The exciting smell of curry and other Caribbean spices fills your nostrils the minute you walk into Reggae Shack Café. And now, with its expansion last month, this unique restaurant offers even more of the flavorful dishes that are its trademark.

To coincide with the remodel, owner and chef Omar Oselimo added sandwiches and other new items to the menu, but the spicy jerk flavors the restaurant is known for—not to mention the bright, friendly atmosphere, reggae music and palm tree icon—still dominate the scene. With all that delicious spice, prepare to get messy. We devoured the Jerk Veggie Burger ($8) with the help of more than one napkin.

By Molly Bruce

FAMILY ORIENTATION

While Omar patrols the kitchen, his wife, Arpita, keeps the front running smoothly, which is quite a feat in such a busy restaurant right on University Avenue. Even from 3:30 to 5pm, the restaurant has a constant flow of customers.

Omar’s mother and co-owner of Reggae Shack, Jennifer Moore, was also there when we were, along with Omar’s one-year-old son, Omar II. Jennifer’s seventh grade teacher also figures into the mix. He drives up from Miami to deliver the special Jamaican spices the restaurant uses. “We’re very close,” Jennifer says. “That’s what Jamaica’s about.”

THE TRUE TASTE OF JAMAICA

With menu items like “Down By De Beach” ($10.50), a delicious mahi mahi sandwich, and “Ackee” ($12), the national fruit of Jamaica, you really feel like you’re stepping into the Caribbean, if only for a short escape.

For those with a serious sweet tooth, there are Jamaican sodas available. Sweetened with pure cane sugar, they are a more delicious and less fizzy version of American soda. Red Stripe, the Jamaican beer, is also available, along with interesting and exotic fruit drinks. 

VEGGIE DELIGHT

Reggae Shack has two sections of the menu dedicated solely to vegetarian options. When we visited, a group of seven regulars, all vegetarians, was delighted to have the restaurant open for business again. 

“I was eating here once a week before,” says Chris Cano, a University of Florida student. While Arpita says Oxtail ($11) remains the most popular dish, there are more than enough choices for vegetarians looking to expand their horizons. Vegan Carrot Cake ($2.75) is available for dessert, but there’s also the Mango Swirl Cheesecake ($3.50) for a sweet end to a delicious and filling meal.