Back A Yard Caribbean Grill — Restaurant in Menlo Park

Hands down the best Jamaican food in the bay area. It's owned by the same family that runs Coconuts in Downtown Palo Alto and the newer Back A Yard location in downtown San Jose. This Menlo Park location is right near the Willow and 101 exit on the east side of the freeway and has that true hole-in-the wall feeling you get from local joints. There is limited seating inside, probably about 8-10 small tables that can seat 2-4 people and 3 tables with plastic chairs outside the door.If you're dining with a large group, I'd recommend take-out.

Now, for the food. My favorites are still the oxtail dinner plate - cooked to tender perfection with the meat falling off the bone. Oxtail gravy drizzled over traditional rice and peas and plantains, I'm starting to drool just thinking about the food. Just like the downtown SJ location, they have the saltfish and akee on Saturdays. During my most recent visit, my friend ordered the Jerk Chicken wrap (a steal at ~$6) which was tasty and filling. If you're looking for a quick bite or appetizer, try the patties.

Parking is scarce and it's ALL parallel parking on the curb. There is 15 minute parking in front (denoted by a green line) so don't get too happy when you see space available directly in front of...

Ok, so I've heard a lot of good things about this spot and I can't believe this was my first time trying them out sice we moved to RWC. I think I overestimated our hunger because I ordered way more than what my son and I could fit in our tummies. I got a special of the day: curry goat and jerk chicken combo plate with a side of fried plantain, french fries and a house salad. Talking about huge portions, wowza, extremely generous and the price amazing. All the flavors top notch. While I was there the spot made me feel like I was on vacay in a Carribbean country, not many places can pull me out of my ordinary and give me this feeling. The attendance was great, the time we waited from when we ordered to the time we got served - bomb. I ended up getting a to-go combo plate for hubby: jerk chicken and ox tail and as seen in the picture below it's all gone. I wish I would've taken a picture of all the plates as they came out, steaming hot - but the hunger was so huge I didn't even think about it; now I regret it. This is a must spot if y'all are in the mood for authentic Jamaican/Carribbean food. I can't wait to go back and I'm sure I'll become a...

This place is a fraud this is ran by phillipinos and staff are mexicans. I was told on the phone by a phillipino staff member at front desk that it was a Jamaican restaurant with a head chef that was Jamaican. Once I got there it was all a lie. ITS SAD! I then asked for the owners contact info I was then told by the staff member his boss is phillipino and he refused to give me the number. Honestly if you go to a Mexican restaurant you expect to see Mexican staff, Chinese Chinese staff and so on. It's sad how different ethnic groups are profiting off people of color but are racist towards them. Just for the record I'm not racist,but honestly on the west coast there is extreme racism against people of color. I'm from the east coast where it's not like this. From experience and warnings from people of color, I learned really quick dont dine outside your own kind on the west. Also instead of a greeting I'm always asked am I picking up food but other people customers are welcomed. Just as it...