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Friedel Caribbean Cuisine - CLOSED
Category: Restaurants Caribbean Caribbean [Edit]
11320 Ventura BlvdStudio City, CA 91602
(818) 763-8100
- Attire:
- Casual
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch, Dinner
- Alcohol:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
18 reviews for Friedel Caribbean Cuisine
18 reviews in English
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Review from Cryssy N.
Carson, CA
12/3/2008
I drove up and down the street a few times looking for a free standing restaurant and swore I was lost because I was looking for a place named "Ginja Lions" that I frequently saw as the featured caterer on party fliers and a quick blip on the news a while back. I never found it, instead on the end of a strip mall I found "Friedel's. They owner later explained to me they bought the restaurant from the previous owner and renamed it. Thanks for bringing some clarity!
This spot followed my usual theme of tasty food and slowwwwww service. I spent the time waiting by looking at my waitresses DD's in her XS Baby Tee. I think those were her younger sister's clothes but she needed to get dressed for work so she just grabbed the first thing she saw. No biggie but I think I enjoy my food the most when the setting is just right and the what stands out most about the waiter is the quality of their service.
We ordered Callaloo Patties, Festival Bread, Chicken Wings, Escoveitch Fish and Curry Shrimp. Slowwww like I said before but def worth the wait. No complaints!!! -
Review from Melody S.
Pasadena, CA
1/19/2008
How Do I Love Thee, Friedel?
Let me count the ways...
1) I love thee for thine awesome owner/server, Michelle, who is so friendly and accommodating, it felteth like we were eating at a friend's abode.
2) I love thee for having not one, not two, but a full freakin'eth PAGE of veggie options that all sounded so good, I had a mind-blowethly hard time decidingeth whateth to eateth.
3) I love thee for providing vegan food that isn't Thai. Not that I don't love Thai. But still. Thou knoweth whenceforth I mean.
4) I love thee for making my vegan mango beef so delicious that I practically lickedeth a holeth in my plateth. And yea and verily, my meat-eating heathen dining partner dugeth his jerk chicken in a very big manner as well.
5) I love thee for thine succulent fried plantains, that I really, really shouldn't have ordered a second helping of, but I couldn't helpeth myself.
6) I loveth thee for thine awesome cloud ceiling tiles and thine super-comfy couch with a fully-adjustable table so that we could eateth our meals without spillething globs of deliciousness on our laps.
O Friedel, I could waxeth poetic about your wonderfulness all day, but I am just makething mine self hungry again. So I bid thee farewell, but not goodbye. Nay, not goodbye by any means, for I shall return very, very often. And I shall bringeth mine friends. And we shall feast like kings. Yea, thou art now on my Top 10 Favourite LA Spots, and I shall shout mine love for thee from the rooftops. For I love thee, Freidel. Thou rock. Eth. -
Review from Li J.
Los Angeles, CA
9/19/2009
This will be a succinct yelp....
Jerk Tofu: spicy but flavorless
Peas and Rice: old (reheated)
Cabbage: average
Plantains: meh
Rasta Rolls: greasy
Spinach Patty: Blah
Service: pretty good
Parking: easy
Ambiance: none
Summary: decent -
Review from Allen C.
4/12/2009
Ugh. Soooo not my thing. My coworkers and I tried this place for lunch as it is not too far from my work and we wanted to try a more unique cuisine than our usual. But the preparation of the food took FOREVER!! I think we waited so long for the food I almost passed out from hunger. No smoking up until my food is ready damnit! And the food wasn't the best Caribbean food I've had, not by a mile.
My coworker had it the worst though. He ordered some saucy goat dish because that guy can literally eat anything. He and I have what we call "Third World Stomachs" because we can eat three times more odd foodities than what other coworkers can eat because, well let's face it, we're third world people, and we're damn proud of it. Don't judge me Jeff A. Yeah, I said your name. Anyway, he got this weird piece of goat meat in his meal that didn't look strange at all, but let me tell you, he still hasn't recovered from it. If you could've seen his face when he started chewing this piece of human, elephant, or whatever it was. It was like watching a piece of his soul die. If only I caught it on camera. The horror...Listed in: Coffee & Cigarettes
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Review from Ryan M.
Burbank, CA
11/23/2007
Dude, I've got two words for you: Vegan Caribbean Cuisine.
This place actually accommodates meat eaters, vegetarians and vegans, and the food is fantastic!
When I decided to go vegan there were a number of non-vegan things I wanted to eat before I cut all that stuff out of my diet. I actually wrote out a list. Anyway, jerk chicken was on there, not least of all for its hilarious name. But I never got around to it and I had considered this exciting-sounding dish forever lost to my palette.
But then along comes this place and makes a vegan jerk chicken. VEGAN JERK CHICKEN! So I'm sold right there. I expect it to be pretty good, but the way they made it exceeded my expectations so far, I can't even tell you! As the waitress dropped it off she said: "two words, very spicy." I love spicy! I love vegan jerk chicken!
Dude, that stuff was like a flavor party, no, no, a royal flavor gala in my mouth and the duke and dutchess were invited. I can't even tell you the level of flavor satisfaction I got from that dish. It was like every other food I've eaten up until that was boiled potatoes.
Plus you get plantains!
Oh, oh and their ginger beer! Lord... it's so good! It's like that same flavor gala but now the viceroy pulled up in his limo, but he's kind of late so you weren't expecting him to show, but he totally came after all. I think that stuff might be brewed in house. It's damn good. Not too sweet, still light and refreshing... Man. It's the business for sure!
The atmosphere is colorful and comfortable. Nice and clean with an island vibe. Nice. Plus they've got these mannequins dressed up in awesome outfits, which is pretty cool. Unless you're a pediophobe. Not that you'll be paying much attention to anything but your food. The smell has you locked in instantly. It's a feast for the senses.
Oh, and the waitress we had was really nice! She challenged me to an eating contest. She has no idea who she's tangling with.
This place is amazing! Best culinary surprise ever!
I'm totally having my next birthday party there.
Go there and eat like crazy! -
Review from Sunny D.
Studio City, CA
1/6/2008
As a vegetarian, there are several international cuisines that are not worth my time, lest I be relegated to eating a meager side dish that in no way classifies as a meal. For the first time, Caribbean food no longer makes that list!
To clarify, Friedel is not a vegetarian or vegan restaurant. It is a true Caribbean restaurant, with plenty of ox tail and other such meats on the menu. Friedel does what, in a perfect world, all restaurants would be able to do. They offer their dishes in a vegetarian or vegan version - not everything of course, apparently the technology is still being developed - but now people like me can eat food like the West Indian peoples.
The portions are generous, and my vegan jerk chicken, which replaced the chicken element with a faux meat, was out of this world. Very spicy in a good way, and flavorful. This was my first experience with Caribbean food, and although I realize the term 'authentic' can open up a semantics discussion, it was so. The dish came with rice, beans, and fried plantains. As an aside, I never thought I would like cooked fruit, but one can learn a lot about themselves during unprecedented culinary adventures.
I thoroughly enjoyed my fast, friendly service and delicious food at Friedel. The restaurant itself is a bit dark and oddly decorated, but it is not unpleasant and the amazing food absolutely made up for any ambiance gaffes. I must be one of the few vegetarians who can say "Caribbean food rocks"! -
Review from Matthew W.
Los Angeles, CA
6/6/2008
It was one of those nights where we decided to get in the car and just stop at one of the hundreds of restaurants we pass daily in the valley. At first we headed north, away from Ventura, but couldn't find anything appealing enough. Just endless Chinese and Thai Restaurants named Luckee Restaurant #4. We were feeling adventurous, not foolish.
After doing a big, silly loop we returned to the boulevard and almost gave up trying something new for something reliable when I spotted a carribean restaurant in a stip mall, somewhere in Studio City.
"what the hell," I told my wife.
"I'm starving," she replied.
So it was settled.
The first thing I noticed walking into Friedel was that it was very blue. The walls make you feel like you're in a aquarium, like, literally, in the aquarium. Which isn't such a bad thing. There were palm trees and a fish tank and a very groovy, tropical feel. A little hoaky, but in a good way. On the counter there were a bunch of fliers and stuff and some couches spirinkled among the tables. At first I was thrown off and thought all the pictures of food on the menu outside might have just been a clever ploy to get me into this coffee shop.
We sat down and found out that they don't do liquor but there is a store less than twenty feet away in the strip mall. Score. The way I look at it, I'm saving a few bucks and the selection is incredible. I bought a Isahi 22 and by the time I came back there was some delicious bread waiting for me. Basically fried dough with powdered sugar on top. Yum. Reminded me of being at the fair, except without the life-threatening rides and the smell of donkey ass.
We had Rasta Rolls to start and the roll itself wasn't amazing but the sauce hit the spot. And the portion was good for $4.95. I've got five on it!
I went with BBQ jerk fried chicken and the wife went with Mango Beef. Very decent prices, about ten bucks if memory serves me correct, and the food was flavorful and spot-on, all except for the rice, which wasn't bad, just kinda bland and unmemorable. (which is the sad fate of being born rice, it's hard to get respect)
We didn't try any items but the vegan and vegetarian menu looked pretty extensive, to the point that I texted my vegan friend, who complains that there aren't enough restaurants with a good selection of both meat and vegetarians dishes, about the place.
The service is laid back. Probably due to the Chronic and Caliweed salad. No joke. There's a picture of Bob Marley lighting up on one of the walls, you got to love that.
So kick back and take your time. We returned to the liquor store for a second 22.
The only thing I didn't get were the mannequins. There's a bunch of female mannequins in various stages of undress: bikinis, mardi gras beads, etc., scattered through the restaurant. Some dudes out there might be saying, 'that sounds dope", but it's not. It's kinda cheesy.
What have we learned? Hoaky good. Cheesy bad.
It's a fine line.
So in the end, four stars. Lose the mannequins, beef up the rice, and make me a plate of the "special" rasta rolls and I would be more than willing to slip in an extra half star.
I'll be back, probably not right away, but some time, maybe with my vegan friend. -
Review from Marsha L.
Van Nuys, CA
6/3/2008
How can you resist a place that has Chronic Salad, Cali Weed and Rasta Rolls on its menu?
You can't. So don't even try.
We used to come to this place when it was Ginga Lion but this was our first time since it became Friedel's. We're a little slow sometimes.
The service is friendly & relaxed. Most of the food is cooked to order (translation: Watch out! That's HOT. See? I told you.) Yummy, yummy Festival Bread - sort of like cone-shaped beignets - served up before your meal. It could be dessert but eat it while it's hot.
To drink we had the fresh squeezed lemonade and the sorrel juice. Sorrel juice is hibiscus juice. It's made fresh here with ginger and a small glass of water is served alongside just in case the juice is too strong for you. Isn't that nice?
My daughter & I were splitting so we got the Rasta Rolls and the Ital Stew. The Rasta Rolls are very similar to egg rolls but they have cabbage in them & just melt in your mouth. The Ital Stew was served up on a plate with fried bananas, cabbage salad, and peas & rice. Everything was delicious though the stew and the peas & rice were not as hot as the fried items. But given the fact that the nature of both items demands they be prepared ahead of time, it wasn't a deal-breaker.
The portions were generous. Even splitting the plate neither of us could finish what was in front of us.
Also, neither one of us had the nerve to try the Scotch Bonnet Hot Sauce but one of these days...
My only complaint is that the Travel Channel was on on a TV somewhere out of my line of vision. While I was perusing the menu & waiting for my daughter to show up all I could hear was Andrew Zimmer describing a castration and then waxing rhapsodic over the steamed testicles and scrotum stew. On the upside - none of that was on the menu!
I'll definitely be coming back. There are so many things on the menu I didn't get to try. -
Review from Summer S.
Studio City, CA
8/10/2008
MMMmmmmmmmmm! Vegan Caribbean food! I have to say, this place is crave-worthy! I have never actually eaten inside the restaurant (always get it to go), but, by god, the food is so good that it speaks for itself.
I always get the Vegan Jamerican fried chicken, which comes smothered in some amazing sauce. It also comes with rice and beans (which are great when you mix up a bit of that yummy bbq sauce in it!), fried plantains and cabbage and carrots. I just ate and my stomach is growling just thinking about it! The Rasta Rolls are pretty tasty too...like eggrolls, but with cabbage and carrots inside...and the sauce they are served with is out of sight! -
Review from jess a.
1/29/2008
Vegetarian and Vegan Caribbean cuisine?! Really?!
I couldn't believe my ears when I heard about this place. I work nearby, so I finally go to try it last night for dinner. The food took a while to come out (we ordered just after a group of 6, so no worries) but it was well worth it.
I had vegan mango beef (!) and my boyfriend had veggie jerk chicken(!). Both delicious and tasty!
The Trenchtown fritters were a great way to end the meal, and I can't wait to eat here again.
Like Melody S. said...It's pretty awesome to have a vegan cuisine other than Thai!
And...the cloud ceiling tiles were pretty neat-o. -
Review from Ai K.
4/16/2009
As some of the other yelpers have suggested my rating is also because of its service and not the food. I used to love this place when it used to be Ginja Lions. The food is still really good there. The fact that they have a vegetarian and vegan section in their menu is so awesome! Here is the band news, they are so slow its unbelievable. One time I called in a to-go order and got there 30 minutes later and then waited another 45minutes once I got there. I was so upset because it was during my lunch break at work and I was picking up food for my co-workers too. Everyone was upset with me since I picked it. I haven't been there since. I really want to eat there because I do like the food but I'm scared I will be waiting for my food to come out for 2 hours.
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Review from Peter M.
Los Angeles, CA
10/12/2009
Going against a coworkers recommendation of skipping this place, I found myself in this strip mall, hungry, and thought I'd try it for myself. I had the jerk chicken and was not impressed. It was quite spicy (almost too spicy) and flavorless. Tons of bone too. Maybe try the beef or oxtail instead? Or go across the street and get a better deal (and way more flavor!) at Ohana BBQ.
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Review from Jim B.
Studio City, CA
11/15/2008
Food was incredible - try the Rasta Rolls to start and make sure you get a plate of BBQ Fried Chicken. We had three or four dishes and you could tell all of the meat was marinated, yielding an incredible taste. The husband and wife owner are very hospitable as well; you feel as if you're eating at a good friend's house. Price is also perfect. This is a new stop for me.
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Review from Dan C.
Burbank, CA
10/11/2009
This restaurant really went down hill with the chef changes and often being closed. But Good news there are new owners and it has been renamed Sattdown Jamaican Grill. I tried it yesterday and the fish soup was fantastic. Check it out under SattDown Jamaican Grill.
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Review from M. R.
Burbank, CA
8/26/2008
This place is great. They have an extensive vegetarian menu also for the veggies out there! My boyfriend and I got the veggie mango beef and it was pretty tasty. The place is kinda small and sometimes the service is slow but overall the food is good. I really like the festival bread! Check it out!
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Review from Holli G.
Van Nuys, CA
3/17/2009
Ok so my hubbie and I often have a problem deciding where to go. I am veg and he is not. But we both look forward to coming here. It is reasonably priced and the Jerk dishes are as good if not better than in JA. The festival bread is also very good.
I noticed the service was a bit slow and the owner/server Isabel informed me that they make all their dishes in small quantities so that it is fresh to order. =0)
We drive about 10 miles in heavy traffic to get there, but it is worth it. -
Review from Christine O.
North Hollywood, CA
6/28/2008
I may come back and expand on this review at some point, make it more pretty and flowery and talk more in detail about the delicious food... but for now I just wanted to get a quick review in to say how I can't wait to go back! My friend and I wanted just about everything on the menu, it all sounded so good. Okay so truth be told, I was just looking at the vegetarian/ vegan portion, but he was impressed by all of it... he even considered ordering veg so that I could try more items. Either way, I will be back again, and hopefully soon. The food is great, the atmosphere is laid back (and funky as others have mentioned) and the staff was super friendly. I really did feel like I was welcomed into someone's home. When I threatened that I might have to spend the night on one of the couches I was in such a delicious food coma, I was told by our gracious host that "it wouldn't be the first time."
Listed in: My Neighborhood
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Review from Emily B.
Sherman Oaks, CA
4/12/2009
This rating is only for the service and not the food. I was so excited to try a place that has so many vegan options, and it smelled great in the restaurant. But when we walked in the door, the woman behind the counter was literally pouting and when I said "hi" she rolled her eyes at me. Oh, OK! So I asked if we should sit anywhere, and she asked if we were eating there. Um, yes, usually when we sit at a table in a restaurant we plan on eating there. Maybe she thought that four people came in together to order take-out, I don't know but I'm willing to give her the benefit of the doubt. For all I know, she just received very bad news on the phone and will pull herself together in a moment. No such luck. She brought us some baskets with fried bread and powdered sugar, it was tasty, but she was literally scowling at us. One in our party asked for water and her response was, "we're bringing it, just wait a minute" uhm, yeah, OK. Then a guy comes out from the back with 4 waters, drops one, brings us the other three acting like he just brought us a bottle of complimentary champagne or something, and apologizing saying he'll bring the 4th water right away. That part was fine not a big deal, but then he sat on a couch in the back of the restaurant and talked on his phone. Yep :) Finally the waitress came back to take our order. She was so short with us, it was truly unbelievable. She never took a drink order, so we were asking for drinks with our dinner. I asked for Iced Tea, and her response was a short and angry, "we don't have that" that was so shockingly rude that it made me forget what else I was gonna order as I stammered out, "OK then I'll stick with water" and looked back at the menu. Oh yeah, that's what I wanted, so I order and she makes no sign of having heard me. I'm cool with servers not writing down your order, but can you at least repeat it so I know you heard me? Or nod? Or anything other than stare angrily at me? This was the breaking point, one in our party suggested we leave, and so we offered to pay for the bread and excused ourselves. There are so many nice restaurants on Ventura Blvd that want your business, why would we stay?
