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    Tropical Bites

    3.8 (190 reviews)
    Open 11:00 am - 9:00 pm
    Updated 3 weeks ago

    Order Tropical Bites Takeout or Delivery

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    TROPICAL BITES ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Happy hour specials
    Good for kids

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    Recommended Reviews - Tropical Bites

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    Lovely restaurant.
    Mike R.

    "Caribbean food" in Northern Virginia? *side eye* "Buffet style"? *Double side eye* Needless to say neither of these terms really resonate with any degree of relevance with most Carribean food enthusiasts, including self. But for the fact that I had another networking meeting with a group I recently joined, I would certainly never have found myself here. At this random strip mall - in Manassas, no less? No way, no how. They picked it so I showed up. Like others have mentioned here I was a little put off by the fact that it's "per pound" after I read the $10.99 and got excited. Too late, box loaded. The reality of what you've done hits as the cashier rests your gluttonous box atop the scale right next to the register. $26 comes up on the register. I got a Jamaican Kola Champagne soda pop, so now I'm up to $30 and change. The weighing of food harkens back to a couple of Chinese restaurants I used to go to back in day in DC during college. If nothing else it's a great reminder how greedy you're being. I had a nice sampling of rice 'n peas, stew chicken, jerk chicken, oxtails, curry goat. I even had a healthy portion of chicken pelau - which I'd never tasted before. A VERY tasty dish. Almost taste like chicken fried rice only more flavorful. The owners are Trinnie, so their take is a slight variation from the traditional Jamaican spin I'm used to. Another place I typically go to is owned by Guyanese, so theirs is another variation. Anyway, the food here is excellent. Oxtails are succulent and soft and all the food was well seasoned. Everything was fall off the bone tender. Owner said she slow cooked, not pressure cooked them. I expected a slight toughness like most people give you, so I was wrong. Apparently the owner's mother is in the kitchen cooking a lot of these dishes on the daily. Yup, granny is back there throwing down. I'm super impressed and delighted that the food here is as good as it is. I even had some sorrel to go. Since I cook all this stuff at home myself I'm very critical of it and I can say that this food deserves five stars. The sorrel here had (much) more ginger than the one I make and the oxtails are more brown gravy than curry (like mine) but I'd gladly come back here to dine - and I plan to soon. They even have gluten-free, paleo, and assorted vegetarian options. Update: Today; 6:14p I just consumed the other half of my meal so the 2 lbs that I felt guilty about ordering earlier really was only one because you end up taking leftovers home. Oh, and the jerk wings got some some nice goat pepper/habanero on them - if you're into spice. I am, so it was a nice surprise.

    One  Oxtail for $30 + dollars
    Dana H.

    $30 for 1 tough oxtail 1 under cooked plantain, rice for a toddler and a stolen appetite! Thieves and liars. There's no way that there is gold in this food to be worth that much money and to be so bad. In NY I spend close to that amount and can feed up to 4 people and then some. This is ridiculous and the worst experience I've ever had with food. Don't order from here. Period.

    Spicy spare rib, jerk chicken leg, curry chicken thigh, ox tail, spicy coconut shrimp, plantains , and white rice with beans.
    Jeff E.

    You don't see a lot of Caribbean restaurants around this area so I had to give it a try. The restaurant is small and somewhat dark, with the majority of the light coming in from the windows at the front and has limited seating if you decide to dine in vs. carryout. You are greeted by a staff member who will guide you though the buffet of different meats and sides and they will explain what is in the buffet. The buffet is charged by the pound at $11.99 per pound so with a lot of the meats having bones in them you will blow past a pound quickly. I built my meal with the spicy spare rib, jerk chicken, curry chicken, ox tails, and a spicy coconut shrimp, I also added on plantains and rice with beans as you run out of room quickly with the tray. The meats had great flavor and heat to them and the ox tail was awesome. The spicy shrimp was my favorite thing though in the meal. I washed it all down with a mango juice and peach Arizona tea.

    I usually come here every few months when I don't feel to cook on a Sunday! today I got a chicken roti with extra potato. Really had chicken feathers in my food. the taste is very bland. i asked for a refund but Sean the manager didn't understand why I was upset. stating he is not there but would not allow the cashier to refund my money. I will not go back. the cashier was also very rude.

    Jerk Chicken Jamaican Patties rice and peas

    Don't go to this place. Seriously. I paid $44 for 1 serving of jerk chicken, rice and peas, cabbage, a drink, and a beef patty. I could tell it wasn't gonna be good by the look of it. But I decided to still give it a chance since the worker was Caribbean. I barely put a dent in it. I should've told her never mind when she told me the price. And I still tipped 20% even though it was self serve. I just felt bad because there was nobody else in the restaurant. I came here after class, and was starving. I should've went to the Caribbean place by my house that would've charged me $20 or less for more/better tasting than what I got here. Or the Teriyaki restaurant right beside it. I was gonna grab a donut from Texas donuts next door, but after that $44 I couldn't spend another dollar on food. When I saw that rice that's when I knew. The rice tasted like 5 minute rice. The plantains were hard. The cabbage was not good. The jerk chicken wasn't very good just extremely spicy so you can't taste anything else but that. The best thing that I got from here was the beef patty that they probably didn't make there and ginger beer that I know they didn't make because they sell the same one all over. Trust me when I say to go somewhere else. Unless you don't mind flavorless non authentic Caribbean food that's overpriced. I got this food to have for lunch and dinner. But instead I'll be throwing my $44 in the trash

    Caribbean Stew Oxtail

    This is the smallest plate of oxtails I have received from any Jamaican restaurant ever. $35 for this and Mac and cheese is insane.

    Oxtail and lamb
    Shawn M.

    Wow! The food here is amazing! Try the oxtail and the shrimp are also incredible!! I'm trying to stay away from carbohydrates are for me this was exactly what the doctor ordered! Highly recommend!!

    Oxtails, Jerk Wings, Jerk Chicken, "Rice and Beans," Cabbage, Curry Shrimp, and Macaroni and Cheese
    Xandra A.

    Yes they allow you to self serve and choose your own variety of different sides, meats, and deserts. BUT.. for $10.99/lb and ZERO flavor in anything, y'all have completely lost your minds. This is the hospital version of Jamaican food. If you have high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, on a strict diet that require you to have no salt whatsoever, this is the "seasonless" place for you. How is even possible to take the Jerk outta Jerk and the Curry out of Curry And another thing.. WHO THE HELL OUTS CELERY IN RICE AND BEANS?? I tell you who!!! The same people who don't use mawfuck'n seasoning Oxtails, Jerk Wings, Jerk Chicken, "Rice and Beans," Cabbage, Curry Shrimp, and Macaroni and Cheese $23 that I should dispute on my card

    Moldy dessert
    David P.

    The food wasn't bad. Then I got to dessert and I was surprised there were pistachios on it. Wait...That's MOLD! Then of course you start wondering about the food you just ate and was it really fresh or just masked by spices? I don't think I want to know. Obviously won't be returning here. Really disgusting.

    Ox tail!! Plantain
    Yurie H.

    This is a hidden gem in manassas. The first time I had it, I ordered through ubereats and I got the jerk chicken w/ rice and plantains. The jerk chicken is so flavorful with a nice spicy kick to it and the plantains are sweet and delicious. I've been to the actual restaurant several times since then and it's a very casual place, but the food is so comforting and delicious. I like how it's pay by weight so you can choose how many/ which foods you want. The price is not bad at $10 per pound. My favorite is the ox tail because the meat is so tender and seasoned slightly. The chickpea/potato side is also delicious, reminding me slightly of Indian food with the spices. I would definitely recommend trying this place out for yummy food!

    Jerk chicken

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    5 years ago

    Just tried this place yesterday and the oxtail was sooooo good melts right off the bone.

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    8 years ago

    had the curry goat, rice and peas and some kind of chicken and man was it so gooood. I will definitely be going back

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    4 years ago

    A cool place to get a little sandwich or a smoothie they're fast efficient and have a good selection and very good prices kid friendly.

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    7 years ago

    Tropical Bites has the best Oxtails I've ever tasted! The coconut rice was absolutely delicious. I will be visiting regularly!

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    Page 3 of 5

    Ask the Community - Tropical Bites

    Is this place halal?

    Hi Farzana B. - Sorry it took so long to get back to you. Yes the meats are Halal and there are Halal certificates on the wall of the restaurant from the suppliers.

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

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    Teddy's Roti Shop

    Teddy's Roti Shop

    3.7
    (308 reviews)
    28.5 mi
    $$

    The food reminded me of home and the portions and relative price were great. The customer service…read moreis always friendly. There are a few reviews commenting about skin-on or bones; my impression is that they're likely less familiar with Caribbean food since that is commonplace to enhance the flavor. I hope they feel on home here and looking forward to giving them more of our business!

    I was told this is fully cooked and asked if I ever had bbq before. I know what a smoke ring looks…read morelike vs. dripping blood from a vein. I'm 44 and have been bbq'ing for over 20 years. I put the food in the fridge for 4 and half hours to return to you. Of course the blood is going to coagulate. I was told returns or refunds aren't ever given because that's your policy. But since I talked to her husband she would honor the exchange. While giving it back I was being reprimanded the whole time. Yet I nodded and said ok thank you the entire time. It's cool but never again. Thanks for the lessons on what never to do when handling a customer. Sir get your wife out the store front. This exchange could've been so much better. I hope y'all learn and grow from this. Update: WHAT PART OF IT WAS FREE!!! You still have my money and the chicken is in your trashcan!!! I was just called a con man for returning and trashing partly cooked food. As I stated I've never had bbq from here. Not the fact it was Trini or bbq period. Accept it and keep moving lady. You guys are sad and shouldn't be in business. You take no accountability and have lack of respect for people who patronize your business. What does Uber have to do with anything? You still have my money!?!? You're a tyrant stealing from the community. if I'm a con man, you're a thief, liar and you're gonna make someone sick. get it together. Please post whatever evidence you have. Make me into what I know you to be. I came all the way across town to exchange food and you disrespect me. You're not worth the corner stone you sit on!

    Photos
    Restaurant Area !
    Restaurant Area !
    Mango curry with half ripe mangoes and their skin- AMAZING!!!! vegan
    Mango curry with half ripe mangoes and their skin- AMAZING!!!! vegan
    Lunch and Dinner Menu !

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    Lunch and Dinner Menu !
    Island Flavourites Food Truck

    Island Flavourites Food Truck

    4.2
    (6 reviews)
    8.6 mi

    This food truck came to our neighborhood pool as part of our swim team and community bonding…read more My daughter devoured their fries after her time at the pool. I ordered the curry crab legs with the side of mac and cheese, and the oxtail with the side of rice and lentils. Both dishes were amazing. The curry sauce for the crab was tasty and flavorful. The crab legs were steamed well and perfect when dipped in that luxurious sauce. The oxtail was fall off the bone tender and paired perfectly with that flavorful rice and lentils. We would definitely order from this food truck again. Service was kind and hospitable. Food came out at a reasonable time, especially with so many orders at the same time!

    This food truck came to our building today. Since we never have had food from Trinidad and Tobago,…read morewe decided to give them a try. We knew that food from that region can be spicy and we knew that we would like to start with something tame. After looking at their menu board, I decided to go with fried chicken wings with a side of potato salad. My husband ordered pineapple chicken with a side of rice and peas. The people who work the truck are friendly and gladly answered any questions we had. It didn't take long to get our food. When we got the food upstairs, instead of getting fried chicken wings, I ended up with fried chicken tenders. Also, we were both surprised to see that each dinner comes with a small, undressed salad which consists of iceberg lettuce, red onions and a slice of tomato. They give out some sauces/dressings and I chose the one that wasn't spicy. As it was described to us, it was supposed to be "tingly". Okay...well...it was a thin sauce with a little bit of kick to it. I put it on my salad and it worked well with it. I found the chicken tenders to be on the dry side but certainly edible. My husband's pineapple chicken consisted of fried chicken tenders with a pineapple sauce that was simultaneously sweet and spicy. He enjoyed the sauce, and, thus the chicken. The potato salad had sweet undertones to it and had some peas and corn in it. I enjoyed this unconventional version. My husband liked the rice and peas, even though it was on the dry side. The peas were actually pigeon peas, which we both liked. My husband was pleasantly surprised by the food and said if this truck comes by again, he would gladly order from them. I, too, agree but now know to add the pineapple sauce to my chicken.

    Photos
    Menu
    Menu
    Curry crab legs
    Curry crab legs
    Curried snow crab legs! Never heard of this dish before and never heard a food truck selling snow crabs before, amazing 5 out of 5!

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    Curried snow crab legs! Never heard of this dish before and never heard a food truck selling snow crabs before, amazing 5 out of 5!
    Irie Carribean

    Irie Carribean

    3.5
    (241 reviews)
    16.8 mi
    $$

    This place is a hit or miss. First, I tried to call in my order, but my call went to voice mail…read more When I got there, a young guy was on the phone, on what appeared to be personal. Next, this place have quality chicken, but you never know what they have left for the day. As far as I know, this is the only real authentic Caribbean restaurant in Woodbridge VA. However, they are not consistent with their menu items. For example, I ordered a chicken roti. It usually has chicken, chickpeas, potatoes, and loads of spices. On 01/10/25 the waiter ask if I wanted chickpeas, I said yes, this was unusual. Normally, it's a given. When I got home, all I had was a plain roti with chicken. When I call to complain, the same person said they perhaps ran out of chickpeas and potatoes as if it was not a issue. Why wouldn't the chef disclose this upfront? This is not the first time they were out of menu items, but normally they let you know. The fact that I experienced this more than once, I cannot continue to support this establishment.

    5 Stars for Irie Caribbean Restaurant! Told the guy at the counter the only Jamaican food I knew…read morewas jerk chicken and beef patties and he brought me out a free sample of their jerk chicken, curry chicken and ox tail! Very friendly and welcoming! The chicken melts in your mouth and the flavor is top notch. Will definitely be back to this amazing little hole in the wall!

    Photos
    Bar + order counter // Irie Carribean * WDBR, VA
    Bar + order counter // Irie Carribean * WDBR, VA
    $26.39 Lg to-go dinner entrée:  oxtail w/peas and rice, fried plantains and ((ABSENT)) steamed vegetables.
    $26.39 Lg to-go dinner entrée: oxtail w/peas and rice, fried plantains and ((ABSENT)) steamed vegetables.
    Irie Carribean

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    Tropical Bites - trinidadian - Updated June 2026

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