About
Welcome to ANGELAS CARIBBEAN CUISINE, a hidden gem located within the lively Hawthorn Center Mall in Vernon Hills, IL. This culinary oasis serves up authentic Caribbean dishes that evoke a sense of home-cooked comfort and warmth. At Angela's, every plate tells a story of tradition, flavor, and love, making it a must-visit for anyone craving a taste of the Caribbean.
The charming owner, Angela, infuses each dish with her passion for cooking and a deep respect for her cultural roots. Customers rave about the Cajun Chicken Dinner, which has quickly become a fan favorite for its bold flavors and perfectly cooked components. Additionally, the Jerk Chicken is noted for its moistness and robust seasoning, perfectly complemented by the savory seasoned rice and vibrant red beans. As John Vincent put it, "What a great meal!"
One standout dish worth mentioning is the Rasta Pasta, which Angela herself crafted. This delicious creation has wowed diners, drawing them back for more. Amanda Mars describes the food as "real comfort food"—a sentiment echoed throughout the numerous glowing reviews. From the tender stewed chicken to the incredibly sweet and melt-in-your-mouth plantains, each bite feels like a warm embrace.
Beyond the delectable food, customers consistently highlight the impressive portion sizes and exceptional value for money. Jose Tolentino could hardly contain his excitement for his meals, enjoying both the Spicy Pork Dinner and the Chicken Stew Dinner, with a side of mouthwatering Mac and Cheese and fresh cornbread. The homey feel is unmistakable, enhanced by Angela's welcoming personality as she personally engages with diners.
In a world filled with fast food, ANGELAS CARIBBEAN CUISINE stands out by offering fresh, thoughtfully prepared meals that showcase true Caribbean hospitality. Each visit promises more than just nourishment—it's an experience that nourishes the soul. So, if you find yourself at the Hawthorn Center Mall, make your way to Angela's for a delightful culinary escape that you won't soon forget. This is a place where every meal is crafted with intention and served with a smile.
“ Stopped by last weekend while we were at the mall…and I need to be brutally honest…the empanadas were unreal. Even had to walk up to the owner to tell her how good they were. Mac and cheese + potatoes were awesome too. Try the empanadas, especially the curry chicken and spicy chicken. ”
“ Great service, great food! Love the variety of options and AMAZING portion sizes. I can eat here every day!!! ”
“ 100/10!! The food is sooo good! The jerk chicken is my favorite. All of the empanadas are AMAZING and I love that there so many vegetarian options. The service is super friendly. I tried their red velvet cake today and it was delicious! Love that it’s now an option at the Hawthorne Mall food court. Can’t wait to go back! ”
“ OMG! Amazing tasty flavorful food! So nice for the mall to offer some real quality food. I can’t wait to go back and try more items. The jerk chicken was outstanding. Portions were big! Reasonable prices. Friendly customer service. ”
“ I dined here for the 2nd time ever! First dined here on 8/20/2025 for lunch; had their amazing Cajun Chicken Dinner and vowed to come back! Well, today, I returned! Took a late lunch and could not decide what to order since ALL the food looked delicious! So, I ordered both, the Spicy Pork Dinner and the Chicken Stew Dinner; I chose for sides, the Spicy Rice and Cajun Rice, Mac N Cheese, and cabbage for both dinners. Plus, they each came with a corn muffin! For dessert, I ordered 2 of their cute, tiny home-made cakes. For drinks, I ordered 2 cans of Code Red Mountain Dews! Angela’s sweet, personable, and good-humored mom, took and put together my order and advised me on today’s menu options! Angela, herself, popped out of the kitchen and let me sample a new dish she was in the process of creating: the Rasta Pasta! (It was spectacularly delicious—just like ALL the incredible food I ordered today!) I will DEFINITELY be back for more—especially when they start serving their Oxtails Dinner and their Spicy Caribbean Sausage Dinner! (They told me to call first, since both take quite some time to make!) This food stall is BY FAR my absolute FAVORITE in the entire food court! It’s also 1 of the few reasons I love going to the Hawthorn Center Mall (the other reason is the Fast Fix Watch Repair Kiosk downstairs, where I get all my watch batteries for my many watches in my collection)! It’s in a nice, clean and airy spot in the food court and the mall itself. Plus, there’re a lot of seating options and even nice booths along the back wall! So very glad Angela’s is in the mall to begin with! ”
“ Wow! What a great meal! The jerk chicken is moist and flavorful, the seasoned rice is delicious, and the red beans full of flavor. Of course can never go wrong with Mac and cheese! I know Angela and Kevin, two great people working hard to get this restaurant off the ground. So next time you’re anywhere within driving distance of the Vernon Hills mall, come support a local business and get an amazing homestyle meal. ”
“ Amazing Caribbean cuisine here… my family and I drove out for it and honestly it was so worth it. I’d say drive to Hawthorn JUST for Angela’s food. Nothing like this anywhere nearby that we’ve tasted. The stewed chicken was so flavorful and soft, and the empanadas are made fresh to order and not too oily at all. ”
“ This is real comfort food - soul food - food made with love. Every bite was perfectly seasoned, so tender, rice was cooked perfectly, the sweet plantains were the best I’ve ever had in my life and practically melted in my mouth. Sweet potatoes, cornbread, everything tasted like true home cooking. The owner served it up herself, and she was incredibly kind and generous with the portion sizes. This is a great value for real, delicious food. I’ll be going back many times! ”