The colourful country of Jamaica is the third largest island in the Caribbean and one of the biggest when it comes to bold foods and flavours.
It is also home to one of the greatest singer-songwriters and musicians of all time, Robert Nesta “Bob” Marley.
Slow-cooked on an open grill over hot coals, jerk chickens are first marinated or dry-rubbed with the cook’s blend of jerk spices that can include ginger, garlic, sometimes cloves, and cinnamon. But, it always includes pimento (allspice), a locally grown West Indies spice, and hot peppers, usually scotch bonnets.
This process creates an aromatic, smoky, and sometimes spicy jerk chicken that yells out perfection!
Served with rice that is cooked with coconut milk and peas — Jamaican usually refer beans as ‘peas’, it’s a heartwarming meal waiting to be enjoyed.
If this doesn’t make your mouth all watery, then we don’t know what will.
It’s good that Toronto doesn’t fall short when it comes to Jamaican/Caribbean cuisine. Let’s follow the aromatic scent and check out some of the best jerk chicken in Toronto.
1. Chris Jerk
Image by: Raj N.
Address: 2570 Birchmount Rd, Scarborough, ON M1T 2M5
Phone: 416-297-5375
It’s unfortunate that there’s only one of Chris Jerk in Toronto. For those wanting or craving their food, knowing how tasty it is, it could be a bit challenging getting there given where they are located. But that shouldn’t stop you.
Good thing for drivers, it’s not too far away from a highway exit with plenty of plaza parking.
If you want to enjoy what this place has to offer, then you need to be an early bird as their popular items can sell out quickly. And they won’t make a new batch of it too! Once it’s sold out, you need to wait for the next day.
What are the popular items that usually sell quickly? So far, we noticed it was their Shawarma Poutine. By late afternoon, it’s usually all gone for the day. Shredded jerk chicken with rich gravy and cheese on top of deep-fried fries, this combination was screaming with flavour. We can see why this item is so popular.
Just because the popular choices may no longer be available when you made the ultimate decision to have Jamaican food, it doesn’t mean there’s nothing worth having at Chris Jerk anymore. Their jerk chicken and oxtail are equally satisfying.
Chris Jerk’s jerk chicken is aromatic, smoky, with a nice touch of spiciness and most importantly, it’s delicious. The meal comes served in a mixture of vibrant colours – sweet plantain, stir-fried broccoli and carrots, good amount of rice with peas, and the juicy jerk chicken. A well-executed and fulfilling meal.
As for their succulent oxtail, it’s thick and meaty. Together with the lovely gravy, mixing it with the rice was so heartwarming.
There’s usually a lineup at this place so you may want to plan your trip accordingly. The usual wait time for your food is about 10 to 15 minutes, but it could take up to 45 minutes for lunchtime.
2. Mr. Jerk
Image by: Mr. Jerk
Address: 3050 Don Mills Rd E, North York, ON M2J 3C1
Phone: 416-491-3593
There are many Mr. Jerk restaurants in Toronto, but THE Mr. Jerk to go to is the one located in the Peanut Plaza. Opened in 1986, they have been serving the community for more than 35 years!
Wondering why it’s called the Peanut Plaza? If you zoom out of the map where this restaurant resides, it has a shape of a peanut.
Seasoned and to grilled perfection, their jerk chicken is so tender and juicy. But you haven’t experienced anything until you try their jerk chicken with a coco bread. Mixed together with coleslaw and their gravy sauce, all sandwiched between the coco bread, you get the satisfaction of enjoying the flavours at every bite – especially when the coco bread soaks in the juices from the jerk chicken and gravy.
The size of the sandwich is also pretty big and jam-packed with toppings, making it a very enjoyable meal. I’m not sure if it’s because of my love for burgers, but that coco bread jerk chicken is one of my top picks at this place.
With all this talk about jerk chicken, you think that’s all this place has to offer. But their oxtail, curry chicken roti, and jerk pork are also a must-have here. We can see why this Mr. Jerk has been in business and the one to go to for more than 35 years.
This place is also very small, so small that it can only fit 2 or 3 people inside at a given time. Because of this, it can take a while to place your order when it gets busy. And it does get busy during lunch hours so plan your trip ahead of time.
The owner is also very friendly and helpful, and the food is well priced. If ever you’re in town or in the area, you must give this place a try. Definitely worth it!
3. The Real Jerk
Image by: Kervin H.
Address: 842 Gerrard St E, Toronto, ON M4M 1Y7
Phone: 416-463-6055
It’s a good thing that this Real Jerk is located at the Gerrard and Carlaw intersection. Parking is very limited so you may have to secretly use the parking spots at Gerrard Square.
Once the parking issues has been solved, it’s time to enjoy the food at The Real Jerk.
Upon entering you’ll be presented with a beautiful atmosphere. The bamboo-like structures, the paintings on the wall, and the Jamaican flag colouring scheme was definitely a nice touch to the overall dine-in experience.
However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s mostly patio dining now. So, for the moment, you can’t really enjoy the interior decorations.
Their jerk chicken was nicely seasoned. You can taste the allspice, garlic, and hot peppers. Served together with rice and peas, and vegetables, it was just enough to fill the average-sized adult.
The curry goat roti, jerked pork, and lamb roti are also good choices here. As they are tender and flavourful.
4. Albert’s Real Jamaican
Image by: Amélie S.
Address: 542 St Clair Ave W, Toronto, ON M6C 2R6
Phone: 416-658-9445
Albert’s Real Jamaican is another establishment that serves delicious Jamaican food for take-out or delivery.
Not only is their jerk chicken good, but so is their oxtail, fried chicken, and curry goat. You can’t go wrong with any of these selections.
Marinated in their mix of spices the food has a unique taste that is different, but savoury, compared to similar establishments.
Served with the standard rice with peas, gravy, and plantain bananas, it’s an enjoyable meal leaving you wanting more.
Another item worth trying here is ordering the beef patty and coco bread from their Savoury Snack section and the coleslaw from their Sides menu. Once you have those three items, combine it into one to create a coco bread coleslaw beef patty sandwich. The meaty beef patty with the creamy coleslaw together with the coco bread is so dreamy.
5. Scotty Bons
Image by: Faiza K.
Address: 789 Warden Ave., Scarborough, ON M1L 4C2
Phone: 416-752-7222
When it comes to jerk chicken, you can definitely count on Scotty Bons to suppress your appetite.
They have three locations throughout Toronto but the one we often go to is the one located in Scarborough. We have been ordering here many times and not once did they failed to deliver.
Their jerk chicken is cooked just right and deliciously tender. It has an authentic and freshly made spice mix. You could taste this was not some premade out of a bottle season purchased from some local supermarket.
And that homemade scotch bonnet hot sauce. Creamy with a respectable kick of heat! Highly recommended even if you don’t like spicy food. It’s worth sweating over.
Their bowl option is the most popular among many. It’s great how you can customize it to your own liking – base, toppings, sauce, spice level.
That’s not to say the other items on their menu is not good. The sandwich is just as equally delicious as their chicken bowls. At Scotty Bons, you can’t go wrong with their menu, it’s just that good!
But most importantly, it’s their homemade scotch bonnet hot sauce that adds to the finishing touch!
6. Allwyn’s Bakery
Image by: Mario L.
Address: 81 Underhill Dr, North York, ON M3A 1K8 / Multiple Locations
Phone: 647-847-4698
Why are good places usually tucked away in a small corner where it’s difficult to find or notice? And Allwyn’s Bakery located in Donwood Wood Plaza is no different.
But for those that did happen to find this place, you’ll be in for a treat.
Their jerk chicken is well-prepared and seasoned. The portion is generous and the oxtail gravy on the rice is a nice touch that added to the overall flavours of the dish.
Another item that stands out is their coco bread with beef patty stuffed sandwich or coco bread with jerk chicken stuffed sandwich. The coco bread texture was perfect, not too toasty and perfectly spongey. The texture and flavours are so good, it’ll be gone in an instant – in your tummy that is.
Basically, their stuffed sandwich is to die for, regardless of what stuffing you chose.
A must-try restaurant if you haven’t been here before.
7. Cravins Caribbean Grill
Image by: Cravins Caribbean Grill
Address: 7270 Woodbine Ave, Markham, ON L3R 4B9
Phone: 905-415-0078
Hidden in a corner and partially blocked by trees, unless you work nearby or happen to be in that plaza, you can easily miss Cravins.
Cravins serves one of the best jerk chickens in the area. Their jerk chicken is cooked perfectly leaving it juicy on the inside and dry on the outside with their rubbed seasonings.
Their jerk chicken, which is juicy, flavourful, and tender with a hint of sweetness, is served with the usual rice and peas and your choice of sides – vegetable, coleslaw, or salad. We recommend the coleslaw, it’s creamy, sweet, and crunchy, but we’ll leave that entirely up to you.
If you like your food to be spicy, then you can request Cravins to make it extra spicy. But be warned, you may not be able to handle it. We had a friend asking for extra spicy and they couldn’t finish their meal because it was too spicy for them. So, if you’re up for the challenge, go ahead and ask for it.
The portion size of the food is also very generous, so, it should leave your stomach very pleased.
They also sell patties that aren’t on the menu. If they are available, you should get one, it’s a must-try!
Aside from their jerk chicken, the curry goat roti is also an excellent choice. Filled with meat and potatoes, and a hint of spiciness, it’s another item on their menu that checks off all the right boxes.
Great review. If you love Jamaican food also check out P Jays Take Out, Patty Time and and of course Randy’s Take Out.
Thank you, Greg! We will check out your recommendations.