Junction International Market and Jerk Center

The jerk is flavorless and over priced and the service bad. Don’t waste your time here. Check out Caribbean Gardens just up the street instead.

Sorry dudes, this jerk is NOT SPICY and dry as a piece of leather. The rice and cabbage were okay. They should be embarrassed. Maybe the other dishes are better.

Got jerk chicken entrée with veggies and rice & peas as a side. Drink is can of Marley’s mellow mood lite mango. Giving four instead of five cuz got an unwelcome vibe and chicken should be warmer. Think this is cuz they are trying to close up and didn’t really want customers but hopefully I’m wrong. Would go back cuz chicken is expertly seasoned and sides are good as well. Decent portion size for being a small :-)

So I came across this place when my god-​sister was in town. She got the brown stew chicken from there with someone else but offered me a taste. Once I saw the color I knew it was legit! The dark browning sauce was prevalent and once I tasted it my mouth exploded with flavor. My mind was taken back to a time when life was sweet and simple. A time when procuring such deliciousness was taken for granted. I immediately took the 45 minute drive to Junction to satisfy my soul’s craving for this decedent, tender entrée. My god-​sister couldn’t understand why I was so elated. Being that I’m a foodie as well as a purist when it comes to my native food and culture and I had to explain to her that not all Jamaican food is created equally in the US. I devoured the meal as if it was my last meal. Lol. Anyway, for all the purists and foodies out there, do yourself a favor and check this place out. Yummmmmmmmm.

I think I just had a religious experience eating the best curried goat I think I have ever had. You can taste the flavor from the cartilage and bone that has slowly broken down with hours simmering. The rice and beans were authentic with corns of allspice cooked in. The succotash was equally of good quality and was crunchy. The only thing I would ask is that the A/​C be turned on but that’s more island authenticity for you!

I used to live within walking distance to the restaurant, and it was my default go to spot for a quick meal. I’m miles away now, but just last week I decided another meal from there was well worth the long drive, and I wasn’t disappointed.
As others have previously mentioned, it’s more of a take-​out spot, than for dining, albeit they have a few tables. Tables useful if you’re pressed for time and don’t mind others standing around waiting for their orders while you’re eating.
The food is strictly Jamaican, portions and prices are acceptable, and parking is available.
Specifically, I always order their escovitch snapper, and it’s among the best I’ve had in the US.
Customer service isn’t the best I’ve come across, but they’re very far above the worst.

A friend mentioned this place recently, and while driving by, I decided I should check it out. The exterior is brightly painted with the colors of the Jamaican flag, and the interior is sunny with a handful of two-​tops and some seats for waiting. The staff is very kind and funny.
I ordered take-​out of jerk chicken with rice and peas and a beef patty. Curry is my go-​to, but since this is a «jerk center», I figured I’d try the jerk. Beef patty was hot, and one of the better ones I’ve had in the area, plus it was spicy. And, they actually had them in the afternoon, which I find rare. I mistakenly said jerk sauce on the side, when asked, and was only given two tiny containers of the condiment. The chicken was tender and the sauce was fine, but you can find more richly flavored versions in this area. Rice and peas were lacking in flavor (and peas – really, it was mostly rice).
My friend lives around the corner, so I might stop back to try the snapper, brown stew chicken, or curry chicken. But it’s not my first choice for Jamaican cuisine.

Tried the jerk chicken today… not impressed but not nausea inducing. However for the price (a large is about $ 13) you are better of getting Jamaican Joes, which is a bit further out but a better price and better quality… and more authentic tasting.

I was on my way to Ruff n Ready to try their crab. I don’t live too far away and always drive by them on my way to work. HOWEVER, they were pretty crowded and my impatience started to set in, so I decided to go somewhere else. As I was turning around, I saw a Jerk restaurant across the street! Aaahhhh, I was in luck! Brown stew chicken is what I had on my mind! Even though I had never been there either, I always like to give Jamaican food a try!
When I walked inside, the aroma made me happy-​their food smelled soooooooooooo good, I just knew it would be tasty! There was one other customer inside as I approached the counter. Two other guys who looked to be employees were standing on the adjacent side of the display case by the window. As I look around for a menu, no one said anything to me. There was a menu on a chalkboard affixed to the wall, but the writing was too small. I finally saw a menu near the register, picked it up and went over the prices. By the time I had stepped up to place my order, my enthusiasm had waned. I was never greeted by anyone and received a somewhat blank stare from the guy behind the counter.
I asked him to show me the container for the small and the large. He looked like I annoyed him by asking such a ridiculous question. I decided on the small (8.75 incl. tax). Do you want anything else? Wow-​he speaks!!! I asked for an order of plantain but he said they were out. He starts to make my plate and as he gets ready to bag it, I realize that I forgot to ask for heavy gravy on the rice n peas. I said excuse me, he looks back (as well as the other two guys who were there-​was I speaking to either one of you ???) without stepping closer to me to see what I wanted. I asked if he could let me see the food before he finished-​just to make sure the amount of gravy was sufficient. He makes «eyes» at the other coworker who then looks at me-​all the while I’m staring at both of them. He opens the container and it looks like there’s enough on the rice. So I said, ok. After bagging it up, he rings my purchase on the register… STILL NEVER SAYING A WORD! I pulled out a $ 20 to pay-​he took the money without opening his mouth to even tell me what the cost was! All the while, I’m hoping he would say something to possibly redeem his RUDE AND UNPROFESSIONAL BEHAVIOR. But of course not!!! He gave me my change as I muttered out loud to myself, wow-​no thank you?, no come again?— nothing!!! I kind of chuckled to myself because here it was I gave my hard earned money to an establishment and what do I get I return? NOTHING and NO PLACE THAT I WILL EVER RETURN TO!!!
TO ADD INSULT TO INJURY, the chicken was RUBBERY because it was sitting in the warmer for far too long, the cabbage was bland but the rice n peas were relatively good. BECAUSE THE SERVICE WAS SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO PISS POOR-​THEY HAVE LOST A POTENTIAL REPEAT CUSTOMER. AND I WILL TELL ALL OF MY FRIENDS!!!

YAH MON!
As my wife below indicated, the fact that they called themselves a «Jerk Center» threw me off since that’s what they call em in Jamaica. And just like the name, the food was authentic Jamaican, which was a breath of fresh air seeing as how we had just been to Ocho Rios a month ago for our honeymoon. Not only was it good for a Jamaican spot in the states, but I’d put it up there w/​the food they actually sell IN Jamaica.
I didn’t actually go to the place, so I can’t rate the atmosphere or the customer service, but from what the wife told me they had good customer service and the people were friendly. My only beef is the cost, but it really wasn’t THAT different compared to the prices we’d paid over there if you throw in cost of living here. Buddy down there was trippin giving this place a 3 cause their beef patty wasn’t spicy w/​o having tried the rest of the food. With that said … 5 stars!

The jerk chicken is absolutely fabulous. I knew something was up when it was called a «Jerk Center.» That’s what they call them in Jamaica. Unlike some Caribbean spots, the employees are actually Jamaican. They chop the chicken up just like they do in Jamaica. The plantains are also delicious. My only gripe is the cost. The coco bread was deliciously soft; but it was too expensive. The chicken was also more expensive than I would have liked to pay. The reason I gave it 5 stars instead of 4 is because I felt like the food’s taste was worth it. People rate restaurants lower than they should based on minor details based on personal preference (like beef patties being too mild)… then when others look at the star review, they’re not encouraged to go because the star rating is too low based on some cayenne pepper…

Stopped by at lunch for a couple of beef patties. A little disappointing because I expect a little spice ant these were quite mild. Have not had time to sit down and have an entrée, so I still haven’t «reviewed’ this place.

More of a carryout spot than dine in, although there are indeed a few tables. I was more impressed by the brown stew than the jerk chicken. Like way impressed. I’m definitely going back for that. The rice and peas were tasty. The menu has exactly what you’d expect from a Caribbean/​Jamaican type of situation: beef/​veggie/​chicken patties, ox tail, jerk chicken, goat, plantains.
A man played old dub records from a crate in the hallway that led to the bathroom. He got up during songs to pick the dead leaves off of the plants growing by the decorative pool/​fountain. I definitely appreciated his choice in music. I would have expected more of a dancehall type of swag from this joint.
I was the only white guy, and my company was the only latin chick. People stared at us. It didn’t matter. The food was good, and they were just looking since my girl is fly. Jealous, curious-​ass, good-​eating fools… I hope they don’t ever change.