Ron's Caribbean Cafe — Restaurant in Philadelphia

Food good service bad.

This saddens me. I have watched this place steadily decline since I started comming here in early 2000s. Then finally covid has knocked them completely over the edge. I don't review everything or every time I've visited this establishment, but this last time ...smh.

Not only did I have to wait almost an hour, watching them only serve about 5 people ahead of me during this time. Slow doesn't fully characterize the problem. There are now 15-20 behind me waiting. I wouldn't have even waited had I known it would take this long and I only want two pre-prepared items. I believe the problem is Ron's has switched their focus from the customers that are physically in house to fulfill online, phone, door dash etcetera orders. I made this observation because as I am waiting you can hear the distinct alarm for computer orders blaring nonstop along with the phones. I can see the men mostly staff running around filling trays, filling orders, packing orders but only two females slowing handling in person customers. To compound this the city has made all of the parking in the area metered. So I'm on the clock and I dare not get out of line to put more money in meter. All this is adding to my frustration. Patrons in line are complaining but still no changes are made. Finally, when I arrived at the counter made my order I could barely hear the unenthusiastic server, she barely knows who's next in line. She clearly doesn't know how to operate register correctly and has to ask another coworker for help on how to imput my order. I only order three items this day, mash-up rice , oxtail gravy and plantains. After ten more minutes of waiting the server finally brought my order stapled into a bag so I couldn't inspect it first as Ron's normally does before packing up your order. When I arrived at home and began plating my food I found some sort of plastic wrapper pieces in my rice!!! Obviously it was from some food supply containers kinda of like when you open a ketchup bottle and remove that seal is best i can describe it. This is a step too far Ron's... I have been graciously supporting you for years and I don't deserve this. Through the price hikes, through the horrible service, through the shrinking portions and quality. What if me or my family would have choked ? This is a safety and quality control issue that is clearly systemic in your organization. Please do better I know your capable.

I would take this back and complain bit I don't have the energy to stand in that line again after a hard days works and I fear it would fall on deaf ears. I've wasted enough money here ,food going in trash, I'll take my...

It may look like your average neighborhood Jamaican joint, but Ron’s Caribbean Cuisine is anything but!

My friend told me about a places called Ron’s Caribbean Cuisine. He said Ron’s Caribbean Cuisine is well known in the Philadelphia area has been around for years. He thought I would enjoy so went to Ron’s Caribbean Cuisine on Sunday, October 4th.

Due to Covid-19, you have to call their phone number to place your order and you will be provided with an order number that you will need to provide at the pickup window.

Again, due to Covid-19, there is a window to pick up your order as no entry is allowed in the restaurant. There was a line to pick up food but the line moved fairly quickly. The friendly staff member confirmed the order number and name when the order was ready.

We ordered one small rice and peas with oxtails, cabbage, macaroni, and cheese to share and the same platter for a family member to try.

The 25-minute car ride home had my car smelling amazing. Upon opening the order two people can easily share the small order. The portion sizes are worth the cost. The presentation of the food looked good despite being a takeout order. Definitely was surprised.

The rice and peas were seasoned well and had a little kick to it. The rice was cooked perfectly. The oxtails were sitting on the rice and peas. The oxtails were so delicious, moist, and soft. The oxtails did not have a "game" taste at all to me. Trust me, you will be sucking the meat off the bone. The cabbage was good and I thought it was cooked perfectly not too hard or too soft. The macaroni and cheese were an additional $3.00 for our two platters but well worth it. It was cheesy and complimented the dish. I can't imagine ordering the platter without the macaroni and cheese.

Overall, this is a great place. I had a craving for authentic Jamaican food, and Ron's Caribbean Cuisine has exceeded my expectations. The food was flavorful and everything about this meal worked together beautifully. By the end of the meal, we were planning the next time we were making our next run to Ron's Caribbean Cuisine or even plan some type of event to...

If whomever reads reviews for the purpose in which I do, to decide if a business is worth my time and money, then please consider my POV before making the decision to patronize this establishment. If you order food from this location (or Rising Sun) be prepared to be told EACH AND EVERY TIME you order, that certain side dishes are extra with platters (mac & cheese, yams, plantain, etc) now that really makes no sense but since they’ve been able to get away with it for so long, it’s their permanent setup… but visit any other Caribbean restaurant and ALL sides available on the menu can be added to a platter at NO ADDITIONAL charge. Ron’s however will charge you extra and then skimp on the portions that you’re paying extra for. I literally had to ask for more than a chunk of yam to be added to my platter, and watch the girl making the platter ask who appeared to be a manager (maybe the owner) if it was okay. He then proceeded to scoop 2 chunks of yams and place them in the platter, with hesitation. Definitely my last time patronizing them. I’ll go to where sides don’t cost extra and the food actually taste like it’s cooked by Jamaicans. The food is just okay, very Americanized for purposes of mass production. Service is below average, and prices are inflated for no good reason. Ultimately the decision to patronize them is yours, but you’ve...