Island Spice Jerk House — Restaurant in Thunder Bay

So, I had delivered to myself the "Irie Sample Feast. Options were: 4 Meats, Rice & Beans, Coleslaw & Steamed Vegetables, 4 Festivals, Roti, 2 Beef Patties. I chose: Curry Chicken, Oxtail, Curry Goat & Jerk Chicken. I wanted the Steamed Fish because it was recommended online, but I wasn't allowed. Next visit!

Curry Chicken (8.4/10). Not sure if it's the best I've had, but extremely close. No bones which I appreciated, but that makes it not authentic.

Curry Goat (8.2/10). Never had it. Would recommend it.

Oxtail (8.5/10). Had difficulty telling the difference between this and the Curry Goat embarrassingly, so I called someone. 😅 Jamaicans don't curry oxtail I was told, so then I knew the difference. It was my first time and it tastes like a fatties roast beef that melts off the bone. I see the appeal.

Jerk Chicken (7.4/10). This score isn't reflected, by the fact I didnt get steamed fish. It was good, but unspectacular. Spices didn't stsnd out and I tasted mostly pepper. Wasn't bad at all, but was expecting more.

Steamed Vegetables (7.8/10). Was surprised and I could probably eat them straight which is something I normally wouldn't say.

Coleslaw (7/10). Meh, nothing to write home about.

Beef Patties (8.8/10). I had a homemade one of these years back and wasn't into them, but this was really good. The meat was almost pasty, but really good.

Festivals (8.4/10). Kind of like strips of bannock/sasass with sugar, but not sweat enough to be a donut. Was great for dipping.

Roti (8.5/10). Never had fresh Roti, but this was really good. Reminded me of a warm giant folded thicker tortilla. Great for dipping or eating straight.

Rice & Beans (7.9/10). Most commented thing online and was good, but I felt like I could make or have better. Wasn't something I'd seek out, but I'm glad I had it.

Mango Carrot Juice (8.1/10). It's a brand. Lots of sugar in it, but I don't think it. Good and would recommend.

I actually haven't finished all the food yet at the time of this review 😅, but I felt the need to comment fast due to the sheer amount that I likely won't finish in...

Mi step inna Island Spices Thunder Bay an mi feel like mi touch down back a yard. Mi order curry goat wid rice an coleslaw – star, di flavour mash up mi head! Goat tender, season lock inna every fibre, gravy nice an thick, an di coleslaw cool dung di fire. Pure island vibes pon di plate.

Mi bredda tek di jerk chicken wid rice, an mi haffi taste a piece… Jah know star, dat chicken juicy like rain inna June, pepper kick sweet, spice balance perfect – di real deal, straight yard style jerk, cyaan beat dat!

But mi belly never done – mi haffi spin back an grab a patty. Hear mi now, dat patty pastry flaky like breeze a Negril, meat inside well-season, juicy, no dry-up business – pure perfection. One bite an mi close mi eye an mi deh pon di beach wid a Red Stripe inna hand.

Island Spices a di truth, mi nah lie. Food cook wid love, cook wid culture, cook wid vibes. Mi rate it 100 outta 10. Thunder Bay, unu blessed fi have dem yah, mi a forward back fi...

We were driving from Calgary to Toronto in a cross country move, and we stayed one night in Thunder Bay. We had just driven through a terrible thunderstorm with torrential rain and we were tired and hungry. We were so pleased to come across this place just around the corner from our hotel. The gentleman at the front was so friendly and made us feel welcome. He even offered us some curry sauce on our rice, which was fantastic. We both had the jerk chicken. It was so delicious! The chicken was tender and moist, and the seasoning was great without being too overpowering. It was a lovely treat after a long drive. If you're in the Thunder Bay area and you haven't had a chance to try this place, do it! You won't be...