First Choice Caribbean American

cabbage, greens, plaintains
curry potatoes, curried meat
jerk chicken
$ 8 lunch buffet.
flavorful vegetables,
tender and juicy meats,
overall well seasoned
without giving you heartburn.
tastes just like local foods
back in the caribbean.

I’ve finally got to experience a Jamaican buffet. I found that I’m not really used to the flavors of coconut, pineapple and certain spices in the vegetables and meats. It just wasn’t my thing.
BUT I will say the Jerk Chicken they were serving up here was THE BOMB. I would go back just for this Jamaican staple. It was dark, spicy, saucy and sooo soo delicious. I can see myself ordering the jerk chicken take-​out pretty frequently.

killing it every saturday at the farmers market. cant beat the jerk chicken mmmmmmm! and my man with fro kno i love this sh*t im there every weekend

Great restaurant! When I was heading in it looked a little run down but as soon as you get in the door that changes its very well kept up. Great service, employee was very polite and kind. I got the lunch buffet and it was great. Plus it’s the only place I know of in Rroy where you can get Jamaican ginger beer (non-​alcoholic beverage). Definitely going to hit this place up more often for lunch.

I was in Troy for one night and was lucky enough to find this place, the staff was great and the Jerk chicken was seasoned perfect. The chicken cooked so perfect and tender it just melts in your mouth with an explosion of flavors. I wish I could find a place like this in Rochester.

My boyfriend and I go to First Choice on a regular basis. We basically only get the jerk chicken because it is so moist, spicy and oh so delicious. You get a good portion of food and the quality is quite consistent. Far better than Hotspot Albany in my opinion. If you like Carribean food, you won’t be disappointed. Also, you can find them at Troy’s farmer’s market on Saturdays.

I’m in it for the veggies, oddly enough. I absolutely love their callaloo. Spicy, soft but not mushy, just the right level of salty, and not at all bitter. I also really love their cabbage and plantains. I’ve never been a huge fan of jerk seasoning or other Jamaican spices, really, so I’m the worst person to ask. But those who know better say their jerk chicken is quite good.
Check them out for the lunch buffet. Worth the ~$ 7.50 for sure.

Have tried may dishes here. Jerk Chicken, Jerk Shrimp, Fish Escovitch, Ital Stew, Callaloo, and the patties (beef, chicken, and veg). Every thing I have had here has been very good. This is one of those places that is about the food. It is not a particularly warmly decorated place. However, the owner and his staff are friendly. He is always willing to honor special requests if possible. And as good as Roy’s is in Albany, First Choice’s vegetarian entrée’s are much better. I have noticed a review from 8÷21÷14 from Sandra L. that she did not like the cabbage and plantains. I can only hope that was just an off day as I have not had that problem here.
It is definitely a family run business, because on more than one occasion there have been children running around behind the counter (I assume the owners children). Next time you are thinking of going to Shalimar just down the block, give this place a try instead. You will not be disappointed. I hope this place is here to stay.

Really disappointed. How can you screw up cabbage? It tasted… Idk, like no other cabbage I’ve ever had and that’s not a good thing. The plantains were barely ripe & lacking their signature sweetness (& there was only 3 small sized ones :/​)
The curry chicken was «okay».
I’m going to stick to Roy’s & Dutch pot in Albany from now on.

Ox Tail, Jerk Chicken and Curry Goat! I mean how much more delish can you get, this place never disappoints— a little rough around the edges but you get quality food quickly with a smile for an amazing price. Perks: they cater and you can order on grub hub for an easy pick up or delivery! So glad I found this diamond in the rough here in Troy

Great little hidden gem in Troy. Really yummy lunch buffet (rice, cabbage, greens, two types of potato dishes and three types of SUPER TENDER chicken). In and out for ten bucks. Better than The Dutch Pot in Albany (which I like). Definitely going back

This place is a nice find in the downtown Troy area! Walked in from the cold to get the well priced lunch buffet (7.99 a person or something like that) and was not disappointed. Unfortunately the only real protein they have for lunch is three different types of chicken, but you will not regret stopping by nonetheless. They had rice and peas, braised greens, coconut potatoes, fried plantains, and delicious chicken. Drinks are sort of grab your own and pay for it later, but the food was delicious, and the person working behind the counter was super friendly and willing to refresh the items we wanted on the buffet line so that he we could have fresh food.

This place rules. Got delivery. Got so happy. Plantains and patties and the ital OMG so creamy and yummy. Greatgreatgreatgreat.

I tried their lunch buffet, which doesn’t offer much variety. You get chicken in three flavors stewed (brown chicken), Curry and Jerk. In addition to a choice of white rice or rice with peas. The flavors are okay, but the sauce for the jerk and curry are watery, with an almost soup like consistency. As it relates to spice, the spice levels increase from stew (mild), Curry (medium) to Jerk (spicy) .
The environment isn’t really convenient for a buffet as the drinks aren’t include and you don’t have a server, but after awhile you will understand you can go behind the counter to the cooler, which isn’t immediately apparent. There is no wait staff, it’s do it your self service.
What to expect, it’s a friendly and welcoming environment but you have to ask for what you need, if you want something on the menu or not available in the buffet. Even when you ask, service will not be prompt.
I also wouldn’t categorize this as authentic Jamaican food but I only tried the buffet, recently. I am hoping for a better experience with the more traditional dishes like Curry Goat or Ox Tails. I would go back, it’s a typical laid back Caribbean environment with friendly folks, lots of reggae music and regulars chatting it up.

The lunch buffet is always a good bet.
The oxtails, curry, and jerk are great.
To be kind, it’s a, how to put it, cozy space.
Super affordable.
Oh, one annoying thing, and it might have changed since I was there last, but there was no real place to put the tops of the buffet pans which is difficult to hold while also holding a heaping pile of Caribbean food.

I recently tried their food at the Troy Waterfront Farmer’s Market. I have to say, it was pretty darn good for street food! I understand that it’s basically what is served at the restaurant a couple blocks away.
I had the jerk chicken with the fixings – rice and beans, cabbage, fried plaintains, etc. Compared to the Hot Spot on Central, the food was better in flavor, and the jerked chicken was moist and flavorful, with a nice kick.
I’ll visit the restaurant in the near future and provide an update, but I would assume it would be more or less the same, since this style of cooking requires everything to be premade anyway and not cooked to order. A lunch buffet sounds like a great deal to me! :)

i used to think it was ok to keep this place to myself, this place that made fantastic Caribbean food, but I can no longer be selfish
you have to go, and go now
the lunch buffet rocks! the jerk chicken makes you cry because it is awesome and it is spicy
the ital salad is amazing as well
the staff is great, Reggie is friendly and accommodating
go, share in the joy

Fist choice is a restaurant with two sides of the tape.
If you are looking for ambiance this is not the place.
But if you want real authentic jamaican food this is the place.
The oxtails might be the best dish on the menu. Others like the curry and jerk are also amazing. The peas and rice can be over cook sometimes.
Have only eating here about 5 time, but every time I have come my food have been really good. 3 stars are due to the fact I would consider this restaurant strictly take out.

This place is great!
Went for lunch on a Saturday for the first time (the lunch buffet is only Mon-​Fri) and was pleasantly surprised. I got the jerk chicken while my girlfriend got the curry chicken. I got a large, she got a small and we both had leftovers. The fried plantains were nice and sweet, but not the most fresh, and we both got plenty of rice (more beans next time please!). Most importantly, we both had plenty of juicy stewed-​til-​the-​bones-​fall-​apart chicken. Yum.
Check this place out. It is what it is, and it’s pretty darn good.

I was introduced to jerk chicken here. Now, I’m a solid fan. I’ve never dined-​in here, I usually get take-​out.
This place is homey and warm. The service can be a little slow, especially on busy nights. I suggest getting here early, as they’ve ran out on jerk chicken and rice and peas on me a couple of times.
The jerk chicken here is stellar, although I admit I don’t have another version to compare it to. There’s a nice heat to the jerk seasoning, and the cabbage, and rice and peas go great with the chicken. The one time they ran out of jerk chicken on me, I had the stew chicken, which is remarkably similar to the jerk chicken without the heat.
The people that work here are very friendly, and I’ve got nothing but great service. The one time I waited an extremely long time because there were a lot of people dining in that night, and the woman at the counter offered me a free drink.
I make it a point to come here at least once a month, cause it’s so good. Usually during the ski season, I come here once a weekend after a trip. A great meal to end a great day.