TikTok Star Miss Netta’s “Disgusting” Jamaican Food Review. What It Really Says About All-Inclusive Travelers

Miss Netta, a TikTok personality known for her candid takes, recently stirred up quite the online debate with her review of Jamaican food. She didn’t mince words, calling it "disgusting" in a video that quickly went viral. Not to be outdone, the Jamaican community responded in numbers defending the cuisine. Miss Netta has since apologized for her insensitive comments. I am not here to hurl any more insults at Miss Netta, because enough of that is happening.

But let’s pause and ask ourselves—what’s really going on here?

What struck me was that she criticized the resort for not having “American liquor” or “American juices.” Miss Netta’s food critique says a lot more about a particular kind of traveler than it does about the actual cuisine. Think about it, all-inclusive resort-goers who step onto an island paradise but never actually step out. They want the postcard-perfect views, but only if they come with the comfort of recognizable snacks and all-you-can-eat buffets. What’s missing from their experience? Culture. Authenticity. Actual Jamaica. It is a missed opportunity to stick only to the compounds. Sure, being on a resort is easy. Families don’t have to worry about cooking or fun activities for the kids.

Many of these travelers hit the pool bar but avoid the local food spots, opting for something more familiar like burgers, fries, and bottomless rum punches piña coladas. Miss Netta’s harsh words aren’t just about the food, they’re a reflection of a mindset that expects every destination to serve up Americanized meals and snacks like clockwork, rather than being open to discovering the culinary heartbeat of a place.

Jamaican food, with its bold flavors and rich history, isn’t something you can appreciate if you’re only seeking out familiar comfort foods. Jerk chicken, oxtail, curry goat, ackee and saltfish, they’re not meant to taste like what you’d get at a resort’s buffet. They’re deeply rooted in the island’s culture, flavors layered with history and tradition, each dish telling a story of resilience and creativity.

Travelers like Miss Netta, who stick to their all-inclusive bubbles, miss out on the essence of the places they visit. The problem isn’t the food, it’s the mindset. If you only want what’s familiar, why leave home at all?

In the end, Miss Netta’s critique says more about her travel choices than Jamaican food itself. Because to really understand a place, you have to taste it, experience it, and leave the comfort zone of your resort buffet behind.