Cravin' Jamaican Cuisine – Jamaican
The air at Cravin' Jamaican Cuisine hums with a vibrant island energy, thick with the intoxicating perfume of pimento wood smoke and the fiery kick of scotch bonnet peppers. Each dish captures the soulful essence of the Caribbean, where tender, slow-simmered meats fall away from the bone and the bold, complex heat of traditional jerk spices transports diners to a sun-drenched tropical paradise.
529, Gramatan Avenue, Mount Vernon, NY, 10552 +1-914-588-9202 https://www.cravinjc.com/Rating: 4.4/5 (83 reviews)
Cuisine: Jamaican
Price range: $
Dietary options: keto, low-carb, vegetarian, dairy-free, vegan, high-protein, whole30, paleo, heart-healthy, low-sodium, low-fat, pescatarian, plant-based, glp1, anti-inflammatory, atkins, south-beach, dash-sodium-reduced, low-cholesterol, gerd, zone, volumetrics, tlc, renal, aip, alkaline, slow-carb, lectin-free, macrobiotic
Currently closed
Hours
- Monday - Wednesday
- 8:00 AM - 9:00 PM
- Thursday - Saturday
- 8:00 AM - 10:00 PM
What diners are saying
Diners consistently praise the friendly and attentive service at this Jamaican spot, highlighting the welcoming staff and quick turnaround. Standout dishes include the tender, well-seasoned oxtail and flavorful patties—especially the beef, curry, and spinach varieties—which guests describe as fresh and delicious. While some reviewers note inconsistencies with the jerk salmon and wings, the stew chicken and generous portions of rice and peas receive high marks for their authentic, comforting flavors.
Menu
Main Dishes
Authentic Jamaican entrees served with your choice of sides.
- Jerk Chicken - $14: Chicken marinated in authentic Jamaican jerk spices and grilled to perfection.
- Oxtail - $22: Tender braised oxtail stewed with butter beans and spinners.
- Curry Goat - $18: Goat meat slow-cooked in a rich Jamaican curry sauce. Dietary tags: Whole30, Paleo
- Brown Stew Chicken - $14: Chicken browned and simmered in a savory gravy with vegetables. Dietary tags: Keto, Low-Carb, Whole30, Paleo, Heart-Healthy, Low-Sodium, Low-Fat, Anti-Inflammatory, Atkins, South-Beach, DASH Sodium-Reduced, Low-Cholesterol, GERD-Friendly, Zone, Volumetrics, TLC, Renal, Slow-Carb
- Curry Chicken - $14: Chicken pieces simmered in a flavorful curry sauce with potatoes and carrots. Dietary tags: High-Protein, Whole30, Paleo, Heart-Healthy, Low-Sodium, Low-Fat, GLP-1, Anti-Inflammatory, Atkins, South-Beach, DASH Sodium-Reduced, Low-Cholesterol, GERD-Friendly, Zone, Volumetrics, TLC, Slow-Carb
- Escovitch Fish: Fried whole fish topped with a spicy pickled vegetable medley (onions, carrots, peppers). Dietary tags: Pescatarian
Sides
Traditional Jamaican accompaniments.
- Rice and Peas - $5: Rice cooked with kidney beans and coconut milk. Dietary tags: Dairy-Free, Low-Sodium, Low-Fat, DASH Sodium-Reduced, GERD-Friendly, Volumetrics
- Fried Plantains - $4: Sweet ripe plantains fried until golden. Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Pescatarian, Plant-Based, Lectin-Free
- Steamed Cabbage - $4: Cabbage steamed with carrots and peppers. Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Whole30, Pescatarian, Paleo, Plant-Based, Alkaline
- Macaroni and Cheese - $5: Baked cheesy macaroni. Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Pescatarian, Heart-Healthy, Low-Sodium, Anti-Inflammatory, DASH Sodium-Reduced, GERD-Friendly, Zone, Volumetrics, TLC
Jamaican Patties
Flaky pastry filled with seasoned meat or vegetables.
- Beef Patty - $3.5: Spicy ground beef filling. Dietary tags: Whole30, Paleo, AIP, Lectin-Free
- Chicken Patty - $3.5: Curry chicken filling.
- Vegetable Patty - $3.5: Mixed vegetable filling. Dietary tags: Whole30, Paleo, AIP, Lectin-Free
Juices & Beverages
Refreshing tropical drinks.
- Sorrel - $5: Traditional hibiscus drink with ginger. Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Whole30, Pescatarian, Paleo, Plant-Based, Alkaline, AIP, Macrobiotic, Lectin-Free
- Ginger Beer - $4: Spicy homemade ginger drink.
- Ting - $3: Sparkling grapefruit soda. Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Pescatarian, Heart-Healthy, Low-Sodium, Low-Fat, Low-Cholesterol, GERD-Friendly, TLC, Renal
- Kola Champagne - $3: Jamaican soda. Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Pescatarian
Frequently Asked Questions about Cravin' Jamaican Cuisine
- Does this restaurant have good options for group dining with mixed dietary needs?
- The menu accommodates 34 dietary needs with options like vegan Rice and Peas, keto Jerk Chicken, and gluten-free Oxtail or Escovitch Fish.
- How can I contact this restaurant?
- You can contact Cravin' Jamaican Cuisine by visiting their official website at https://www.cravinjc.com/ for more information and details.
- What type of diner would most enjoy this restaurant?
- Diners seeking budget-friendly Jamaican comfort food, generous portions, and diverse dietary options like vegan and keto will enjoy this 4.4/5 rated restaurant.
- How extensive is this restaurant's menu selection?
- The menu features 15 highlighted items and accommodates 34 dietary categories, including vegan, keto, gluten-free, and high-protein options.
- How many reviews does this restaurant have?
- Cravin' Jamaican Cuisine has a total of 83 reviews with an average rating of 4.4/5 stars from its customers.
- What are the standout dishes based on the menu?
- Standout dishes include the tender oxtail, flavorful beef, curry, and spinach patties, stew chicken, and authentic rice and peas.
- What makes this restaurant unique or special?
- This budget-friendly spot features authentic Jamaican flavors like pimento wood smoke and offers an extensive range of 34 dietary options.
- Is this restaurant good value for money?
- This budget-friendly ($) restaurant is rated 4.4/5, with reviews highlighting good value through generous portions of authentic rice and peas.
- Is this restaurant good for casual dining or more upscale?
- This budget-friendly ($) restaurant offers a casual dining experience featuring quick service and authentic, comforting Jamaican flavors.
- What is the restaurant's atmosphere and style?
- The restaurant features a vibrant island energy with friendly, attentive service and an authentic Caribbean style highlighting pimento wood smoke.
Restaurants near Cravin' Jamaican Cuisine
- Cravin' Jamaican Cuisine — Jamaican
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- Time Delight Jamaican Restaurant — Jamaican
- Home Frite — American
- The Fleetwood Deli & Cafe — American
- Valentina’s Ristorante — Italian
- The Bayou — American
- The Urban Hamlet — American
- The Urban Hamlet — American
- Root & Vine Juice Bar — American
- Topps Bakery — American
- Dobbs & Bishop — American
