What started off as a catering business 12 years ago finally finds a permanent home in Hicksville. Uncle Don’s Kitchen opened recently and is getting rave reviews online for its Jamaican menu.

 

Their Reggae Fest Meals are served with a choice of rice, steamed vegetables, and fried sweet plantains. Choose from a variety of dishes that include Braised Oxtail made from slow-cooked, tender braised oxtail in a rich gravy, Escovitch Fish, a fried red snapper comes marinated in a zesty sauce of vinegar, spices, onions, carrots, and peppers, and of course Jerk Chicken, a savory and spicy, slow-cooked jerk chicken with a kick. Seasoned in their signature Uncle Don's Jamaican jerk seasoning.

 

Photo: Uncle Don’s Kitchen Instagram.

 

They also serve patties, their signature crust wrapped around beef, jerk chicken, cheese, spinach, and vegetable.

 

Sides include Fried Dumpling, (originally called "johnny cakes") fried flour dumplings that are crispy, golden brown on the outside, and soft on the inside, Festival, a sweet, fried, flour-based dumpling best served with fish or jerk chicken to provide a deliciously complementary taste, and Fried Sweet Plantains. another classic Caribbean appetizer.

 

On Yelp, Ashlee C, of East Rockaway, said this is her new favorite spot.

 

“Hicksville has so many awesome places to eat but nothing quite like this,” she wrote. “Best jerk chicken and phenomenal beef patties. I loved it so much I reserved myself 2 drums, rice and a beef patty for today as leftovers. The hot sauce is to die for…”

 

Photo: Uncle Don’s Kitchen Instagram.

 

Alex B, from Hicksville, said that with Uncle Don’s Kitchen good Jamiacan food finally comes to Long Island.

 

“I've been waiting for a long time for a good Jamaican restaurant to open in Nassau County and it's finally here,” he wrote. “If you like Jamaican food, I mean GOOD Jamaican food, stop driving into Queens because now it's right here in Hicksville!”

 

Despite his praises Alex want to keep it a secret.

 

“I almost don't want to tell anyone about this place because I don't want it to get crowded but with food this good, it's inevitable,” he said.

 

Location: 1B W Village Green, Hicksville, (516) 226-3808.