Desmond's Island Soul Grill — Restaurant in Virginia Beach

If I could give more stars I'd give twice as many. My family and I stopped by this amazing den of love last night on the way home from a trip. Though I will get to the food in a just a minute I would be remiss not to devote this part of the review to the staff here. The young ladies and gentleman working were nothing short of patient and polite, even as our party had a few atypical requests with our order. We were consistently greeted with smiles and a kind demeanor;that as a teacher I can say is not all that common or typical for their age. No one however, sang the praises of these beautiful young chefs as much as the owner - who humbly gave twice as much credit for her business to her help as she did to herself. She went above and beyond accommodating our requests, and even spent time chatting with us as they were closing. Knowing we weren't from the area, she took on the role of a tour guide of sorts; directing us to various other vegan eateries that would be open at times Desmond's would not. From there we learned a bit about her history/background (veteran service), how the store was founded (a family inspired business), and even a few prospects lined up for the future. The whole experience felt very much more like having a family friend over for dinner rather than meeting a stranger. I could spend days expressing the gratitude we felt for such a warm welcome at the end of a long day. If for no other reason the energy and love in this establishment will make any commute worth your time.

And now for the food! From the moment we stepped in we knew we had the right place - the restaurant was clean, the menu looked very good, and even in light of a lot being sold out there was still plenty of variety to choose from. What stood out to me was how perfectly seasoned everything was. The vegan Mac (a huge standout) had a pumpkin base, which you could just faintly taste only after being told what to look for. Above that was a perfectly balanced jerk spice flavor that did nothing to overpower the cheesiness of the dish. I could have eaten a pound or two of this and been in heaven ( considering how hard it is to find good vegan Mac and cheese I would drive 3 hours just for more), but instead had an entree with jackfruit more delicious than I thought possible. The chutneys offered on the side (mango and tamarind) are a definite boost to the experience - and I eagerly await the day they can be bottled and brought back north. What may have been the biggest surprise were the lentil empanadas. I have only been vegan for about 4 years, but never have I had a lentil base be so well textured and seasoned. It brought me right back to eating beef patties after elementary school. All in all I would confidently bet any of my culinary credibility on declaring that you WILL be more than happy with the food here, and if you should treat yourself to stick around for a minute, your soul will leave just as nourished. Thank you to all hands for this amazing experience - I will definitely be back...

Whew. Where to start..... I was excited to find Caribbean Vegan food while on my vacation and called ahead to place an order. I was told it would take 45 min, which was fine. When I got there, the total wait time (from phone in to walk out) was 1hr, 30 min. I nearly walked out without the food, whether they gave me a refund or not.

During the wait time, I finally asked if I could swap out the sides that were not ready for something that was and was told " yes". I thought at that point, they would start packing up my order but... I still waited another 15- 20 min. It was incredible! No apologies, no explanations....

When I finally asked " is it almost ready (as I was about to cancel my order and ask for a refund) I was told it was being packed up now, with my original sides.... even though I had told them to swap them for something ready, as I had to leave! I explained to 2 employees that the wait time was double what I was told and I had an upcoming appt that I would now be late for- not that they cared! I also had people waiting in the car this whole time.

For all the inconvenience, an extra should have been thrown in or something to display customer service.

The food- as a Trini, it hurts me to the core that they would sell whatever they are calling as Phulourie. I hate that people will order this, thinking this is what it is supposed to taste like. If you are not going to produce actual phulourie, please take it off the menu! The roti was ok but the channa was very dry and not what it should be when accompanying roti. The French fries were good. :-I Overall the food .... ugh and the service was deplorable! I would never go here again and if ever asked about it, would dissuade anyone from going. I see the high star reviews and can only assume its from people who are not accustomed to authentic Caribbean food. If its soul food, call it that and take any "Caribbean " options off. If it floats your boat, go for it. Not...

Desmond’s Island Soul Grill offers a delectable experience that transcends traditional meat-based dishes and introduces a delightful vegan option that might make even the most dedicated meat-lover consider a plant-based lifestyle. As a non-vegan who appreciates chicken, pork, and beef, I was pleasantly surprised by the savory delights at Desmond’s.

The traditional dishes, such as collard greens, macaroni and cheese, and roti, were bursting with flavor and authenticity. Each bite transported me to the heart of the Caribbean, where soulful cooking reigns supreme. However, it was the Jerk BBQ Jackfruit sandwich that stole the spotlight.

The Jackfruit sandwich was a revelation. The tender and succulent jackfruit, marinated in flavorful jerk BBQ sauce, was a perfect meat substitute. The combination of spices and textures created a symphony of taste that left me craving more. Even as a meat enthusiast, I found myself thoroughly enjoying this vegan creation.

Aside from the outstanding food, the experience at Desmond’s is elevated by the opportunity to interact with the owner. Hearing her journey and passion for creating delicious, plant-based alternatives adds a personal touch to the dining experience.

In conclusion, Desmond’s Island Soul Grill is a must-visit destination for food enthusiasts of all preferences. Whether you're a meat lover or curious about vegan options, Desmond’s offers a culinary adventure that will leave you satisfied and perhaps contemplating a newfound appreciation for...