I stumbled across this spot earlier in the day after breakfast nearby and was intrigued by the sign advertising Caribbean food and jerk chicken, one of my favorites. While I was checking it out, the bouncer at the bar next door told me it was worth a visit, which sealed the deal. Later that evening, I convinced my friends to go with me. They were expecting a full sit-down dinner, but this is more of a counter-service spot with 6-7 bar stools inside. The setup is simple: place your order at the counter, then either grab a stool or head to the bar next door, where they'll bring your food when it's ready. We chose the bar's patio, which gave us a clear view of the restaurant. It was reassuring to see other groups having their meals delivered over too--it felt like we had discovered the right local gem. The wait was about 25-30 minutes, but that only confirmed everything was being made fresh. And let me tell you, it was absolutely worth it. Our group ordered two jerk chicken plates with plantains, mac n' cheese, and slaw; one oxtail with black beans, rice, and mac n' cheese; and one jerk burger with fries. Every single dish was a hit. The jerk chicken had that perfect smoky spice and heat from the scotch bonnet peppers, balanced with bold Caribbean flavors. The oxtail was tender and flavorful, and even the sides like mac n' cheese and plantains stood out. All in all, this was easily one of the best Caribbean meals I've had anywhere. A true must try when in Key West. read more

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I was told by one of the locals to try the jerk. I was off and decided to try the jerk. I decided to try the jerk chicken wings with rice the service was awesome and I would definitely return. The ambiance was nice and the music was very eclectic and the live band was great. When you're in Key West, FL make your way to The Jerk. To all my Yelpers let's continue to eat our way through the world #foodie4life. read more

This place was unexpectedly very good. We walked up around 6:30 pm and by the outside they looked very closed. The door was open and thankfully they were still servicing food. They were only out of jerk pork for the day. All people in my party got the jerk chicken but with various sides. My favorite side was probably the potato salad but the rice and beans, plantains, and cabbages were all ok. I don't recommend the Mac and cheese just because it seemed a little grainy to me, personally. The man working the restaurant was plenty friendly and kind, so I don't feel like service is an issue. The inside of the restaurant was small, so we chose to go next door to Hero's bar and get a drink and eat there, with no problems. I do recommend this place for the food, though. If you're in key west, check them out! read more

Loved this spot! Tried the chicken sandwich and it was delicious -- juicy, fresh, and packed with island flavor. Comfort food with good vibes. Highly recommend it! read more

Not joking...the best food I have EVER had in my LIFE!!! If you are in Key West, THIS IS A MUST. VISIT. Everything is absolutely amazing. Everyone in my party ordered different variations of the menu and no one left unhappy. The workers were so kind and talkative and the service was incredible, the food was cooked to order. Regulars were coming in and chatting with the workers, it was such a great vibe in there. My new favorite restaurant--might have to drive down from Miami weekly to get this. read more

A local told me it was THE BEST oxtail she ever had in her life. On my first visit here, a late night for I went looking for dinner about 11:45, thinking all I would be able to get at that hour was bar food. Walking past I saw the red neon "Open" sign and went to read the menu board. They were sold out of oxtail. It WAS 15 minutes to close, a couple walked in right behind me. I went out to ponder and call my friend. THIS WAS THE PLACE she told me about. I went back in and ordered the curry goat (it comes with rice and beans, and cabbage) and a side of plantains. He asked for 20-25 minutes so I went out to wander. I wanted to get him out of there as soon as I could, so I offered my number and asked if he'd text me whenever he was ready. On returning I rapped with him for a bit and could tell he wasn't thinking "yeah ok I got your money, you got your food I want to go home"....he was GENUINELY happy to be able to have another person be able to try their food. I regret not taking a photo. The food was absolutely otherworldly. I'm writing this at about 10am...grateful for Jose, and thinking about him already being 4 hours into his day, working his construction job. Tip as well as you can folks. These are artists helping you live your best life. read more

The aroma of spices hits you the minute you walk in through the door. Pretty expensive for what I'm used to but quickly realized that they give you a large portion that can be shared between two. The flavor did not disappoint. The jerk pork was extremely tender and savory - a perfect blend of sweetness and spice. I wish they would sell the hot bbq sauce that came on the side because it was delicious. Staff is friendly and you can tell they care about the customers. There is a couple chairs inside and an eating area out back. read more

The Jerk - Jerk pork - Caribbean Near Me - Key West, Florida

Amazing food and service. Recommend 10/10 . Curry chicken and jerk chicken plantain were amazing

Everything good made fresh authentic Jamaican food! Came back for my last meal before leaving the keys and will make it the first stop when I return. Had the curry, rice and peas, festivals. Today fried fish, white rice oxtail gravy, and carrot cake! Music, service, every ting!!!! read more

The Jerk - Caribbean Near Me - Key West, Florida

2022: Back for a repeat visit at their new location at 508 Southard St...about half a block off of Duval St. Excellent Jerk Pork Dinner...had the Sweet Plantains and Rice & Beans as sides, the Mrs got the Beef Patties..most excellent meals once again. The Jerk sauce for the Pork was fantastic!!! Good to see you folks again and look forward to seeing you again in the future. read more

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You have to try their BBQ ribs!! We got exactly that with steamed vegetables, sweet plantains, and some kind of fried dough (I forget what it's called). The meal was sooo good. The ribs were so juicy and soft. We also got jerk chicken--it was good, but nowhere nearly as impressive as their ribs. The store is a little small and they have limited seating but there are seats inside and outside. And if you're into coffee, there's a really good Cuban coffee spot right around the corner. read more

The Jerk - 1. Jerk Chicken and BBQ ribs - Caribbean Near Me - Key West, Florida

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OMG! Mouth Watering Chicken! So, I actually ordered delivery from this place through a third party. I didn't know what to expect, but I surprisingly pleased. I ordered something very simple- jerk chicken with white rice. Thankfully, the Jerk Sauce came separately because it was very spicy. But I added what I could handle to my chicken. The chicken was just incredibly flavorful. The white rice was perfectly cook. I also ordered some sort of fried corn appetizer; I'm not sure what it was. All I know is I ate the whole thing within few seconds. Five stars. I highly recommend. read more

The Jerk - jerk chicken - Caribbean Near Me - Key West, Florida

The oxtails were good but very fatty! Jerk chicken had no jerk flavor it was more a bbq sauce taste. Just these two meals with one side and 2 ginger beers came to $63.42!!!!! I'm assuming do not go off the menu price on Yelp!!! It's incorrect. Or maybe they charge you an arm and a leg to use a cc I've been to Jamaica many times and this wasn't the taste I was expecting here. read more

tldr: Jerk Chicken and Curry Goat are must-haves. Not just a cheap hole-in-the-wall but dishes carefully prepared with complementary flavors, colors, and textures (rare for this type of place). Amazing Caribbean restaurant on Stock Island. Short 10-15 minute drive from the heart of Key West downtown. The Curry Goat is definitely a must-buy. Very tender, perfect mix of spices, and complemented by avocado and plantains. Red bean rice is very good but nothing more special. The mini portion is very filling, but if you want to have leftovers have the regular size. I highly recommend taking the trip out to try this food. read more

The Jerk - 4. Curry Goat, mini. - Caribbean Near Me - Key West, Florida

You want authentic Jerk food in the Keys? Here's your one stop shop!! Great location, even better service. Food is always fresh! read more

The Jerk - 1. Jerk Chicken Mac & cheese Plantains - Caribbean Near Me - Key West, Florida

I had the jerk chicken tacos which came with French fries and was covered in delicious aioli. My husband had the jerk burger. We were having a drink at Heroes next door and brought the food back with us. Amazing service and great food, I'd recommend read more

We ordered the jerk through door dash. The food was delivered to our hotel. Shortly after the food arrived, we discovered an item was missing. About that time the phone rang & the gentleman said they realized the item was left behind and he would be here in about 5 min. It was an employee of the restaurant that brought the food. Excellent customer service. Food was delicious! We had the pork tacos and chicken tacos. Would highly recommend! read more

The Jerk - Caribbean Near Me - Key West, Florida

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The Jerk....where in the world do I begin. I can start by saying this was the BEST Jamaican food outside of Jamaica! I can't make this up. I've been to Jamaica so I know first hand. While in Key West, I stumbled across this gem when I first got there and had it delivered to hotel. It was so good I had it two days in a row. I wasn't hungry the first day and got the Jerk Chicken tacos! Man...there was a flavor explosion in my mouth from the first bite. I had to take a step back and look at the taco and question how could something so small, hold all this flavor? The sorcery I tell ya. It came with a mango salsa/chutney that set it off! I got the plantains as a side and they were sweet and delicious. Second day I was like okay I want to try a plethora of dishes. I'm on vacation so why not?? Ordered BBQ Ribz, Curry Goat and Jerk Chicken. The ribs were smoked to protection and fell off the bone. Not mushy fall off the bone, it held up and was extremely tender. The cabbage was yummy as well. The curry goat was a nice blend of seasonings and spices. It paired well with the rice and peas. This was also tender and delicious. At this point I having flashbacks of Jamaica and I have no worries! Lol! Last but certainly not least was the jerk chicken. I mean it was so nice, I had to try it twice! That heat and spice knows how to hit the spot! This place is amazing. Don't take my word, go and see for yourself. I knew before I opened the plate I had something good. As soon as it was delivered and I'm walking through the lobby, heads turned and a few people asked me what I had and said it smelled great. That's how I knew it would be awesome and indeed it was. I either need to go back to Jamaica or go here. There are no other options lol! read more

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This is the type of food I been missing in my life. I was so glad to find it while down in Key West. If you have never had this type of food, be prepared for the spice level. My wife and I loved the flavor of the chicken and pork. Some hefty portion sizes too so you will get your money's worth whether you get one side or two. Give this food truck a shot you won't regret it. read more

The Jerk - 1. Jerk Chicken - Caribbean Near Me - Key West, Florida

Always looking for a good jerk we found this place a short walking distance from Boyd's campground where we stayed. It's basically Jamaican jerk served out of a food trailer nestled into a fun relaxing Caribbean feel courtyard area that was decorated with all kinds of funky stuff that looked it washed up from ocean. Lots of fans were on to move the air. Plenty of shade for those who don't like the sun. We ordered the jerk chicken with sides of plantains and rice and beans. We also got the jerk chicken tacos with the slaw. Picked up 2 waters from the cooler nearby which had a nice selection of non alcoholic drinks. Prices for food seemed high until we got the food. Both our meals could have been split easily and then leftovers. The jerk chicken came with what seems like half a Chicken on top of a pile of rice and beans and plantains that were made to order. The chicken had a Smokey spicy jerk flavor that was not overpowering and when dipped in the accompanying sauce had the jerk bite that I'd come to expect from Jamaican jerk. Plantains were perfectly cooked and the rice and beans filling. The chicken tacos are why I have given a 4/5 rating. The tacos came with 2 large soft tacos filled with jerk chicken and a huge pile of slaw on the side. Either The tacos that had a tangy sauce or the slaw was runny but the tacos were soggy and impossible to pick up. The tacos had a good flavor but basically had to eat them with fork. The Slaw had a great flavor and I could have just eaten slaw for lunch there was so much. Maybe if the slaw was served separate might not have made the tacos soggy. We liked this place and will go back. Its the real deal for jerk. It's hidden down front street but it's a nice respite from the mainstream places and it's the unique types of places we always look for. Lots of food for the price and I'd recommend splitting dishes. read more

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A very artsy area of Stock Island - a few artists share the same area of this food truck. Very cool! We ordered the jerk chicken meal, side options are plentiful - I chose yucca fries and the beans & rice. The portions are huge! The chicken comes with a cup of spicy bbq sauce, your option to put on the chicken. For drinks, they have a cooler in the seating area, help yourself! It was a beautiful early evening when we arrived - we chose to eat there at a comfy picnic table. There are plenty of seats. The chicken was moist and so full of flavor, the yucca fries were perfect and huge! This is a must visit place- easy to find and so cool. read more

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This little hidden gem off Duval is the perfect place to get your jerk fix. My husband and I shared the jerk pork dipping it in the Jamaican hot sauce and we felt like we were in Jamaican food heaven . So tender and the seasoning was perfect. Would highly recommend. read more

Had the Jerk Chicken and Mac Cheese. All was on point. We came across this place next to Jerk's. We enjoyed the atmosphere and people that stopped. read more

Loved this truck! Friendly but super busy crew running the truck. It took a little time to get our order due to internet orders coming in. The wait was worth it. We split a jerk chicken with fries and rice and beans. Everything was hot and fresh. The chicken was delicious! Great spice. If I lived near them I would be there every week. read more

The Jerk - The Jerk Truck - Caribbean Near Me - Key West, Florida

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We stopped in last night and got the fried snapper and it was incredible. Beautifully seasoned, super crispy and a delicious fish. Also got the mac and cheese -- great portions, really tasty and paired great with the jerk sauce. We were on the hunt for a late night meal and couldn't have gotten more lucky than with The Jerk. Service was incredibly kind and speedy, and they included sauce, napkins and cutlery without us even asking. Really can't recommend this place more highly! read more

Great BBQ, just not Jerk. I had the Jerk Chicken and the Jerk Pork dish. Both were just BBQ chicken and BBQ pork. The meats weren't properly marinated in jerk seasonings, which is the whole point. Most true jerk does not have BBQ sauce slathered all over it. It is a tasty BBQ, though if you want an excellent Jerk, look elsewhere. Probably not in Key West, though. I live here and haven't found it yet, except in my kitchen. I guess they figure the tourons won't know the difference between Jerk and BBQ, so why put in the extra time and effort required for Jerk? I won't be back, but you should try it if you want some BBQ. The owner is nice and friendly, and I hope it is a success. read more

Nom Nom Nom Nom. Some of the best curry chicken I've ever had! I want to clone it every night! And over jasmine rice it's like a perfect drug. Coleslaw is different and I like different but not as much as other differents. Ordered take out and service was good and accommodating for double bagging for the bike ride. read more

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Jerk chicken "regular" portion with 2 sides...their cabbage slaw with salsa and plantains. Food was absolutely AMAZING! The flavor is the best I've ever had and the retention of juices and tenderness was an art form. Can't wait to come back to the Keys to have it again!!! Also ordered the pineapple and ginger juice!! Great flavor and wonderful setting!! read more

The Jerk - Jerk chicken regular portion - Caribbean Near Me - Key West, Florida

BBQ ribs, plantains with beans & rice were on point. Owner asked us to go to the bar next door order a drink and kick back. He'd bring our food over. Whole experience went well. read more

So exciting being back in Florida from VA I decided to try out a local spot The Jerk. My Island people always come through on the food, but this was a disaster. The Jerk Chicken and Pork was so dry I couldn't eat it, even when the cook submerged half the plate with BBQ Sauce. My Mac and Cheese was mixed up in my rice very odd, none of the sides had flavor boring. Jerk pork again submerged with BBQ sauce and still dry. The plates in the photo is how the plates look when I open them up. I will give them one more chance this Thursday 20OCT22 if it's better I will update my review. #5STARFALSEHOPE read more

The Jerk - 1. Jerk Chicken - Caribbean Near Me - Key West, Florida

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Yes, 5 stars for a food truck in a cool little art market place. Good food, good smells, an interesting spot and a great reason to come to stock island. You are doing to drive by it on your way to that famous place down the road, so why not stop here and get something different? The jerk pork was to die for. the DC ordered it and I kept stealing bites, and wished I had gotten it myself. The corn fritter and the sauce that came on the side were to die for as well. I picked this spot originally as I saw they had curried goat and it had been way too long since I had some good goat. I wasn't disappointed. Very flavorful, and suck off the bone goodness. Some great ginger beer and you are all set. Friendly owner/chef who knows what he is going. Good food, good people. read more

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If you have eaten Caribbean food before or this will be a first for you. I think you will enjoy. The vibe was like you are eating at their home in the back yard. Everything we ate was the bomb. I will eat here every time I am in KW. read more

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Idk maybe I caught them on an off day but I wasn't too thrilled with my jerk chicken, and rice and peas. The chicken skin was still like jiggly if you know what I mean...it wasnt nice and crisp or charred from a bbq. The flavor was ok and the sauce they serve on the side was about a 5 out of 10. It was more like a thick bbq sauce. The rice and peas.....man they were piping hot like abnormal hot which makes me feel like you microwaved it I nearly burned my mouth...then the beans are clearly not cooked and or they were nuked to shit and looked and tasted pastie and dry. The rice was very dry and not seasoned really. Wheres the oxtail gravy over the rice??? shoot that would have helped a bit....I come from Toronto and we have a big Jamaican community and this really wasnt up to my par on Jamaican food. read more

Just go and eat! It is DELICIOUS!! I was SO pleasantly surprised as a Trinidadian to enjoy their curry chicken with rice and peas and plantains! My fiancé (American) LOVED the jerk. Note: If you get rice with the jerk ask for brown stew or oxtail gravy! This place is 18900000% better than that hoggish establishment around the corner!! read more

I ordered via Uber Eats at around 8PM, so let that be the fair precursor to this review...? Extremely dry jerk chicken and dry jerk pork. It seemed like the meat was pulled from a warmer, not cooked fresh. The meat comes on the side with what I assume is jerk sauce? It tasted more so like an overly thick mixture of bbq and teriyaki sauce. I'm not a great venturer of Caribbean food but I was craving the soul food satisfaction that Caribbean provides. The rice and beans did not come to the rescue either. The only thing on my plate that provided, dare I say, moisture was the steamed cabbage. For the price, this was a major disappointment unfortunately. read more

This is delicious food! The Jerk has friendly service, casual outdoor seating and huge portions. We had jerk pork and jerk chicken-- both were amazing! We will definitely be back to try something else from their menu. The plantains and cabbage were also delicious. read more

The Jerk - 1. Jerk Chicken with plantains and rice & beans - Caribbean Near Me - Key West, Florida

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Jamaican jerk food served. Healthy portions given. Food is seaoned well but my pork jerk dinner was highn in fatty meats. But to you can not beat it for the price. Service was good. All service is to go.b is worth a try read more

This is best and most realistic authentic Jamaican food. I can't believe I found good Jamaican food in Key West. It looks like a hole in the wall, but it's real Caribbean food here. I tried Cuban, and other Jamaican food here, but this is the best of all. Chef is from Kingston and he made the food. When Americans start making Jamaican food it won't taste Authentic and it's not. read more

This place is Awesome. The is perfect for lunch or dinner. Great outdoor eating area. Food is amazing all kinds of options for everyone. Witch real authentic Jamaican food this is just a short drive from downtown Key West but an absolute must before you leave. Chill, good music, good vibes and really good food. We had the Jerk pork, Goat, jerk chicken and the curry chicken and all so so good. read more

Wanted the Oxtails and rice n peas and festival and they were out so I got the Jerk bbq burger and fries instead and LET ME TELL YOU!!!! I'm glad they were out of the oxtails!!!! The jerk bbq sauce mixed with the aioli sauce is AMAZING!!! honestly one of the best burgers I've ever had! Service was kind and fast!! We also got the jerk chicken with rice and Mac n cheese. Delicious !!! read more