Irie Nation Restaurant & Bar — Restaurant in Charlotte

NEVER AGAIN!!!! NEVER AGAIN!!!! NEVER AGAIN!!!!

First I have been going to Irie Nation for over 6-7 years and despite the very low customer service along with an extremely bad attitude by the woman who manages the business the food over the years has depreciated greatly in quality and taste. On March 2, 2024 my girlfriend and I stopped by and I ordered the red snapper dinners one each for us. I clearly ordered both snappers fried with escovitch along with collard greens and cabbage on my plate and peas and rice with collard greens for my girlfriends plate. I was told it would take 20-30 minutes to prepare. (Keep in mind I within the last 2 weeks had ordered my red snapper this way as well as several times for lunch over the last several months. Each time requiring a 20-30 minute wait time for preparing) Unfortunately the wait time was well over an hour which means to me the red snappers we not on the premises when the orders were made. In addition, when we finally received our orders the red snapper was just fried without escovitch added. (Keep in mind at no point during the over hour wait time did anyone update us on our order nor was I given a status after I checked on our order after 30 minutes all I was told was it was coming) when I informed the woman who manages Irie Nation she gave me a very long explanation with attitude on why my order could not come the way I wanted it and informed me that I should know what I’m ordering even though all my prior orders I had ordered this way both in the evening and lunch hours. There was no apology for the food taking over an hour until I question the long wait and honestly the cabbage and collard green was not fresh and was way over cooked. Please take you money to a place that respects you and your dollars.

Unfortunately, Charlotte has a limited number of quality Jamaican restaurants so low customer service, attitude and lack of food quality is typically accepted...

Let me start off by saying this is MY taste experience and MY opinion. I did call the restaurant prior to leaving this review but was forwarded to their voice-mail. Someone brought this food to me, and if I had been there, there was no way I'm eating at Irie today. And btw, this was my first time having Irie. This "particular" plate of food was of poor quality, and here's why: the plantains were not ripe, very hard. In addition to that, upon my one AND only bite into the oxtails, they were not tender and had a weird, almost tomato-based like taste to them. And honestly, I can't fault them for their seasoning, as every restaurant has a recipe for certain foods. It just didn't work for me. But whomever let this food go out the kitchen knew good & well, the plantains were not ripe and the oxtails cld have cooked a bit longer. Along with the rice and peas being 🗑. But my real irritation comes from that most if not all people work hard for their money and when spending $20+ for food, a certain level of quality & good taste "is expected". I understand businesses have to make money, okay. Absolutely! But when it's obvious that the food was not prepared/cooked properly with quality and served with no consciousness of that required quality, shame on the restaurant. And especially, a West Indian establishment as most folks are drawn to the expectation of the authenticity of the food. However, I literally tossed my plate in the trash. I wouldn't give this plate of food to no one. Yes, I'm a bit bothered that money was wasted, but I also understand I am taking a chance when eating outside of the home. So, I am going to take this loss but leave this review. Btw, I have a very deep and close connection to the West Indian community, so I know what authentic West Indian food tastes like (both Jamaican & Trinidadian). Maybe it was an off day for Irie as we all experience those but, regardless I stand on top of what I said. I...

I have been popping in and out of Irie for three years now. The food is priced on the higher end. The serving size is great. I have tried the brown stew chicken. However, most of the time, I eat here, I get the curry chicken, red beans and rice, bake macaroni, and cheese with aside of cabbage. Everything tastes great, with the exception of the food not being seasoned well. It is a little on the bland side, but it's always fresh and hot and never dry.. Also, understand that everyone can't eat well seasoned food. My beans and rice were fully cooked. My cabbage was fresh, so it was still a little crunchy but juicy / healthier. The baked macaroni and cheese is a cheesy however not very seasoned. Also, this time, I tried something different because I saw a special for the seafood soup. It was amazing. It was really good. It was a little on the spicy side (which I loved but for the sake of the review just a heads up to people who don't like or cannot tolerate spicy), and it tastes a lot like Louisia gumbo. The atmosphere is dark and not too pleasant. However, there is a place to sit and wait for your food. At times, it can get crowded because of the small space. The environment is in a rough area of North charlotte. However, it does not feel unsafe. The customer service could be a lot better. However, I do not ever have to wait long to receive my food.I'm normally in and out within 15 time frame due to my food already being laid out in front of me and I watch them make my platter. Also, the beef and chicken Patty's are great. I do not come here often, but when I do, I am satisfied. Thanks. For your time, I...