend! It's so refreshing to have good food in our area, and it's a plus that you don't have to feel bad about eating it. All of the ingredients are extremely fresh, all of the meats are grilled, and the bowls are bursting with flavor. I went and got a salmon jerk bowl for dinner, and ordered the spicy jollof rice bowl to take to work for lunch the next day. Both were beautifully presented. The meats were cooked to perfection, and full of flavor. I ate the jerk salad bowl in one sitting because it had the avocado and lettuce, but I definitely couldn't finish all of it. It took me three settings to finish the jollof rice bowl because that thing was packed! I got the fresh pressed fruit punch, and it was also very delicious and a nice balance to the spice in my bowls. The service was amazing and so personable. The vibe in the restaurant was very nice and inviting if you wanted to order your food and sit down and eat there. My only note is that I would recommend that they put less avocado in the bowls or give the option to season the avocado. There was great flavor coming from the jerk bowl, but the amount of avocado I had in the bowl and the fact that the avocado had no flavor, masked some of the flavors coming from the other ingredients in the bowl. That's a very niche note, so it doesn't affect my overall score. Overall, 10 out of 10 would recommend you give them a try. They also have the option to build your own bowl or salad. read more

Spiced Black - Spicy Tomato Jollof Bowl and Tropical Fruit Punch - Soul Food Near Me - Upper Marlboro, Maryland

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An absolute gem! I had the Mango Caribbean Bowl, and it was nothing short of amazing. The chicken was juicy, the shrimp was perfectly cooked, and the flavor profile was out of this world it was sweet, savory, and packed with bold Caribbean spices. Every bite was a burst of deliciousness! the staff was phenomenal and attentive. The restaurant was so super hygienic as well despite just finishing a huge catering order. It's truly inspiring to see this level of Black excellence in my backyard. I'm proud to support this restaurant and will definitely be returning! read more

Spiced Black - Mango Caribbean Jerk Salad with chicken and shrimp - Soul Food Near Me - Upper Marlboro, Maryland

This place is MAGNIFICENT! The food here is absolutely delicious! From the proteins, the greens, even down to the rice options. The jollof rice is excellent. I had the "BBQ Southern Soul" bowl. This is one of their bestsellers and I know why. If you're in the area please stop in, you won't be disappointed. read more

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10/10 Food never disappoints with the many delicious options they offer that satisfy whatever dietary preferences you have. And they give righteous portions (unlike greedy Chip***otle) Service is always wonderful with patience and kindness for new visitors and loyal patrons alike. The ambience set with music from across the diaspora and their earthly vibe is perfect for dining in or a smooth take out experience. Bonus- their kale lemonade and cucumber mint lemonade put the perfect refreshing touch on a great meal! read more

AMAZING! Chipotle could never! I have only eaten at Spiced Black once but it will not be the last time. The server was kind enough to explain the set up and patiently waited for me to figure out what my taste buds were in the mood for! The food was flavorful, plentiful, and the cost is comparable to restaurants of the same. Also, try the Kale Lemonade and thank me later! The restaurant is on the smaller side so be prepared for takeout. read more

After seeing this place on Instagram reels I was eager to try and it did not disappoint! The concept is simple, but the flavors and combinations are explosive. I've never been to a fast causal concept that has delicious collage greens, sweet potatoes, curry shrimp etc as an option. I ended up making my own bowl and while I don't remember each item-- the plantains and pineapple coconut rice stand out! My bowl was filled to the rim and delicious-- oh yes, the chicken sausage were a hit too! So many yummy and unique flavors! The service was efficient and helpful. The ambiance is very clean and inviting! read more

Spiced Black - Build my Own bowl- broccoli, plantains, pickled onions, chicken sausage, pinapple coconut rice and chipotle Caesar! - Soul Food Near Me - Upper Marlboro, Maryland

Please bring Spiced Black to southern MD!! Crain Hwy (Brandywine/Accokeek/Waldorf) needs you!! In the area for an appointment and I remembered this spot that I somehow found on Yelp. I'm so happy I stopped by! Cute spot with friendly staff. I didn't feel like being creative so I ordered two bowls off their menu. I had the barbecue chickpea bowl. It was delicious! The chickpeas were so flavorful and tender. I do wish they had a non-dairy ranch to go with the bowl. I ended up trying a different sauce so it worked out. But it would have been nice to have a truly vegan ranch sauce. I got the BBQ southern soul with chicken for my hubbs. He thought the bowl was on the heavier/hearty side. But he really enjoyed the flavors and loved the bowl overall. Definitely will be back. Praying for more locations to open up soon! read more

Very Disappointed. Nice room decor and mood however, My friends kept talking about it. So I went today. At first someone else was gonna take us. Then, the person we got made our dishes had to keep looking back at the menu to make it. Which isn't my concern. My concern is the size of the portions they did. Our bowl was not even filled to the line. The person next to them filled the bowls fully when they made it. $20 for a bowl when I'm not getting the full volume as the others paying next to me is insulting and feeling very cheated. read more

Spiced Black - Cajun Jambalaya Etoufee Bowl - Soul Food Near Me - Upper Marlboro, Maryland

Love the concept of this place --- soul-food inspired grain bowls and salads that are both healthy and delicious! Stopped in to pick up dinner to-go when I was in the area for a conference. I had a hard time deciding what to order because so many of the options sounded awesome, but I ultimately landed on the Sweet Potato Collard Green Pesto Salad with added shrimp. I ordered online to skip the line, and I was greeted by friendly staff who had my bag ready and waiting when I arrived. When I got to my hotel, I was disappointed to realize my dressing was missing from the bag --- in large part because I was so excited to try the collard green pesto dressing. However, I will give them credit because the remaining components were so flavorful that I was able to eat the entire salad without necessarily feeling like I was eating dry lettuce. The black beans were well seasoned, the shrimp added a pop of flavor, and the roasted broccoli was delicious as well. The sweet potato added moisture, and with all mixed together, I still had a healthy and filling meal. I suspect if I had the dressing, it would have been a five star meal --- next time! read more

Traveled here this evening to support my wife and her yelp adventures. Service was great. Food was delicious. Will definitely try this spot again. read more

The effort and intention here is top-tier, but the food and presentation really needs some work. First of all, nobody was welcoming when we came in. There was no greeting until we got to the counter. And then, it was a dry, "what can I get for you?" Secondly, the plastic bags holding the rice within the metal containers were melting in the white and yellow rice. I will say that they replaced the rice when I informed them but it's likely to happen again since rice is in bags. Speaking of rice, yo.... If y'all are making jollof or red rice in a rice cooker, that explains why your rice is overcooked, soggy, and mushy. But it doesn't explain why both lacked flavor. Here's what I enjoyed: -corn and onions (better hot) -bbq chicken -plantains -grilled chicken was fine. Everything else was ... okay... including the sauces. I look forward to giving this place a try in the future and hopefully having a better experience. As a Black American and Caribbean woman who lived in Ghana, this just didn't check any boxes for me. read more

EXCELLENT! This will definitely be my go to place for a healthy and very delicious bowl. The next time you want a bowl of greens or grains, don't cheat yourself, instead treat yourself to Spiced Black. I enjoyed a salad bowl -Sweet Potato with collard green pesto. Excellent service, warm and friendly atmosphere. read more

Delicious food, reasonable prices, cute shop, super-accommodating staff and best of all... vegetarian-friendly! And that is a real blessing, because it's not always easy to find veg diaspora food. My 11-year-old daughter became a vegetarian last year. Collard greens are one of her favorite foods, but they're not usually vegetarian, so she was thrilled with the (delicious) BBQ Southern Soul bowl. I got the Sofrito bowl and it was equally amazing. She asked to come back ASAP lol... if we lived closer we would come here at least once a week. PG County friends-- please keep this awesome restaurant in business for us! read more

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Best healthy lunch I had for a long time! Service was also great everyone was nice and friendly. I was looking for a healthy food place after my workout and I discovered this place, it was a treasure gem! I definitely recommend and I will be back for more. read more

Spiced Black - Mango Caribbean Jerk Salad with shrimp and pineapple rice. - Soul Food Near Me - Upper Marlboro, Maryland

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First time here and I was a little disappointed that my online order hadn't even been started when I arrived at the given pickup time. So I waited in line while everyone's order was fixed and then they finally got to my order. When you have multiple people working a counter, 1 person should be assigned to online orders. However, the young man who helped me apologized and said they were short handed. I extended understanding because most of us have been in that boat before. So, I patiently waited 20 additional minutes for my order. Another important note here is that when you order in person, you can select additional toppings and veggies, much like Chipotle and the fresh salad bars. In the future, I'll definitely order in the actual restaurant. The Carrot & Beet Citrus Salad was/Citrus Vinaigrette dressing was fresh, and while the dressing was light and mildly tangy, it was surprisingly complimented by a sweet tasted in the salad that appeared to have been on the actual greens. It was odd but in a delicious way. Just be prepared to be surprised. I didn't get protein added but did add some black beans I believe. 5 out of 5 Next was the Sweet Potato Collard Green Pesto Salad which also surprised me bc it didn't actually have any collards on the salad. Perhaps the collard greens are in the pesto dressing? ‍ Regardless, it was a tasty salad overall. The dressing has no spice level but it is flavorful and goes well with the salad fixings. I asked them to add in some red bell peppers for color. 4.5 out of 5 I wanted to try other dishes as well and was thrilled they offered kids bowls (which are half the size as the regular order. That said, I got 1) Pineapple Coconut Curry Bowl with grilled salmon; 2) Cajun Jambalaya Etoufee Bowl with Chicken Sausage; 3) BBQ Southern Soul Bowl w/ bbq chicken and chickpeas; and 4) Yellow Rice & Bean Sofrito (no protein). The portions were all generous and any child would be completely satisfied. 1) Pineapple Coconut Curry Bowl with grilled salmon - not my cup of tea. I could definitely see why others might love this but I didn't care as much for the competing flavors (cashews, coconut, curry rice & sauce, rice, red peppers and black beans). I enjoy Caribbean dishes but not so much this one. Salmon had good flavor but is well done. I don't mind it that way but if you don't like well done salmon, don't order it. 3 out of 5 2) Cajun Jambalaya Etoufee Bowl with Chicken (and not chicken sausage as requested). This dish was really tasty as the sauce brought the rice and okra to life with just a tad of heat. I'd definitely order it again with extra sauce (it was not nearly enough sauce but saturated with scallions). Wish I could have reviewed the sausage but, oh yeah, I didn't get any. lol 3.7 out of 5 3) BBQ Southern Soul Bowl w/ bbq chicken and chickpeas -okay so the dish had collard greens in it, while the salad above didn't. So I'm starting to think that perhaps my bowls were made correctly. Anyway the greens and sweet potatoes were good; the bbq chick peas are excellent but the corn bread croutons weren't necessary. My least favorite think in this bowl was the unseasoned rice. Perhaps people order sauces in the side and season the rice because otherwise it lakes flavor, makes the dish a bit dry and takes away from the other star ingredients. 3 out of 5 bc the chickpeas and sweet potatoes saved it. 4) Yellow Rice & Bean Sofrito (no protein) - this bowl confused me and I honestly didn't understand the combination of ingredients. The yellow rice had no flavor, the red beans, avocado was fresh but next to the fried plantains and plantain chips on top just didn't add up to a tasty dish. The bbq chicken was flavorful (sorry I only sampled a tiny piece bc I don't really do chicken). This dish is definitely not for me. 1.5 out of 5 All that said, I'd return for the 2 salads and the Cajun Bowl. I'm pretty sure the order wasn't made correctly bc I thought I read that a cheese sauce was supposed to come on one in the bowls but I may be wrong. Give them a try and I'm sure you'll find something pretty healthy to tickle your fancy. read more

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The BEST fast causal. I love the flavors, love the options, and appreciated the prompt delivery service when my office ordered. Pro tip: get the bbq chickpeas. They are amazing. Now, is the price reflective of the service and quality? Yes. McDonald's, this is not. But I'm happy to support the business and treat myself to the quality. Thanks, Spiced Black! read more

Exceeded all expectations. The line out the door should tell you all you need to know about the quality of the food. Really unique concept. I would love to see a location in Frederick. I will be back ASAP. read more

Forget Chipotle and Cava--Spiced Black is where you need to go for a truly fresh and healthy meal! From the moment I walked in, I could tell the ingredients were top-notch. Everything tasted incredibly fresh, and you can really tell they use quality ingredients. The portions are huge, so you definitely get your money's worth! I loved the variety of options, and you can tell the flavors are thoughtfully crafted. It's not just another fast-casual spot--it's a step up in terms of both taste and nutrition. If you're looking for a meal that's filling, flavorful, and guilt-free, this is the place to be. I'll definitely be coming back for more! read more

Delicious! Stopped by Spiced black over the weekend for a mid-day salad. There were a few people in front of us in line which gave a chance to scope out the menu/what was popular. I ordered the Cornbread Kale salad and my sister ordered the Cajun Etoufee bowl. The proteins all looked delicious and well sized. I added grilled shrimp to my salad and it was seasoned well, the sizes of shrimp were hearty and I got 6 pieces! Good to see these days as sometimes other places skimp out. Both of our bowls were delicious and would definitely come back. The line took a little while to get through, but I think speed will improve with time. Staff was super friendly. Happy to have an innovative salad place like this nearby. read more

The food! The service! The location! The vibe of the restaurant is everything I'm looking for in a local gem. If you are anywhere near 214 or 202 make your way over to Spiced Black and get the Mango Jerk Salad but instead of chicken throw some shrimp in! #YouWontRegretIt #HappyEating read more

Spiced Black - Soul Food Near Me - Upper Marlboro, Maryland

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I'm so glad I stopped here on my way home. My first time and certainly won't be my last. The customer service was great, the atmosphere was welcoming and the portions are plentiful. I chose the bbq chickpea salad and I was happy with my choice. The flavors are amazing! The peas were crunchy, the corn was good but what stole the show was the bbq ranch. I want to buy a bottle of that alone. I also put bbq chicken on top. Everything paired together so well. When I got home, I did put crumbled feta on top. I hope they read this and choose to incorporate this as a topping. read more

Spiced Black - BBQ Chickpea Salad - Soul Food Near Me - Upper Marlboro, Maryland

This is a BIG DEAL!!!! The food is good and gives flavor, is black-owned and local!!! Nothing fried and the char on items only bring out the natural flavors. For example, the broccoli in my bowl was charred and the char brought out a sweetness/natural sugars&flavors NOT a burnt taste. I also got a side of plantains and the char gave a taste w/a cross between a boiled and fried plantain, quite yummy. Grilled chicken had jerk spices, but not spicy just flavorful. Also, these chick peas were yummy. I am looking for a recipe online. It is a good for a meatless Monday (for those of us who still eat meat and wanna opt out some days) and will enhance a bowl or salad instead of the other protein options. This is my 2nd time attempting to get jollof rice. I also overheard the customers after us requesting jollof rice as well. (hint hint) The first time only my friend got something. She enjoyed her food, but I didn't eat. I came back today w/hubby early on a rainy Saturday because I figured it would be available. Although it was not available this time, I changed gears and enjoyed my food. My hubby thoroughly enjoyed his Jambalaya Bowl. We will be back!!! This is definitely our new go-to for healthy eating. And the mural on the wall is all I could look at while waiting to be checked out-just BEAUTIFUL!!! The young men are always welcoming and helpful. Please try and let us know what you think. read more

Spiced Black - Build Your Own- brown rice& etoufee, over kale and spinach w/grilled chicken, a taste of bbq chicken peas & charred broccoli - Soul Food Near Me - Upper Marlboro, Maryland

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Sssssssoooooo bbbboooooommmmmbbbbbb. I got the yellow rice and bean sofrito with adobo shrimp . It was too good! And so filling. I thought I was going to take a little bite and save it for work but once I got started I couldn't stop it was that good. Tried it with Collard Green Pesto which was amazing too. It's like a cheat meal without the guilty feeling. Please patronize this place you won't regret it. Almost forgot I had the Cinnamon rum cake, it was so fluffy and moist. Meal came to about $23 all together. Def worth it. read more

Food was delicious and healthy. I love chickpeas and it was very easy to wat high fiber and vegetarian.

Incredible food, very friendly staff, so many good choices and they will let you sample things beforehand. I had the coconut pineapple curry bowl with chicken and added some plantain chip croutons and it was a huge portion, delicious fresh food and the colors were beautiful read more

Spiced Black - Pineapple Coconut Curry Bowl - Soul Food Near Me - Upper Marlboro, Maryland

Wasted time driving to this place bc it was CLOSED, even if though their hours are posted as open! SMH! read more

Spiced Black - False advertising - Soul Food Near Me - Upper Marlboro, Maryland

Such a cute place. Pity I live so far, or I would come all the time. Priced like Cava or Chipotle, but much better food. Good quality, fresh ingredients. Loved it as a pescatarian/vegetarian! read more

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The food was good! I like the combinations and although a bit overwhelming (since I wanted to try everything) I was pleased with my choice eating there for the first time. I got the southern soul but with regular grilled chicken instead of bbq chicken and added jerk dressing. read more

It's me again!!! It's been a while since I checked in; you know how you love somethin so much you don't wanna overdo it, yep that's me! Today I stopped in because I wanted dinner and wanted to eat healthy. I was so tired and debated getting out of my car but it was so worth it! I was greeted from the time I walked in and there was a few ppl ahead of me. I thought I'd wait, before I knew it it was my time to order. Pleasantly enough, the owner was still on the front line helping the customers as I remembered from my previous visits. Yall I have to say once again, the patience and customer service of this establishment is unmatched!!! The ambiance is STILL clean and you just get good feels as soon as you walk in. Best of all, the owner remembered me from a previous visit, that made my day! I remember when this place first opened, I remember when the store was empty and in the process of getting built. I'm so happy to see spiced black thriving and winning!!! And lastly - get the coconut curry! I ordered by accident but it's amazing!!!! read more

Spiced Black - Coconut curry bowl with mango salsa, red bell peppers, kale lettuce, avocado, and plantain chips - Soul Food Near Me - Upper Marlboro, Maryland

So soulful and out of this world-- nourishing for the body and satisfying for the tastebud!