The Banana Leaf

I normally go to Uncle Joe’s but heard such wonderful things about this place I gave it a shot. All I can say is, salt. I ordered jerk chicken and it was very salty and the string beans and cabbage that came with it were very salty. I don’t think I will be going back but they seem to do very well so there are a lot of people that like salty food.

I absolutely love everything I have had here! Tilapia, cabbage, Mac and cheese, rice, jerk veggies and more! I live in Boston but EVERY TIME I am in Chicago I make it a point to visit Banana Leaf. You should too!

As good as it gets outside Jamaica… ignore the petty comments. Taste is true Jamaican, grilled jerk chicken (not baked)…desserts are xcellent also. Always a stop when I’m home visiting Chicago. (Favorite Pizza place: ‘Italian Fiesta’)

The food is not consistent. It is constantly burnt. When it is that burnt it takes away from the taste and it is dangerous. Just as they like to collect money, I like to get good quality food for my money. I notice the cooks take their jobs more seriously when the owner is present. There is too much competition to get comfortable. When small businesses close, people lose jobs the community suffers. Still customers matter. So I’ll shop around.

Why are they so much haters never thought such a group of people can hate on each other for petty stuff??? You go their for the food if it’s good or bad what should shape your mind not if they don’t kiss your ass.?! Everyone in my mind is entitled to have a bad day. Tin woman moment. Relax. No wonder public servants get a lot of beefs here. Be happy you have nice food business in your neighborhood a lot of us is just stuck eating just boring Mexican in ours ! Bottom line great food consistent decent service for a takeout style joint. Consider what price point non 5 star Reaurant likes of Shaws, alinea, maestros ect. Don’t expect to be butt pissing and yes they do say please and thank you. Decent food for price and what it is fast food busy take out type place. No soup for u

I noticed that girl that works we’re gloves all the time that means she is touching money and people’s food… Smh that’s not good and when I asked about it her answer was not good at all

Local neighborhood Jerk spot offering tasty food. However, they are rather inconsistent to reach.

I’ve gone twice and plan on going again. MAKE SURE YOU CALL AHEAD or you’ll be siting for 30 minutes. The food is great a lil too salty for me, but still good. Great portion sizes and lunch specials.

The jerk chicken salad is what made me fall in love with this place and the non-​chalant, could careless attitude women who work the registers and take the orders made me hate it. Everytime me or my fiancé have gone to this restaurant (a total of 5 times), 3 different women, with funky a** attitudes have taken our order. No «please» «thank yous», nothing, but they sure know how to take our money. It came to the point where we made our own jerk chicken salads so wouldn’t have to deal with this establishments terrible customer service. What resturants need to understand, is their customer service HAS TO BE as good, if not better than their food.
P. s. I’m only putting a star because I have to!

The only reason this review is getting three stars is because the food is actually good. However, the wait and customer service is about a one star. For example, one evening we ordered a jerk catfish/​chicken combo dinner. They didn’t have ANY sides with the exception of string beans. They did have plantains and refused to substitute despite their inconvenience of not having anything prepared. This same evening we waited over 40 minutes for our food. We even noticed another customer that called her order in waited just as long as we did. All things considered the food is good, I just can’t say whether or not it’s worth the risk of waiting almost an hour for.

I am in love with this place. The salads are off the chain. You won’t be disappointed!!!

Tried going Sunday afternoon and they were closed. No sign or anything. Make sure you call ahead because the hours are wrong!

Where to start, the food is good, it really is– but VERY SALTY! The salt has never failed to be in excess at this restaurant, its all throughout the side dishes and in the curry, jerk and stewed dishes. You can’t eat here more than once in a 2 week period unless you don’t care about hypertension. On to the good: The food as i stated is good and they give you good portions. Most of the staff is really friendly but there is one young dark skin woman there that really shouldn’t be on the phones or have contact with customers; she mumbles on the phone and always sounds like she would rather be any other place but there. Sometimes the music is too loud and you are asked to repeat your orders. Don’t even think about coming here with a debit/​credit card, the sign says the machine is down but since i’ve been going to this place it’s never worked.
The jerk chicken is excellent, the curry is either hit or miss and the stewed dishes are just ok.
The string beans, cabbage and rice and peas are all good, just very salty. The mac n cheese needs work.

I come here for the jerk chicken salad! I work across the street from Uncle Joes yet I still travel 15mins away to get my salad for lunch. Not only is their small salad larger than Uncle Joes student salad (which cost a little more) but they give you so much more meat and they use real GREEN lettuce as opposed to Uncle Joes yellow/​green iceberg lettuce!!! The ladies that work the counter are always polite

I have tried several Jamaican Restaurants in Chicagoland area & around the country, But I have never come across many that would measure to the quality & freshness of the food, great customer service as well as quantity even fir the reasonable prices. Banana Leaf is the spot, & I will recommend it to individuals, large groups & even catering. Rick just knows how to keep the customer happy & has always gone above & beyond the call of service. Please consider trying it & I promise if you really know about what you are looking for in the jerk business, you will never be disappointed.

My absolute favorite spot on the southside to get jerk chicken. They would be my favorite jerk restaurant bit they d ok nt have brown stew often which is a bummer. I love the 5wing dinner with the string beans. I also like the fact that you get a free drink with the meal. If you are looking for amazing jerk on the southside this is a place to try.

The Jerk catfish gives me life!!! Everything is Flavorful! They don’t run out of chicken like other jerk places, service is fast! I can get in and out with my food, plantains delicious and they have Mac and cheese which is good also!

I can eat here daily. My specialty is the wings, the white chicken dinner, the jerk chicken salad, their shrimp, jerk chicken salad with shrimp! (Oh me, Oh My) and last but not least the plantains (reheat a little bit in some butter– Yes) But I have heard all their other items are good as well.
Sometimes they a little heavy on the salt with the vegetables!
Try it and I believe you will be satisfied !

Ok. So I went here and figured that im a natural fan of Jerk but they have some greatly prepared Jerk chicken. See, why I recommend this place is because you get a variety of selections with one dinner is which I search high and low for in a restaurant so it automatically gets approval. The dinners are very affordable. Suits as one of the best when it brings up all aspects. I love to eat but don’t eat beef or pork so I specialize in Chicken, Turkey & Fish. When I ordered living on 79^th & Oglesby, I visited this place with friends & the dinner was right on time. I eat to live and live to eat Good.
Don’t get it twisted. Street-​preneur.

It was alright. Sometimes i think living in Miami and traveling to Jamaica makes it harder for me to appreciate Jamaican food in other places.