Had food delivered for lunch. The food was wrapped tightly for sanitation purposes. Great idea! Ordered the lunch specials. Jerk catfish plate and dark meat chicken plate. The food was fresh. The cabbage was seasoned nicely. Yams and rice/beans are tasteful. The jerk sauce on the side is SPICY ! None of the meat was very boney. Catfish steaks were a nice size. Service for delivery was great. Again, food was wrapped in plastic wrap with a fork. Will surly visit the restaurant for a nice outing. read more

Tropic Island Chicken - 1/4 White Jerk Lunch - Caribbean Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

See all

The food is delicious and the service is right the location is perfect I recommend this location to all my friends.

I love the jerk wings and the jerk chicken dinner with white meat. Call in your order and then go pick up and you're in and out!

Do NOT order on their website. I placed an order on their website. When I arrived they had no idea if placed an order online and then stated they did not have the item I ordered. I now have to go through the third party to get a refund. Unfortunately, this seems to be a trend with Jamaican restaurants. Go figure..... read more

Great service..Consistent taste and Fulfilling portions. Long time supporter of their 79th street location.

I tried this place today. Via DoorDash. The food was amazing. I got the red snapper dinner, curry chicken, and a jerk dinner for my family. All a 10/10. The service is great they packaged it to where the presentation was not sloppy and the food was hot! The only complaint I have is the jerk sauce it has no real flavor. I will be returning read more

This place has good food but they are always closed. Today January 2nd time says close at 8 here we are at 6:30 and they are closed and we've been calling since 6pm. Please correct opening and closing time read more

Called my order in and it was ready upon arrival. Normally the food is on point but when I got home I saw they substituted one of my sides for corn. And as you can see the corn is old. When I tried to taste it , it was hard and terrible. And way too much sauce on the rice. Also noticed now you have to pay for street parking on the front so I parked in parking lot next door hoping there would be no problems. I will definitely go back again but will remember to be more detailed as far as the sauce & sides are concerned read more

See all

Good food every time I've been. However, you have to call it in only. They don't take walk-in orders. They still on COVID practices. read more

Tropic Island Chicken - Medium, Large and Jumbo. - Caribbean Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

So disappointed. This place used to be good. Now it's dry unflavored macaroni and mostly bones for the oxtails. I had one piece with meat on it and the rest was fat and bones. The only thing decent was the yams and they were average. They were out of all fish and shrimp. Out of peach cobbler. Cabbage was unseasoned. Service was slow. This was so very disappointing and a waste of money. read more

What can I say when I go to a place of business such as this place and the first thing the cashier/ server tells me is what they don't have. Closed this dump. Anyway I ordered1/4 white meat. My side, options were salad, corn, and candy yams. I was originally told they had no salad until the cook told the young lady to take her lazy Ass back and get a salad in the Box... I swear. Anyway the chicken was very good so where my other sides except the salad it was old lettuce.... The place is like a hole in the wall restaurant you'd find on the side of the road always looks temporary the only thing you see permanent is the menu on the wall.... But Good Food Also why in the name of Sam Hell are you people closed all the time . And when do you open . Oh shit there on Caribbean time. They open when feel like it... To hell with your customers in your community.... SCM read more

Great food only giving it four because they're jerk sauce lacks flavor it could be better but besides that it's a good spot to check out

They are the worst! I walked into in pickup a jerk chicken salad ( phone order). There was noone in the restaurant with the exception of the 2 women working. I said hello! No one responded! After standing there in awkward silence for 5 minutes while they did who knows what, I was finally asked " may I help you". So I pay for my salad and offer some tips on being polite. So I have my salad and I've reached my destination. Let me tell you..... the chicken on my salad was terrible. It was very rubbery and just didn't seem like real chicken. Normally I go to Just Jerk Cafe. But they were closed so I tried this place. Never again!!!!!!! read more

Sooooooooo freakin good every time I eat here I feel like I'm on the islands. I have Caribbean friends from up north that pay me to bring them food from this restaurant read more

I typically LOVE this place..until today. I picked up an order and while I was waiting to receive my order, one of the staff/cooks took food that was meant for someone (apparently they didn't pick up), and he put the food back into the warmer with the rest of the food you can see through the glass display...Let me say this again, he spooned food from a styrofoam container back into the general pot of food!!! I was disgusted. I had an incredulous look on my face..the cashier, noticed and said something to him but it didn't matter...I will never eat here again!! I mean, throw the damn food away...you don't add it back!!! In the age of COVID I don't trust y'all... read more

I really enjoyed the Jerk chicken and cabbage! The greens were good But too salty and the mac n cheese tasted like kraft delux from the box...over all because the chicken was really juicy and had the proper level of Heat is why i gave 4 stars! Would try again read more

Tropic Island Chicken - Dark lunch special...let's see what it do! - Caribbean Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

This is my first time ordering from here and I was not impressed. At. All. I ordered delivery and the food was very late. As far as the quality of the food goes, I'm not a fan of their rice and peas or cabbage. Also, If you are expecting any "jerk" flavoring from the Pineapple Jerk Chicken, you'll be sorely disappointed. The Ox Tails were mediocre, at best. On a positive note, I did like the Jerk Salmon. It was some of the best I've ever had...and I've been to Jamaica. I also really liked the (standard) Jerk Chicken. Juicy and flavorful. Overall, I give the restaurant a 3/5. The jerk chicken and salmon saved the day and I'd order them again. read more

This is the best jerk in town hands down!!! Everything was absolutely deeeeeelisssssshhhhhhhhhh, fun friendly staff and very clean restaurant the chicken , yams , and plantin are to die for... read more

I placed a catering order and the food was absolutely delicious. My guests were very impressed with the taste and spice level. I was very happy with the service. I called a few times to add and/or make changes and they never got annoyed. I will definitely use Tropic Island for my catering events, but also for lunch or dinner. read more

I order lunch special online and it states it comes with 2 sides and I order a side salad. I ask the lady if my order was all their and she did yes. I ask about the salads and they said it don't come with the lunch menu and keep over talking to me. I told her it was on the menu when I ordered online. Their customer service was horrible and they did give me 2 cabbage instead of the salad. read more

I don't like spending my money with people who have nasty attitudes. Was placing my order over the phone and the lady's attitude was so rude and nasty i'm sure it reflects in the way she looks and feels in actuality.. which is why i'm assuming she was so mad. they need to keep her away from the phone. read more

This is one of my favorite places to go to. No I live on the north side of Chicago so I have to drive at least 45 minutes to the South Side to get it, but I've never been disappointed in about the 15 times I've gone here. Food is really great when you get real jerk chicken not like on the North side no pun intended. I'm sure there's a great Jerk Place on the North side but I just haven't found it yet. If anyone have any suggestions please let me know. read more

Every time we are in Chicago we make a stop to Tropic island chicken. Can we say deliciously made, well served plates, tastebuds are going crazy as a type this review ( Yes that Good) and inexpensive. Did I say delicious?? Try them you won't regret it. No picture of the food sorry too focused on eating. I got dark jerk chicken cabbage, greens and sweet potato(omg sweet potatoes a must) my husband got pineapple jerk chicken with Mac and cheese, plantains and rice. read more

See all

I love the food and great customer service! I travel 45 minutes just to come here. I highly recommended.

Terrible service.. like how do u take my phone order and tell me 15mins and total.. Then I arrive to get my order, and u all don't even have a person there to cook chicken tacos...? But yet took my order.. like why take my order? Like how the fuck does that sound.. complete waste of Time. Do better.. and the fact lady at the counter acted like she didn't care blew me away. Never again read more

This spot has the best on the jerk chicken and sides. You normally get good chicken and the sides garbage, not cooked all the way or something. They good all around read more

I've been to this place plenty of times. Fast service hot food with great service. Decent prices and plenty of options that is displayed in front of you in food trays like a buffet. My only complaint is that the sides like the greens are cooked not from a can. But I will be back read more

Tropic Island Chicken - Jerk chicken dinner it was good sides could have better taste tho - Caribbean Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

covid-19: food is good/but pls educate yourself about covid and protect your staff/customers the cal city location lets more than 3 customers in at time the customers are allowed to wait inside to pick up orders, increasing congestion the industrial fan is only blowing potentially infected air https://www.who.int/news-room/q-a-detail/q-a-ventilation-and-air-conditioning-and-covid-19 for a small space, keep the front door open or at least ajar to circilate fresh air and/or purchase an air purifier non customers like the guy selling dvds should not be allowed to stand around with a mask under his nose selling dvds i know 2 people who died from this disease, get it together i like your food, but dang! read more

Great Caribbean takeout! The jerk chicken is always seasoned and cooked well. The rice and peas and plantains are my fav for sides. Beef (and veggie) patties are available which is somewhat rare for jerk shops around here. They also have a large selection of Jamaican drinks. Highly recommended. read more

The food is not always hot like it's been sitting. However; when its served hot it's delicious. Although; the wait is too long even when you call in your order ahead of time. The point of calling in is to not have to wait a long period of time. read more

a tough pick between Uncle Joe's and Tropical Island Jerk. This branch of the Tropical Island Jerk chicken is the "nicer" one. ie, no bullet proof glass, no bullet proof revolving serving door. there are actually a coupla tables and the sides on the steaming table are easily visible. go for the yams + cabbage. spicy cabbage finished off with yams as dessert are possibly the 2 most perfect (and most popular) compliments to smoky jerk chicken. With the addition of the butt-kicking sides, TI's is comparable to Uncle Joe's. Uncle Joe's sauce has more kick, but TI's chicken is more moist and plump (both dark meat of course). Uncle's Joe's has more burnt ends on the chicken but i believe TI's skin as more flavor. Really tough call between the two smoke chicken houses. TI + UJ's puts Jamaican Jerk (on Howard?) to shame. read more

When a friend and I went here about a month ago, they were about to move to a new location. The jerk chicken here is very flavorful and well spiced, but not spicy. I also got yams and garlic potatoes, which were both super tasty. The chicken is served with rice and beans and a hard dough bread, which is A+ (see my review for West Indies Bakery). It was a little hot in there. I couldn't be that hot all day, but luckily they are moving to a new space, so hopefully it will be a bit cooler there. read more

Tropic Island Chicken - Jerk chicken, garlic potatoes, yams, and hard dough bread. - Caribbean Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

See all

Next time you're in the hood, stop by for some of the best jerk chicken you will ever try. These guys are Jamaican and know their stuff. The dipping sauce for the chicken is out of this world. All sides are good--greens, macaroni & cheese, rice, etc. This ain't free range chicken! But it tastes so good that I don't think about it. They only take cash. I have always gotten it to go and would probably loose my appetite if I ate in. *insert jab to Northsiders for being scared to come down to the South Side* read more

Curry chicken or goat, beef patties and greens are my favorites!

I am AMAZED. I can not believe this place has not been reviewed yet, seriously. There is no other restaurant in the entire city that I will purposefully and regularly drive so far out of my way for. I love jerk in most any form. However, I would elope with the Jerk chicken from Tropic Island. Unreal. I love that unidentifiable and satisfying feeling you get from good juicy greens, sweet potatoes, and rice and beans. I really can't type fast enough to express my love for this place. Black bean salsa, out of this world. Ting soda, satisfying, refreshing, goes great with vodka. Also good at putting out that smoldering fire in your mouth and belly after finishing the black bean salsa. Don't be freaked out by the less-than-inviting exterior of the restaurant. I'm a northside white-boy with a severe penchant for down-home cookin' and I go to this place regularly at all hours and its not a problem. Not to mention how nice the guys are that run the place. They are from the caribbean and are totally cool, even though one of them looks like he could be a body guard for DMX. Go and enjoy. read more

I'm a pescatarian. I came to this restaurant to get dinner, I ordered a curry shrimp dinner which included Mac and cheese, red beans and rice and greens. $16.93. I didn't mind the 30 minute wait cause I knew it was made to order. When I received the to go plate I opened my dinner to see that there was only 10 pieces of shrimp on this bed of red beans and rice, a small amount of greens and MacNCheese. I inquired about the amount she told me that this is the amount that is suppose to be given. I didn't argue cause I'm hungry. Got home sat down and ate it the macaroni was slimey and overcooked and instead of curry I got jerk shrimp. And insult to injury is I threw up everything. They were nice enough to reimburse me with no problem hence the 1star. I'll never go back. read more

I tried them for the first time today and I wasn't impressed. The rice wasn't all the way cooked still hard. The oxtails didn't have a good flavor and the plantain were soggy. The only thing good was the cabbage. Uncle Joes is still better. I may go back and try the chicken. read more

Tropic Island Chicken - Oxtail dinner - Caribbean Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Seriously, this is the best Jerk Chicken that I have ever had in my entire life. The food is always on point and the service is good. They now have an area to sit down if you like and you can bring friends and family. They are helpful if you are a first-timer, as well. No place has been as perfect as Tropic Island Jerk Chicken. They have been in business to long to get it wrong. It's RIGHT every time! read more

This is the worst jerk chicken I've ever had! Even the sides are disgusting! For them to be as expensive as they are I would think the jerk chicken would not only taste like jerk but be good as well...but NOPE! Only giving it one star because you had to pick one to write the review! read more

Best jerk chicken! Chicken is moist and tender. The skin is smoky and flavorful. The owner is often there. She uses seasonings from the old country. Cabbage is crisp, yet tender. It is lightly seasoned and mixed with bell peppers. The sweet plaintains are fried just right. The candied yams are cinnamon flavored. The jerk catfish is also delicious-it is topped with grilled onions. They have Ting-grapefruit flavored soda and ginger beer. read more