USVI-On-Line

Hi, We have always gone to Uncle Joe's but found the portions noticeably smaller last time. Was thinking of trying Candi's this time. Anyone been to both and care to share their experiences?
Thanks!

this is our experience. and I have to preface that it has been a few years since we have been to Uncle Joes.

We haven't been to them "back to back" so I cant really say one is better than another. I would guess that they are both great. Who is better? I don't know.

But we have had more than one experience at Uncle Joes where they say the food will be ready in 20 minutes...then a local person will show up, get food fairly quickly, you are still waiting...this goes ON and ON for such a long time that you are stuck in this cycle of "I have spent such a long time waiting they have GOT to be getting to me..." It is clearly obvious that the locals are getting served and you aren't.

So you want to leave but you don't and you finally get it and leave mad. But it is great.

One time my husband waited for well over an hour and a half. By the time he got back to the villa he was livid and swore he would never go back.

At Candies, everyone seems to be treated the same. We love their food-it is fabulous. And they are very nice. They won't even look you in the eye at Uncle Joes.

NOW...my disclaimer. Because I want to be fair. It has been a few years since we went there. Perhaps they treat people better now that there is competition.

Now Candies, the atmosphere isn't nearly as quirky/fun. You are really there just to wait for your ribs. But you don't have to wait too long.

We had BBQ from Candie's Delights (took it back to villa) on our first evening on island. Someone here had given me the great idea to place our order at Candie's, go get groceries at Starfish (or anything else you may need at Marketplace) and come back to pick up our order. This worked out perfectly!
As far as food goes, both places are great. But the convenience of the easy location of Candie's has won us over.

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After having both I have to say the Uncle Joe's gets my vote. For me it's all about the sauce and UJ's wins hands down. Candi's sauce it a bit too sweet for me while UJ's has just the right 'bite' in the finish. So as far as I'm concerned it's worth the sometimes rather rude and slow service. Sometimes it's better than others but then again sometimes my ribs at home are better than others too.

Tried Candies last night...it was about 630p, they were out of potatoe salad and another of their sides. We ordered chicken strips for kids...1 order of chicken no sides and one rib dinner with sides.

Chicken strips with fries...thumbs up from kids.

Chicken-joes wins this one.

Ribs-Candies wins this battle. Sides were cole slaw...foodies would love it. We didn't as we like plain old slaw and this had the raisins. Another side was the rice...very good.

Conclusion. Liked Ribs better at Candies. As we were leaving with take out. Dh said...Don't know how the food is yet, but I'll tell you one thing. "They are a lot nicer than Joes!" Could not of agreed more. Girl at the counter asked me if I needed kethcup for the kids as I was leaving. Probably would've ruined their night not to have that with their meal so she saved us.

BTW...Dh is meatman (occupation) so he does know his ribs...in his opinion neither uses baby backs, just average grade ribs...however your on STJ so they taste accordingly!

so...its a tossup. Depends upon your taste.

We did grocery shop at Star (packed) quickly while waiting.

I've never felt like we experienced any rudeness at Uncle Joes over the years and every trip to STJ usually includes at least one stop. Sure they don;'t seem thrilled to be there but we get that here at just about any fast food joint in Northern Virginia.

Yes it takes a while, but you can also call ahead and place an order (and this may be what some of the locals are doing-- or they may essentially be so regular that they know they are coming which is why they might be getting served sooner) That's just my guess. I like to give the folks at UJ's the benefit of the doubt.

We haven't tried Candies yet but will certainly give it a try in June.

To me the key at these places is to call ahead if you can; be as friendly as you can (kill them with kindness); and make use of the time while you wait.

Ok... now I'm HUNGRY!!

Both are very good in my opininon (But I am no BBQ expert). Full disclosure: I prefer the chicken.

Uncle Joe's gets my vote for two reasons:
1- My husband LOVES it
2- I prefer the sauce

We've never been treated rudely but often have to wait a while. Usually I drop off the hubby and go fill up the gas tank or make a pit stop at Starfish for a few goodies and by the time I am back its ready.

I like Candies because if you ask they won't chop it up shattering all the bones asked at Joes and was told that is the way they do it.

djmom wrote:this is our experience. and I have to preface that it has been a few years since we have been to Uncle Joes.

We haven't been to them "back to back" so I cant really say one is better than another. I would guess that they are both great. Who is better? I don't know.

But we have had more than one experience at Uncle Joes where they say the food will be ready in 20 minutes...then a local person will show up, get food fairly quickly, you are still waiting...this goes ON and ON for such a long time that you are stuck in this cycle of "I have spent such a long time waiting they have GOT to be getting to me..." It is clearly obvious that the locals are getting served and you aren't.

So you want to leave but you don't and you finally get it and leave mad. But it is great.

One time my husband waited for well over an hour and a half. By the time he got back to the villa he was livid and swore he would never go back.

At Candies, everyone seems to be treated the same. We love their food-it is fabulous. And they are very nice. They won't even look you in the eye at Uncle Joes.

NOW...my disclaimer. Because I want to be fair. It has been a few years since we went there. Perhaps they treat people better now that there is competition.

Now Candies, the atmosphere isn't nearly as quirky/fun. You are really there just to wait for your ribs. But you don't have to wait too long.

In December we experienced this same thing. Locals got served one after another,and our time went from 20 minutes to 2 hours, as we were sitting there waiting.

I like their food, but it's not worth that.

ScubaGirl wrote:In December we experienced this same thing. Locals got served one after another,and our time went from 20 minutes to 2 hours, as we were sitting there waiting.

I like their food, but it's not worth that.

I'm sorry, I would have walked waaaay before that! I'm a very patient person, but 2 hrs. is so wrong! I would have said - nicely - "sorry, I can't wait any longer, please cancel my order." and gone someplace else!

Count us in the 2 hour + wait time at Joe's. 2+ hours AFTER the 45 minute stated pick-up time.

Since then, we have enjoyed Candi's.

ScubaGirl wrote:We did leave, and I'll think twice before I go back. Never been to Candies, so maybe we should try there for this trip!

Consider it a plan!

Hey Syd-- Maybe they just don't like Canadians

I'm gonna miss you guys!! December soon come!!