Island Grill - Kitchener

When I decided to grab a meal at Island Grill, I had zero expectations. After a long day at work, I was too exhausted to cook anything.

I first ate there about 2 years ago - when I first moved to Kitchener. It was not a good experience (last time)not good food - and probably the worst coleslaw I have ever had. The impression I was left with was amplified by the fact that they had one price on the menu - another higher price on the wall board - and charged yet a higher price at the till. The menu clearly stated meals come with choice of rice and beans - or steamed rice (large meals have soup and salad too)- when in reality it was actually not the case - it came with nothing other than a poor excuse. I ate - and decided just not to go back. I literally have just come from their - take out. I thought on the way home I would give it another try. It started with unfriendly service - and the proclamation that although the menu says meals come with rice and beans - or steamed rice - that it actually means you get either the entree- or the rice and beans - doesn't come with it.I almost laughed and walked out - but hunger got the best of me.The menu price is still different than the wall price. I was again actually charged more than either price at the cash register. I started to eat the food - and quickly stopped - and decided to go on line and write the first food review of my life because I was so mad at myself for going back there. I can see why it never seems to have many or any customers - and relies on karaoke to get anyone at all through the doors. The coleslaw was better than 2 years ago - but still inedible. It was that bad before. I had chicken roti - the roti was ok - the chicken was a salty mush with as much bone as meat. If you like dry stew - you might appreciate this dish - if you don't choke on the bones. What was I thinking? I hope I don't decide to try again in a couple years.

I went to this restaurant after meeting the owner buying fish. While the fish looked amazing (and there are visual displays) I had to try the Roti. I simply could not be more pleased with my choice, it was by far and away the best Roti I have had in all of Canada and better than most Caribbean offerings. Notably it was priced very well and exceeded expectations dramatically.The service was wonderful and the actual venue quite spacious. Also this licensed establishment had a surprisingly good selection of beverages.KUDOS, KUDOS,KUDOS

Was staying at the hotel across the street, so decided to stop in for lunch. I had the jerk chicken and it was some of the best I've ever had. The meat was fresh and tender and the seasoning perfect. The price was a bit high, $9.99 for a lunch size, but I'm from out of town, so maybe that's normal here. I'll stopIn again if I'm ever in town. The service was very fast, we were the only one's there, and friendly too.

I flew in from the West Coast, my flight was delayed, and it was after 11 and below -10°C and I was starving by the time I got to the hotel next door to the Grill, but I noticed it was still open as I drove in. OK, the karaoke singers were mostly bad, but I asked the Afro-Canadian dude what was good, he said get the Jerk Chicken, and it was outstanding. When I inhaled the my plateful he came around and said “never gonna sell this tonight, have some more” and dropped a couple more big chunks of chicken on my plate. Beer selection is kind of limited and the decor is absent, but I got warm fast. Plus, one of the karaoke-ers did a mean Roy Orbison.