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Jerk Chicken with green beans and mac & cheese at Island Vibes Restaurant Rob Hardin | Columbus Alive
In Columbus, one name stands alone when it comes to Caribbean fare: Ena. Located in North Linden, Ena’s Caribbean Kitchen is run by the lovely Varnell “Ena” Hayles and her sons. It’s where you jump in line for some of the city’s best jerk chicken, callaloo, plantains and house-made cornbread. From Ena’s, head south on Cleveland Avenue, and you’ll run into decade-old Island Vibes Restaurant, another laudable Jamaican eatery with homestyle dishes like curry goat, oxtail and brown stew. For a more modern take, Ava’s Taste of the Caribbean serves up tasty jerk chicken bowls and burritos from a food truck parked at 1282 Essex Ave; delivery is also available.