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    Just Jerk Cafe

    3.8 (45 reviews)
    ModerateCaribbean
    Open 11:30 am - 9:00 pm

    Just Jerk Cafe Photos

    Business Info

    JUST JERK CAFE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Good for kids

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    Recommended Reviews - Just Jerk Cafe

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    Dark jerk chicken dinner
    Regena K.

    My dark chicken dinner was good my only wish is that the food was fresh to order. I know the food was warmed up and some of the chicken pieces was a little hard/dry. Other than that the cabbage is amazing and my dinner overall great flavor. Good customer service too!

    Menu
    Aaliyah L.

    My new favorite jerk spot!! We called ahead to place an order and when we arrived, the cashier opened the containers of each meal so that we could verify it was correct before we left, I wish every restaurant did this. The food was so good, the spicy jerk sauce is the best I've had, and the Mac & cheese surprised me because it was actually jerk-flavored but it grew on me and I ended up loving it. This is for sure my new go-to place for jerk.

    Maronda H.

    This was my first time coming here and I was not disappointed. The food was freshly cooked and tasty. I was surprised to have great tasting food and some good customer service. Tiffany was friendly and super cool. Thanks Girl for helping us choose our meal selection. The mac and cheese, cabbage and the jerk chicken was seasoned with perfection. Nothing but great tasting food and nice size lunch portion.

    Looks more like a Lil Wayne/Bob Marley mashup. Lol
    Christopher V.

    I've only been once, so consistency remains to be seen. That aside Just Jerk Cafe is a very solid 4 star jerk option. The catfish was tender and authentically spiced. The jerk dinners are served with a protein, rice n' peas and two additional sides. Most jerk restaurants in the area only come with two sides. I was stuffed, lol. If you're in the area I suggest giving them a try. Time will tell if they're more consistent than the everso unpredictable Uncle Joe's and Jerk Villa.

    I really did try but this is trash this is not a real salad it's closer to a chicken sandwich without the bread
    Ronesha S.

    I use to really love this place jerk salad but as of lately they seem to not either care or maybe it's a shift change thing I order a salad at around 6:20 pm the women says it'll be 20 minutes I make it stand in line and pay. I stand out In the Lobby as I see orders being passed out I asked would the salad take longer than the 20 mminutes but as I check my time I notice it's going on a little under an hour at the time. she says it should be coming out in a few minu. It did not it cam out in another 15 minutes which totaled my wait an entire hour for the salad. ( as I was in the store I mad a social media post angrily joking around. yet when I made it home and notice my salad was showered with cheese 2 slices of tomato and 2 slices of cucumbers with a very light amount of lettuce . I was a little upset but I still gave it the benefit of the doubt and tried to eat my salad. here is why I made the review my chicken in my salad had bones left in it . Chewed down scratch the top of my mouth though I know it will heal . My real question is how did this take so long when it seems like they just tossed some scraps together and poured a cup of shrews cheese on top not worth $10+ . I really don't know who is the blame for my wait the new cashier or the chef ... she liked to blame the chef but that's because he was in the kitchen

    Jerk catfish dinner (MAC and cheese and cabbage sides)

    This is a culmination of my three visits thus far. In short, issa hit! The oboe detractor is in consistency of the finished product. The chicken went from amazing my first visit to dry on my second and a notch or two better my last visit this evening. Of all the sides, the Mac and cheese is a must. I believe it will rival the best Mac and cheese you previously had.

    Reasonable lunch specials! JERK MAC N CHEESE....YUM!

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    2 months ago

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    5 months ago

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    3 months ago

    Great food always has been ! Ive been going for years but they are not open everyday .

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    3 years ago

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    4 months ago

    Food was hot and good, customer service top tier. They offer combos, like the Curry and Jerk combo.

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    11 months ago

    Some of the best jerk I've ever had in my life. Fast service. Friendly and inviting atmosphere. Will definitely return and HIGHLY recommend.

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    3 years ago

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    2 years ago

    Got oxtails, curry chicken, jerk chicken. All was good. Gonna have it catered for my hubby birthday

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    2 years ago

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    2 years ago

    There were 10 people on my last order and everyone was extremely satisfied. The oxtails were the star of the evening.

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    8 years ago

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    9 years ago

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    5 years ago

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    3 years ago

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    4 years ago

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    5 years ago

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    7 years ago

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    5 years ago

    The people at this place are very rude and unprofessional. They deserve less than zero stars!

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    7 years ago

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    5 years ago

    Always consistent flavor, freshness, presentation & servings! Do yourself a favor and call ahead 30 mins.

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    6 years ago

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    10 years ago

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    6 years ago

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    8 years ago

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    7 years ago

    Great jerk chicken! Then best on 79th. They are small but the flavor is in every bite. Will definitely be coming back for more!

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    6 years ago

    Great spice, flavor, and texture. Cooked really well with very good service. Wasnt a long wait and food was hot when we went to eat.

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    11 years ago

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    8 years ago

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    6 years ago

    Great food! I just don't like the wait and phone etiquette. It's worth the wait though.

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    5 years ago

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    8 years ago

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    4 years ago

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    8 years ago

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    4 years ago

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    6 years ago

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    9 years ago

    Food is good but horrible customer service. They always run out of menu items . I'm surprised they are still open.

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    9 years ago

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    8 years ago

    I was there a few days ago. The service and the food were excellent. I can't wait to go back

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    9 years ago

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    10 years ago

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    Page 1 of 2

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    Garifuna Flava

    Garifuna Flava

    4.3
    (443 reviews)
    3.9 mi
    $$

    The best oxtails I've ever had in Chicago. Tender and flavorful…read more Service was fast and friendly. Dine-in was not crowded at all. Very people were there. It was peaceful and I enjoyed the music and art which reflected the culture. The stew oxtail is worth every penny.

    A recent evening while wanderlusting in Chicago, I suggested Garifuna Flava because I'd heard…read moreamazing things about it. My fellow traveling house heads trusted my foodie instincts, but there was a little skepticism until our rideshare driver gave it his enthusiastic vote of confidence! Garifuna Flava is a Black-owned restaurant celebrating the rich flavors and traditions of Belizean, Caribbean, Latin, and Indigenous Garifuna cuisine. The restaurant isn't fancy, yet it is warm, welcoming, and one of the owners even took time to share the history of the Garifuna people with one of my friends. And making the experience even more authentic was the soundtrack of Caribbean and reggae music, which had us swaying, singing along, and feeling right at home like a spot in the Caribbean or Brooklyn. As for the food, it was DELISH! I enjoyed tender oxtails with yams, fried sweet plantains, rice, and stew beans. It was comfort food that tasted like a home-cooked meal. A nice cold Ting was the perfect pairing. I couldn't resist sampling a dining partner's shrimp dish, which was also flavorful. Garifuna Flava is located in Chicago Lawn, often referred to locally as Marquette Park on Chicago's Southwest Side. The neighborhood is home to the beautiful 323-acre Marquette Park, designed by the Olmsted Brothers (sons of the designer of Central Park), and holds an important place in the city's civil rights history. Thank you, Garifuna Flava, for a delicious meal and a cultural experience I'll remember. I'll definitely be back. But don't just take my word for it, go experience the yummyliciousness for yourself! Mmmm... #BonAppetit! Cheers!

    Photos
    Menu along wall and decor.
    Menu along wall and decor.
    Delish Jerk Chicken (Plus 2 Sides) Rice & Beans and Mac & Cheese
    Delish Jerk Chicken (Plus 2 Sides) Rice & Beans and Mac & Cheese
    Outside

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    Outside
    Jerky Jerk

    Jerky Jerk

    4.2
    (194 reviews)
    8.8 mi
    $$

    I was craving plantains so we ordered delivery, and OMG this is probably one of the best chicken…read moreand candied yams I've ever had! The chicken was grilled to perfection! The meat was juicy, the seasoning was delicious and the sauce that came with it was tangy, sweet and wasn't too spicy. But those candied yams OMG! They weren't overly sweet that it hurts your throat but just the right amount to satisfy your sweet tooth! They must have added some fruit like pineapple because it added a little tangy kick that balances so well with the sweetness and added another dimension! We will have to try this place in person next time!

    Jerky Jerk is THE SPOT!…read more We wanted something better than stadium food before the Bulls game. And the three of us love Jamaican food, specifically, jerk chicken and curry goat. So as soon as Jerky Jerk showed up on my Yelp search, I knew my search had ended, and that we found our pre-game dinner spot. Jerky Jerk blew my expectations out of the water. I'm a Chicago native, but I live in LA, where I'm lucky to be surrounded by many delicious Jamaican food spots. But Jerky Jerk has the best jerk chicken I've ever had. When I say that the smoky, slightly sweet, tender, fall-of-the-bone experience hit the spot, I mean that it HIT THE SPOT! Even the rice & peas and cabbage were cooked and spiced to perfection. All three of us devoured our plates in about ten minutes. I also love the colorful and lively Chicago sports murals that fill each wall, as well as the hospitable and vibrant service from the owners. They absolutely rock. They throw a party inside, and they make you feel welcomed and right at home. Jerky Jerk is now a non-negotiable stop when visiting Chicago. This place slaps.

    Photos
    Jerky Jerk
    Two Pick any 2 Meats & 2 Side
    Two Pick any 2 Meats & 2 Side
    Plantain (6)

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    Plantain (6)
    The Wild Hare

    The Wild Hare

    3.7
    (257 reviews)
    9.5 mi
    $$

    I'm back to update my previous review. I finally got the chance to come back to The Wild Hare for…read morethe full dine-in and live music experience. I'm really glad I did. Our server was quick and pleasant. He was refilling and offering new drinks before we even knew we needed them. I'm not even sure I really considered the menu because I really came to retry the oxtail and rice & peas. I was not disappointed, and there was nothing but tailbones left on my plate. Ambiance is fun at The Wild Hare. The live music in the back room int he evenings are definitely where it's at. I would recommend checking out the event calendar on their website to help pick which day you may want to come. My only complaint is that I really wish the DJ played more reggae in the restaurant. I expected to have a full reggae night, but all the way up until the live band, it was mostly hip hop and R&B with the occasional reggae throwback. Give us more; we came for the reggae vibes!

    Came here on a Sunday after. They had drink specials available. We were able to find parking right…read moreout front. On this occasion there were drink specials. Grabbed $7 margarita (special) which was tasty. For food my husband and I shared the full lb of rib tips and fries. We thought they were tasty. We met up with some friends celebrating a March birth (Aries). The bar crowd was friendly...everyone just enjoying the music and each other. Bathrooms were big and never had an issue getting a stall. Security present and overall just a fun experience. Would love to come back when they have a live band playing.

    Photos
    Stage in second room
    Stage in second room
    The Wild Hare
    The Wild Hare

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    Marina's Bistro and Rum Bar

    Marina's Bistro and Rum Bar

    4.5
    (134 reviews)
    14.9 mi

    Best food I've had outside of the island!!! 10/10 recommend the arroz con gandules were greatread more

    So today after many month of wanting to try this restaurant in our next-door neighborhood we…read morefinally went today and OMG it was the best northside Puerto Rican Restaurant we have have visited actually the only one in the north side of Chicago. Thr atmosphere and ambiance was amazing beautifully decorated in the place is small but cozy and you literally feel at home, the owner chef and his bartender hostest greet you like if your family. The owner Eric is so sweet and down to earth he makes you feel like an old friend visiting from the homeland. Katie was supper sweet and very informative on all the menu and drinks. I decided to try the Entre Las Sabanas made with Bacardi & Conac it was so good I asked for a second one. My wife had Tamarindo non alcohol because she was driving, we also asked for the Hummus de Gandules that was so different and so yummy served with plantain chips. For dinner I had shrimps with arroz blanco and pink beans my dinner was so good. My wife had vistec encebollado with rice and beans, she loved it. Our dessert was pudding de pan. It's a must restaurant to visit if you like Puerto Rican food. I highly recommend this restaurant and on weekends it's highly recommend to make reservations. I will certainly return again.

    Photos
    Dining room, small bar
    Dining room, small bar
    Lechon Asada with majado (mashed taro)
    Lechon Asada with majado (mashed taro)
    Booth area

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    Booth area

    Just Jerk Cafe - caribbean - Updated August 2026

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