Hq sports bar & lounge / Caribbean restaurant

For my first experience at this restaurant. It was overall good.Unfortunately, one of my orders wasn't to my liking. However, the young lady resolved it, and I was very pleased with the alternative food item that I was given. The food and question were oxtail. Everyone has their special way of cooking things. And that's why you have to kind of figure out what it is you like and don't like about " jamaican " food offered in the T.O. I like my Oxtail the "authentic" way. it's cooked back home and therefore, I don't order it from 90% of the restaurants that offer it. That's because they put a lot of additives that are not authentic to the original recipe as I know it . Let me say this before I offer what my take on their version of oxtail was. "Jamaican "authentic food is expensive to prepare! Period! The cost of the seasonings and I mean the 'REAL' Scallions Thyme, Scotch Bonnet Peppers are Astronomical, to say the least, so I sympathize with Restaurants trying to serve up this dish. Ok, so let's get down to the nitty gritty. I don't like adding sugar in my Oxtail. That authentic Bovine flavor does not need sweet sauces and / or ketchup added to it! The color should not be red! Oxtail once braised ( fried lightly until brown) looks dark in colour. One look at HQ's oxtail, and I knew it wasn't the real deal. To save on time some chefs pressure cook Or steam the oxtail down. Understandably, so in this fast-paced life that we live in, it takes extra effort to cook the usually firm pieces of meat to tenderness. In addition, you need a lot of garlic,pimento, and mixed spices The key here is not just onions, but scallion to make this meal really pop. And to finish it off, you need broad kidney beans added to balance the fattiness of the meat in the sauce. So when I brought the meal back, I originally they did not want to take it. I guess they thought I was looking for a free meal. ( i did not eat one piece. Just one taste was enough) Everyone who knows knows that I'm a "Foodie". I don't need to do that. I love paying for my good food. So after speaking to the owner's wife and explaining to her that it was my first time attending H. Q. She offered to switch it to another meal of my liking. And that's good customer service!! I took the fried chicken with curry G gravy. It was amazing. And, I got a chance to sample the Curried Goat via the sauce, and trust me, I look forward to going back and getting the whole order of CG next time!

September 11, 2024 on Google

28$ for half pound of pork and a half pound of chicken??! .. ripping customers off like this makes zero sense.

August 24, 2024 on Google

I love the customer service the food and the drinks was delicious

July 20, 2024 on Google

The food here is really good, love the chicken dishes and the soups.

June 1, 2024 on Google

I went today to grab some food I was before my previous experiences were great. Today however, I had specifications that were not met. The rice was dry. There was no flavouring and I asked for extra oxtail gravy and I probably gI went today to grab some food I was before my previous experiences were great. Today, however, I had specifications that were not met. The rice was dry. There was no flavouring and I asked for extra oxtail gravy and I probably got only say little teaspoon worth. Also, the worst part was I saw a long hair stemming from the chicken that I was just about to eat, which was very unpleasant and disturbing and it ruined my appetite. Tried to call was not able to connect with anyone and brought me to a voicemail. Was dissatisfied about that , I hope going forward the establishment will be more conscientious of not allowing hair to be in peoples food.

April 11, 2024 on Google

Soup was fire but the oxtail it’s a no no ! It was so sweet I could only taste ketchup in it. We couldn’t eat it , plus in large oxtail was only 7 small pieces.We also got fried chicken which was ok but soggy

November 4, 2023 on Google

Best authentic Jamaican cuisine inna the whole of Scarborough…. Must try the chicken soup 🍜…. So good that I would buy that on a hot summer day…. Tastes so good…. Big ups to bartender lady…. ☝🏽 love

November 17, 2022 on Google

This the best jamaican spot in scarborough, they have FRESH food EVERYDAY!!!

August 24, 2022 on Google