Kingston’s Jamaican Bistro

I don’t live in the area but work in it often. My co-​worker likes this place and referred it to me. I can’t speak of the owner (s) or ambience of this place because I’ve never been there but I can speak of the two times I’ve sent my co-​worker go get an order for me and what I’ve experienced. First Order: Jerk Chicken, cabbage, rice & peas, and plaintains.
The Jerk Chicken was VERY DRY and to add to it, it was VERY COLD in the middle. Like it was cooked, stored, and reheated in a microwave. I understand they may pre-​cook their foods but it was really obvious in the stale refrigeration taste when almost to the bone. The plaintains where soft but greasy and a bit too brown. I don’t know if they deep fry or drench the plantains in oil. The rice was Meh because their wasn’t enough Jerk gravy for the rice and the cabbage was well… cabbage.
My second order: Curry Chicken, White Rice, Plantains, and Cabbage. The Curry Chicken was hot to order and tasted alright. Just didn’t have enough kick to it. The plantains where the same as before, greasy and dark as me. The second order was better. I have their menu which features an American Menu as well which other Jamaican Restaurants never have. They do deliver (which is a plus. Most Jamaican Restaurants don’t) but my co-​worker states he has problems with ETA and delivery before so that keeps me kinda on the fence.
I’ll order again… Thus far it has been 1 out of 2 good experiences. My next experience I’ll probably stop in instead of having my co-​worker as the errand boy to fetch my order and try something different.

Eating here for my first time, very clean environment that’s a plus. I ordered the jerk chicken combo with a side of cabbage, the food was delicious very spicy which I love!
The food is a bit PRICY compared to other Jamaican restaurants I’ve been to and honestly it’s not worth the price, don’t get me wrong the food is good but I’ve ate more authentic Jamaican food for less.

As a world traveler and some one who’s been to Jamaica and the Caribbean I can confidently say this food was killer.
Waiting 20 min to have shrimp cooked to order isn’t long, obviously their are some hateful dummies who are used to eating fast food reviewing on here. The cabbage was killer ! Maybe the best I’ve ever had.
I’ll be back.

(Two-​ish weeks ago, in a land… well…right here in the ATL, two divas were having a conversation. Amongst the laughter, one of them clutched her pearls…
«Girl, did you know that there’s another Jamaican spot around the corner?»
«Say what now!!! Aw snap, we are going to have to check it out!» They both nodded in agreement and continued discussing shoes. Why? Because shoes and food are THEE two most important things in life!)
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I went to Kingston’s the next day. (Yes, I’ve already apologized to my Divafriend for being greedy and not waiting on her.)
–Warm color on the walls, nice décor, some reggae playing in the background. #Check!
–Warmly greeted when I walked in… but…the young lady went RIGHT back to checking/​chatting on her phone. #Whomp.
–They were out of Plantains. OUT. OF. PLANTAINS at only 7pm!!! #Whompwhompp
–It took 8 – 10 minutes for my ‘small’ Curry Chicken w/​Cabbage to come out. #Check! (not bad, I’ve waited MUCH longer at other places.)
–The young lady STAYED on her phone the whole time I was there, I was the one who bid her a good evening. How is that possible? She handed me my food and went RIGHT back to her phone. #Whompwhompwhomp
–The portion was VERY generous– enough for 2 healthy meals that would be sure to induce «The ITIS». #Check!
–The Curry was good. Not excellent, but good. Chicken was tender enough, there was enough decently– seasoned gravy, and rice and peas were well-​flavored. #Check-​ish. ⁷⁄₁₀
–I paid 10.50. #Check. Not bad.
Smack your Momma good? Nah.
Should that young lady put her phone away and focus on the Customer? (Duhhhhh.)
Will I return? Yes, in a pinch. I prefer the service of Chef Rob’s, but not the prices. The portions here are better.
If I do, I’ll just smack that phone out of the young lady’s hand. Hmph.

Horrible service. Wish I had read these reviews before I ordered from here and I could have saved myself the headache and a few dollars. Long wait, prices not on par with quality of food coupled with poor/​unprofessional service make for a dismal overall experience. I’ve eaten here 2x and will not go back or recommend. Believe the reviews posted on here and take a pass on this place.

Super disappointed!!!
THE SERVICE
The cashier was on the phone taking an order when I walked in. Instead of looking up and greeting me and acknowledging my presence. I waited 4 mins for her call to end to be spoken to. After that I continued to order oxtails with rice and peas. It took a whole 20 mins for me to get my food. Mind you the only other customers the restaurant were a couple. (Just 2 people) when I expressed my concern about the waiting time. The cashier proceed to tell me she wanted to tell me it was going to take 5 extra mins for my order to be ready. I told her well it took 20 mins. Instead of apologizing she just did a little awkward laugh. In no way did I think it was funny since my lunch break is only 30 mins.
Also while waiting, another customer walked in. He waited for someone to greet him for about 5 mins and waked out. The cashier was no where to be found
THE FOOD
The food portion was massive. But the taste was a huge thumbs down!!! As a Jamaican and oxtails being my favorite dish. I was completely disappointed. The oxtails were huge and flavorless no hint of seasoning what so ever. I wasted 16.99 on food that I had to wait so long for that wasn’t even good. On the other hand the rice and peas was good.
I’m all for supporting but
Never going back!!! Such a waste

THIS PLACE IS HORRIBLE! Just got back from lunch and I had to write this review while it’s still fresh.
1. The food took forever to come out. My co-​worker and I sat and watched while the server brought the table next to us their food in 5 – 10 minute increments.
2. We sat and waited our turn to be served, and finally when the server was done with the other table she came over and told us that they were out of plantains. The server then said that she can substitute it for roti or coco bread. So we both said yes to the roti. Server then comes back and said that her manager says no to the substitute because we ordered one lunch special.
So I told her that it was offered to us, we didn’t ask — plus they should make concessions for serving all the plantain to the other table and running out. She goes and gets her manager.
3. Manager walks out with the BIGGEST attitude, and asks me «What is your question?». How rude is that! You already know the issue so don’t come out pretending like you are doing me a favor! She then tells me that she cannot do the roti substitute, so I said okay, we will take a refund then, no worries.
To my DISMAY, this chic then says «We will go ahead and do the roti, since it’s SO IMPORTANT TO YOU». lol.
I told her, «no, it’s okay I will take the refund please» and walked right out. Don’t want her spitting in my food with that attitude — hahaaaa
Bad Service, Slow service… I’m glad I didn’t taste their food with all the reviews below it seems like I didn’t miss anything either. I will take my money to another business Mrs Manager lady — I am clearly not a valued customer in your establishment.

I was in the plaza with plans for Thai after work one Saturday. Glanced to my left and noticed something new; Kingstons caught my eye.
Walked in and decided on the Oxtails, was given only 2 options for a side plantain or cabbage. I like neither.
I asked if the oxtails were meaty and was assured they would be.
When my order was ready I needed both hands to carry.
When I got home I was pleasantly surprised the portion was enough for a lunch the next day.
The taste was yummy!
I will be going back!

So, so sad. A small group of us went for a workday lunch.
These people are obviously on island time and have no concept of what people need or want in a weekday lunch hour. Each guest was served in 10 – 15 minute intervals. Weird, because all of the dishes we ordered had to be precooked, but efficiency was not a concern here.
They have nothing to drink that is not sugary, except for water — which is bottled, so yeah, you have to pay for it. Today they ran out of water! Nothing to offer in a glass? nope.
They were also out of patties, and who knows what else. The fourth meal hadn’t arrived after an hour, so we left with a refund. What we were served was not bad, it just took way, way too long.
BTW — we were the only customers in there for most of our hour visit.
It’s surprising to see reviews over a year old, because there’s no way a business like this should exist, let along last more than a couple of months.

We stopped by after visiting the barbershop for a quick snack. We just ordered a few meat patties — jerk chicken and beef. They were both EXCELLENT! The service at the restaurant was really good as well. I will definitely be back to try other things on the menu — great value for delicious patties!

This place sucks. I should have know when it was empty when I walked in. The service is the slowest in the world. Took over 30 mins for a takeout order. The jerk chicken has zero flavor. It really just tasted like chicken cooked in the over. Their wings are some of the worst I have ever had. They just tasted like grease. This place makes American Deli seem like a 5 star gourmet restaurant. If you care about yourself please don’t eat here!

This food was horrible it honestly taste like nasty chinese food we ordered jerk chicked and something else (thats how horrible it was) the rice did not even taste good If I could give them a negative rating I would

Wow. 100+ minutes for a food delivery of cold burnt fries and cold wings. Driver even slung the bag around so there was more sauce in the bag than on the wings. Fries had to be thrown out.

Ordered the Jerk Chicken with fried plantains and the wife ordered a chicken patty. The patty was pretty much burnt on one side. The Jerk chicken was the day’s leftovers I guess as it was dry. Thumbs down.

I went to this place to give them a try. I normally go to Chef Robs. They were charging 17 $ for ox tails and they didn’t even have scotch bonnet sauce to go with my food. I never been to a Jamaican spot that didn’t have scotch bonnet. I will stick with Chef Robs and eat for 11 $

I REALLY REALLY wanted to like this place! The food was mediocre at best. I like my food very spicy so that got them SOME good marks. I got the chicken philly, could have used something more to make it less dry BESIDES just cheese. And I did like having sweet plantains because my mother who is from South Africa used to make them for me all the time.
However, the point emerges. I got food poisoning from my dinner. I will never EVER go here again. Stick with Chef Rob’s Carribbean Café. They have pretty much the same menu and the food is way better, and it won’t have you running to the bathroom for the next 24 hours.

This was the worst attempt at Jamaican food I have ever had. I had the jerk chicken, and it tasted like the chicken was cooked last week and warmed up with a blow dryer. The jerk sauce, Jesus, that jerk is the stuff nightmares are made out of. It tasted like someone took some garbage truck juice and mix it with a bunch of hot peppers, a couple of herbs and walla — Jerk sauce. I called to try to get a refund, but that was a waste of time. I can’t speak for the other food, wings, etc., but I I wont be coming back here… EVER!

Among the best wings I’ve ever had. These wings and drumsticks are HUGE! Owners/​workers are super nice. If you’ve had Jamal’s buffalo wings in downtown Atlanta, these are THE ONLY wings that compare.

Been here a few times now and I have to say that this is the best Jamaican food in the city! The Brown Stewed Chicken is a must along with the Sweet Plantains. The chicken is fall off the bone good and the gravy is heavenly with the rice. I was really impressed with how clean the place was and the quick service that was provided. If you love Jamaican food, Kingston’s is a must!

I loved their cheese burger… but ordered the wings… were so salty I could not eat them. I would order from them because the service was on time and hot. But, maybe next time no wings or maybe I could get wings without anything on them. Just so salty.