HOUReview
photo credit: Richard Casteel
Reggae Hut
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Reggae Hut feels immune from life’s daily hustle and bustle. Jewel-tone murals dedicated to Jamaica cover the walls. Huge windows let in the sun and give the entire place a natural glow. Lazy ceiling fans spin like they’ve got all the time in the world.
Reggae Hut—the Third Ward spot that’s been making staple Caribbean meals for over 25 years—isn’t in a rush. The entire place feels as though it was made for you to stay awhile. And while they do a brisk takeout business, we’d rather sit in the lived-in wooden chairs while laid-back reggae plays in the background. Because the food here, including some of the best oxtail we’ve ever had in Houston, is just as relaxed and comforting.
photo credit: Richard Casteel
There are dishes like a smoky jerk chicken with a kick you can feel, but not so much that you’re sweating scotch bonnet. The braised oxtail is so tender you could eat it with just a spoon, and it comes with plenty of gravy, making for a rich and decadent meal. You should add an order of the coco bread, just so that you don’t leave any of this very delicious gravy behind. And while plantains don’t come with the main dishes, they’re soft, caramelized, and absolutely worth getting. Then there are the beef patties— a golden, flaky delight. This is the kind of food that makes you exhale, that makes you happy to be in the moment.
photo credit: Richard Casteel
photo credit: Richard Casteel
photo credit: Richard Casteel
At any time of day, Reggae Hut is a cheerful escape. It’s got a plush couch, food that's even plusher, and a staff that encourages you to take your time. This isn’t the kind of place that you and 12 of your closest friends go before a bar crawl, but you can come here for a great lunch or dinner that’ll leave you grooving in your chair, singing along to Sister Nancy. We have no idea how this place isn’t always packed, but that means you can stroll right in any time, day or night, for a comfortable meal that always wows.
Food Rundown
photo credit: Richard Casteel
Beef Patties
photo credit: Richard Casteel
Plantain
photo credit: Richard Casteel
Oxtail
photo credit: Richard Casteel
Jerk Chicken
photo credit: Richard Casteel