Great Jamaican food. Love their chicken and sides. Just wish they carried seafood and meat pies more often.

I had heard about Jamaican restaurants dotted throughout Maywood and Bellwood. None are on the main stretches that I've taken throughout the two suburbs. I decided to venture off the usual path and find one of the many restaurants. Montego Bay Restaurant was my landing spot. I think that before the pandemic, they used to have seats. Looks like all of the tables and seats had been removed with the exception of one booth that was mostly a sitting spot while waiting for food. It was quite smoky inside, which speaks to the grilling being done inside rather than outside. That should be a ventilation concern. But the good part was the food. I ordered a quarter jerk chicken that came with rice and peas and cabbage. There was heat to the food and I loved it. The scotch bonnet had clearly been cooked in oil before the rest of the food had been added. That explained why there was pepper without the ring of fire around the lips afterwards. I was reminded of the jerk malls in Port Antonio, Jamaica, which isn't an effect that I get at a lot of restaurants throughout Chicago. Counter service was welcoming and laid back. Since there is no in-house dining, I can't speak to table service. But I can speak to me going back the next time I am in the vicinity.

We ate here over the weekend and it was amazing! We had ribs with red beans and rice and cabbage (it was on special) and we had some jerk wings. It was seriously some of the best, most flavorful food I've ever had! The lady at the counter was very nice too. The restaurant itself isn't much to look at but don't let that deter you from trying this place, it's a hidden gem! I can't wait to go back.

I'm new to the Chicagoland area and found Montego Bay on Yelp. I'm a huge fan of Caribbean food and I'm so happy I found this restaurant. I ordered the pick 2 with oxtails and curry goat dinner. They have good lunch and dinner prices. Food came with rice and red beans, cabbage, plantains, and bread. My fiancé ordered the jerk wings that were fresh and full of flavor with fries. The fries didn't have much flavor though fresh, but there is the option for mild sauce. Food was very tender and flavorful. Food was hot and fresh. I will def be returning to get my Caribbean food fix in the future and recommend anyone to return. Also, I like that there is parking upfront. Not really a sit in restaurant since they only have a couple tables but great food and prices!

Being honest this is more of a 3 star but I feel bad what I about to say..... The Good.... The food surprised the hell out of me. The Jerk chicken tasted like something you expect at a family BBQ that actually knows how to cook. I was really expecting to get the worlds tiniest winglets something the size of a penny and maybe Buffalo wild wings. Instead they were steroid pumped jumbo wings...SNAP! Fries...frozen from a bag so nothing really special there. The wings were SPICY. like grab some water if you're going to eat two or more of these. I'm interested in trying the jerk shrimp, curry chicken and oxtail. The bad.... I almost hate to write this cause I think if you coming here you slightly already know what to expect. basically it's a chicken shack/neighbor Hood chicken spot. Where you order your chicken and go. (JJ's,Shark,Harold's etc) Montego Bey had closed, not sure how long maybe 2 or 3 months in 2014 to early 2015 during the winter) I pray for renovation and not cause they were shut down. *crickets* knowing this.....why the hell is their so much dust on the hoods where the food is cooked? Not sure if it's because they don't use the 2nd grill or whatever...the main one where most of the food seem to be cooked was clean....but that's still not an excuse...you just re-opened. The counter and tables are clean but a closer inspection of the hoods over the grilled looked like you can draw clean me with your finger and it would be very visible from a far. The decor is terrible. the walls are painted nicely with the Jamaican colors but then you have 3 or 4 different kinds of table sets literally. the fact one of them is a folding table with folding chairs makes me wonder are people really eating here. I think they are using big aluminum garbage can's like grills/smoker, but the place was way to smoky. I wasn't sure if I should pull out Incense, my asthma pump or ask how for some Marry Jane. I could only imagine what being in there is like during the summer time when people really start ordering food.. The cashier was nice (it's only a handful of dishes but no "menu" above the counter you have to look at what appears to be a bad photo copy of the take home menu) which brings me to menu. Can I get one to take home so I can call my order in? I had to ask what the Bob Marley Plate was that costed 9.99....sadly I forgot. I still wouldn't know if I had a menu in my hand because it doesn't explain what it is. Forrest G. Mention his first few trips was decent and then the cook start burning his food..lol I pray this isn't the same conclusion where I'm going to have to take back my 4 stars.