Uptown Jerk

Food is great from what I've tried, but the hours are so whack I rarely find myself going. Posted hours say till (example 10pm, 12pm or 3am) and they close at random hours, even sometimes 5+ hours before posted. If you can catch them when they're open, the $5 specials are the thing to get.

Great food, great atmosphere, and wonderful staff. For years Waterloo has been missing a Jamaican restaurant, and Uptown Jerk is filling this gap with quality food at a very reasonable prices. My personal favourites are their stew chicken and beef Jamaican patties!

Jerk chicken was pink and uncooked on the inside. Also got the notion that the food was not fresh from the fact that my chicken had to be microwaved. Rice however was very good. Mixed first impressions.

First time I went there ordered some curry chicken, wasn't too bad, I noticed the rice was a little stale. Later that night felt nauseous kept it in and bam food poisoning, sending this from a washroom while the other person that I ate it with is in the next, about 18h later.

Food poisoning of four (4) people at the office after eating the Chicken Roti. We contacted public health of Waterloo Region. Called the phone number listed and no answer.

I'm going to do everyone a favor here - I'm going to give a brutally honest review of this place as someone who has extensive experience eating Caribbean food. I've noticed the great reviews it has and that's great for them, but then again it seems like the reviews are coming from (I may be wrong) Caucasians lol. I'm not being racist, but unless you eat this food all the time and from many different places (or have family that can authentically cook it), then of course it's going to taste good. The food overall is decent and that's probably because of the price. I've been here 5 times and each time was a pleasant experience with the staff but honestly, the food can be SO MUCH BETTER. The chicken is usually dry (jerk chicken) and the hot sauce they provide is way too little. Then again, I like my hot sauce, real hot sauce, not that Frank's crap or Tabasco that is a joke lol. The food lacks authentic Caribbean taste which is extremely disappointing because as someone who lives in Waterloo I was so excited to have this place open up. But honestly, I will continue to go to Rainbow's Caribbean Cuisine in downtown Kitchener. Yes, their meals are more expensive but it's worth it. They give you a good portion of salad (not a tiny cup) and their meat is not dry and they do not skimp on the sauce. I've been going to Rainbow's for years and they are consistent. Again, price is much more than Uptown Jerk but if you want quality, stay away form here. I really do hope this place steps it up a lot because I would love to help support them, but as an avid lover of Caribbean cuisine and just a guy who eats a lot, this place is mediocre unfortunately.

The best jerk chicken in Waterloo! Very good price with generous portion! Staff is really friendly also. The jerk pork is a bit too salty for my taste.

Went their today on (Sunday. April. 2/2017) I will say excellent jerk chicken and rice I will go back here again! Love this jerk chicken. Great customer service and very friendly and a nice warn welcoming when you go inside

Convenient location, great deals, Tasty good. Try there jerk chicken - best in town. -1 star for open hours. I regularly go there and the place is closed at random

Service was incredibly slow because they were barbecuing (or smoking or cooking) the chicken but the guys were courteous and very friendly. Food tasted absolutely amazing too. And the value is great, from their $5 specials. My only complaint is the bone was broken in my chicken thigh and made it a little more difficult to eat.