Hot Spot Jamaican American Cuisine

Updating review a week after going back to try their jerk chicken. The best jerk chicken I've had upstate. No joke Was soooo good I went back the following day to have it and make sure I wasn't dreaming. WoW. Just WoW. Well seasoned, marinated, juicy, and spicy. Had me sweating deep Going to try their fish meals and soups and see. Will update more then. Found this gem downtown Albany in the Lark Street area by accident and decided to check it out. Beautiful ambiance. Very quiet, good seating, nicely decorated, and open. Staff was very friendly, courteous, and welcoming. A lot of great menu choices. Decided to try the curried goat, rice and peas, and plantains and it was ok. Would have been better if stronger curry was used. Plantains were over ripe and a little burnt. Will go back to try other menu options and see. Will update review then. Definitely recommend checking it out

This morning, I ordered two fried dumplings, callaloo&saltfish with some fried plantains on the side and cornmeal and banana porridge. When I tell you this hit the spot for my brunch. I appreciate the hands that was in the pot and the hands that prepared my plate thank you so much.

If you are ever looking for some good Jamaican food and you are in the Capital District try hotspot their food here is very good and many different items to try from and at days throughout the week they have specials that the chef has prepared himself I like it because they are friendly and the food is close to home they have things that I cannot find another restaurants like rasta pasta like jerk chicken fried rice and many more dishes and the thing I like the most about the restaurant is it's made fresh daily they also cater to your every need

This restaurant was recommended to me by a friend, it’s a great Spot for real Jamaican food, the restaurant is ran by Jamaicans. I’m only in the area for 2 weeks but if I lived here I would be a regular visitor, nicely decorated, clean good portion size. Prices not too bad.

The pasta was absolutely delicious!! The shrimp was perfectly cooked and so flavorful.

Everything was absolutely delicious! Flavor and all. I ordered the small oxtail platter and it was delicious, the plantains were on point and the rice was cooked perfectly. I also ordered the Mac and cheese which was 10/10. The sweet potato pie was good but nothing revolutionary… back to the oxtail and the reasons I couldn’t give a 5 star rating… There were bone fragments and splinters all over which made it very difficult to eat and enjoy. I’ve had oxtail many times before and never experienced it quite like this… maybe it’s just a fluke or something but it def took away from the overall experience. Also, for the price to only get 4 pieces of meat, although they were meaty was also a bit disappointing when I’ve gotten way more meat at a lower cost from other places. Other then that though… I’d def give them another go as the flavors were all amazing! I could have probably forgave the price and gave 5 stars if I was actually able to enjoy eating the meat.

Second time eating here, 1st time was in person, this most recent was via door dash. I lived in the area 12 years moved from DC, I have tried a couple Jamaican restaurants in this time period, and recently stumbled upon this one. In my opinion, this is the most authentic Jamaican restaurant in the Albany NY area, including their beverages and down to the Jamaican black cake for dessert. Really like their food, and will keep returning as long as I am able. Brown stew chicken and curry goat with rice and peas and cabbage, do not miss, the large size is a ample portion. Going to eventually try their fish dishes.

Idk about everyone else but I had a curry goat w roti and that shit was BAAANNGINN! nice and spicy roti was soft. Tried gettin some in Boston and it just did not hit the same

This spot is Hot. The wait can be longer than predicted but worth it. Take a peak at the New York Post articles, mounted. It's a great spot.

Nice place, delicious food! But they should renovate the drab dining room so that more people will want to dine in.