Uncle Joe's

Im posting from memory (2007-2009) and on behalf of my pal who had a ridiculously bad experience there over the weekend.

My experience was that the food was okay but the service was always so bad that even as a 20-something not used to good service, I finally stopped going. And this was before there were so many places to eat along 53rd street. I got tired of rude cashiers and getting home to have stuff missing from the meal or the wrong side.

My poor friend (who is jamaican) ordered 4 patties--45 minutes later they bring them out, and they were literally burnt black, though someone tried to scrape some of the black off. The manager then proceeded to hide when he realized he had an angry Jamaican woman on his hands. Add in a rude cashier who had an attitude about giving a refund for inedible food and guys joking around in the back which is obviously why the food was burnt up. Don't patronize places with service like Uncle Joe's. It's been years and nothing has changed. Owner obviously doesn't read yelp.

I used to have Uncle Joe's almost weekly... but, that was about three years ago when my ex had a yen for Jamaican curry goat. Uncle Joe's fit the bill in that it was authentic, and conveniently located. It was a bit pricey, though.

I revisited this location last week, and things have not changed much. The order taker/ cashier was more friendly and personable than I remember. I had the jerk wings and they were really, really good. I enjoyed them. What I didn't enjoy was the price. I paid $8 for four (4) wings, a slice of dough bread and a can of soda. And that was the lunch special price. Not cool.

I like Uncle Joe's food but it is, in my opinion, too expensive. There are other authentic Jamaican restaurants in the city of Chicago that are cheaper.

I will return, but only if I'm stranded in the area and can't get to another Jamaican restaurant.

Good, fresh Jamaican food. I tried jerk catfish, rice and peas, and steamed cabbage. The jerk catfish was not nearly as hot as jerk stuff is at many Jamaican places I have tried, but it was excellent tasting. They offer a variety of jerk fish plates, jerk chicken of course!, curried goat, oxtail, meat pies, and the other usual Jamaican suspects.. A short walk from the Obama family home in case you happen to be in the area checking that out like I was. Very close to the Metra stop.