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Ja' Grill Restaurant & Lounge Reviews List
Ja' Grill Restaurant & Lounge
Ja’ Grill Restaurant & Lounge invites you to experience the Islands right here in Chicago. Serving "authentic Jamaican cuisine." If you like spicy, we have it! If you like plenty of flavors, we have them too. Jerk Chicken, Curry Goat, Ox Tails, Red Snapper (Escoveitch), Rice and Peas, Cabbage and Carrots, Plantains, and Beef/Chicken/Veggie Patties to name a few signature dishes. Or perhaps sip on a Red Stripe, a Cozy Island Cocktail, or signature “Ja’ Rum Punch,” while listening to Jamaican/Caribbean beats upstairs while dining, or downstairs in the lounge.
See more Ja' Grill Restaurant & Lounge details
67 Current Reviews
Summary of Diner Ratings & Reviews
Overall
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Rating Breakdown 67 reviews
5 stars
(20)
4 stars
(31)
3 stars
(11)
2 stars
(4)
1 star
(1)
Food
(Outstanding)
4.2
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
3.7
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
3.8
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
Filter Reviews By:
Diners classify this restaurant as:
- neighborhood gem(40)
- fit for foodies(30)
- hot spot(16)
- romantic(13)
- good for groups(12)
- late-night find(11)
Ja' Grill Restaurant & Lounge Reviews List
Review 1 for Ja' Grill Restaurant & Lounge
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
AWSOME!!
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"I can never complain about this place, I've been going to Ja for years on and off. Great place and Great food! Don't change Ja!"
Dined on 5/10/2013
Special Features: good for groups, late-night find, neighborhood gem, hot spot, special occasion
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Review 2 for Ja' Grill Restaurant & Lounge
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
Ja' Mon for Ja' Grill
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"The experience was good overall. I loved the Jamaican theme and the salmon I had was delicious. I would definitely go back!"
Dined on 5/11/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, late-night find, neighborhood gem, great for lunch
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Review 3 for Ja' Grill Restaurant & Lounge
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
Small space - great food
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Never come here without a reservation, small area but great food. When they say something is spicy, they mean spicy...."
Dined on 5/10/2013
Special Features: neighborhood gem
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Review 4 for Ja' Grill Restaurant & Lounge
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Fun with Colleagues
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Was looking for a reasonably priced, geographically convenient, restaurant for dining with business colleagues. Ja' Grill hit the spot! Food was unbelievably fantastic and authentic...We all felt we were in the islands! Gotta do this again soon!"
Dined on 5/07/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, special occasion
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Review 5 for Ja' Grill Restaurant & Lounge
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
The food was amazing but the
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"The food was amazing but the service was kind of slow. It was also very loud, probably because there are so many tables crammed in there.
All in all, the food was amazing. Authentic and delicious."
Dined on 04/14/2013
2011
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, neighborhood gem
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Review 6 for Ja' Grill Restaurant & Lounge
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Went during the middle of
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"Went during the middle of the week so we were the only ones in the restaurant, however our server Stephanie was very friendly and stayed on the ball, overall did an excellent job."
Dined on 04/15/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, late-night find, neighborhood gem
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Review 7 for Ja' Grill Restaurant & Lounge
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Very good food, nice atmosphere.
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Very good food, nice atmosphere."
Dined on 04/07/2013
2011
Special Features: kid-friendly, late-night find, neighborhood gem
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Review 8 for Ja' Grill Restaurant & Lounge
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
The food was awesome! But
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"The food was awesome! But the place was way too small for a birthday celebration. Next time I go, it probably will only be for a romantic date. The servers were great and very patient..I appreciate the servers for accommodating such a large group!"
Dined on 04/06/2013
2013
Special Features: romantic
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Review 9 for Ja' Grill Restaurant & Lounge
Overall rating
(Fair)
2
/
5
Go here if you like chicken
Food
(Poor)
1
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Poor)
1
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Go here if you like chicken wings and noise. Otherwise, avoid this restaurant."
Dined on 04/06/2013
2005
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Review 10 for Ja' Grill Restaurant & Lounge
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Food was good and great jamaican
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Food was good and great jamaican ambiance"
Dined on 04/05/2013
2010
Special Features: neighborhood gem
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Review 11 for Ja' Grill Restaurant & Lounge
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
I would give Ja grill ten
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"I would give Ja grill ten stars if I had to.My experience was well worth coming back a second time.Our waitress was so sweet and very helpful when it came time to place our order.Jagrill was most definitely a nice place with Great food."
Dined on 03/24/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, great for brunch, great for outdoor dining, kid-friendly, special occasion
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Review 12 for Ja' Grill Restaurant & Lounge
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Rude Waitress
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Fair)
2
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Food was very good as usual, but our cornbread didn't show until we already had our leftovers boxed up. I explained that we were done with dinner, and the waitress rudely took the cornbread back, then explained to my husband when giving the bill that she took off the cornbread "that she decided she didn't want". No....I didn't want it because we were just about to put on our coats. It shouldn't take 20 minutes to give us cornbread that's already baked, and just needs to be cut up. The attitude from the waitress ruined an otherwise fun experience."
Dined on 03/23/2013
2009
Special Features: neighborhood gem
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Review 13 for Ja' Grill Restaurant & Lounge
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
island away from the islands
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"The food and service here is great. It feels a bit cramp but it just forces you to. Make nice with your neighbors. The music was great. Will definitely be heading back to this place for some more great times."
Dined on 03/23/2013
2013
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, great for brunch, late-night find, neighborhood gem, romantic, great for lunch, hot spot
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Review 14 for Ja' Grill Restaurant & Lounge
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Went for Sunday brunch and
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Went for Sunday brunch and the food was excellent. A variety of items can be sampled from the menu. Noise level was great, didn't have to shout to talk to others in my group. Limited seating was also great so don't have to worry about huge crowds."
Dined on 03/17/2013
2011
Special Features: good for groups, great for brunch, great for lunch
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Review 15 for Ja' Grill Restaurant & Lounge
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Good food/Great music!
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"I loved it, the portion size was smaller than I expected but it was pretty good!"
Dined on 03/16/2013
2011
Special Features: fit for foodies, late-night find, romantic, hot spot
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Review 16 for Ja' Grill Restaurant & Lounge
Overall rating
(Fair)
2
/
5
Food was weak and dry. They
Food
(Fair)
2
/
5
Service
(Fair)
2
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Food was weak and dry. They hsd no shrimp or beef. Wth"
Dined on 03/17/2013
2009
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Review 17 for Ja' Grill Restaurant & Lounge
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
One server on a Sunday was
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Poor)
1
/
5
Ambiance
(Fair)
2
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"One server on a Sunday was HORRIFIC! Food took forever! Bad idea! I was very disappointed!"
Dined on 03/17/2013
2006
Special Features: kid-friendly, neighborhood gem
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Review 18 for Ja' Grill Restaurant & Lounge
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Food was excellent as usual;
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Food was excellent as usual; however they continue to have a problem with maintaining an order in terms of delivering tables on time. This time the wait was 15 minutes but the other times it was almost an hour. The group next to my table had a 8:00 p.m. reservation and did not get seated until my party was seated at 10:00 p.m.
Also, need to make sure that they have enough menu items throughout the day, like cocoa bread wich is a favorite of many patrons. Also, the escovitch (red snapper)."
Dined on 03/16/2013
2012
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Review 19 for Ja' Grill Restaurant & Lounge
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
Good food - get the Ja' rum
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Good food - get the Ja' rum punch"
Dined on 03/14/2013
2010
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Review 20 for Ja' Grill Restaurant & Lounge
Overall rating
(Fair)
2
/
5
The service was extremely
Food
(Fair)
2
/
5
Service
(Poor)
1
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"The service was extremely slow, I seriously started to think they forgot about us, I dont know if its because there was just 1 waitress that night. Anyways, the food wasn't good enough for me to return, I was hoping it was because I truely wanted to return to this spot on a weekend night."
Dined on 03/14/2013
2013
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Review 21 for Ja' Grill Restaurant & Lounge
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
I will be back to Ja'Grill
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"I had a great time. The food was amazing! The staff was nurturing! The environment was inviting and calming. I would recommend this restaurant to anyone."
Dined on 03/10/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, great for brunch, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, romantic, hot spot
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Review 22 for Ja' Grill Restaurant & Lounge
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
A fun birthday dining experience
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"I enjoyed celebrating my birthday with friends at Ja'Grill and the experience was outstanding. The atmosphere was energetic and alive. Great music, aromatic smells of food and the decor certainly felt like being in a Caribbean restaurant...minus the ocean. It was a Saturday night and the restaurant was very busy. The wait staff was on top of their game but didn't have much time for extended chit chat. That was okay, though. A fun dining experience. A great way to spend a birthday with friends...I'll tell you that!"
Dined on 03/09/2013
2005
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, neighborhood gem, special occasion, hot spot
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Review 23 for Ja' Grill Restaurant & Lounge
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
Although the food was delivered
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Fair)
2
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Although the food was delivered in a timely matter & tasted great, the service was slow and it took a long time for the check to come out. I think this was a matter of being short staffed and the server having so many tables. It was a bit overwhelming. Maybe on busy nights there should be more servers staffed."
Dined on 03/08/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem
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Review 24 for Ja' Grill Restaurant & Lounge
Overall rating
(Fair)
2
/
5
I dont care for the attitude
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Fair)
2
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"I dont care for the attitude from one of the men who work there."
Dined on 02/28/2013
2013
Special Features: special occasion
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Review 25 for Ja' Grill Restaurant & Lounge
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ja is the BEST!!
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Its been a year since i been at Ja, still the best place to go for some great Jamaican food!"
Dined on 03/02/2013
2012
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Review 26 for Ja' Grill Restaurant & Lounge
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
I have been here many times
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Fair)
2
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"I have been here many times before and have had better food and service....at the end, the server guy continued to make us feel uncomfortable, as though he was rushing us to leave, although the restaurant had plenty of open seating"
Dined on 03/02/2013
2006
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, great for lunch
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Review 27 for Ja' Grill Restaurant & Lounge
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
It was busy. Me and my date
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"It was busy. Me and my date went on a Friday night. Our reservation was for 9 and we were seated close to 10. There was a lounge/bar in the basement that had a few seats but the basement bar was not open so I had to go upstairs to bring drinks back down while we waited. Once we sat the food came out quickly and was very good. I expected a wait when I went so I wasn't put off. I would go back again, the food and atmosphere were just what I was looking for."
Dined on 02/22/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem
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Review 28 for Ja' Grill Restaurant & Lounge
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Food was great. Vibe was awesome.
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Food was great. Vibe was awesome. You must make a reservation. We saw them turn down at least 20 couples due to reservations. They honor those reservations."
Dined on 02/22/2013
2010
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion, hot spot
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Review 29 for Ja' Grill Restaurant & Lounge
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Awesome comfort food. Delicious.
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Awesome comfort food. Delicious."
Dined on 02/21/2013
2010
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, hot spot
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Review 30 for Ja' Grill Restaurant & Lounge
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Waiting, waiting and more waiting..
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Poor)
1
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Be prepared to wait if you show up here... it was honestly the worst service that I have ever received at a restaurant in Chicago. We waited 20 minutes for a table even with reservations. 10 minutes for our waitress to acknowledge our table. 15 minutes to get waters. 30 minutes for food. Over an HOUR to get our bill! The waitress was absolutely terrible, the only reason we were even able to get the bill was because I approached the bar with it in hand and began talking to the bar tender who then literally screamed at the waitress for being so awful. The food was really good and authentic Jamaican but I will never be returning after the way that we were treated... good luck"
Dined on 02/09/2013
2011
Special Features: neighborhood gem
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Review 31 for Ja' Grill Restaurant & Lounge
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Food and service were great!
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Food and service were great! Looking forward to coming back and enjoying the bar-lounge downstairs!"
Dined on 02/01/2013
2009
Special Features: neighborhood gem
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Review 32 for Ja' Grill Restaurant & Lounge
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
That's some good eating.....
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Always awesome and great food! "Chef" is awesome. I love it when he comes out and greets guests and ask how you are doing."
Dined on 01/26/2013
2012
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, late-night find, neighborhood gem, romantic, hot spot
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Review 33 for Ja' Grill Restaurant & Lounge
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Host station seating
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Great food great service just a little tight, I sat right in front of the host station, I felt like she was a third party at my table ."
Dined on 01/19/2013
2011
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, neighborhood gem, scenic view
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Ratings-Only Reviews for Ja' Grill Restaurant & Lounge
Based on the average of (34) ratings-only reviews
Overall
(Outstanding)
4.1
/
5
3 out of 3 recommend this product
Food
(Outstanding)
4.2
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
3.8
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
3.8
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic