Over on Vine Street, amid the old spots like Bogart’s and Martino’s, there is a little slice of Jamaican paradise in the form of the new Jamaican restaurant Island Frydays. Not sure what Jamaican cuisine means? Neither did I, but I can tell you I am glad I decided to investigate after a friend told me about the new eatery. Chip Reeves of The News Record had the following to say about Island Frydays.

If you like good, fairly priced food that is different from the sub shops and fast greasy stuff we are surrounded by on campus every day, you have to check out Island Frydays.

The first time I walked into the brightly adorned building, painted in yellow, black and green with Jamaican decorations covering the walls, I was apprehensive as to what I would find on the menu. I ordered the most popular dish, the jerk chicken with white rice and beans, steamed vegetables and plantains.

It was delicious. The sweet and spicy tang of the jerk chicken went perfectly with the rice and beans. It wasn’t overly spicy, but still got the attention of my mouth. The chicken wasn’t dry either; perfectly moist, oozing over with jerk sauce. While the steamed vegetables were nothing extraordinary, they still added a simple element to the dish.

Once I was done reveling over the taste of the main course and rice, I moved on to the plantains. I had never eaten a plantain before, so I tentatively bit into the first one. The texture is exactly as you think a cooked banana would be, but the taste is something else all together — slightly sweet, slightly earthy, with just enough of something special until they disappear down your gullet.

Among the other main courses available at Island Frydays, the curry goat and oxtail are among some of my favorites, although I would bet a Bob Marley LP that most main courses will leave you satisfied and salivating for more. The curry goat has just the right amount of spice, while the curry doesn’t overpower the meat, which practically melts in your mouth. The oxtail is similar to the goat in texture, but isn’t as spicy and reminded me more of a homemade beef stew.

While we are on the subject of homemade, all of the food at Island Frydays is made in house, which makes the fair prices even more impressive.

Frydays also has an à la carte menu featuring a jerk chicken sandwich, a jerk wrap, a beef, chicken or veggie pattie or a pattie on bread, as well as steamed vegetables and plantains. The patties are cheap, just $2, and are great for a snack. They are basically Hot Pockets that don’t suck, which is every college student’s dream.

A few tips for your first trip to Island Frydays, as I strongly urge you to try it. First, order a small portion; the large is huge, fit for two people. Second, get gravy on your rice, whether you choose the steamed rice or the rice and beans, as it enhances the flavor tenfold. And finally, let the ska and reggae music playing through the speakers inside Island Frydays loosen you up. Get ready to enjoy a meal unlike one you’ve had in a while.