Elma’s Kitchen

Having grown up in a restaurant family and also going to high school in an ethnically black Caribbean neighborhood (Ft. Greene). I will tell you that this food while not fake, is not irie.
My high school was across the street from Spike Lee’s house, his house as well as John Singleton’s store let me just say this place be perpetratin’.
It’s just a poor excuse and execution of dishes from their homeland and if you on the real, you wouldn’t be eating here. Greasy, dry, tasteless, sat too long are just some descriptors.
The only folks who eat here are people who have zero cooking ability. By and large the food is precooked and stuck in a fridge and just gets reheated vs having it properly on a steam table and then thrown out after its time is done. It’s testament to the fact that this place is not good.

The food here was horrible. I’m starting to think the reviews that have been left are from friends and family. We ordered the curry chicken with rice as one order and the second was for stewed beef. There was so much fat, gristle, and large pieces of bone (from parts that I have yet to identify and cut in the most awkward places) left behind. I felt as if I spent way too much time searching for the small pieces of meat that was actually there; and the remainder of the time, I watched the pile of inedible parts pile up on the side of my plate. The gentleman that took my order was rude, to say the least. I asked him if he took debit or credit while he was heating up our food in the microwave (yes, the microwave). He answered yes over his shoulder, but when it was time to ring us up, he argued that he said that they were a cash-​only restaurant. I find it hard to believe that both of us heard him wrong although it is clearly possible. The more important point is that, instead of responding so rudely, he could have said he may have misheard or there must have been some miscommunication and POLITELY advise us where the nearest ATM machine is. He did tell us where we could find a machine, but I assure it was far from in a respectful tone. I used to come here years ago and enjoyed the experience and their food. It’s unfortunate that they have taken such a downturn in quality, if not in sales. If I didn’t make it clear yet, I would never return to this establishment nor would I ever recommend them.

The food is good. I love the Ackee and Salfish. Just a bit too much oil. Dumplings are phenomenal real Jamaican dumplings lol and the people who work there are very nice.

I came here for Jerk Chicken since I was already near home and I didn’t want to travel to Roselle to go to Shawni’s (the good shit). I was offended by my food. They took precooked chicken, did some stuff to it and sold it to me as jerk chicken. It wasn’t spicy at all. The only thing that was good was the rice.

Elma’s got herself one dependable and delicious kitchen, here: the rice and peas, oxtails, meat pies, chicken and virtually all of the typical dishes I”ve had here are island spicy, generously portioned and deeeeelicious!
Elma’s is an oasis of sorts since there aren’t alot of great places to eat in Plainfield. Granted, it ain’t a white linen napkin joint (hence the four stars, but I ain’t a white linen napkin guy and the only stars around me are the ones I see when the Mrs. dings me with the frying pan) but Elma’s Kitchen is a joint I return to and leave every time with a great big SMILE! And not de$titute!

Elma’s is the best Jamaican food I’ve ever had. The patties are decent and everything else is phenomenal. My favorites are the oxtail, goat w roti, and the BBQ chicken. The plantains and cabbage are to die for. Small plate with rice and peas, veggie, and meat is about 10. It’s worth it. My whole family is addicted and so is everyone I have taken here. I am surprised there aren’t more reviews.

Good food! If you like Jamaican food check them out.