Jahmske’s Caribbean Restaurant

Delicious Jamaican food on north end. Kind of a sketchy parking lot at night but their beef patties are well worth the risk!

I had the curry chicken and rice and peas (beans?)
I work down the street and I would have never found this place if it wasn’t for co workers but I’m glad I did.
Generous portions, reasonably priced, and delicious curry chicken.
I’ll be back for sure !

I moved from Florida recently and was in dire need of my Jamaican food fix. This place was recommended to me, and from what I read on the web, I figured I’d give it a go. Unfortunately, the jerk chicken was the worst I’ve ever had in my life. It was so dry to the point where I couldn’t eat it. It almost seemed burned! It was chewy and tough and not worth giving to a dog. My husband had the tripe and beans and he seemed somewhat pleased. The attitude of the the workers was pissy to the bazillionth degree. I tend to expect that at some Caribbean joints, but these folks take pissy to a whole new level. I tried out another Jamaican restaurant, Dunns River, several times thereafter and was quite impressed with their food and service. Every single time I’ve been there they have been consistent. I think I’ll stick with them from now on for Jamaican food.

Jahmske’s is a little hole in the wall restaurant in Hartford’s sketchy North End. I stopped in for lunch and was very happy with my meal. The shop is clean, the staff are friendly and the food is great. I had the chicken roti and I liked that they served it with the skin on the side. I also had a beef patty and that was good as well.
There is one table with chairs but Jahmske’s is really a carry out restaurant. They do accept credit/​debit cards which was a nice surprise. I usually expect places like this to be cash only. Good food, good people.

This is a review minus the check-​in as I forgot to check-​in.
This is one of two of my go-​to places for Jamaican food. My second is Dunns River. The food here isn’t bad and I actually only come for the stew chicken that’s offered with either white rice or rice and beans. I usually opt for the latter plus the meal comes with vegetables that looks like a steamed version of coleslaw. The stew chicken is great and has a bit of a sweet taste to it. I’ve found that sometimes the chicken meat can be a bit tough to chew through and not as soft, juice or tender. The rice is usually on the dry side but, for me, that’s okay as it serves to absorb the gravy from the stew chicken.
The staff is great at helping you as in the first time I came and didn’t know about the portion sizes. If you plan on using a debit/​credit card, the minimum you’d have to spend is $ 10.
I’ve always wanted to try their curry goat — a big favorite of mine but I usually go to my other place for that but maybe one day I’ll try something on the menu other than their addicting stew chicken!

I hate the jerk chicken here. It’s always either dried or overlook. I gave this place 3 chances for its jerk chicken and every time they failed with this one. They fill you up with an abundance of rice and beans, but a tiny portion of veggies and small portion of meat.
This is why I stick to their curried goat, and I believe the quality of their can vary in terms of quality of cook.
I apologize for my last review, I gave them a lot of praise, but I feel that that was the problem before, not knowing if you’re going to have quality food made consistently. It makes me not want to venture into other entrees.

You know that McDonalds on Albany Avenue in the not exactly nicest part of town? Well turn into the parking lot on the side of McD, drive toward the hidden strip mall way behind Albany Ave, and cruise on over to Jahmske’s for some really good chow.
It’s a take-​out only place that apparently used to sport some dine-​in tables and chairs that have been taken out. There are a few lonely chairs along the back wall, presumably a place for weary take out customers to sit while their food is being prepared.
Jahmske’s is very similar to some of the other Jamaican take out restaurants I have seen. Most popular is a container of one entrée (Jerk or Curry whatever) served with rice and peas, and a cabbage slaw. I really wanted some Curry Shrimp, but the cheery young lady behind the register said she had just sold out of it. I was there early, maybe 5:30 on a Wednesday. Instead I went for a medium Jerk Chicken — it was about $ 9. The rice and peas (beans) were cooked very well, not dried out like some steam table victims. The Jerk Chicken was good, but not great, it was a teense dried out (overcooked) for my taste. The jerk sauce was excellent– very zippy –I ate one small piece of some kind of hot pepper, and my mouth went into turbo-​drive. My nose was running pretty well after my meal.
I wanted to take home some meat patties, but they don’t sell them here.
They sell all of the expected Jamaican staples, jerk, curry, chicken, goat, oxtail, and a foot and a head for the adventurous sorts.
The service was sweet as can be, polite, friendly, and I left after I was told to «enjoy dinner and come back and see us again». I’m sure I will!

This is a great place in the North end for some Jamaican food. The place is in a little plaza. Watch out the parking lot seems to have tons of speed bumps.
Food:
I’m not familiar with Jamaican food, the only other place I have to compare is Scotts. For $ 5 you get a small box with rice and veggies. The flavor is amazing. It fills you up and you still have left overs. We tried the jerk chicken and curry goat.
Experience:
Staff was super friendly. I didn’t really know how to order or what to order since my only experience with Jamaican food is when co-​workers order it for me. I was not rushed at all. The staff was welcoming and took the time to explain the different sauces available.
They take cash only.
I would definitely return when in the mood for Jamaican. Its cheap and the portion is out of this word. A small can feed two.

The only reason this place doesn’t get a five star rating is because I really have no basis for comparison. Now don’t get it twisted, this restaurant is in the ghetto. But what it may lack in «class» it makes up for in amazing flavor. Being in a more rundown part of town, really gives this place it’s edge. If you are of the Caucasian persuasion, you will be the only one in there, but if you feel inclined for an amazing meal, I suggest trying out the Curry chicken, brown rice and beans with the steamed veggies and a cream soda to wash it all down.