Island Flamed Jamaican and Caribbean Restaurant — Restaurant in Oak Ridge

Coming from South Florida to Orlando I was in the mood for some “back a yard” authentic Jamaican food and my brother suggested Island Flamed close to the Florida Mall. I had never heard of the place before and being a picky flexitarian fish eating vegetarian, I am not quick to just try any food but I ended up going 3 times in just 1 week... 😂. I wanted some fried fish because to test a good Jamaican restaurant you have to order either Escoveitch fish, ackee, goat or oxtail and rice and peas. So Fish was my choice. First thing noticed was the cleanliness of the place and how tidy it was. The music playing wasn’t raunchy or scandalous but some good island reggae music. Scanning the menu I saw Tofu... now tofu is not Jamaican so I wanted to see how they would cook tofu because tofu by itself is tasteless. So I ordered Curry Tofu and when I got home to eat it ... it was the best Jamaican Curry Tofu I’d ever had and well seasoned. The rice was not sugar sweet but fresh made and you could taste the coconut in it. The curry tofu had coconut and plenty sweet peppers and vegetables and was looking so pretty in the styrofoam to-go box ... I’m sorry I don’t have any pics to show you because I actually just ate it up before I remembered I didn’t take pictures ... sorry.

2nd visit on Wednesday I order the Escoveitch. The fish came out looking nicely fried, golden and deep fried crispy, not oily, but perfect... the fish wasn’t old, didn’t smell old either but fresh. I don’t know what they did to get it this way but it was done like old time Fish Fry ... you could put the whole thing in your mouth and chew even the bones, nothing to get stuck in your throat. I got the pics this time .. yeah. Imagine that dinner served to you on fine china ... no way you would pay $17 for this!

Anyway my 3rd and final time to try was on my way back to S Florida on Sunday morning... Sunday morning music was Gospel Reggae , Ackee and salt fish with banana, yam, fried plantain, fried dumpling and some avocado 🥑 (you can ask for it by the slice). If it was canned ackee they serve... I couldn’t tell, the ackee was firm and not mushy. It was well seasoned, not salty and full of tomatoes, onions, bell peppers and plenty salt fish not scattered pieces but salt fish you could grip in your teeth and chew and enough in your plate to say yes I was eating salt fish. Sorry no pictures either cause I was too busy eating ... so thank God taking food pics is not my job otherwise I wouldn’t get paid. Anyway, go by and try for yourself before the food run out cause it does... do please say hello to Chef Lee and his wife Laverne and let them know we coming back again to...

Coming from South Florida to Orlando I was in the mood for some “back a yard” authentic Jamaican food and my brother suggested Island Flamed close to the Florida Mall. I had never heard of the place before and being a picky flexitarian fish eating vegetarian, I am not quick to just try any food but I ended up going 3 times in 1 week. I wanted some fried fish because everybody know to test a good Jamaican restaurant you have to order either Escoveitch fish, ackee, goat or oxtail and rice and peas. So Fish was my choice. But when I got there I saw Tofu... now tofu is not Jamaican so I wanted to see how they would cook tofu because tofu by itself is tasteless. So I ordered Curry Tofu and when I got home to eat it ... it was the best Jamaican Curry Tofu I’d ever had and well seasoned. The rice was not sugar sweet but fresh made and you could taste the coconut in it. The curry tofu had coconut and plenty sweet peppers and vegetables and was looking so pretty in the styrofoam to-go box ... I’m sorry I don’t have any pics to show you because I actually just ate it up before I remembered I didn’t take pictures ... sorry. But never mind when you go you will see and taste...

Update June 2024: We secured Island Flame to cater my sister's wedding for 150 guests. The food was delicious! We had salmon, pineapple curry chicken, rice and peas, jerk chicken, cabbage, plaintains, and veggie, beef, and chicken patties. The order was ready on time and it was piping hot. Everyone at the event raved about the food. Ms Laverne and her staff are professional, friendly and care about their customers. When we ran into an issue transporting all the food to the venue, Ms Laverne was able to figure out a way to ensure all the food was in place for the start of the event. She and her staff were truly life savers.

The food is delicious and the customer service is great, very welcoming. I ordered a small pan of the pineapple curry chicken for a last minute event and they had it ready in less than 2hrs. The flavors of the dish were impeccable. My friend's and I ate every bit of it. I highly recommend giving this place a try. Their Jamaican patties...