David's Jamaican Cuisine — Restaurant in Madison

I go out of my way to find black owned and operated businesses whenever I travel. So this was my first visit to Wisconsin and Madison. Ok so maybe I ordered the wrong dish. Because the food I had was not the best or even good. I hate to leave bad reviews but I wish someone would have warned me. So I have to warn others. I ordered ox tails with standard rice and peas and a side of cabbage. I've never had ox tails in a reddish sauce. It tasted like cheif boyardee sauce to be honest. The rise was soggy. The cabbage looked like it was cut on a vegetable slicer in a zigzag shape. Then it may have been lightly sauteed in a chicken broth of sorts. The plantains were barley ripe and not sweet. To say I was disappointed was an understatement. I initially wanted to order escovitch fish. I was told that I had to call ahead due to the fish being frozen. Surprisingly this place was packed when I was leaving. I noticed that most people were ordering the jerk and curry dishes. So like I said, maybe I ordered the wrong dish. I wanted to love this place but it was a bust for me. Basically I gave them a $25 donation because I barely ate my food. I feel like when you have any type of ethnic restaurant in a predominantly white area in America, it's your duty to bring the culture to that area. I thought the point is to offer an authentic experience. I feel like this restuarant waters down it's food to fit the demographic in the area. It's sad in my opinion. 2 out of 10 I would...

This place was suggested to me by a professor of mine, & I had high hopes but I ought’ve known better. Both my parents were born in Jamaica, my ENTIRE family was either born in the islands or have their roots there so I know what Jamaican food is supposed to be like, & this place IS NOT IT. Whether you like it or not is your preference, of course, but just know it’s anything but authentic.

I went to try the oxtail w/ a cabbage side, my usual whenever we cook weekend or holiday meals. This oxtail was glazed in a thick sauce that tasted like barbeque. I’m not sure what it was, but it DEFINITELY did not belong on a rich meat like oxtail. It didn’t sit well with my stomach afterwards, & when I showed it to my family they laughed at the fact that someone dared consider it the Jamaican way to cook it. The cabbage side was supposed to be steamed, but was shaped like krinkle cut chips, & were raw, crunchy, & bland. The store owners were impersonal, but polite enough, thankfully. & points for the style of the building, it brought pleasure to my vision & was a delight to see among the dull architecture of the city!

Unfortunately, I can only guess all the Caribbean enthusiasts in Wisconsin that don’t know any better are keeping this place afloat, because knowing Jamaicans, Lord knows if they brought this food to our island they would get cussed out, the food is...

Stopped in to the new location tonight on the way to a concert with a friend who's been a customer for years. I'd eaten their food as takeout years ago when I lived in Madison.

The couple running the place are super friendly (we were the only customers at the time) and the service was excellent. The restaurant itself is simple and clean. Nothing spectacular but quaint and comfortable. Definitely the kind of family-run small business you want to support.

That being said, the food is nothing short of phenomenal. I ordered the Curried Goat and I can say without any hint of hyperbole that it was one of the most delicious meals I've ever eaten. My eyes bugged out of my head on the first bite and I never looked back. Also, the portions are more than generous. I'm a decent-sized guy, and a healthy eater, and one order is at least two full meals.

Make sure when you order to ask for extra Jerk sauce. When I say they don't give you enough it's not them being stingy. The stuff is so good you've burned through what they give in the first few minutes and immediately want a LOT more.

I got and order of Jerk Chicken to take home for lunch tomorrow (that might not make it through the night). Also, I bought a bottle of David's Jerk Sauce (which they also sell, and I...