Callaloo Caribbean Kitchen

Service: top notch. The owner of the restaurant was very attentive, friendly, and took the time to go through the different menu items with us.
Atmosphere: there’s an authenticity to this place that you only get from the smaller, mom and pop type places. It’s like going over to someone’s house for a casual home cooked dinner. Personally, I take this over fancy dining any day.
Food: I ordered the jerk chicken which came with salad, rice and peas, and plantains. The chicken was tender and melted in your mouth. The heat level was to my personal liking but some may find it too spicy. I didn’t care too much for the sides but it was still good. I ordered a standard in Caribbean cuisine. It wasn’t the best I’ve ever had but it wasn’t bad either. It was average. I liked the food. But yea I was neither wow’d nor disappointed.
Would I come again? Yes. I think this place has promise. Should you try it? Definitely. Because what I find slightly basic may be supreme too you. I’ve just had some amazing Caribbean food so my standards are high. All in all though, it was decent at the least.

I was anticipating Goti that would remind me of the real Trinidad version. Instead this was bland and without any distinctive flavor. It seemed like a neighborhood favorite. The staff and the customers were all friendly so that was a plus. But I would not recommend going out of your way for the food.

Callaoo Caribbean restaurant is a failed attempt at indio-​Caribbean food.
The food is below mediocre for the high prices. I have tried everything on the menu to be certain I am writing a fair review. The chicken curry is watered down, and seemed to be frozen at some point then microwaved… Does not taste authentic. It’s missing alot of the spices which makes Indo-​Caribbean food taste exotically wonderful and is missing the customary exceptional aromatics.
Jerk chicken is basically seasoning from a bottle any basic internet user can find, everything else tasteless as cardboard. The «homemade» juice was DISGUSTING! taste as if it expired two years ago. We brought it to our server’s attention, she claimed she will not charge us for it but they did. They also did NOT provide an itemized bill (this was not a mistake, they DON’T provide itemized guest check) so naturally one would not know what one is paying for. RIP OFF ALERT!
After many failed second chances and hundreds of dollars later, I and my friends are completely DONE with Callaloo. We will not be returning.
For the people who have never had AUTHENTIC Trinidadian/​Indio-​Caribbean food… it’s easier to fool the fools who doesn’t know they are being fooled!
After having dinner at Callaloo Caribbean kitchen, my friends and I all got food poisoning. Uuggg it’s bad enough the food was over priced disgusting tasteless food… we continued to pay for with two full days of vomiting and diarrhea.
NEVER AGAIN!

Owner/​server is delightful. East Indies meets the West Indies for sure. This restaurant is exactly the kind of off-​the-​beaten-​path surprise that I really like discovering via Unilocal.Service is really the selling point here.
However, the cuisine wasn’t really to my taste. My chicken curry roti tasted bland and uninspiring, compared to the flavorful Thai curries I prefer. Although the portion size was truly massive, I didn’t get to appreciate most of it. My partner’s ox tail was slightly better but I felt the same about the dish overall.
I don’t want to dwell on negatives, so the highlights for me were the small snack-​size pastries. I could enjoy these for brunch, even if they have been sitting out there for a few hours. The macaroni pie also tastes good, because it is mac and cheese and mac and cheese tastes pretty good.

I finally found it… an authentic West Indian spot in CA! My husband is from Trinidad & I’ve had my share of authentic food and this place didn’t disappoint! The doubles were some of the best I’ve had & the chicken roti was delish. Thank you Callaloo for satisfying a craving that until now was only fulfilled in Trinidad or Brooklyn!

Delicious and savory dishes that taste like a home-​cooked meals straight from the islands. I’m Filipino and although a different kind of islander, I enjoyed their food very much and it’s Halal to boot. I love the oxtail and jerk chicken. I thought Filipinos did platanos the best until I had theirs…(and I’ve also had the Mexican and Cuban versions before). The owner made us feel at home and was fun to get to know. The waitress was also really cool and gave the chillest vibe. Very nice experience and I got to play the pan drum for the first time.

I paid $ 30 for 2 plates and the food barely taste to it, I mean I wouldn’t call it authentic jerk chicken, go to Lees Carribean in Inglewood if you want quality Carribean food! This kitchen was mediocre at best and the rice was tasteless and runny…

A hidden jewel that should not be hidden.
The jerk chicken was spicy and fantastic. I had tried plantains before a few times at other places and wasn’t a fan, these were waaaay better.
The Roti was very good, similar to an Indian Curry burrito. Again, I’m not that crazy about Indian food and although this is similar, it was so so good.
The portion sizes were decent, prices fair, the owner is very friendly and helpful.
Caribbean food wasn’t something I thought about for lunch, but now I can’t get it out of my mind.

Came here for Sat lunch. My coworker recommended the jerk chicken and the oxtail. Both delicious! We also ordered the doubles, yum! Will definitely come back the next were in the area =)

This place was nothing big to look at very simple… But simple is not what you well taste is this Caribbean restaurant. The oxtails were cooked to perfection as well as the goat roti… And let me tell you about the doubles… The mango habenero sauce added to the already amazing flavor of the the food we ate. I was truly impressed. I am definitely recommended this place as a true treasure hidden right here I. Long beach

Love this place! It has become one of my favorites and def has become my go to for Trinidad & Caribbean food in LA. The food is delicious, everything tastes homemade and they serve generous portions. If u like spicy, their hot sauce is perfect for u. The owner is from Trinidad and will make you feel welcome and treat you like family.
I’ve had a few things, all of which have been delicious. The sides of macaroni pie (delicious mac and cheese), plaintains, beans and rice are all on point. The breads (doubles, roti, etc) — bomb. The jerk shrimp and Currys are very tasty. As is the sweet potato dessert with ice cream. It makes me feel like it’s healthier since it’s made from potatos :) Keep doin you, Callaloos.

Enjoyed the doubles most. However the professionalism of the owner truly stood out. He is very knowledgable and accommodating.
I didn’t enjoy my roti as much as I had hoped but it wouldn’t keep me from returning.
Very nice establishment. To be fair I’ve eaten a lot of Trini’ food in New York.

This is a mom and pop restaurant that gives justice to the days of old when privately owned places shined. We went on a Wednesday evening, was immediately seated, and pleasantly greeted and introduced by the owner about the menu.
We ordered the doubles appetizer, jerk chicken, ox tail soup and one of the fruity drinks, all of which were solid. Good flavors, adequate portions, clean. Nothing was mind blowing, but my wife and I both left satisfied and happy to have stumbled upon this cute place.
I’ve only had carribean food on a couple of occassions, so the flavors are still somewhat new to me, but I did enjoy the house made spicy sauce. It has a kick for sure! Parking is on the street or lot adjacent to it.
They also have a large banquet room for those looking for a venue. He even gave us a birthday dessert with candle, which was a nice touch.

Atmosphere: Causal.
Cute little restaurant in Long Beach.
Favorite Item: DOUBLES!!!
I have to admit I am bias because this is my home-​town food. It is so nice to find a restaurant that has Trinidadian food. The mango hot sauce is amazing on everything!

Callaloo did not blow my socks off, but it was still a pretty decent place. I came here to meet a friend who flew all the way from Boston home in Long Beach and decided that I had eaten enough Asian food in East LA and DTLA that I should go for something a bit different. Driving along Anaheim Street, you see Callaloo as you drive by. Parking is not really an issue there as they have a lot in the back, but I parked on the street.
FOOD: I got the shrimp curry, which came with the macaroni pie and a side of rice. A very simple dish, but done pretty well. The shrimp was fine and the curry was actually quite good. In addition, the macaroni pie, well, you’d imagine, macaroni and cheese made into a casserole dish and then cut out. It wasn’t anything fancy nor out of the box, just what it is. There was a habanero sauce which I did like that was provided.
SERVICE: Our waitress was nice, and with not a lot of customers that day, there was nobody that she could attend to. Occasionally she stopped by and asked us about the food.
One qualm I had was that somebody was soliciting inside the restaurant. Unfortunately asking us for money and food while I was eating my food. I felt pretty uncomfortable and I was surprised nobody at the restaurant had done anything about it. It’s one thing for me to be sitting outside and having someone solicit, but this person physically came inside the restaurant and solicited me and my friend while we were eating dinner. Nobody from the restaurant turned this person away, but we got hassled for five minutes in an uncomfortable situation.
Overall, A-​OK for Callalloo Caribbean Kitchen.

My first experience with Caribbean food was in Toronto where I had some delicious beef patties. The last place I was able to get them was in Cypress and they, unfortunately, closed down several years ago. I was really excited when I saw that there was a Caribbean restaurant not to far from home and I dragged my husband down to try it out.
I spent a good deal of time reading the reviews posted here on Unilocal and saw this spot listed in the top 10 restaurants in Long Beach, so I was excited to try it out.
There is parking in the back, but it can get really crowded (we went on a Wednesday evening around 7:45). My husband ordered the chicken curry plate and I had three beef patties. The flavor of the chicken curry was very mild, not at all like the punch-​in-​the-​mouth curry flavor you get from a Thai or Chinese place. The chicken plate came with a lot of bones, which was a little off-​putting, but very ‘authentic’ (according to the other reviews).
My beef patties were pretty good and at $ 3.00 they were a very nice, affordable meal. I originally ordered two, but added a third one just because I was pretty hungry. It came with some habanero sauce in a squeeze bottle and believe me when I say a little dab will do ya.
There was one server and a couple of cooks that kept peering out into the dining room from the kitchen.
I will be back, but will probably order some beef patties to go. They’re easy to eat on the go and keep well in the fridge making them a great snack for road trips or picnics. Thanks Callaloo!

I’ve been meaning to try Callaloo for a while and I finally made it over. It’s in a great place with plenty of accessible parking and easy entrance.
Inside it’s quaint and quite visually appealing. I began the meal with a pungent Ginger beer; very delicious! I was considering the Ox Tails, but opted for the Jerk Chicken because I needed that heat!
The chicken was very tender (comes right off the bone) and the spice was enough to make me sweat without ruining my meal.
Friendly service and able to seat a gathering in the next room. Definitely will return!

Caribbean food is definitely not something I’m familiar with, so I jumped at the chance to check this place out with my ethnic dining buddy Hannah E! I think this is where Frenchy’s Bistro used to be (RIP), but the décor has definitely gone down hill from their heyday, it seems. Well, no matter – if the food is good all is good. Hannah ordered the goat roti and I opted for their braised oxtail plate. Mine came with a cup of lentil soup, which was really good; I finished ever last drop. My oxtail was in a very dark sweetish brown sauce that reminded me of Mexican mole. The meat was very tender and overall it was very good, but I thought the portion was a bit small for the price. Hannah’s roti, on the other hand, was freaking huge! I was surprised about seeing goat curry and roti on the menu, but turns out that there are strong Indian influences in the Caribbean Isles – something I didn’t know. I got to taste some of the roti and thought it was very good as well. The service is friendly, and it’s clearly a mom and pop joint. While I enjoyed my meal, I’m not sure if this is a place I would rush back to, when there are so many other good places that’s easier on the wallet.
STEPH JUDGEMENT: Good, interesting food but a bit pricey in a ho-​hum atmosphere.

I had the curry chicken roti and my friend had the curry chicken, aloo, channa, and rice. The roti was good, but preferred the curry chicken plate (that I was lucky to have a bite or two of from his plate) because the chicken was much more delectable, juicier, and more succulent. The service was friendly and helpful, especially for me as a first-​timer. We were even able to sample the drinks before ordering. Love local indie ethnic eateries and I look forward to returning to Callaloo! Nice Caribbean vibe that seems to be frequented by a few Caribbean folks, which is always good to see!

I decided to try something different today and go somewhere new. I saw that Long Beach had its own Restaurant Week and since this is the ending of the week for it, I though I’d better try a place on the list. Callaloo Caribbean Kitchen jumped out at me. It’s located right on Anaheim Street between Termino and Ximeno. Parking can be a little challenging… they have a back lot, but it’s one-​way in and out.
The restaurant is a small family-​style establishment. There are 5 booths and two tables. If you have a large party and you come during a busy time, you may have to wait. I think it’s a bit busier today, because of LBC Restaurant Week. It has basic decorations of a Caribbean nature, with various pictures of beaches and other locations. We quickly found a seat and ordered straight from the Restaurant Week fixed menu.
Options:
House salad with a spicy mango sauce
Lentil soup or
Traditional Callaloo soup
Entrée:
Jerk chicken: Seasoned and marinated chicken in their house-​made jerk sauce, baked and served with steamed rice, black beans, cabbage and carrots medley, and plantains
Curry Goat:
Goat meat seasoned in traditional green herbal seasonings in a blend of Caribbean of curry and served over steamed rice with curried potato and garbanzo beans
Alaskan Salmon:
Salmon sautéed in a sweet jerk sauce and served over red beans and rice and steamed veggies
Dessert:
Sweet Potato Pone:
A mixture of grated white sweet potato and coconut that’s blended and baked. It’s served warm with a side of coconut ice cream.
My friend got the house salad and I got the Callaloo. The salad was a basic iceberg lettuce concoction with the mango sauce. It was very tasty and had a slightly spicy kick to it. I’d love to get a bottle of that for home. We both ordered the jerk chicken plate. The rice and beans were a little dry and bland, but tasty nonetheless. The plantains were a little too well done. Some were hard, instead of a little softer, so I ate the softer ones and they were delicious. The cabbage and carrot medley was awesomely well-​seasoned. I truly enjoyed that, but maybe because I’m a big veggie lover. That one is definitely a favorite! The jerk chicken was very good. It had a spicy kick to it and was well-​seasoned. The portions are huge… way more than I could eat and service was crazy AWESOME! From the moment we came in, service was on point! The owner asked what I was doing on my phone and I told him that I am a Unilocaler. When he heard that, he invited me into the other room and showed me that they have space for a small banquet. He said they’d had a reception in there last night and showed me the pictures. It looked really nice! I told him to send the pictures to me and that I’d post them for him:) I think this would be a great place to hold an event, because the food is different from many of our everyday American choices, yet it’s tasty and not swimming in grease or other unmentionables.
Lastly, the dessert was absolutely amazing! Nothing like I expected… that’s for sure. It was big enough to share with two or three people. I’m NOT a big fan of coconut, but this was bordering on fucking ridiculous deliciousness!
I can’t wait to go back! They have the traditional patties in chicken, beef, and veggie, in addition to all the other special dishes from jerk shrimp to stewed oxtails to curry beef. If you’re a vegetarian or a pescetarian (fish only), don’t worry… there are plenty of selections for you, too.