JAA's Kitchen — Restaurant in Panama City Beach

Short answer: All The Way, Yes!!! Long answer: I would consider myself a foodie, and I have travelled enough to have sampled flavors all over the world; and yes, I have had food in several areas of Jamaica as well (necessary context for this review). I came to Jaa’s with my wife while on vacation, knowing I love Jamaican cuisine, and knowing my wife is a picky eater. She has been opening up to trying new, and sometimes bold, foods; so I was really hoping this first experience of a Jamaican cuisine for her would turn out well. I was hoping for authentic, and that’s just what we received. Oh, not just the food; the people who bring culture and their souls to make nourishing food for others, are proudly representing their country with these dishes! They are surely making food that they would serve their own families. From the moment we entered, the music playing was at the right level and in very good taste; and just as you’d expect, it was a vibe of its own. We were greeted by Shanetta, or ‘Shan’, as she introduced herself. Shan is a very kind woman with welcome to give to all who enter. She was patient and listened to our orders, as we requested different ways of trying the foods. She literally took the time to sit down with us and had a real conversation in a way that everyone should experience; especially with those who nourish us with our food. I also asked about vegetarian options, and I was guided through the menu without missing things like the Rasta Pasta, fried plantain, rice and beans and a delicious drink that I must also now recommend, the ‘Fly Me Out Of Here’ (or something very similar)! Try everything I just mentioned… you’re welcome in advance. I took suggestions on food and drinks from Shan’s personal recommendations (as I suggest everyone try once in a while, in order to really see what a restaurant has to offer), and I simply could not have been more impressed by every bit of our experience. My drink was perfectly prepared and every bit of the food was above expectations; there simply were no leftovers. The service was more than great, it was very personal and the way every dining experience should be. I mean that whole heartedly. To get that type of experience anywhere else, you’d literally have to fly to Jamaica; and even then, you’d have to have this staff take care of you. Oh yeah, my wife- the picky eater. She had the sweet and sour chicken. Do I even need to say it? She LOVED every bit of the food, and now understands my love of Jamaican cuisine. I’d love to take her to Jamaica too, but Jaa’s was right down the street!

This dinner is one that will never be forgotten. Thank you Jaa’s. Thank you...

The young lady at the counter does not know the laws and she's totally disrespectful I would never come here again in my life the food is horrible it smells like they are spoiled and bad mojo because I literally have a service animal and she told me I could not eat there when my service animal who was a Pomeranian which is 2 lb teacup has a service animal badge on her I am a MLS patient and I do not think that it's okay that people that sit at the counter don't know the laws of the United States this is the worst Caribbean restaurant I've ever been to in my life and the worst service in my life I will never come back here nor will I eat here and nor did I take any food

No sir I have never done this before so you can understand that I don't even know how to start a new review but what I can't say is that I have a service animal and I let her know my service animal tag is around my puppy's neck you cannot tell me or any other MLS patient or any other cancer patient or anybody else suffering that they're service animal is not allowed in your establishment that is the law that is exactly why we pay to have a service animal the service animal is there to make sure that nothing happens to us and at the time that we feel or they feel something's wrong they alert us I'm not sure if you understand but here in the United States and in Florida we have a service animal law and I am allowed to bring my service animal with all of her paperwork anywhere I go I don't care what you looked on your camera I hope you saw that we still bought the food and I did not eat it sir I was totally disrespected and I would never ever send someone to your restaurant again you need to learn the laws I have a restaurant myself I would never treat a customer the way the dead person treated me I feel you don't understand the law so maybe you should go back to school...

i was so excited to try this place after seeing a tiktok review , but after tasting it, i would not recommend. i got the pineapple habanero salmon or something like that. but the salmon itself was fishy, no seasoning and drowned in some nasty sauce more than likely from a bottle with bell peppers. we also got sweet spicy jerked wings which have way too many flavors going on, they dont mesh well at all…. the rice and peas you can count the amount of peas almost on one hand, no flavor and dry. the jerk pork was the only thing half decent. i give it a 6/10. there were no side options. with my salmon meal which already came with rice,i was offered PASTA or raw CABBAGE as a side. like who wants PASTA with jasmine rice. why isnt steamed cabbage an option? or even salad? also the Festival taste just like funnel cake & rasta pasta with chicken was super watery. like the sauce was super watery. im married to a jamaican that cooks magnificently so we were amped to try. none of his food is eveerrr like this.

im sorry , but this is the truth. i came from georgia with high hopes. just to be extremely disappointed. a waste of $80. i wouldn’t have given this food to a...