Reggae Shack Cafe

Reggae Shack Cafe - CLOSED

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Reggae Shack Cafe

Review

At a glance

Website

+1 352-377-5464Improve this listing

About

Parking In The Back

Features

CUISINES

Caribbean, Jamaican

Meal types

Lunch, Dinner

PRICE

FEATURES

Live Music

Location

619 W University Ave, Gainesville, FL 32601-5155

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4.2

262 reviews

Excellent

140

Very good

Average

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Terrible

SUBZEROSKIDD10

Thetford1242 contributions

Authentic Caribbean

May 2022 • none

I checked out Reggae Shack Cafe with some work friends on a Sunday night. There's no doubt about it, this place is authentic! I ordered the jerk chicken which was grilled and spicy, served with rice and peas, plantains, and steamed cabbage. Very large portion sizes with enough to have for lunch the next day. They have traditional Caribbean sodas as well. There's plenty of seating inside but I would say the only negative aspect of this experience was that the Reggae music was blaring: to the point that I was yelling so the people I was sitting across from could hear me. Overall I'm glad I checked out Reggae Shack Cafe and if you want some deliciously authentic Caribbean fare, you should check it out too.

Written November 12, 2022

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243DLP

Midland1059 contributions

Still good but no Jerk Chicken?

Feb 2021 • none

We had been here years ago and wanted to come back since we were in the area again. Due to Covid there was no dine-in, but you could sit out back on their patio which was fine by us. We were disappointed that they didn't have Jerk Chicken (lunch time on a Friday) but the food we did have - Curry Chicken - was good.

Written March 15, 2021

Anjaholst

2 contributions

Awesome place!

Jul 2020 • family

We went up from the villages, basically for the carrot cake for a birthday. We decided to order food as well and nothing disappointed. Food was amazing, the guy which birthday it was had the mahi mahi sandwich and said it was the best he ever had. The carrot cake was so good that we got more pieces! The staff was super nice and friendly and safe, wearing masks and keeping distance Avi and Natalia were the best!!! Love this place and will happily drive an hour and a half to go there again!

Written July 26, 2020

Janeil

1 contribution

Horrible representation of Jamaican cuisine

Feb 2020 • friends

This restaurant’s food doesn’t even come close to what Jamaican food tastes like, and I grew up in Jamaica so I know exactly what Jamaican food is. They have Americans cooking in the kitchen, barely putting any seasoning on the food. The food overall is bland and watered down; they also throw a bunch of pepper and call everything “jerked” and “spicy flavored”. They don’t have any Caribbean people representing the company, not even the waiters or waitresses! It taints the Jamaican name and I’ll never go back again. Instead go to Caribbean Queen or Caribbean Spice where they have real Caribbean cuisine.

Written June 4, 2020

Byshana H

5 contributions

"You will like this place!"

Mar 2021 • none

I did a carry out, and I had to wait a few minutes, because there was a line. However, the atmosphere was wonderful, and I thought about eating there but the Pandemic. I had the oxtails meal, it was wonderful. My daughter had the burger and dutty fries, we enjoyed the taste of the food and now I am totally hooked. I drive across town regularly for authentic Jamaican food.

Written May 9, 2021

upstate2

Crystal River291 contributions

Run, don’t walk, to any other restaurant

Jun 2023 • family

Worst ever. Came with family, all adults. Tried two sandwiches and the ox tail dinner. Both sandwiches and the fries that came with the sandwiches was drowning in multiple sauces battling to dominate the food, and if that wasn’t bad enough, little could be tasted under the mounds of “dutty” seasoning piled on everything. No idea what was in it but, it was literally piled in mounds on top of everything ie fries, each element of the dish and even the top of the bun. Not sure what was in it but clearly tons of sugar, cinnamon and so many other spices that it was just unappetizing spice mounds on top of each element of the meal. We picked to the bottom of the fries to find any not spoiled by the heavy hand of the kitchen. Less than a third was edible and only when using ketchup to lessen the over seasoning. Opening the bins we found a muddy drenching of the bun, protein and even the tomato slices and lettuce was wilted by the multiple sauces applied by the heavy hand of the kitchen. The ox tail came with lots of rice but much less of beans. Getting through the fat to get to the well prepared meat was work. The plantain was oddly tasteless- a strange thing in this is usually a treat of meals in this food family. We have had Caribbean/ Jamaican food before which was wonderful on many many occasions. This was simply awful. Run, don’t walk, to any other restaurant and consider yourself lucky to have dodged this culinary bullet.

Written June 25, 2023

carolyn p

2 contributions

disappointed

Sep 2021 • none

I wanted patty's, but they were out, so I settled for festivals.....they were so over cooked and dark, you could break out a window with them,,,,,my mango/coconut smoothie tasted like nothing but green mango's,.... terribly sour.....great for an upset stomach.....may heart of palm salad was fair, except some of the lettace's were old. Just an over all disappointing meal....next time I'll try Caribbean Spice.

Written September 22, 2021

Danainfranklin

Nashville645 contributions

Copious quantities of OK food.

Oct 2019 • none

The reviews did not match the offerings. The Jerk chicken and an Oxtail were flavorful but not exceptional or (thankfully) too hot. The fried Tofu was below par as was the rice that tasted reheated, leaving it dry and stale. The fried cornbread was not worth 3 bucks. However, the cabbage was awesome; super flavorful. Our server, Eddie was super friendly. We probably wouldn’t go back.

Written October 18, 2019

Mik H

Gainesville124 contributions

That was not chicken

Aug 2019 • none

I have eaten the boneless jerk chicken here for years. This last year it has already gone downhill, with inconsistent quality, constantly changing chefs and staff, hit and miss on the food. Today was a total surprise. The boneless jerk is made with a chicken breast, has been for years. Today I get a collection of what looks like chicken left-overs. Chewy, bony and fatty chunks, of what resembles, and I hope, was chicken. Aweful.

Written August 26, 2019

Dorothy H

Athens178 contributions

Good Music and Food!

Aug 2019 • none

Enjoyed the atmosphere, service, and food. Easy parking behind restaurant. I love Jerk chicken. Be careful it is very spicy...!

Written August 13, 2019

BrianRhonda

Dahlonega68 contributions

Authentic Jerk Chicken full of flavor but extremely spicy

May 2019 • couples

We found this "locals" restaurant 3 years ago and loved it. Came back this weekend and forgot to check to see who the chef was for the day. The jerk chicken is authentic with so many flavors it's amazing. The spicy heat was off the charts (and I pride myself on tolerance). Depending on the chef, the heat can change day to day. NOT FOR THE WEAK. If you really want to experience true Jamaican jerk chicken, don't miss the Reggae Shack. Prices are good, atmosphere is very comfortable, the service is great. Don't forget to stop next door and put the fire out with homemade vegetarian icecream.

Written May 20, 2019

Kareta M

Panama City47 contributions

Great food & service

Apr 2019 • none

Love this place. We first started eating here when my daughter was at Shands in October 2018. We always stop by for a meal when we come for her follow up visits or just passing through. I recommend the ox tails and stewed chicken bone-in. Curry chicken was good. I’m Cajun and like spicy food but the jerk chicken was way too spicy for me. To me the boneless stewed chicken was not as good as the bone-in...although still delicious.

Written April 20, 2019

kaybee

4 contributions

great vegan options

Apr 2019 • friends

Unique and delicious food, with plenty of good choices for vegans and vegetarians. The Curry Tempeh is my favorite, and if they have their vegan coconut cake, you MUST try it, even if you're not vegan.

Written April 14, 2019

Terry S

Jacksonville Beach623 contributions

Hot hot hot

Apr 2019 • family

Truly authentic and very hot jerk chicken. I suggest getting two glasses of water with your meal. The flavor is truly Jamaican.

Written March 31, 2019

Ansley M

2 contributions

NOT WORTH THE WAIT

Feb 2019 • family

We came hopeful for some good food. The food we ordered, after changing what to order after we were told they were out, took an hour plus to get to our table. Highly disappointed. Fries were good.

Written February 17, 2019