This small establishment on Monona Drive in Madison( possibly a former Taco Bell by the looks of its structure) is owned by Jamaican natives, and is as authentic as it gets as far as Caribbean island cuisine and ambiance. Of course there are as many jerk dishes, most notable is my personal favorite; the chicken and ribs with a beans, rice, and slaw mix. The jerk salmon with mango and the shrimp are also worth trying also, and there are other very authentic native dishes such as oxtail and curried goat. There is a reasonably priced weekday and Saturday lunch buffet featuring all these items. The appetizers are quite unique also, the fried plantains and beef patties are difficult to resist. Then there's the drinks- of course Red Stripe beer, Appleton Plantation rum and several flavorful Jamaican sodas- the ginger Ting is my favorite. Blue Mountain coffee can also be purchased to take home here.
The atmosphere is very casual, posters of Jamaica and Bob Marley line the walls, and Raggae is always playing in the background. There is also a cozy little new bar next to the kitchen which reminds me of one at a rustic Caribbean resort. This is the perfect place to go for dinner on a freezing cold and dreary winter night in Madison, to think warm and get an island feel.
