KALALOU CARAIBBEAN BAR AND GRILL LLC

Is KALALOU CARAIBBEAN BAR AND GRILL LLC a safe place to eat? No — a D, 62/100, at its most recent inspection on June 12, 2026. That visit logged 1 high-priority, 1 intermediate, and 2 basic violations.

Inspectors cited 1 high-priority, 1 intermediate, and 2 basic violations. That leaves it safer than 5% of Orange County restaurants we grade. On the upside, the trend has been improving. Safer, higher-graded options nearby are listed below.

D grade · 62/100 · safer than 5% of Orange County restaurants we grade

Get directions Call (407) 988-0505

Safer options nearby

Higher-graded restaurants close to KALALOU CARAIBBEAN BAR AND GRILL LLC, by Florida DBPR grade:

  • WINGSTOP

    3.7★ 0.1 mi away

  • T212 LITTLE CAESARS SE

    3.8★ 0.1 mi away

  • PANDA EXPRESS #1081

    3.8★ 0.6 mi away

Restaurant details

Health grade
D (62/100)
Violations
4 total — 1 high-priority, 1 intermediate, 2 basic
Address
5160 S JOHN YOUNG PKWYY, Orlando, FL
Cuisine
Caribbean
Categories
Caribbean restaurant, Bar & grill, Haitian restaurant
Price
$10–50
Rating
4.1 stars (1651 reviews)
Neighborhood
Millenia
Seats
120
Phone
(407) 988-0505
Website
Official website
Photo of KALALOU CARAIBBEAN BAR AND GRILL LLC
Photo: Jean Borno

Community Rating

Reviews via Google
4.1 Community-sourced rating 1,651 reviews
Read all reviews on Google →

What diners say — our read

Where diners and inspectors usually diverge, here they line up: both flag the same thing. Opinion on how guests are treated is split — those reviews land at 3.2 on average.

Conspicuously absent: freshness and temperature, which no reviewer brings up. 5 stars is the modal score, given by 9 of the 19 reviewers who rated. The split is 11 positive to 7 negative across 19 rated reviews, with 1 in the middle.

None of that is visible in a star rating: the most recent DBPR inspection graded this kitchen a D (62/100), citing 1 high-priority, 1 intermediate, and 2 basic violations. Diner sentiment and inspection result are measuring different things here, and only one of them is checked by the state. That inspection was on June 12, 2026. Its inspection trajectory is upward over the records we hold. Ranked against Orange County, it is safer than 5% of the restaurants we score. Among the items recorded were dishwashing facilities and food-contact surfaces clean and sanitized.

There is no tension to resolve here: reviewers and the inspector reached similar conclusions. Read the originals below and judge the pattern yourself.

Our own analysis of 19 reviews for this restaurant, set against its Florida DBPR inspection record. How we calculate grades →

  • June 24, 2026

    Haitian cuisine yummy

  • June 8, 2026

    Fatima awesome customer service food was delicious!! Thanks will visit again👍❤️😀

  • June 7, 2026

    The food was pretty good, however they do not cater to vegetarians. I ordered legumes with no meat, but they didn’t have it, then I ordered the okra but they didn’t have it, finally I ordered mixed vegetables but they didn’t have that either so I had to settle for rice and plantains. I’ve never been to a restaurant that didn’t even have vegetables, mind you, these items were on the menu. They didn’t even have paper towels in the bathroom. Sigh 😔. I spoke to the manager and he was kind enough to whip up something special for me in the back. Thank you!

  • June 5, 2026

    Kalalou Caribbean Bar & Grill — 5160 S. John Young Pkwy. Closed on May 27 Three small, flying insects found on prep sink Over 30 live roaches found on premises Dishmachine chlorine sanitizer not at proper minimum strength Follow-up inspection required as of May 28

  • May 31, 2026

    I bought a “ legume “ an authentic dish of Haitian cuisine and I was totally disappointed. J’ai payé 26 dollars pour ce plat dans lequel je n’ai pas eu même un petit morceau de viande. It was tasteless……..

  • May 31, 2026

    I came to visit a friend in Orlando and we were looking for an Haitian place to dine in and we were glad we found this place. The food was good and the service was great.

  • May 30, 2026

    $37 for Lalo is insane. I didn’t argue—I paid and left. Rest assured, I will never be back. The food was okay, but for that price, I expected much more. The meat portion was extremely small—only two pieces, and I’m not exaggerating. The value simply wasn’t there.

  • May 30, 2026

    It was great. The food is amazing. I have met Day, a very smart and polite server.

  • May 30, 2026

    I thoroughly enjoy everything about Kalalou Caribbean Bar & Grill! The food is amazing, the atmosphere is cozy, and the service is spectacular. I dine in and and drive through often, so much I've been able to redeem reward points to get money off my order. I ordered my food to go today and I just want to say Day provides the best customer service I've experienced. She's always courteous, happy, and has a great vibe. She's a gem! One dish you should try is Tassot Turkey, The food is delicious and so flavorful. Today I did take out, but if you dine in, you're going to enjoy the ambiance and they play great music.

  • May 13, 2026

    Asked the waitress for two soda( ginger ale and coke), she brought me a can and a bottle of coke without cups of ice. I asked for kalalou and didn’t have it. I was flabbergasted. I went to the bathroom and the bathroom smells horrible. I canceled my order and left. By the way the can of ginger ale and a bottle of coke set me back close to $8. Goodbye Kalalou, you lost another one!

  • May 8, 2026

    I’m not sure why they have a drive thru that’s the worst thing they came up with because when your food is not ready you have to drive around in a circle and come back because a line forms which makes no sense at all that’s my complaint the food is great but get rid of that drive thru

  • April 28, 2026

    I don’t understand why people are still dealing with customer service like this in 2026. I’ve never had a pleasant experience here….it’s always nasty looks, nasty energy, nasty attitudes. Are you trying to sell food or not? We ordered through DoorDash, my partner went to pick it up and they said they don’t accept DoorDash anymore and basically expected him to just leave. So he goes ahead and orders in person instead. He ordered a simple side of white rice and black beans & still waited 20 minutes for it. 20 MINUTES for a SIDE ORDER of rice and beans while dealing with the same nasty energy the entire time. Then they charge $14 for it. On DoorDash it’s listed as $11.44… so why is it more expensive in person? Meanwhile multiple DoorDash drivers were walking in and getting turned away too. If you don’t accept DoorDash anymore TAKE YOUR STORE OFF THE APP. This is basic stuff. Just disorganized, overpriced, NASTY attitude from every single person. Go somewhere else.

  • April 27, 2026

    Se restoran m’ fè 2 zan ap manje ladan l’ o mwen 4 fwa pa semèn. Mwen mennen tout moun mwen konnen manje la. Men depi kèk tan la se “Rest” la ki rete “Aurant” an ale. Aswè Dimanch 26 Avril 2026 sa se dènye fwa l’ap wè m’. M’ kòmande yon manje 30 minit avan m’ vin chèche l’, lè rive yo fè m’ tann li ankò pou 20 minit. Dam ki vann mwen nan Drive Thru a pa gen ni koutwazi ni customer service. Paske m’ repwoche l’ pou tan l’ fè m’ pèdi a, pou lapèn li pa mete sòs pwa a nan kòmand lan. Mwen dekonseye nou li. Sèvis la pa bon ankò.

  • April 24, 2026

    Bad service. sim t ka fout nou yon ⭐️ tap fout nou li. pran pase 40 minit pou sevi moun. nou pa fout respekte kliyan GMN

  • April 23, 2026

    Great Haitian food!

  • April 19, 2026

    I love that place

  • April 10, 2026

    My family and I enjoyed a wonderful evening of delicious food and hospitality. Oxtails, half Chicken and Griot are stand outs!!! Thank you chef, Shanice and the owners we will be back!

  • April 5, 2026

    The food was amazing, 10/10 without a doubt! I got griot with fried plantains and it was absolutely perfect

  • April 3, 2026

    No complaints about the food and the experience was amazing, and Sary was a very nice waitress

Overall Score

42 / 100

  • Health inspection grade 10/40
    Grade D
  • Dietary transparency 10/20
    3 options listed
  • Community rating 16/20
    4.1★ average
  • Hidden-gem status 0/10
    Not flagged
  • Track record 6/10
    Improving, 0% clean

Composite score from health grade, dietary options, ratings, and inspection record — distinct from the state-derived health grade.

Opening hours

Monday
11 AM to 10 PM
Tuesday
11 AM to 10 PM
Wednesday
11 AM to 10 PM
Thursday
11 AM to 10 PM
Friday
11 AM to 11 PM
Saturday
11 AM to 11 PM
Sunday
11 AM to 10 PM

Inspection history

The following records are from Florida DBPR public inspection records, most recent first.

  1. June 12, 2026 · Routine - Food

    Call Back - Admin. complaint recommended

    1 high-priority · 1 intermediate · 2 basic

    • 16 — Dishwashing facilities; sanitizer test kits; gauges (×2)
    • 22 — Food-contact surfaces clean and sanitized
    • 51 — Other conditions of sanitary & safe operation
  2. June 4, 2026 · Routine - Food

    Call Back - Extension given, pending

    1 high-priority · 3 intermediate · 2 basic

    • 16 — Dishwashing facilities; sanitizer test kits; gauges (×2)
    • 22 — Food-contact surfaces clean and sanitized
    • 31 — Handwash sinks accessible; handwashing supplies & sign provided (×2)
    • 51 — Other conditions of sanitary & safe operation
  3. May 28, 2026 · Routine - Food

    Emergency Order Callback Time Extension

    1 high-priority · 3 intermediate · 2 basic

    • 16 — Dishwashing facilities; sanitizer test kits; gauges (×2)
    • 22 — Food-contact surfaces clean and sanitized
    • 31 — Handwash sinks accessible; handwashing supplies & sign provided (×2)
    • 51 — Other conditions of sanitary & safe operation
  4. May 27, 2026 · Routine - Food

    Emergency order recommended

    3 high-priority · 3 intermediate · 6 basic

    • 08 — Cross-contamination: raw foods separated; food protected during prep/storage
    • 14 — Food-contact & nonfood-contact surfaces properly designed/maintained
    • 16 — Dishwashing facilities; sanitizer test kits; gauges (×2)
    • 22 — Food-contact surfaces clean and sanitized
    • 31 — Handwash sinks accessible; handwashing supplies & sign provided (×2)
    • 35 — Insects/rodents/pests; outer openings protected against pests (×2)
    • 40 — Employee personal belongings
    • 50 — Current license, properly displayed
    • 51 — Other conditions of sanitary & safe operation
  5. October 21, 2025 · Routine - Food

    Call Back - Complied

    0 high-priority · 2 intermediate · 9 basic

    • 02 — Consumer advisory, date-marking & labeling of ready-to-eat foods
    • 14 — Food-contact & nonfood-contact surfaces properly designed/maintained
    • 16 — Dishwashing facilities; sanitizer test kits; gauges (×2)
    • 22 — Food-contact surfaces clean and sanitized (×2)
    • 23 — Nonfood-contact surfaces clean
    • 31 — Handwash sinks accessible; handwashing supplies & sign provided
    • 36 — Floors, walls, ceilings clean & maintained; proper ventilation
    • 40 — Employee personal belongings
    • 51 — Other conditions of sanitary & safe operation
  6. October 20, 2025 · Routine - Food

    Warning Issued

    2 high-priority · 4 intermediate · 11 basic

    • 02 — Consumer advisory, date-marking & labeling of ready-to-eat foods
    • 03 — Temperature control of foods (cold/hot holding, cooking, cooling, reheating) (×2)
    • 05 — Food & equipment thermometers provided and accurate
    • 12 — Handwashing; employee eating/drinking/smoking practices
    • 14 — Food-contact & nonfood-contact surfaces properly designed/maintained (×2)
    • 16 — Dishwashing facilities; sanitizer test kits; gauges (×2)
    • 22 — Food-contact surfaces clean and sanitized (×2)
    • 23 — Nonfood-contact surfaces clean
    • 31 — Handwash sinks accessible; handwashing supplies & sign provided (×2)
    • 36 — Floors, walls, ceilings clean & maintained; proper ventilation
    • 40 — Employee personal belongings
    • 51 — Other conditions of sanitary & safe operation

This grade is calculated by us from Florida DBPR public inspection records — Florida does not issue official grades. How we calculate it →

Data last updated: June 12, 2026