Donna's Home Caribbean Restaurant — Restaurant in Hawthorne

Well, my first time here. Even the regulars don't seem happy with the service here. I am sure a lot of changes in the recent months and the business trying to stay afloat.

The food... so one large oxtail, one large jerk chicken, 2 beef pattie. LOVED the patties. They were on point. Sure the crust could be flaking, but the flavors were all there.

Jerk chicken... I don't know how they cook the chicken, but the texture of the chicken is very reminiscent of boiled chicken. Maybe par-boil then bake? Anyway, the jerk chicken flavors were goid, but the texture was way off based on my many travels to Jamaica.

Oxtail... this is always were I am most critical. My travels to this country and having learned many dishes from friends, their mums, and grandmums, i am hyoercritical on the oxtail.

I know there are as many oxtail recipes as grandmums in Jamaica. One of my favorite "restaurant" oxtail come from Cool Runnings, Dekalb County, in Atlanta, Georgia.

Here, the oxtail were remarkably small. I know the sizes, and you can't give every customer the large tail end. But wow... the plate was filled with tip/thin end of the tail. The flavors were good, not the best I've had, but not the worst. It was meh to me, average.

I do have to say the cabbage side was on point. It is the most unassuming part of any Jamaican dish, but it IS one of my favorites. This one is spot on.

Overall, would I go back? In a pinch, yes. Would I make it a point to drive 18 miles again for it? Probably not.

Mind you, thus was my first go here. There is that damn Corona. Businesses have bad days too. The people who seem like regulars come back for a reason and they are surely Jamaican. So to be fair, I'd need to go back at least a few more gos before leaving a negative review.

It is a small business and needs all the support from...

It was my first day today. I'm so picky with food but I can say the food is so good. The lady even gave me some goat curry to try. I will go back.

Update: I took away 2 stars not because the food is not good but because of value. The prices have been greatly increased. I get it....but if the prices are increased because "the price of oxtail went up in the market" as the lady told me, it'll only make sense we get thesame amount we were getting before or more of the oxtail for the new amount we pay. BUT what has happened is they increase the price and decrease the quantity. They put wayyyy more rice, very little oxtail and veggies. Before(month ago) I pay $16 for a small oxtail now I it's $20 for barely 6 small oxtails and a plate full of rice🤦🏽🤦🏽🤦🏽 Ridiculous!

Edit....12/28/22 I wish I could give 0 stars. I drove all the way here just for what I ordered to be out of stuck after I called and put in the order and they gave me 15mins. Worst is I just had surgery and I can't be going around like this for no reason. This was going to be my only meal I am so ANGRY. I wish this business don't get anywhere. Always one thing or the other in this place. I blame myself for coming back. Never again!!! Learned my lesson. SAVE YOUR MONEY AND GO...

I’ve been to this place twice. The first time I wasn’t pleased do to the pricing and the small amount of food they give you. Thought I would give them another chance almost 5 months later and again I payed for a large meal and they act like they are scared to put any meat on your plate. Rice and peas barely have flavor and very dry. (Better ask for them to be smothered in a sauce). Then I ask for a large juice not knowing the price only for her to hit me with 10 dollars for the drink. I feel truly ripped off coming to this place And I no more Jamaican spots around LA that blows this place out of the water as far as food taste and quantity. They need to do better here. Wouldn’t mind paying the price if they would actually give you some food. Whatever the Premier meat is you best believe you will barely have some on your plate and again the food is barely making ok. I’m not a hater and I’m a person that rarely never blogs but this place especially looking at other peoples comments I had to give my two cents. Other comments are Putting 10s on 2s And probably friends or family, Especially the girl or person talking about this is the best Jamaican food I’ve ever tasted in my life. If you don’t...