Uncle Joe's Cafe
Experience authentic St. John flavors at Uncle Joe's Cafe, famous for tender ribs, juicy chicken, and unique BBQ sauce served with generous portions.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Blue hour photography, calmer galleries
Uncle Joe's Cafe
Best Time
Blue hour photography, calmer galleries
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Experience authentic St. John flavors at Uncle Joe's Cafe, famous for tender ribs, juicy chicken, and unique BBQ sauce served with generous portions.
"The best food I have had on the island. Their prices are really good as well."
Visit Early for Seating
Limited seating is available, so arrive early to snag a table or consider takeout.
Takeout for Beach Days
Perfect for a casual meal after a beach day; grab your food to enjoy at your accommodation or a scenic spot.
Quick Facts
Cuisine
Barbecue
Price
Mid-range
Phone
+1 340-693-8806
Address
86J4+J9P, St John, Henry Samuel St, Cruz Bay, St John 00830, U.S. Virgin Islands
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Mouthwatering BBQ Ribs & Chicken
Fall-off-the-bone tender ribs and juicy chicken legs smothered in a unique, homemade BBQ sauce. A local favorite for authentic flavors.
Generous Portions, Great Value
Diners rave about the large portions and affordable prices, making it a fantastic deal for a satisfying meal.
Authentic Local Flavors
Experience unique homemade barbecue sauce and traditional Caribbean sides, offering a true taste of St. John.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Visit Early for Seating
Limited seating is available, so arrive early to snag a table or consider takeout.
Takeout for Beach Days
Perfect for a casual meal after a beach day; grab your food to enjoy at your accommodation or a scenic spot.
Try Both Chicken & Ribs
Don't miss out! Get both the chicken and ribs to experience Uncle Joe's specialties.
Ask for Recommendations
The staff is helpful in guiding you on what to order, ensuring a delicious meal.
Tips
from all over the internet
Visit Early for Seating
Limited seating is available, so arrive early to snag a table or consider takeout.
Takeout for Beach Days
Perfect for a casual meal after a beach day; grab your food to enjoy at your accommodation or a scenic spot.
Try Both Chicken & Ribs
Don't miss out! Get both the chicken and ribs to experience Uncle Joe's specialties.
Ask for Recommendations
The staff is helpful in guiding you on what to order, ensuring a delicious meal.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Uncle Joe's Cafe is a highly recommended spot in St. John for its delicious barbecue, particularly the tender ribs and flavorful chicken, all served with generous portions at great prices. Diners appreciate the unique homemade sauce and authentic local flavors. While the atmosphere is very casual, the quality of the food and value for money make it a standout dining experience for many.
"Uncle Joe’s is a low-key place with wonderful food at reasonable prices. There are a few tables, but they also do takeout, and there was a lot of that while we were there. The grill is right out in the open, and you can watch the griller (Joe?) work his magic with chicken and ribs. My wife and I both got ribs. She got rice and beans, and I got the coleslaw. Ribs were super tender and flavorful. The slaw was delicious—light, yet still creamy. Not too many beans in the beans and rice, but it was good, too.
We ate in (1/1/24). Not many chairs, but we acquired them after someone else left, then had to “protect” them from a large family that arrived, and seemed to be eyeing our chairs. Pricing was great. You get a lot of food for your dollar. Uncle Joe’s seems to be a place known well to locals, and to folks who come often to St. John. A few days after our visit to Uncle Joe’s, some folks on a taxi ride asked us for a recommendation. We mentioned Joe’s. About a half hour later, we were walking to Mongoose Junction, past Uncle Joe’s, and they called out to us, thanking us for the recommendation, which they said was “perfect!”"
Steve Kolb
"Highly recommended! Servers were very sweet and nice, and the barbecue sauce is so unique and delicious. I personally liked the ribs better, but my mom and friend liked the chicken better. Either way, both were delicious, thank you for serving us!"
Faith Tilley
"Someone local recommended this place to us and we are so glad they did because it was so delicious!! The proportions were big for the price we paid! Both the chicken and the ribs were very good and so were the sides! They make the food to-go so we took it up to Peace Hill and watched sunset while we eat our supper."
Laura Craig
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
The signature dishes are the fall-off-the-bone tender ribs and the juicy chicken legs, both smothered in their unique homemade barbecue sauce.
Yes, takeout is a popular option, especially after a beach day. It's a great way to enjoy their food casually.
Common sides include rice and beans, coleslaw, corn, and macaroni or potato salad.
Seating is limited, so it's advisable to visit early to secure a table. Takeout is also a good alternative.
The barbecue sauce is homemade, unique, and packed with flavor, setting their dishes apart.
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📅 The Best & Worst Times to Visit St. John (Updated for 2025)
The BBQ at Uncle Joe’s and ocean fare at Woody’s Seafood Saloon in Cruz Bay are worth checking out for laid-back dining, while fusion food at Morgan’s Mango (Kenney Chesney frequents this spot — try the key lime pie) and upscale ZoZo’s are great for something a bit more refined.
St. John Travel Guide
For a taste of local cuisine, head to local favorites like Uncle Joe’s BBQ, Roti King or Headed East Bar and Grill. Don’t forget to try the famous “painkiller” cocktail, a delightful blend of rum, coconut, pineapple, and orange juice that is a beloved island specialty.
Must-Try Food & Drink in St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands
Back in Cruz Bay, you can also eat like a local at Uncle Joe’s Barbecue across the street from Cap’s. Chicken or ribs, Caribbean rice, coleslaw and corn – this could be the best deal in town.
Dining on the Island: St. John
Uncle Joe’s Barbecue: 340-693-8806 Located along the Waterfront across from the Post Office. This is a favorite of many island visitors. Eat in on their patio or take out.
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