Caribbean Pot on Wheels Jerk Center came as a strong recommendation from a coworker. After a few…read moreweeks, we went there.
We watched jerk chicken competitions on YouTube, and one that stood out was when a chef stated, "Yes, I would buy this chicken from a jerk chicken pan man." Never heard of a pan man, so we had to do some quick research. It means they are a street vendor who grills and steams chicken using a repurposed oil drum.
Btw, there is a Google review by a Chef Harvey, which we will include at the end.
First, the location is classy! You can immediately tell by the VIP section, dj setup, and table layout that it doubles as a nightclub later at night.
We had a welcoming greeting, and placed our order. Just so you know, their lunch special ends at 2:30 PM, which already sets them apart from other Caribbean restaurants. We ordered a jerk chicken and a jerk pork dinner. Both came with coleslaw, which is something we don't particularly like unless made exceptionally well. They had the exceptionally well version! Fresh, crisp, and tasty! The rice and peas with oxtail gravy was phenomenal! And both meats were marinated, grilled, steamed, and smoked so well, neither needed the BBQ jerk sauce. The sauce made both taste sweeter, which took away from the delicious, smoky flavor. So we only used some of the sauce so it would not go to waste. Speaking of times, Happy Hour starts at 4PM. We got that info from a very friendly bartender who was getting the bar ready.
Our order was ready with no long wait. And it came in a large, sturdy paper bag, which made carrying both orders easy.
No contest, they were the best jerk dinners we ever had!
Now on to Chef Harvey:
Walking into Caribbean Pot On Wheels Jerk Center, the first thing that hits you is the aroma of real smoke rolling off the grill -- and that alone told me this place understood authentic jerk cooking before I even ordered. Too many spots call themselves a "jerk center" but cook everything on flat tops or shortcuts. These guys are actually smoking their meats, and you can taste the difference immediately.
I ordered the lunch special -- I think it was either $6.99 or $7.99 -- and honestly, it's one of the best values I've had in South Florida. It came with rice and peas, coleslaw salad, and jerk chicken. From the first bite, you could tell the chicken was marinated properly and cooked with patience. Deep smoky flavor, real island seasoning, juicy inside with that slightly charred exterior that real jerk chicken is supposed to have. It was so flavorful I didn't even want the jerk BBQ sauce. That chicken stood on its own. Easily a 10/10.
The rice and peas were solid, the coleslaw was fresh and balanced the spice perfectly, and the whole meal tasted like somebody actually cared about the food. The inside has a nice vibe too -- clean, welcoming, laid back Caribbean energy without trying too hard.
After looking at other reviews, a lot of people keep mentioning the same thing: authentic flavor, real smoke, and some of the best jerk in the area. I can see why. This isn't watered-down jerk for tourists. This is the real deal.
I'll definitely be back anytime I'm craving authentic jerk chicken. Thank y'all for getting it right.