- Restaurants |
- Nightlife |
- Shopping |
- Movies |
- All
Caribbean Grill
Categories: Restaurants Caribbean Restaurants Latin American Caribbean, Latin American [Edit]
5183 Lee HwyArlington, VA 22207
(703) 241-8947
- Price Range:
-
$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- No
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- No
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- No
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch, Dinner
- Alcohol:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Has TV:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
46 reviews for Caribbean Grill
Review Highlights
"They have Cuban rice, delicious chicken, fried plantains..."
(in 8 reviews)
"...Grill is second only to El Pollo Rico when it comes to..."
(in 5 reviews)
"The Ropa vieja is tasty not the best i've had but close."
(in 5 reviews)
Loading...
46 reviews in English
-
Review from Roy J.
Arlington, VA
12/19/2011
This place is as good as it gets! Great food and great service. This is another establishment that I have been coming for years.
My usual is chicken breast and thigh with either white rice or cuban rice. They also have a nice selection of side dishes, more than most peruvian chicken places around here. The spices on the chicken are delicious and the chicken meat is perfect, not too dry and not too moist.
I have also tried the fried fish, beef stew, chicken sandwich, and the cuban sandwich. All are really good and the price is really affordable. -
Review from Charlie T.
Hillsborough, NC
1/17/2012
Pollo Rico has better chicken, but the sides here are top notch. I love the fried plaintains.
Dress for no air conditioning, and bring cash.
Well worth the trip. -
Review from Jon R.
Bethesda, MD
12/19/2011
Real Cuban sandwiches. Need I say much more?
Greasy as anything, but damn authentic. I've only been once, but I really want to make a trip back; colorful little shop that had really good cuban food. The sandwich was exactly what you want out of a cuban: great bread, good pork, ultimately delicious.
It's been a while since I went, so this review is lacking in detail, but a solid establishment overall. Try the sauces too, quite good. -
Review from Geraldo M.
Lovettsville, VA
2/8/2012
Could have a vegetarian platter at a reasonable price, but the black beans are definately the best in town, the rice superb and everything else consistently fresh and tasty. Great job on the whole at reasonable prices.
-
Review from Y H.
Washington, DC
8/28/2011 1 Check-in Here
I tried roasted chicken dish with one side (yuca) and chicken curry.
Fried yuca is the best yuca I tried in this area but roasted chicken is just mediocre. I like super pollo chicken better. I didn't know that Caribbean cuisine has curry dishes but this chicken curry is really good. I mean it is better than any decent Indian or Thai curry.
roasted chicken - 2.5 stars
fried yuca (side dish) - 4 stars
chicken curry - 4.5 stars -
Review from Ellen T.
Fairfax, VA
12/8/2011
I was disappointed with my experience here even though other Yelpers seemed to enjoy this place.
My friend and I shared the jerk chicken, beef stew, yellow rice, and baked plantains. It's really sad when both of our favorites was the side of yellow rice. The jerk chicken was fine but lacked any real flavor and the beef stew was incredibly salty. The place is cash only and the person behind the counter was rude and unenthusiastic. I doubt that I'll be making another visit here again, unless someone was treating and ordering all the right things off the menu. -
Review from Anthony H.
Fairfax, VA
El Pollo Rico say what? Super Chicken say who? Crisp & Juicy say when? Out of those super giants of pollo a la brasca joints in NOVA, Caribbean Grill is definitely a contender among them. What stands them out and makes them different is that their rub birings a little island flavor with their jerk seasoning.
Say WHERRRRRRRRRRRE? Okay that didn't make sense, I was trying to use up all the dubyas. This is a Peruvian chicken style place that uses jerk seasong? How dare them? But it turns out to work well for them. What is also great about this place is that they have many many sides....like bubba gump said: fried yucca, baked yucca, mixed veggies, yellow rice, white rice...etc...shrimp toast (maybe i fibbed on the last one) Like most of these places, bring cash money only. yo mama!
P.S. The decor is pretty cheesy, but no edible cheesy. -
Review from Ni C.
Updated - 12/31/2011
went for a quick pickup order for lunch today, and impressively everything was out and ready to go at 11 on the dot. chicken is great, well seasoned and the white meat is amazingly moist. sides were proper--black beans and fries were made to order. a half chicken with 2 sides for 10 bucks--that's two meals and one happy camper :)
1 Previous Review: Show all »
-
8/24/2011
What a good deal! I love rotisserie chicken in all forms and this place does not dissapoint. Well… Read more »
-
-
Review from Kevin K.
Arlington, VA
Updated - 11/10/2011
Had a cuban about a week ago....gave me diarrhea. Nothing really else to say.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
-
8/25/2010
Okay so I didn't try the chicken, but if the cuban sandwich is any type of benchmark in the quality… Read more »
-
-
Review from Kimberly K.
Manhattan, NY
5/23/2011 15 photos
{Ambiance} Relaxed
{Service} The Cashier is super friendly! Extremely quick in taking your order. The food comes out in no time.
{Food}
Curry Chicken (4 stars)
Cuban Rice (4 stars)
Fries- Fresh and Crisp (5 stars)
Yellow Rice (4 stars)
Roasted Chicken (3 stars)
{Price} $3.00-$9.50
{Note} Parking can get a bit tight in some areas. The lot is also inclined. Bring CASH! -
Review from Shannon M.
McLean, VA
5/20/2011
GREAT FOOD! Chicken just comes run off the bone. When you walk in you are greeted with many colors from the parrots on the wall and other designs. The smell of the chicken fills the area. I've taken people here multiple times and it never fails that they ask when we are going again! It's a great place I've been going there since they've opened.
Cash only! but in case you forget there is a 7-11 across the street with an ATM. -
Review from Ryan F.
Arlington, VA
8/9/2011
If you know me, I's gots to get my Polla a Brasa on con mucho gusto
You'll also see, I'm a aficionado of the Peruvian Cuisine
So I say to you folks, the Caribbean Grill makes a fierce bird
I'd prefer it to my mainstay, Crisp & Juicy, and it blows Pollo Rico out of the Caribbean sea -
Review from Stefanie C.
Alexandria, VA
3/29/2011
Loveeeeeeeee Caribbean Grill! I'm Dominican from NY so I'm use to have lots of options for good Spanish food. I was really sad to not find any Dominican Restaurants I really liked here UNTIL I found Caribbean Grill. Not only is the food GREAT but its extremely affordable too!
The rices is great, the black hit the spot and the Beef Stew is a tender, spicy perfection.
While on the other side of Alexandria recently my husband had an urge for some Spanish Food. I quickly recommended Caribbean Grill and we drove across town to Arlington and he was delighted. We grabbed the food to go and enjoyed a tasty, meal with our daughter at home that didn't feel like fried fast food.
I highly recommend Caribbean Grill!
Oh most important reminder... It's CASH only! -
Review from Felix H.
Irvine, CA
6/7/2011
THE BEST ROTISSERIE CHICKEN IN NORTH ARLINGTON.
Chicken has great flavor, yuca is phenomenal and the sauces bring everything together. MUST TRY.
Parking is sorta fun during the busy times. -
Review from Justin L.
Arlington, VA
6/3/2011
Caribbean Grill is irresistible from the moment you walk in the door and smell the chickens roasting on their open flame stove. It's small, independent, cash-only and to the best of my knowledge pretty authentic. I typically get their burritos or Cuban sandwich and have never been disappointed. It can get really busy during lunch yet I've never had to wait more than 10 minutes for my food. The prices are mostly excellent. It could use some more seating, and it'd be nice if they had more vegetarian options and better drinks, but this small restaurant is a focused affair and will especially please chicken lovers.
-
Review from Anne C.
12/14/2010
Ridiculous:
Beef Stew with cuban rice and one side (fried yuca for us)
Cuban Pork Sandwich
Chicken thight/leg with mixed vegetables...
TONS OF FOOD and total price? $20
WOW!!!!
The favorite was the cuban sandwich, next was the beef stew yummy and my least favorite was the chicken - it was flavorless and I will not be coming back to get that again. Otherwise, I definitely will be back for the cuban sandwich and the stew!! cheap prices and yummy food! -
Review from Mikkela T.
8/28/2010 3 photos
I ate my sandwich while watching the local fauna eying the other local fauna out at the watering hole (dos hombres eating lunch actually stopped their chatter when the blond with the whale tale walked in squishing her car keys into the itsy bitsy pocket on her small yuppie booty).
If "local" feeling were Cuba or 1988... then this place is just that! A cubano is nothing short of delightful. The one here is delicious but on the smallish size (as in normal) for five dollars and change. I like that pollo a la brasa sauces were served with the sandwich. -
Review from Melody C.
Arlington, VA
9/11/2011
for a place that serves a mad good mix of peruvian and cuban specialties, i'm not so sure if "caribbean grill" is the most accurate name, but this place is a GEM. the tables and walls are colorful and fun, food smells great when you walk in, open kitchen. this is the perfect place to grab a sandwich to go or sit down with a friend and chow down on some good latin/caribbean grub.
first time i came here, i was so indecisive because everything looked soo good. they have platter meals as well as really tasty sandwich combos, including a ropa vieja sandwich (if you get it "to go", they'll scoop the ropa vieja stewy meat into a styrofoam cup with a lid and pre-grill the bread ahead of time and wrap it in foil so you can put it together later - so you dont end up wtih a sloppy mess); the cuban sandwich is also notable - i have it on good authority (a cuban lady from miami who shared a table with me and her daughter as i ate alone, said this is where she comes for a good cuban sandwich) i ordered BOTH on the first day by myself for lunch because i just couldn't decide - i personally like my grilled sandwiches a tad full and messy, and the cuban was a little dry and neat for my taste but once you dip it in that awesome yellow creamy/spicy dipping sauce (or green tomatillo hot sauce) that is so popular in latin restaurants, it's divine. also drizzle some of that on their piping hot YUCA FRIES and you're DONE - it's so good!
the next time i came, i brought my boyfriend. it was raining really hard and there were flash flood warnings, but we braved the floody roads for caribbean grill! and we ordered two platters this time: the fried fish special that comes with two sides and a drink, and the jerk pork on a bed of cuban rice (basically regular rice mixed with bacon and black beans). for the sides we tried black beans and yellow rice. just because at the time we didn't know the difference between yellow rice and cuban rice and wanted to experience both. the jerk pork on rice was so tangy and savory and delicious - and the meat was juicy and tender and the jerk seasoned juice mixed with the rice made for a deadly combo of flavor. the fried tilapia was done really well - boneless too, so i like...with lemon...ooohh so good. none of the meat or the fish was dry or over done.
i have not tried the pollo a brasa. -
Review from Ashley S.
Fairfax, VA
2/7/2011
Chicken: Way better than Super Chicken... Trust me, I did a head to head comparison.
What to get: 1/4 chicken with two sides - The plantains are soooo yummy. And, for fun, get a can of mango nectar. It will make your whole life better.
Came here the first time when I was 12... I'm 29 now... That's saying something.
Haven't tried the Cuban yet (I was spoiled by living in Florida for a few years), but I plan to in the very near future. -
Review from Mira V.
Falls Church, VA
7/9/2010
This place is small but the food is great. Be sure to have cash b/c they dont take Credit Cards.
The Ropa vieja is tasty not the best i've had but close.
I'm not a huge cuban sandwich kinda gal but my fiance is cuban and he loves them.
the chicken is great and the sides are up to par. The sauces however... could use some more work.
Aside from that this is great little place to get some good rotisserie chicken -
Review from Brian W.
Arlington, VA
9/24/2007
Caribbean Grill is everything Crisp & Juicy and El Pollo Rico aren't. Read: both of those restaurants totally blow. Well, at least the chicken at crisp & juicy is good.
I've only done take-out, since the inside isn't too nice and you're constantly breathing smoke from the rotisserie. But they have everything you would come to expect from the name. They have Cuban rice, delicious chicken, fried plantains, and even their flan was delicious.
I dock them a half-star for not having any fresh chicken past about 7:30pm, if you get here late you eat dry old chicken and they're out of most of their sides. I dock them another half-star for the interior and cash-only. The calculator cash register system is pretty ghetto.
Also, if you want plantains you should call ahead and see if they have them. They only have them about 50% of the time. -
Review from Minda M.
Washington, DC
8/17/2010
The chicken is AMAZING! It's so tender and juicy. You can get amazing chicken and two sides and drink for less than $10. The portions are so large you can have two small meals, or one large meal, and immediately slip in to a food coma. The yucca with onions and mojo sauce is to die for.
The decor is bare bones, and it's usually pretty hot inside, so I would suggest taking your food to go. -
Review from Mary Fletcher J.
Falls Church, VA
7/6/2010
This place is AWESOME. The food is great, the portions are generous, and the prices are reasonable. Only place I know around here to get a Cuban Pork sandwich. I had one in Miami that was better but this is a close second. It's roast pork, ham, pickles, cheese. They put their own spin on it by using french bread and then these two tasty little sauces -- one yellow, one green. The sauces are amazing and I think they come with most everything, plus they're on the tables.
Sometimes I get the ropa vieja (very moist, savory pulled meat) which is melt-in-your mouth delicious; the black beans and rice, very good, and I liked the plantains, as well. I got them once and my son ate every one, I just got a bite.
I haven't tried the roast chicken yet but will probably try that today.
It's counter service and there are some tables. You can sit family style at the tables. Whenever I've gone, there's been a line. Because they are busy, the food is not super-fast -- expect to wait up to 15 minutes or so for your order. -
Review from Jon N.
Arlington, VA
2/27/2011
Breast and Wing - Mixed Vegetables and Cuban Congri makes a for a very good meal. Curry chicken is money as well.
-
Review from Tim T.
Arlington, VA
5/30/2011
I'm convinced that anyone who thinks that Pollo Rico is better hasn't had the chicken here. Prices are great, they have awesome sides (fried plantains anyone?), and the sauces are perfect. If you're in the mood for something other than chicken, I highly recommend the pork sandwich.
CASH ONLY! -
Review from Miguel C.
Fairfax, VA
6/10/2009
I went to check out this place after some good reviews and a not so good one. When I walked in there it felt like Jamaica, it was at least 90 some degrees in there. The person I went with and I ordered the chicken and a side of fries. I thought the chicken was average and not fresh. The other person thought it was good but not great. The place is not clean/spotless but descent. I do have to say that food handling was clean. Service was okay, except for the attitude the cashier had when I asked for a to go container or when I asked if the chicken came with a side already. Overall, it could have been better if the temperature didn't feel like it was hell's kitchen.
Would I go back again? I would have to be convinced or starving.
And they would need to take my credit card, who carries cash around nowadays. -
Review from Scott S.
Arlington, VA
7/13/2009
A-ok says it. I don't really know if I can say too much about it. That said, its a quality place to go... no reason not to. Relatively nice, large outdoor area for a place in Ballston. Good happy hour prices... something like 4 dollar mojito, margarita, or martini. The mojitos were good and had a piece of sugar cane in them... nice touch.
I had the cubano, as a man I once knew said, the passover special (thankfully I'm not Jewish in this case)... one of my favorite sandwiches, but not so fast Caribbean Grill, yours is not as good as you bill it. Its simply ok... and with everything else... this place is A-ok... worth a shot, but not a place you'll ever count the days to go back to. -
Review from Paul W.
Arlington, VA
1/18/2011
Focus on whats really good here, which is the chicken, the fresh made sides, and the free sauce (dine in only). Stay away from everything else including the cuban sandwich, which in my opinion is an abomination to all real cuban sandwiches else where.
-
Review from Greer H.
Arlington, VA
5/27/2009
I checked this place out last night on the recommendation of other yelpers and was a little dissapointed. My wife and I picked up a rotisserie chicken and a Cuban sandwich. The chicken was decent but nothing I haven't had at Edy's or any other similar establishment and the Cuban sandwhich was cold and the meat to chewy. I will say though the sides were very good as we got the rice and beans and yuca.
I'll consider going back to try the steak sandwich but all in all it's not a place I'd go out of my way for. -
Review from Ryan D.
Upper West Side, Manhattan, NY
10/19/2008
I don't understand you gringos, everybody's talking about the "Peruvian" chicken, which I'll admit is good. But, did you ever stop to think this place is called the CARIBBEAN grill. And do you realize that PERU is nowhere near the Caribbean?
hmmm....so, what I'm trying to say is anyone who comes here only for the chicken is missing out on something: I.E. the BEST Cuban Sandwiches in Northern Virginia.
Please do yourselves a favor, next time, skip the chicken, and order a Cuban Sandwich.
You're welcome. -
Review from Jeremy R.
Alexandria, VA
2/7/2009 1 Check-in Here
This place is a truly great find. I have never had the chicken...You know why? Because the cuban sandwiches are too good! They are truly the best in the area. They don't try to get fancy and add all the fru-fru crap.
The sides are all pretty decent, except for the plantains which are only so-so. If you are in the area be sure to check it out. -
Review from Brandon H.
Lake Ridge, VA
9/30/2009
Talk about disappointment!
The first time I ever drove pas this place, shortly after relocating to NoVA, the smell coming out was great, and I'm always a sucker for a food joint with smoke pouring out of the side. Having been past many times since and read the generally positive reviews on Yelp, I finally got the chance to stop by and try it out. What a disappointment!
The small strip mall location has a decor similar to many other roasted chicken shops, complete with charcoal bags piled high at one end. Almost a decade into the 21st century, the Caribbean Grill doesn't take credit cards; not a killer, but definitely annoying. At about 3 in the afternoon on a rainy Saturday it was steady, but not very busy.
My son got a chicken leg and breast combo, and I got the "pulled" pork sandwich, along with some standard sides of beans, yucca, and plantains. The chicken was decent, but not of any higher quality than most other pollo a la brasa places. The yucca was quite good, and the plantains were decent. The black beans, a Caribbean staple, were rather lackluster and unimpressive.
The real disappointment came from the pork sandwich. The menu said that it was slow roasted, "pulled", Cuban flavored pork. What I got was a sandwich covered with overly thick slices of dry, poorly trimmed meat lacking flavor. I could only finish half of it.
I love Cuban food, which makes my experience here that much more disappointing. I'm not sure if I went there on a bad day or what, but I won't go back, and I don't really suggest that you waste your time here. -
Review from Rachel S.
Arlington, VA
12/3/2009
I love supporting local places and with the great reviews from Washingtonian (sure they were pretty old, but I still trust them) I wanted to check Caribbean Grill out.
I loved the idea of Caribbean Grill, but it didn't quite deliver. I got a breast and wing of jerk chicken with sides of yucca and cuban rice. Boyfriend had a Cuban sandwich.
The chicken was good. It's not the best jerk chicken I've had, but not bad at all. The sides were tasty, especially the Cuban rice, which is a mixture of white rice and black beans.
The Cuban was the disappointment. Since it was the reason we went (Boyfriend has been talking about wanting one for months) it really brought the place down in my mind. It was not pressed at all and half of the stuff inside the sandwich fell out. The flavors were good, but the execution was poor.
The prices aren't bad, but it is cash only. A drink refill will cost you a quarter. You can call ahead for take out, but they have no paper menus. -
Review from Clifford M.
Bethesda, MD
12/11/2010 4 photos
My son and I stopped here for an early dinner. He got the steak and cheese and I ordered a chicken soup. It was early but there were already a few other tables with patrons. The 3 women running/working there were very friendly although the one that brought our food could only speak Spanish. Sure, it's a small place but a sign says that it is about to be expanded, I can only assume they are going to break through to the next store and double their space. It was a friendly experience with pleasant food. I wouldn't drive across town to eat there but would certainly stop by if I were in the area and hungry.
-
Review from Amer S.
Alexandria, VA
10/12/2010
Loved this place. I got their special. Jerk Chicken combo + 2 sides.. cuban rice and fries. oh man, good stuff. The place is super tiny, but filled with delicious smells and unique 'dive' atmosphere.
Their chicken is cooked rotisserie style, but tastes much different than Peruvian chicken. This chicken had sweet/ spicy rub on it, and much juicer than peruvian style.
The rice and fries were very good as well.
Glad i found this little joint in Arlington.. will be back! -
Review from David C.
San Francisco, CA
8/16/2006
The chicken is money with the fried yuca and the cuban rice being my favorite sides. Don't come too late though or you'll either get the old chicken from earler that night or no chicken at all. They stop cooking chicken after a certain time. The only other downfall is cash only, no cards. They don't even have an actual cash register, they use the old calculator and cash drawer method like back when you did bake sales in higschool. However, their sauces are money although you have to pay for extra sauce. All in all....great chicken and and sides w/ good sauce.
-
Review from Kevin M.
Colorado Springs, CO
3/5/2007
Caribbean Grill is second only to El Pollo Rico when it comes to chicken, but CG also has a great selection of sides. I would actually say their chicken tastes better, but PR is meatier and almost as tasty. The seating area is very limited, and if you go around lunch time you could be in for a long wait. Best to call ahead for take out.
-
Review from Cathy D.
Burke, VA
Updated - 10/25/2008
Jerk chicken, Peruvian chicken. I don't care. It's all good to me and I have nothing but love for PERU!
1 Previous Review: Show all »
-
1/14/2007
Oh, I'm drooling just thinking of their sides. This was actually the very first place where I've… Read more »
-
-
Review from Jason F.
Charlotte, NC
8/15/2010
Love this place. The smoke coming out the building is what caught my attenetion while driving by. Decided I would check it out, and I'm glad I did. The jerk chicken and baked yuca are outstanding. I travel to the area for business once a month, and eat here whenever I'm in the area. Sometimes for lunch & dinner!
Cash only so stop at the ATm first. -
Review from Zalina K.
Washington, DC
7/9/2010
This place is ridiculously good. I've always gotten the ropa vieja stew with a side of cuban rice (which is SO GOOD) and either fries or yuca. I don't really deviate from that, since that's my comfort meal, but my friends have gotten everything from the burritos (although I really think that's not the best they have to offer, so if you want a burrito go to Chipotle) to the pork sandwich (highly praised). Surprisingly none of us have ever gotten the chicken, but that's probably because for that we would go to Crisp & Juicy.
This is probably the best hangover or cold weather food in the area.
