Sweet Mango Cafe

I came here last year and the food was awesome! I heard it was closed and now I’m hearing it’s open… what’s the deal?

ATTENTION: SWEET MANGO IS OPEN!!!
I know that Sweet Mango had been going through some changes and closed their doors at the beginning of the year for unclear reasons. But I am here to tell you that they are currently alive and well. I just happened to pass by one day and noticed the handwritten «Open» sign in the window and made a mental note to return back to the DC staple. A few days later, after a very intense yoga session, I was starving and wanted some good comfort food. So I headed over to SM and at 8:30pm my expectations were low. I assumed that they would be out of most things and planned to just get a beef patty and coco bread. To my surprise I ordered the oxtail meal, and that’s exactly what I got! They were tender and falling off the bone and delectable. I also got my beef patty with coco bread… you know, for later. The bread was fine, but the patty was a little dry. I’m assuming the patties were made earlier in the day and this one was left over. So I would suggest you get your patties before noon. In addition, the people were much friendlier than I remembered from years ago. So much encouragment to have a nice evening matched with smiling faces. My love has definitely been rekindled.

Good Jerk. Very spicey beans n rice and vegtables. Average Jamaican resturant enviroment. check out the art on the walls. May be where they got the name? Oh yeah Metro sucks!

I will never go back!
I decided to stop by at 12:30pm and they were supposed to open at 11am. A gentleman was walking around inside but didn’t seem to want to acknowledge the five individual customers standing outside the locked doors. He motioned later that they would open at 1pm. After returning at one, I patiently waited. 30 more minutes went by. A costumer finally called on the phone and was told they would open 30 more mins later. By that time, there were several employees walking around visibly seen through the glass. NONE of them acknowledged the costumers outside to inform them that they would not be open. The food smells delicious but they don’t care whether customers come or go! They didn’t even have the common curtesy to even look in our direction to answer our concerns! Shame on this business!

Growing up in this neighborhood I’ve been practically raised on Sweet Mango’s food. To the locals its safe to say its the most popular food spot in Petworth. I always laugh when people foolishly mention that DC lacks a real authentic place that provides Jamaican food like their native home areas. I simply stop in Sweet Mango grab them a large whitemeat Jerk Chicken dinner to try for their first time. Then the opinions change. I always hear stuff like «are you going to sweet mango’s today?» or «what street is that place on?» LoL. Their Jerk Chicken is second to none. If you haven’t tried it, you are severely missing out!

This review is not on the quality of the food but the poor customer service. Today our company had a catered lunch by Sweet Mango but our excitement for the food was quickly deflated when we were TOLD to pick our food up from the deliery person. We were provded with the food but the containers were not labeled and there weren’t any plates, forks, or serving utensils. I’ve never encountered anything like that before… I expected the food to be delivered promptly and set up accordingly. My advice is to never have them cater your event.

Oh. My god.
My friends put me on to this place about a month ago, so last week I decided to walk over one night and check it out.
I ordered the large jerk chicken plate that comes with cabbage and rice, and a side of plantains. My total came to about $ 17 — which is particularly awesome because there is definitely enough food for two people. I got home and ate until I passed out. Chicken was hot, fresh, and seasoned well. Cabbage was cooked well, and the rice was too good. Plantains were also great.
The only downer to this place is the wait. There’s usually two guys — one working at the front, and another working the grill — so if you are looking for something to grab quickly, this isn’t your place. But the 15 minute wait was worth it to me, so I didn’t take away a star for that.
definitely check this place out, you won’t regret it.

very small spot in DC. Food is okay, I’ve had better. Parking is a pain, is on a busy street. Chicken patties were watery, ended up throwing them away. Too pricey for just some so so food

The jerk chicken was missing all the Jamaican flavored I’m accustomed to. It was good don’t get me wrong, but it just tasted like smoked, grilled chicken not jerk chicken. The cabbage was good nothing to write home about. The Plaintains were soft but good as well. I would def return bc the food is relatively good for the prices. Not wait and stuff were friendly. They were out of the oxtail and curry goat which were my first two choices.

On Point with the Caribbean food! As the neighborhood is changing and becoming more gentrified, this is one of the last stading places that continues to serve great food for affordable price in the neighborhood!
Jerk chicken and brown stew were great tasting, service was fast and the complementary coconut bread was on point!
If you like Jamaican ginger beer, this is still one of the only places in DC you will find it. So support your local bussiness folks before they get waterdown or price out.

Coming back to DC again and I’m stoked to go back and fill my tummy with some jerk chicken! This is actually the best food without a doubt in the district.
As a note, when ppl complain about the «service» it’s really just the wait time. They are slow. But that’s the thing about places that are the best — they are slow. So I don’t think you can complain that they are slow when you knew that walking in.
So go in, expect to wait, expect a styrofoam box and start salivating for the best food in the district!

Let me start off by saying I am a regular at Sweet Mango and hands down, they have the best Jamaican food in the DMV. I am use to waiting in line, because normally it’s packed. With that said, my rating is based on my recent visit, which is right now, in real time.
I rushed from work to beat the dinner rush, easy parking and one person waiting for food oh and 6 people working. Twenty mins and counting and I still don’t have my food. Folks walking around on their cell, chatting it up with the folks just hanging out and no one focused on getting the 3 customers out.
Okay, update, the guy in front of me just got his food, yay! He looks like he’s aged since they took his order and OMG he only had two chicken patties. Perhaps I’m next? Jeopardy music playing in my head! Okay, here we go, this has got to be my order, yay!
not my order, but the lady behind me. Not sure how that happened, but at least someone got their food. Surely I’m next, right? Tick tock, tick tock. Ahhh finally, 6:08 pm and I just got my med all white jerk chicken plate with veggies only and coco bread.
Drop some BBQ sauce on the chicken and I am out of this piece! I love the food Sweet Mango, but your service sucks!!! Stop treating customers like you’re entitled to get our business. In this day and time, you are fortunate to remain open based on this service.

Before you say I’m crazy for giving this place a 3 star… read my reasoning first.
My friend recommended this place so the 8 of us went to grab dinner at 9pm. Just an fyi, if you want to have all the options I would suggest not coming at 9pm. We ordered the jerk chicken, the chicken curry, the shrimp, and the fish with a side of plantains and cocobread. IT WAS AMMMAZZZZZIINNGGGLLY DELICIOUS! DEFINITELY A PLACE YOU NEED TO GO TO. For the food, I would definitely give them a 5 STAR!
BUT THE SERVICE WAS HORRIBLE. THEY TOOK 20 MINUTES TO GIVE MY ORDER OF 3 THINGS WHILE MY FRIENDS GOT THEIRS QUICKLY.
Because of the bad service I gave them an over all 3 star because that was a two star service… would I ever come back to this place? HELL YES, THE FOOD IS AMAZING and I’d let the bad service slide if I can.

I tried the Jerk chicken during one afternoon. As good as any I’ve had in Jamaica, NYC or Chicago. Taste Authentic (Heat). I am concerned that the food quality or service may not be as consistent if you are served by the evening shift staff. Service was not as good during a late night visit.
Sweet Mango Owners be warned. One or two members of the night staff with ghetto attitudes will run your place out of business. They were not very customer friendly.
«It takes a lifetime to build a good reputation, only 5 minutes to ruin one.»
— Warren Buffet

(4÷25÷14) I spent half the day pondering what I was going to eat for dinner while getting my hair done. I realized I was a mere 2 blocks from one of Don C.‘s go to spots. I walked in fully expecting to see lots of Caribbean colors, inspired art work, and hear music. Instead, the walls on the first level were unadorned & no sweet sounds. This seems to be a no frills café, but the food is worthy.
I heeded the heat warnings about their jerk chicken and ordered the brown stew chicken to go instead. It came with the customary rice & peas and cabbage. In a fit of gluttony, I also ordered a side of plantains. The chicken was succulent and plantains were tender and sweet. Big portion sizes too!
Looking forward to trying the curry dishes, fish, patties, and cocoa bread. Sweet Mangos honored the Unilocal check-​in discount which made everything even sweeter.
+Free Tip: Ensure your Styrofoam container is secure before leaving.

Im sorry SMC. I gotta take back my Nicety review. You cant keep playing with my emotions. Especially when I bring my friends from out of town to patron your restaurant.
I dont care if its 10:59pm right before you close. Or 9 am in the morning when you open. Your level of quality should be THE SAME. I shouldnt have to refer my friends to only go to SMC when its 12 noon or «only go at 3 pm when cousin pookie is in the kitchen» No ma’am!
Your food sucked this sat night. Right now. I am sitting with a plate of !@$ and I just cant understand why cant I come at 9pm Sat night and get the same food at 12 pm on a Wednesday. Why? My food is salty. It taste like a black american tried to cook it (no offense but yall do like to use that salty behind lawry’s)(ok Im being colorful please dont cuss me out)
Anyway. This is unacceptable and I am putting you all on notice. I am now finding a new DC Jamaican spot. That doesnt take 20 minutes to «GATHER» my food and has THE SAME QUALITY no matter what time. And doesnt run out of food 3 hours before you close???
Disappointed. Dont go here! Try that new spot in Union Station or any other jamaican place is better than here. Caribbean Market in Takoma Park on New Hampshire Ave is better.

It was suggested sometime last week that I try this place after a debate ensued about the best Jamaican restaurant in the city. Jam Dong and Tropicana were mentioned in the debate. So I decided to try Sweet Mango out to taste. I wasn’t impressed at all. I felt like I was in a soup kitchen line or at church when they pass out the dinners the way the orders were taken.
The rice looked old and the flavors from the jerk chicken weren’t better than Jam Dong.
Overall it wasn’t bad and the employees were very polite but the taste didn’t excite my taste buds like the other places.

The food is great actually but the service sucks. I get this is a family run business but there are always about 6 ppl hanging out in front at the register all the food is behind a glass buffet style so I’m not sure why it takes ¹⁰⁄₁₅ mins to give people an order for takeaway when the food is right there. This place has so much potential if they would be a little more professional. Upstairs they have a bartender/​server. Today took 45 mins to get my food. Since it’s not being made fresh to order I expect better service. Also If there is no hot water in the bathrooms makes me question if there is hot water in the kitchen. Get it together, they can be a family run place and have it together but it seems like they don’t want to.

Great neighborhood spot!
Food is very good. I got the jerk chicken (their most popular dish) and I really liked it. A quarter roasted chicken served with rice & beans and steamed vegetables, all of just $ 8! What a great value!
Others in our group got the brown stew (chicken) and ox tail, and everyone liked their food.
I’ll be back here. Fo sho fo sho!

Not impressed at all by Sweet Mango Café.
I didn’t order at the restaurant upstairs, I merely ordered take out and went on about my way. Ordering from take out was easy even though it doesn’t appear they care much about customer service. The staff appeared to be lounging around enjoying random conversation and not really overly concerned about taking my order.
I ordered the white meat jerk chicken and it comes with rice and beans and vegetables. The jerk chicken was way too spicy, I couldn’t even really get into the flavor because the spice was overkill. Yes I know jerk chicken should have some kick but it should still have flavor as well, this was almost all fire and no substance. Rice was decent but once again why too much kick without enough flavor.
I shall not be returning to Sweet Mango Café anytime soon as my first trip there didn’t do anything to convince me to return.