I am always searching for the most flavor-packed spots in New York City. When I heard about a Caribbean joint in Midtown Manhattan serving up massive plates all day long, I had to see it for myself. Jerk House is the real deal.
The moment you step inside, the intense aroma of slow-cooked spices hits your face. I went straight for the counter to load up. The food here is insanely comforting.
The Legendary Comfort Combo
First up was their wildly creamy rasta pasta. Rich. They scoop a massive portion into a container before smothering it in their insane oxtail stew. Look at that pour! The gravy is thick, dark, and loaded with slow-braised oxtail that falls right off the bone. They finish the plate with a side of seasoned cabbage. The result? Pure bliss. The mix of the heavy, savory gravy with the velvety pasta is an absolute game-changer.
Next, I needed to try the classic curry goat. Tender. They layer white rice, cabbage, and sweet plantains before ladling a huge portion of goat curry on top. The meat is incredibly soft and literally falls off the bone. Every single bite is packed with deep, warm curry flavor.
Flame-Grilled Fire
Then came the star of the show. Their made-to-order jerk chicken is a masterpiece. I watched them throw it on the grill, drench it in jerk sauce, and let the flames completely engulf the meat. Charred. They chop it up right in front of you and finish it with a heavy drizzle of their signature jerk barbecue sauce. The skin is perfectly smoky and crisp.
If you want ribs, they have those too. Their famous jerk barbecue ribs are glistening with a sweet and spicy jerk sauce. They serve them over a bed of flavorful jerk rice with bright yellow peppers. The meat pulls right off the bone with zero effort.
They also offer an extremely popular jerk pork that gets chopped up and slammed with both jerk sauce and sweet barbecue sauce. Drenched. Every piece of meat is incredibly juicy and packed with a serious kick. You need to come hungry.