Fire Side Kitchen + Bar — Restaurant in DeSoto

SERVICE: Service was good. We were promptly greeted with a smile after entering and advised on the menu and how to order. Ordering was easy and I liked that I could order & pay online.

ATMOSPHERE: There is a beautiful mural of Bob Marley on the wall which brings in a nice vibe. There was Caribbean music playing but it was a battle between that and the place next door which was so loud it was coming through the walls. This is unfortunate because it would make dining in not so great when the business next door is playing their music at such a loud volume.

FOOD: We ordered jerk wings, curry goat (which strangely didn’t come with any sides), 2 orders of plantain, steamed white rice, and a chicken patty ($65 total). While the chicken patty was perfectly seasoned and flaky and the curry goat was also very good, the jerk wings were just ok (a tad bit salty and seemed like something was missing and I couldn’t put my finger on it), and some of our plantain was undercooked. Our entire order was provided in small containers (individual portion size) and the portions were nowhere near what I see in the pictures others post. There were 5 small pieces of plantain in each container, the rice was halfway filled in its container, and 8 wings. The curry goat was the only container that was full.

CLOSING OPINION: I can’t believe I had dinner from the same place that all of these reviews are raving about and the pictures look nothing like what we had. Many of the dishes were sold out by the time we arrived around 8pm, which was surprising since they were open until 10pm. They were even sold out of rice & peas and cabbage, which are staples and should always be in supply. I would say this place was just ok and nothing to write home about overall. Maybe my expectations were too high or we caught them on an off night, but it was a disappointment nonetheless and we are not sure if we will give them another try. If we do, it will be earlier in the day since there were a lot of items listed...

I was searching for something different to eat to reward myself for sticking to my goals. I am a frequent traveler to Jamaica and often spend time in the  culture.  For me, it is to ensure I am having the most authentic experience possible. The food is the key for me, and I have always enjoyed the rich flavors of the seasonings, how they are prepared, and the freshness of it all.

I chose this restaurant because of the reviews and it being close to home. I enjoy supporting small businesses.  I placed my order online, so this was a pick-up. When entering the restaurant, it was basic, nothing too extravagant.  There were wood tables with metal chairs inclusive at the bar. It was not crowded when I arrived after 5 pm or so. I was immediately greeted. I ordered the Escovitch Red Snapper, cabbage, and rice and peas. The total cost with tax was $37.89. I understand the Escovitch is traditionally prepared with a whole snapper with bones, but I've been fortunate to have options where it was fileted. I'm not sure what I was anticipating, but I definitely prefer the filet so I can enjoy the fish. What I could eat, I enjoyed the flavor but was definitely challenged by it being whole with bones. I received a lot of rice and peas, but unfortunately, it was dry, and the rice tasted like it was not fresh, moreso of leftovers. The seasoning was just not there for me.  The cabbage was ok, but it definitely fell short of my more authentic experiences in Jamaica.

I wanted to enjoy this, but it paled in comparison to my experiences.  I only eat Kosher fish, and there is not enough on the menu to bring me back...

I recently visited Fireside Bar and Grill for the first time and I must say, the food was outstanding. It was easily the one of the best Jamaican I’ve had in a while. The dishes were well-prepared and not overly greasy, which I really liked. They also offer the option to add your own sauce or gravy to the bowl, which is a nice touch.

I had the curry goat, and it was absolutely delicious, fresh and flavorful. I also tried the beef patties, which were fantastic. The vibe inside the restaurant was great too, with beautiful hand drawn paintings of Bob Marley and pictures of famous Jamaicans the walls. It added a nice cultural touch to the overall aesthetic.

The place is neat, clean, and has a welcoming atmosphere. I've been there twice already and I definitely plan to return to try more items from their menu. Highly recommend Fireside Bar and Grill for anyone looking for a great...