Island Spice and Southern Cuisine

The worst place on earth. Not only did I order online but I also called to make sure my order was received because after reading all the negative reviews I wanted to make sure I didn’t have a negative experience.
15 minutes after I called to confirm they received my order I got a call from the restaurant telling me they were canceling my order. The reason being that he didn’t feel like delivering to me. I have been on seamless for years and never experienced such horrible service. Don’t ever eat here. God only knows what goes on on their kitchen if they don’t care about customers.

I tried supporting this business, because it’s a small business, it’s black owned, and it’s a neighborhood business, but after yesterday I will never spend another dime here!!! In the past coming to this place I usually stick to the same thing, the curry shrimp, being that I’m a pescetarian (meaning I do not eat meat). I can say I’ve only been able to successfully order this a couple of times literally out of several failed attempts attempts. The first time I went in there it took 40 minutes to make my order and that is when it was suggested that I phone in. It takes 20 minutes to cook, so one of the workers suggested I phone in and order instead of coming in and waiting 20 minutes for the order to be made. He meant phone in when they actually answer the phone! The second time I called in, after several attempts a woman answered and said they would be closing in the next 5 minutes even though their hours are stated as 7AM-​11PM and it was only 8:30PM at the time I called. Another time I called at 5:30PM (had to call three times) and was told that I could not place an order for curry shrimp because the chef left for the night and will not be returning. All of these excuses and horrible service and I still tried to give them my business. Last night was the worst of all and the straw that broke the camel’s back! It was pouring raining and windy. I’m talking harsh wind. I called in to place my order the gentlemen said he was the only one there, but assured me he would make my order. I set out, went to the atm first several blocks and avenues away to get cash, because even though they say cards are accepted they only take cash. When I get to the restaurant 30 minutes later drenched from the rain, umbrella broken from the wind, I see an order and assume it’s mine. I tell the gentleman I called in for the curry shrimp. He shakes his head and says I couldn’t make it I had to take care of all these customers. There were 2 customers at the counter about to leave. Why on God’s green earth would you say you could make the order, have me come out in those weather conditions and have nothing? Didn’t even try to persuade me that he could make the order right then and there, offer me a free side, or water or soda with my order. Nothing but excuses!!! That’s my horror story, and why I will never spend a dime in this place ever again.

I really loved this restaurant! You must try Fried Chickens, i think this is the best fried chickens in the Harlem. I loved Amy Ruth but this restaurant is much better because flavors are all into the chickens. You MUST TRY if you’re in Harlem. Don’t forget to grab Chocolate cake as well!

ITS AMAZING THAT IVE LIVED IN HARLEM ALL MY LIFE AND HAVE NEVER HEARD OF THIS PLACE UNTIL THREE MONTHS AGO.
Let me just tell you THE FOOD IS F*&#@$G AMAZING!!! The oxtails are my absolute favorite thing to get. My boyfriend loves the curry shrimp and curry chicken, I dont like curry so I can’t really give any review on that. The portions are more than enough but you can only get mac and cheese as one of your sides if you get a LARGE entrée. Now there are 2 reasons why this place only gets 3 stars from me. FIRST being the first time I ever ordered from them i went through seamless, you’re supposed to get an order confirmation as soon as they receive your order I never got a confirmation. I called the place several times and their number was «out of range». Seamless (I LOVE THEIR CUSTOMER SERVICE) called me and cancelled my order for me without me even asking them to, they even put me on hold to call them themselves but they couldn’t get through either. So there I am hungry and not wanting to cook, a hour and a half later I get a phone call telling me to come downstairs my food is here HUH?! Apparently they did receive my order but never confirmed it, bright side for me i got free food since seamless cancelled my order. SECOND same thing happened again except this time I never received my food at all and I could only get in contact with the restaurant through email and the woman stated they were only doing pick up orders. How was I supposed to know that if seamless didn’t know that. They really need to work on their customer service like SERIOUSLY but they can keep on making that bomb ass food just the way it is.

My delivery came improperly sealed and as if the delivery boy just flung it around carelessly; A huge mess. I’d say 35% of my saucy bbq chicken and oxtail were out of the container and in the plastic bag :(

I ordered from this restaurant via grub hub. Delivery took over two hours and the food arrived cold. The restaurant never answers their phone and doesn’t even have their voicemail setup. Avoid this restaurant.

Unfortunately, I have to put a star for this horrible restaurant. The customer service is absolutely terrible! I have only ordered takeout and it has been decent but tonight it was deplorable! The sign said it was open and I walked in the first door and as I attempted to open the second it was locked. I wasn’t sure if I was having trouble with the door because I have had an issue opening that door before. There was a man behind the counter so i knocked to make sure that it was open. The «gentleman» refused to acknowledge me as I repeatedly knocked on the door. Finally he looked up and just stared at me. I ask if they were closed and he just shrugged. I don’t know if he was drunk or what?! But I told him that the door said open and he just shrugged at me again rudely. I will never order from this place again! A better establishment should open up that value providing excellent customer service.

Decided to try something different. Got the pepper steak & boy was if delicious. It was tender & had just the right amount of spices. Ima get it again the next time I go

Good food, and I get they’re West Indian but they’re next level with the horrendous service.
Ordering delivery from Island Spice is a guessing game of whether the food will arrive on time, late or not at all.

Good food. Great service. Pretty pricey though but totally worth it.
I really enjoy the fried chicken. The mac and cheese is tasty and the greens are very flavorful.

I’m extremely disappointed in this restaurant. I’ve ordered delivery from here twice, and twice, I have not received the food that I had ordered. The first time, the restaurant claimed they were out of most of the food. Out of beef patties at a Jamaican-​inspired spot? Come on. The next time, I had to cancel my order with Grubhub because delivery took over an hour to arrive. It eventually arrived (after 1.5 hours), but the order was STILL wrong. Again, all of my food was not there (surprise…beef patties again). I gave them two chances, so I think I’m done with this restaurant. It’s sad though — I’ve never actually tasted the food, but I still have a bad taste in my mouth from the poor delivery service.

For the price… well yea 3 stars. It’s kind of nice that they give you two sides with your meal but there have been quite a few times where it’s lacking in flavor or the chicken had been on the dry side. Don’t get me wrong, I will still be going there mostly due to convenience but it can really be hit or miss. I usually get stew chicken or short ribs and I think I’ve tried the Oxtails and curry chicken as well.
They don’t always have everything on their menu and the service can be a little slow. However, inside is pretty nice. They have a sitting area I’ve never used and come to think of it I rarely see anyone else using it either. Almost seems like a waste of space.
Last time I went I noticed they started a happy hour. Maybe it’ll be worth it to get a table though I can’t imagine speedy service will happen.

Tried the small plate for $ 750 n they gave me only about $ 300 worth of food I feel robbed lol

I was skeptical at first, but I decided to try the curry goat. I’m not an adventurous eater, but I gave it a try. It was so delicious. Perfectly seasoned and complimented the cabbage, collard greens and rice wonderfully. I will be back. I want more.

We found island spice through grub hub and we loved it. I think the portions are quite generous. I had Jamaican Jerk Chicken with rice and peas (read: beans), macaroni and cheese, and yams all for $ 11. I think that’s a great deal because I had it for two meals. My boyfriend got the oxtail and was raving about that as well. Definitely going to be a repeat on our delivery schedule.
Only con is that there online delivery through grub hub is cumbersome. Regardless of what we order they always call to clarify or change something. Don’t bother calling.

We live a half block away and have been meaning to try it. Well, tonight we did. My first time trying curried goat. It was delicious! Tender, and simmered in just the right amount of curry. The sides were AMAZING. Collared greens, mac n cheese, and potato salad. The server was very friendly, even brought us a sample of the curried goat before we ordered. The cook came out and introduced himself. The music playing was really good, too. So glad we checked it out. Will definitely be back!!!

The BEST curry goat! One of my most favorite go to take out restaurants.
Very friendly staff as well!

Food: Oxtails with meat practically falling off the bone. The sauce is immaculate. The candied yams are perfection. You can tell the actually let the jerk chicken sit in its spices before it is cooked.
Owner & Delivery person: Very very friendly and nice.
Their is love in their cooking.

So much food. Good, too. But seriously, no matter how hungry you are, don’t go for the large portion. Seriously. Don’t.
The menu says island and southern cuisine, but (almost) everything I saw was island. Rice & peas. Short ribs. Oxtail. Jerk chicken. Stew chicken.
Meatloaf was alleged, but unfortunately not to be.
Not the most best I’ve ever had — I live in Brixton after all — but very good.

So… disclaimers. I have had some really shitty and also very suspect Jamaican food during my time in NYC. But I’m also Jamaican and my bar for good Jamaican food is quite high. With that said, Island Spice definitely holds water as some of the best Jamaican food I have had in NYC. I had heard from a few people that the food was very good and I’m glad it held up to the hype.
Yes… I only had one entrée — Curry Goat. But I’m picky enough about my Curry Goat and sufficiently impressed by what I had at Island Spice to feel confident about this 4-​star rating.
Okay… so the Curry Goat is really really good. Unlike most Caribbean spots, you do not get a disrespectful amount of bones in your serving of «meat». There was a surprisingly generous serving of succulent, moist goat meat, well curried with just a little bit of heat (pepper). It hit the spot and thoroughly satisfied my craving. I had Fried Plaintain with my entrée and it was ripe and nicely fried, with the perfect amount of caramelization. Real West Indians know how integral that caramelization is. I also had a D&G Pineapple soda. The little Jamaican girl inside of me was most pleased.
It’s sort of a hole-​in-​the-​wall takeout spot, but the tables and counters are welcoming enough. I sat down and ate there (which has basically never happened before) and people watched.
They also serve breakfast, which I’m excited to try. I’ll definitely be returning!