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| - Craving something tasty and different for lunch? Give this spot a try, you won't regret it!
Soul food meets Jamaica is the best way I can describe a place that serves oxtail, jerk chicken and fried ripe plantains, but also fried chicken, homemade mac and cheese and AMAZING collard greens.
It was a dreary day in AZ and I was wanting some food that would remind me of the sunshine I am so fond of, so I decided to try Island Girls a try.
There is plenty of parking as its in a strip mall by some offices. The location is very basic and I was impressed about how clean it was. I would recommend you call in your order if you are pressed for time since they cook things to order. The drinks are bottled and I am hoping that at some point they start to offer ginger beer. I had the jerk chicken dinner platter (for lunch because I have no shame and I also had not had dinner the day before or breakfast, so I was VERY hungry). It included 2 large pieces of chicken breast that were fresh grilled to perfection. they were juicy and the seasoning was so very well balanced. It was savory and spicy with niether aspect taking over. You could add heat as well if you wanted to; there are a variety of hot sauces available on the tables. I had the chicken with peas and rice (red beans and rice cooked together). It was a long grain rice and had a hint, just a perfume of coconut in it, it transported me back to islands. I also tried the greens (collard greens cooked down with onions and meat), which were the star of the show if you ask me. Sometimes greens are so overly salty, you can't taste the collards anymore, but these were just right; all the flavors melded together and nothing was overpowering. The meal also included a few slices of fried ripe plantain, so sweet and the edges were just a bit caramelized, which offered a nice texture contrast to the soft sweet banana on the inside.
The staff was very friendly; willing to explain anything on the menu to those unfamiliar with the dishes and checked in on me as I devoured the ENTIRE plate of food. One of the owners came out to check in with me and she was very sweet.
I'll be back to try the oxtail and curried goat! YUM!
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