Reservation
+1 305-407-0331
Visit Us
508 Southard St STE 101, Key West, FL 33040, United States
Taste the best
Discover Menu
Festival /Corn Dumplings
Fish Soup
Brown Stew Chicken
Jerk Chicken Taco
About the Place
The Jerk
Located in the heart of Key West at 508 Southard St, The Jerk is a vibrant spot that brings authentic Jamaican flavors to the island’s diverse food scene. From the moment you step inside, you sense the warmth—not just from the inviting aromas but from the friendly owner and staff, who make every guest feel like family.
The Jerk’s menu is a rich celebration of Caribbean staples, featuring standout dishes like jerk pork tacos with festival and pasta, tender jerk chicken paired with sweet plantains, and fall-off-the-bone curry chicken served alongside perfectly spiced potato salad. Each plate arrives generous in portion, thoughtfully paired with classic sides like rice and peas that meld flavors seamlessly.
The true highlight here is the balance of bold, smoky spices with fresh, comforting sides. The jerk sauce is layered with heat and sweet undertones, delivering complexity in every bite without overwhelming the palate. Dishes such as the jerk pork and fried chicken combo showcase this harmony beautifully, combining crisp textures with juicy, marinated meats.
Though the space is small, it’s impeccably clean and made cozy by the friendly atmosphere. The slower pace of service reflects a kitchen dedicated to quality and care rather than quick turnover. This deliberate approach ensures every meal is warm, fresh, and satisfying. The owner’s personal touch—like occasionally throwing in extra goodies—adds a layer of genuine hospitality often missing in casual eateries.
For anyone longing to experience real Jamaican cuisine away from the usual island fare, The Jerk is a proven gem. It’s more than just food; it’s an experience that embodies the rich cultural flavors of the Caribbean, combined with that rare warmth of a home away from home. Whether you’re craving the zest of jerk chicken or the savory comfort of curry, The Jerk delivers dishes that are consistently delicious and deeply satisfying.
Dining Plans
Table Booking
“ Y'all the food was AMAZING!!! The pictures are not that great because I took them at night in the car with very little light. But Y'all trust me it's the best. A most go to spot!!! The owner was super Nice as well. Great customer service and great food, you can't beat that!!! Jerk Pork tacos with festival and pasta. Jerk Pork with Fried Chicken, rice and peas with pasta. Everything was so DELICIOUS . Yes, you can get Jerk anywhere but this is authentic like you're in Jamaica ”
“ Some amazing food for a decent price on the island! I got the jerk chicken and plantains, my partner got the curry chicken and both were incredible. The jerk chicken was flavorful and tender, and the sauce was great. The curry chicken was fall off the bone and the potato salad was nicely spiced. ”
“ My happy place. I always feel like I’m at home at the jerk. Big up the jerk for consistently delivering amazing food and customer service. Always making me feel like I’m home away from home. Everything is amazing. Always happy and never disappointed. Highly recommended for the Jamaican flavor and taste. One love. ”
“ The food tasted good, but to our surprise the order of Curry chicken came with no rice. Orders come with one or two sides, just know if you want rice, rice is considered a side already. We didn't know that, because every Jamaican restaurant we've been to, rice is part of the plate. If you order any meat like oxtail, goat, chicken etc. it comes with rice and a side, at least at every other Jamaican restaurant we've been to. The pictures on the wall also show it this way. So we were super disappointed when we got to our hotel and found the plate only had curry chicken and sweet plantains, since we ordered sweet plantains as our side. Even the pictures on their wall show it with rice. They should specify that when ordering, or on their menu. He could have upsell it by saying "do you want that with rice and a side?" And we would have happily spent the extra 2 dollars. We got some Jerk chicken tacos, I recommend those, they were pretty tasty and filling. I wanted to get the oxtail but for 45 dollars, it ain't happening. Heads up it's not a full sit down restaurant, it has no tables, just a little high top with a couple of stools, it's more of a order to go place. ”
“ Food is super duper delicious. The pics say it all. Service isn’t fast, but they imma willing to wait for amazing food. It was warm inside the store so we moved the chairs outside and enjoyed the cool breeze after a shower in Key West. Good times! ”