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Island Soul Caribbean Cuisine
Category: Restaurants Caribbean Caribbean [Edit]
4869 Rainier Ave S(between Edmunds St & Ferdinand St)
Seattle, WA 98118
Neighborhood: Columbia City
(206) 329-1202
- Hours:
Mon-Thu 12 pm - 9 pm
Fri-Sat 12 pm - 10 pm
Sun 12 pm - 6 pm
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Caters:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
212 reviews for Island Soul Caribbean Cuisine
Review Highlights
"The coconut corn muffins are absolutely delicious."
(in 38 reviews)
"The Chicken was the best jerk chicken I've ever had."
(in 78 reviews)
"...Soul bowl, which was curried goat, oxtail and chicken."
(in 17 reviews)
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212 reviews in English
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Review from Andrea M.
1/21/2012
Everything on the menu, and later on the table, looked and smelled amazing. I didn't have very much money on me, so I got a side of mac'n'cheese.
Holy heart attack, Batman.
It was the CHEESIEST, stringiest, cheese-filled mac'n'cheese with more cheese on top that I have ever eaten. Everyone at the table was murmuring "ohhhh girl I can't eat that, you're lucky you're young!" And that made it taste even better. I savored every bite.
I definitely have to come back with a full wallet and an empty stomach!
[Though, I will have to advise against the rice and beans. They were super dry and had no flavor. But, just avoid those and you'll be good!] -
Review from Robert K.
Seattle, WA
2/5/2012
I have a really mixed review of this place. Let me just start out that the food was pretty good, but we had a pretty dismal dining experience there.
Last Saturday was my first trip to Island Soul. When we arrived, it was obviously pretty busy in the restaurant. It was 6pm, and the hostess said she could seat us now, but the table we were being placed at had a reservation at 7pm. We agreed that we were fine with the time restriction and we were seated.
Next, the wait staff took their time in taking our orders... probably 10-15 minutes after we were seated. Not a huge deal on normal nights, but again, we were aware that the restaurant had a time constraint.
Next... we didn't get our food until around 6:45 or 6:50 (yeah, we were checking our watches). During this time, we offered to move to another table, but our waiter assured us that everything would be fine and we didn't need to worry, and... our food should be out in a few minutes (it arrived about 20-25 minutes after we talked). Before our food arrived, I feel like our table was avoided. Someone only stopped by to refill our drinks once, at no point did we feel like we were being taken care of. An offer for some bread or an appetizer would be been nice, but besides the drink refill, nobody stopped by to ask us if we were okay or let us know what was going on.
At 6:50 or so, our food finally arrived. We weren't being rushed by the waitstaff, which was good, but, the 7pm party started to arrive and were all hanging out by the door near our table. After our food was dropped off, nobody stopped by to see how the food was or how we were doing. We had to flag a server down to let them know they missed my wife's cornbread order. We finally left around 7:20.
Now, the food... the food was pretty good. I had the gumbo, which was quite delicious. A plating / presentation issue though... I'm not sure how it's done authentically, but crab legs (with the shell mostly intact) in the soup is messy and totally inconvenient. Since the crab had been cooked in the stew, the crab cracker they provided me couldn't break the shell since it was too soft. Trying to extract the crab meat was messy and painful (the shell was pretty pointy), but delicious. I really hope the restaurant considers just shelling the crab meat for customers in the future.
My wife and our friend had the ribs (island soul bbq and carribean jerk, respectively). Even though they both ordered the entree size, the plates were different portion sizes. I'm not sure this is normally supposed to be the case. The ribs were very good though. The ribs and the gumbo were not served with any sides, by default, which is a little odd considering the online menu says: "Main Meals are served with Rice & Peas (red beans & rice cooked in coconut milk, peppers, onions & spices) or Basmati Rice." and these plates are under the Main Meals section of the menu (http://islandsoulresta...). In the restaurant however, these were all served ala carte (for the same price as listed online) and each of us had to spend an additional $5 for two sides each.
The ala carte food: the collard greens were fantastic, the black beans were great, the mac & cheese was good, and the cornbread muffins were good.
All of that being said, the food was good, although inconsistently and oddly / highly priced. The service was poor, but to be fair to the restaurant, there was a giant birthday party on the other side of the restaurant, but we were almost completely ignored. After spending $60+ on the food, we would have expected some higher level of quality of service than what we got. The restaurant did warn us that we had an hour time window, but they screwed up the timing themselves. If they really didn't think they could have fit us in, then it's okay to say so and we would have tried again some other night.
We might come back on a less busy night to give this place a second chance, but we're not sure... -
Review from Aliah D.
Seattle, WA
1/15/2012
I love eating here on a Friday night. There is usually live music which helps create a "lounge" feel. The waitstaff is super friendly and the night that I dined it, they were also entertaining - dancing and chiming in with the performer. I love the decorations. Beautiful pictures, a couple of flat screens to enjoy the game and a wall drapped in "sunset" colors. Gorgeous.
I tried the catfish for dinner. It was good. I paired it with the slaw and macaroni. I also took down 3 drinks! They were great.
The only con is when it gets busy, you start to feel cramped. The place is relatively small, definitely a community restaurant. It is a lovely establishment. -
Review from Razel M.
1/10/2012 2 Check-ins Here
Corn muffins = fantastic. Yelp check-in offer gets you a free one! But don't let that stop you from getting more.
We got the jerk chicken, gumbo, appetizer clams, collard greens, soul slaw and yams. Everything had a bit of kick to it...okay, not gonna lie, a LOT of kick for my spice-sensitive self. However, sometimes food is just so awesome that you cannot stop eating even when your tongue is on fire. At that point, just eat more corn muffins!
Ambience was great too. Bright colors, beautiful paintings, everything with a casual relaxed feel to it. Gray and rainy outside? Forget about it and chill to some reggae, pretend you're on a beach, it's not that hard!
Service = very, very impressive. Carla could tell that her delicious food was deliciously killing my taste buds, so she left the pitcher of water with me. And as we were packing our to-go's (hurray for reusable containers for soupy stuff) and getting the bill, we asked her not to pack the soul slaw as we didn't like it that much -- it wasn't bad, no fault of the kitchen, just our personal preference. Well, she decided that since we didn't like it, we weren't gonna pay for it. Really? Who does that?
I love my new neighborhood and I love Island Soul. =) -
Review from Jane S.
Seattle, WA
2/3/2012
We love Island Soul! Found them on our happy hour ap at 6:05 (most happy hours end at 6). Their happy hour is longer, the food is amazing, the drinks were amazing, and the service was outstanding. I had the Dark and Stormy to start. They brew their own ginger beer...VERY gingery, which I appreciated. We also had a round of caprehenias. We'd never had these before. Very very good, and suggested by the bartender (tip: we always sit at the bar when trying new places). We also had the coconut shrimp, fish cakes, and wings. The habanero was a bit too spicey, duh, but very very good. Next time I will have the less spicy wings. We paid cash and were sent home with half a dozen yummy coconut corn muffins as a thank you. We're looking forward to going again.
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Review from Jens J.
11/28/2011
We came here on Friday evening after Thanksgiving and were pleasantly surprised to see no wait for a table. The interior is open and inviting. Loved the exposed brick wall. A good selection of music, including reggae, played at just the right volume. I'm pretty sure this is a family-owned restaurant, with a brother and sister managing the dining room the night we were there.
The appetizer menu is great at Island Soul, with a lot of variety. In fact, what I recommend is ordering entirely from the appetizer menu or selecting a small entree so that you can still order a couple of the appetizers.
Let me cut to the chase - our favorite dishes were the tostones and the gumbo. The tostones were roasted sliced plaintains topped with slivers of red onion, garlic and diced tomato. The flavors were indescribably good! In fact, we placed a second order for the tostones. Also outstanding was the gumbo. Served with a crab leg, shrimp and sausage (and rice on the side), this dish was delicious! Mmm, mmm, mmm.
The seafood fritters were good. We especially liked their dipping sauce.
I ordered the oxtail stew for my entree and it was okay. At first, I was impressed that the meat melted right off the bone, but I soon realized that the stew had been sitting for a long time and the meat was overcooked and too soft. Even though the stew's flavor was muted, I frankly have to wonder if a certain flavor enhancer, more commonly associated with Chinese cuisine, was used in this dish. I sure hope not, but I still wonder....
The mac and cheese was okay, but heavy on the thyme. I liked that the cole slaw was light and fresh. It was funny because a couple a few tables down from us were considering ordering the coleslaw and their waiter asked me to describe the coleslaw to the couple. I felt like I had been asked to give an impromptu Yelp review of the slaw right there on the spot!
Service was good and I appreciated the chilled carafe of ice water with a lemon wedge that was brought to our table to keep us slaked. -
Review from Sara M.
Seattle, WA
1/20/2012 Purchased a Yelp Deal 1 Check-in Here
The coconut corn muffins are amazing! We love the little boat appetizer and their drinks are always so tasty. The staff is super friendly and make us feel like home. I specifically love that they have Kenyan beer (having spent a brief bit of time in Kenya). The food is always tasty and this is one of our favorites!
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Review from Gabriel A.
Seattle, WA
11/21/2011 Purchased a Yelp Deal
I loved this place. I loved my food and the lady that walked around singing. she was great.
Also, our waitress was fantastic.
My wife didn't love how fatty her dinner was, so we traded, and i LOVED HOW FATTY IT WAS.
also, great hot sauce. -
Review from Sam K.
11/22/2011 1 Check-in Here
Oh my, yes.
Wound up here with my cousin and several of her friends when I dropped in to Seattle to visit my family. All of us were pretty serious foodies, and we were all impressed.
So. First, drinks. The menu says they free pour, generously, and they aren't lying. I had two caipirinhas and they were some seriously stiff drinks. Some of my dining companions had wine and got what had to be at least 8-ounce pours. Score!
Okay, appetizers. BBQ rib tips? Totally worth it so you can enjoy the taste of barbecue and save your entree for something you won't be able to get in many other places. Tostones: starchy plantains fried with garlic and red onions. Tasty!
Entrees: they have the standard jerk chicken and ribs, BBQ chicken and ribs (see above about the rib tip appetizer though!), fried catfish, and a Cajun-style gumbo. They also have a Caribbean-style curry with goat, chicken, or veggies/tofu, and an oxtail stew with onions, garlic, peppers, and beans.
I got the oxtail and it was really good. The meat fell apart with a fork, the stew was nicely flavored, and it came with rice and beans cooked in coconut milk (slightly sweet and a really good counterpoint to the savory stew). I had a side of slaw, which was tangy, crunchy, and refreshing, exactly what I needed with all that heavy food. I tried my cousin's catfish, and it was delicious -- spicy, crunchy cornmeal breading and moist, flaky fish. We also had two orders of the collard greens side to pass around; these were PHENOMENAL, and they weren't even cooked with bacon!
I definitely want to go back here next time I'm in Seattle! -
Review from Kanchana S.
Manhattan, NY
Updated - 1/3/2012
The jerk chicken was amazing. I had it with the mashed yams and the two together went very well together. Topped off with the habanero sauce they offered, delicious!
Listed in: Bathe me in butter!
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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5/2/2011
The most memorable coconut cream cake I've ever had. If you're like me, you like searching for… Read more »
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Review from R D.
Seattle, WA
12/12/2011
Friday nights- live music that is amazing and puts you in the Carribian! Fun waitstaff. Reasonably priced food.
The goat is amazing. The gumbo could use rice and more soup. Definitely get the yam fries.
Only go if you aren't in a rush. The food came out quickly but the staff are slow as they are also enjoying the night. -
Review from Chris L.
Seattle, WA
You know those places where every time you go, you plan to try something new, but when it comes time to order, you get the same thing you always do? Spicy jerk (half chicken / half ribs) and a side of collard greens, please and thank you.
There are other foods on the menu. They always look good. Other people I'm with swear they are worth eating. And I'd agree with them at order time, except for how tasty the jerk is! Tender and flavorful, pleasantly spicy without being crazy hot (which wouldn't be a bad thing, actually) - the jerk gets me every time.
Last time I ate here I took kiddo along. They flubbed an order (their sweet/BBQ stuff had had jerk rub applied, so it was hotter than he would eat), but then brought him a ludicrous amount of things to make up for it, and he loved it all - a good baked mac & cheese, some chicken wings in a sweet glaze, and a coconut corn muffin. I don't eat sugary foods as a matter of course, but a nibble of the muffin confirmed the high praise Yelpers heap upon it.
Island Soul scores high on other fronts too - the atmosphere is happy, the servers warm and inviting, the drinks well-crafted. Next time you crave a little bit of sunshine in the midst of this grey Seattle winter, drop in and see if you don't feel warmed up by the time you leave. -
Review from Sandie L.
9/22/2011 1 Check-in Here
Excellent!
I came here one Friday evening during our hot days of "summer" with a friend for some eats and drinks.
I love, love, love that there is live music on Friday evenings beginning at 7pm. Just like the music, inside is warm, upbeat, lively and friendly!
My friend and I tried a few of their appetizer dishes. SMOKIN' HOT Jerk Chicken! Quite delicious. A great order. Great seasoning and cooked well. We also tried the plantains, which were also quite yummy. A nice sweetness with our spicy hot jerk!
I was a little disappointed (only because I compared their dishes to other caribbean dishes in the Bay). Their prices are on the higher side, the quanity of their dishes is smaller, and no black beans served with the plantains.
Overall, this place is still yummy and has a great warm enviornment!
Service is AWESOME! Very attentive and helpful =D
If you order alcoholic beverages, I was informed by the waitress that night they have a new bartender that is heavy on the alcohol... our house fruit rum drink was super strong... you could take shots of it! -
Review from Claudine H.
Seattle, WA
11/12/2011 1 Check-in Here
I was expecting to experience similar flavors like La Isla, but instead I found the food lacking in the flavor department. But this opinion is only based off of 1 dish which was the fried tilapia with rice & beans for $14.95. I'm too Filipino because I think the epitome of a tilapia dish is served with rice and soy sauce and buying it at the Asian store fried and ready to eat for $6. Also, I'm not into rice cooked in coconut milk because usually I don't like a sweetish side dish. I should have had the basmati rice instead. The meal altogether was still underseasoned except the skin of the tilapia which had all the flavor.
We had a very aggressive server. She was the opposite of her title. She checked in at appropriate times, but she would be better served as a CEO. The woman who filled the water glasses and who brought out the meals was friendly and pleasant. -
Review from George M.
Renton, WA
12/29/2011
Damn! I cleaned my plate like it was Mom's cooking! Ordered the oxtails, rice, collards and their bomb a$$ coconut cornbread muffins. I'd been past here a bunch of times, they're a few doors down from Bob's Quality Meats in Columbia City, I finally sat down last night and everything I had last night was top-notch, definitely going to try more!!!
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Review from Aleks V.
Bellevue, WA
9/29/2011 1 Check-in Here
Service- 5 stars
Drinks- 5 stars
Food- 4 stars
Overall- 4.5 stars
I enjoyed most everything about my experience here. My only minor grouse is it is a little spendy, but in their defense all the food was fresh and very flavorful. I just recoiled a little at gumbo for $20! But it was very good, so I can't gripe too much! The rum punch was good and the dark and stormy was excellent. The waiter was one of the best I have ever had, polite/prompt without being in your face. He really made the entire experience great! -
Review from Rachel G.
Why did I wait so long to check this place out? When I walked into Island Soul I was transported. It didn't feel like I was in Seattle at all. Maybe it was the Bob Marley mural. Maybe it was the vibrant paint colors or the fact that the employees (owners?) were dancing around the restaurant to the live music. Whatever it was, the vibe alone is worth a visit.
The live music on a Friday night makes it a great date place, although a tad on the loud side. I loved the one-man-band guy singing reggae versions of Neil Diamond and Cat Stevens in addition to some Bob Marley classics.
The food and drinks were great although I don't remember what I ordered because I let our wonderful waiter, Charles, do the picking for me! Excellent service and a lot of fun. I definitely see myself becoming a regular.Listed in: Columbia City Crawl
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Review from Anne N.
Seattle, WA
9/21/2011 Purchased a Yelp Deal 1 Check-in Here
Someone in Jamaica once told me that authentic Jamaican jerk spice has over 20 ingredients in it....I only tasted 14 here (I kid!!). From the service to the food...it's always been a great experience every time we come here.
I've tried the "Bowls of Soul" -- a sampler of 3 dishes: braised oxtail stew, curried goat, and jerk chicken. Looking past the disappointing size of each sample -- I had to admit that the flavors were ...pretty legit. My favorite was the oxtail stew. It was perfectly seasoned and deliciously tender. Least favorite was the curried goat (which had too many irregular small bones in it).
My friend and I also shared a side of collard greens. I don't know why I agreed to that -- I bloody hate that dish. And yes, I hated it here too. *grumble grumble*
Second time I came here, I went straight to the oxtail stew. $19 for a bowl of deliciousness. Slightly pricey but definitely worth it (especially on these colder days we're starting to have!) -
Review from shirley l.
Seattle, WA
11/29/2011
The only downside about this place is that they are always slammed! Which isn't even a bad thing. I learned that if you can't make a reservation, just come at the earlier end of dinner and you should be able to grab a seat before the dinner rush.
If you can't decide on what to get, I recommend the soul in a bowl (chicken, goat and oxtail with rice). If not, I absolutely LOVE LOVE LOVE the OXTAIL. Don't forget to order some cornbread and collard greens! -
Review from Crystal B.
Seattle, WA
11/28/2011
This place is uh-mazing. I LOVE Island Soul...the food, the staff, the music...the whole experience is great. Fabulous!
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Review from Pipi L.
Seattle, WA
10/7/2011
I don't know why this place gets bad reviews. The food is good, although I often receive my catfish piping hot, the rice and peas(beans) is room temperature. Fix that please. It's weird.
I do get the same food every time I go there. The catfish is too good to pass up, and a side order of greens is a necessity.
I went there recently, and they have made a change that brought me to write here You have to spend $60 and pay cash to receive the free corn bread muffins. What?
We spent over $80 not including the 20 percent tip we left, but we didn't have enough cash on hand, so we left without our muffins. Major disappointment.
Really? We can't spend over $80 for four people and get free muffins. The same muffins that came as we were eating our meal for the years I have been going there? That sucks, and the rule needs to change. I will think twice before going there again. cornbread muffins were part of the lure. -
Review from Liz O.
Seattle, WA
9/10/2011
Arrived at Island Soul on a very warm Saturday afternoon at the start of Happy Hour. Son and I were warmly greeted and promptly seated. Soon I was sipping a delightfully sweet and potent rum punch.
I ordered Spicy Rib Tips appetizer, Collards and "Smashed" Yams. The rib tips were tender, juicy, melt in your mouth goodness. The sauce is mellow with a dark, meaty, understated flavor. Unique.
The large side of collards tasted very firm and fresh. Enough chopped stems to give body. Well seasoned. Not over cooked.
The yams were fresh, buttery, smooth and creamy. Like a yam pudding. Stupid good. Disappeared in a flash.
We're definitely going back for more. -
Review from H K.
Seattle, WA
9/8/2011
I LOVE THIS PLACE!! The owner is so nice and the food is amazing. It's always so happy and lively. If you go, you HAVE to get the coconut cornbread and the jerk chicken. Their Dark n Stormy drinks are delicous too. Also, happy hour is all day on Monday, score!!
The only reason this place doesn't get 5 stars is because the service, especially during happy hour, can be horribly SLOW. I mean, like 45 minutes till you get your food SLOW. Also, it can get pretty loud inside when it's full. -
Review from jay s.
Updated - 6/23/2011 1 Check-in Here
In my attempt to be fair to Island Soul, I actually seriously understated some prices and want to clarify while I stare at the receipt:
Gumbo is $20, not $13, and a little steep at that price.
Curried chicken is $14. It's a decent sized portion, but pedestrian and overpriced.
Our bill was $280 without the automatic gratuity, $360 with. $40 per person. Too much.
So - down a star because I'm remembering the bill more than the meal several days later.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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6/20/2011
Bottom line: I'm vacillating between a 4, for solid flavors, and 3 for value. If you are budget… Read more »
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Review from Rachel P.
Seattle, WA
11/14/2011 Purchased a Yelp Deal
I just don't get all the high reviews on this place. I'm from the East coast and grew up eating a lot of really authentic Caribbean/West Indian food both traveling in the islands themselves and in Brooklyn, where there are tons of Jamaican and other island natives. Island Soul is pretty good, but people saying it's the best jerk chicken/Jamaican food they ever had obviously never had authentic stuff. It almost shocks me.
The cocktails are great, but the whole menu is completely overpriced, especially since they made everything a la carte. I've eaten here a few times to be sure this was a fair review, since i really wanted to like it, and I feel confident that it is.
Bonus points for cool live music in certain nights, and paintings that look like they came off the streets of Jamaica. -
Review from Brenda H.
Auburn, WA
8/17/2011
We found this restaurant on Yelp, while we were driving nearby. based upon the 180 reviews, with the 4.5 stars, we thought we would give it a try.... the atmosphere was so relaxing, the service was good, food was fantastic, and the rum punch was wonderful!
They also have many items (17+) that are listed on their menu as either gluten-free or available as gluten free. Amazing! i have a very close friend and a family member with allergies, so we will all be coming back! I am thankful for Yelp for the reviews of this wonderful place! -
Review from John M.
Sammamish, WA
11/11/2011 1 Check-in Here
Let's just get this out of the way first. I don't easily hand out 5 stars. Now this isn't a white table cloth restaurant...and it's not suppose to be. But for what is is and what it does, they do it GREAT. Had the jerk chicken and it was great.
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Review from Michael j. smith S.
Portland, OR
8/8/2011
This place is rocking in all ways, ambience, menu, food quality, and service! Being 1/2 Caribbean-Central American, I always have cravings for the food my mom made....especially oxtails. My mom left for the other world in 1988 and it had been that long since I had anything close to the oxtails she made until my wife and I went to Island Soul this past July 21. I visited once in 2006 and had a good experience, but this place was altogether different with a hip but not ostentatious make-over with the same "island" soul in the form of roots reggae music moving along nicely from the four speakers in every corner of the room. They also installed a bar with a big screen TV.
We spoke at length with Theo (the owner) after we dined (super nice, super smart, high energy guy!) and found out that one of his parents was from Louisiana and the other from Caribbean thus the African American soul food and Afro-Caribbean cuisine found on the Island Soul menu. He is a master chef and his sons and daughters also cook and run various aspects of the restaurant. As if to amplify how serious this family is about their food, the big screen tv above the bar was showing Food Network programming!
Out outstanding waiter Charles started us off with a salad (solid and better than average) and a generously portioned jerk chicken appetizer that was just out of this world with homeade jerk sauce poured over tender, grilled chicken. Tangy, spicy but not overpowering, this dish had a wonderful smokey taste that did not overpower the succulent chicken pieces (about 1/2 of a chicken!).
My wife ordered some wonderful New Orleans style Creole (not Cajun!) gumbo with generous servings of large, succulent crab. I sampled a bite or two especially the sausage. It was extremely tasty in a very familiar but at the same time slightly different way. Rather than a roux base typically found in gumbo the owner uses other herbs and spices so the New Orleans integrity is there but in a much healthier form. And now to discuss the aforementioned heavenly oxtails!!!!
So it is listed as "oxtail stew "and upon seeing this option I knew what I was going to order in 20 seconds. From the first meat-falling-of-the-bone bite I knew this was going to take me back to the dinner table of my youth as in pre-1988. They absolutely nailed this dish with wonderful red beans and lima beans mixed with a generous serving of oxtails garnished with yummy coconut milk rice. Took me back home for real, an absolutely transcendent experience for me and for my wife as well (she digs gumbo but really dug all the glorious fresh crab they use in this dish).
This is real Caribbean food and that's coming from someone who has waited 23 years to find something close to his home cooked meals of yesteryear. Also the adjective "generous" comes up many times in this review because the servings are just short of enormous and priced appropriately (I've read some of the other reviews here in yelp! and could not disagree more.....you get everything you pay for at Island Soul and much more!). We will be making the Island Soul experience a part of every Seattle trip we make from here on out, meanwhile we begged the owner to set up a food cart in Portland, Oregon because we (or if I am completely honest...I) need some authentic Caribbean food here! -
Review from Pamela H.
Seattle, WA
Updated - 8/14/2011 1 Check-in Here
Um, hello!!!!!!
Island Soul recently opened on Sundays!!! On a recent Sunday we arrived craving one of their delicious sandwiches, not realizing they have a special Sunday menu. My disappointment quickly dissipated when the server arrived with a 1/4 fried chicken and a plate-size Belgian Waffle.
For those of you who follow my reviews, you know that Marco Polo holds the title of Best Fried Chicken in Seattle (IMHO). This title...now belongs to Island Soul. Juicy but not greasy, the chicken is seasoned so perfectly, you can taste it down to the bone. Seriously. If you love fried chicken, get your butt in here next Sunday!2 Previous Reviews: Show all »
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6/30/2010
The fish and chips is a big, BIG winner. Succulent and juicy, flavorful and tempting. Complete… Read more »
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Review from Erica W.
Seattle, WA
8/21/2011 3 Check-ins Here
I like the food here but it takes so long to prepare your food, so don't come if your stomach is already rumbling. I've been here a few times with my dad and once with a friend, and all times I never really found anything on the menu that I liked or that even sounded appealing. I did try the chicken and waffles on sunday morning once, the chicken is half of a cornish hen fried and a massive waffle (that was kinda gross) with this very thick molasses syrup...and no milk to drink. Sigh, how am I going to have waffles with no milk?! oh well, but the dinner time food is okay, its nice and spicy, the coconut cake was really good as was the little coconut cornbread balls (forgot the name) they offered.
They have live music on Friday nights, and some folks actually get up and dance, but the issue is that there is no where to dance. So you've literally got random people and servers dancing next to you while you eat and music blaring in your ears. Its quite overpriced, most plates starting at like $15 so come with ample funds. Overall, try it out and see if you like it but it ain't really my cup of tea. -
Review from Larena H.
4/25/2011 2 Check-ins Here
I've been here twice now. First time involved an actual sit down late lunch. Second time was a quick stop to get 3 of their coconut cornbread muffins. Tragically, one of the muffins didn't even make it to the car. It was so tasty!
We tried the Soul in the Bowl since it was on the top 100 foodie list. It was prepared well, and the presentation was nice. 2 of the bowls weren't really my style. Also, the goat bowl still had the bones in it (intentionally). This sort of ruined it for me. It's always been a big pet peeve of mine to have to stick my fingers in a "soup" to pick off shells or bones.
Service was incredibly friendly. Our waiter was charismatic and attentive. He highly recommended the coconut cornbread, and I have to say I am SO glad he did. That item belongs on the list instead of the soul in a bowl dish! I loved that bread so much I went home and did a google search to find a recipe. The recipe I found still needs a little bit of work, but it is quite tasty. After we visited, I found out they give you a free corn muffin if you pay for your bill with cash. So, I'll be bringing cash next time we stop by for a full meal.
When I stopped by here for some cornbread muffins to go, the waiter was just as friendly the second time as he was the first visit. I asked for 3 of their crack in a corn muffins to go. He laughed so hard. He gets it. He KNOWS they are that good. See what I mean though? First one's free when you pay cash, but after that... He even brought me some that had just come out of the oven. They were still warm. Like I said before, one tragically did not even make it to the car. Noms. I'll be back.Listed in: Seattle Foodie 100, Seattle Places I take out of…
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Review from Melissa N.
Seattle, WA
I LOVE LOVE LOVE this place after a long day of work.
They always offer me Happy Hour prices which is a nice plus. I love that Columbia City treats the people that works in the area soo kindly.
Anyways, everything on their menu from the house salad to the rib tips are delicious and full of flavor. Carla and the other bartenders make the most delicious drinks. They make it pretty stiff and you can savor every drop.
The staff here are friendly and engaging but definitely not fake. This place gets packed pretty quick and most night they have live music.
This is a bookmark for sure!!! -
Review from Dustin B.
Seattle, WA
7/8/2011
Delicious coconut corn muffins? I'm sold!
The appetizers are quite tasty (and cheap if you buy a drink during happy hour) but I'm willing to bet that you get more food when it isn't happy hour. -
Review from Mercedes L.
Seattle, WA
5/8/2011
YUM. I love love LOVE Island Soul! I swear, dream about oxtails & the coconut shrimp every week. I definitely recommend Island Soul to anyone that is looking for some new flavor and spice to their palette.
Oh and I can't write this without mentioning Carla! She's the best! :) -
Review from Alexander S.
Seattle, WA
11/13/2011
Gumbo was a bit of a bust...tasty but far too much $$. Service was great until the bill came, only 2 cards and mandatory gratuity for 6+ seemed a bit ridiculous especially given our servers attitude. The tamal Azteca was fantastic and the tostones and spare ribs and collard greens were outstanding. It would be hard to find a better mojito than Island City's and the wine was good and reasonably priced. Overall I'd go back but would save some $$ first, 90 bucks was a bit steep for 2 people.
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Review from Ghost W.
Lacey, WA
11/3/2011 1 Check-in Here
I have lived in many areas and tried lots of Jamaican restaurants. I also was in Ocho Rios earlier this year where my wife and I ventured out to find where the locals go for authentic grub. With all that said, Hands down this is the best Jamaican cuisine I've ever eaten. The customer service was OUTSTANDING and the owner, humble as can be, offered a sample of the most amazing Hibiscus drink on the planet!
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Review from Debra L.
King, WA
8/9/2011 4 photos
Went there for the first time and was overwhelmed with great food, easy atmosphere and friendly service.
My dinner-mates, including a Jamaican native raved about the authenticity of their menu. Sorrel, check; Escovitch fish, check; goat, , plantains, greens..check, check, check! I could go on and on.
Ginger-beer! Okay I'll stop.
Do not leave without experiencing their coconut corn muffins. Your taste buds will dance along with the laid-back reggae tunes.
I love their vibe and best of all they offer many vegetarian options too! -
Review from Jennifer L.
Cypress, CA
3/15/2011 2 Check-ins Here
Seattle trips every month has been my new trend since the New Year visiting my boyfriend & his family. Being a Cali girl I can only take weather as cold as 65 degrees (sad, I know), so of course I was always craving hot yummy meals especially soups.
We arrived to a small, cozy, & dim litted setting which is also great for romance!!! I went with my bf & when we walked in there was a man playing Marvin Gaye on the steel metal drums..mood setter!!!
The service was outstanding!! They talked me into trying a rum punch cocktail..not a big fan of rum (bad experience lol) but suprisingly it was magic in a glass!! It was nice, light ,sweet, and the rum was disguised which could be a good or bad thing haha
I ordered the bayou gumbo which included a nice thick soup nicely spiced to perfection with pieces of sausage, chicken, prawn, & fresh crab!! OMG! I think by far the best meal I have had in so long. The seafood in Washington is just utterly amazing!! It definitely warmed up my soul.
We also arrived for happy hour which included $2 or $3 off the appetizer price if you order any alcoholic drinks. We ordered the coconut prawn appetizer which was light & crispy. Then my bf ordered the jerk rib plate with rice & black beans that was also mouth watering. The meat just fell right off the bone & the jerk sauce definitely had a kick..good stuff for spicy lovers. We also got a side of collard greens ..this meal just kept getting better & better.
Also if your bill is over $50 & you pay cash they give you a half dozen coconut corn muffins that go very nice with tea or coffee!!!
Nice atmosphere, drinks, food, owners are so much fun...this place is addicting & a nice taste of the Carribean..making it a must stop every time I visit Seattle. next meal ..the sampler of every popular dish...should be exciting!!!! -
Review from Janice W.
Redondo Beach, CA
11/4/2011 1 Check-in Here
I wish I could eat here everyday! Before I get to the food, first I have to say the atmosphere and decor of this place is so perfect. Loud colors and beautiful paintings in just the right amount. I couldn't stop looking around and just wishing I was actually sitting on the beach in the Caribbean! And then came the food and I knew I was in love! I had jerk chicken with rice and beans and my boyfriend had the jerk ribs. So unbelievably good! Our server made sure we ordered some corn bread and I now know why! Its coconut corn bread and is so sweet that its a perfect compliment to the spicy food. We even ordered more! I just wish this place was next door to my house and not in Seattle!
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Review from Amanda R.
Seattle, WA
Updated - 8/1/2011
The food was so tasty the first time around and the service so good that I rated it 5 stars. Now that I've visited again and the service was terrible, and the food still pretty tasty I'll give it an average vote.
Sadly, they forgot to bring the drinks we ordered at happy hour, ordering a 2nd round took too long, the food took 30-40 minutes to arrive, and then they forgot parts of the food order. We all ordered appetizers/small plates for happy hour, but they randomly brought out one full sized dinner and the waiter said he thought that's what the person had ordered, and still charged my friend full price. Bummer.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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10/16/2010
We arrived at 3pm on a Saturday and were informed we could order happy hour food and drinks.… Read more »
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