Chubby's Jamaican Kitchen

What is Chubby's Jamaican Kitchen? Housed in a restored 1890s row house at 104 Portland Street, Chubby’s brings soulful Jamaican home cooking to the pulse of King West. Conceived by Janet Zuccarini and Angela Lawrence alongside designer Wendy Haworth and Partisans, the two-storey space balances whitewashed brick, lush greenery, and cane accents with a lively ground-floor bar, intimate upstairs dining room, and courtyard patio seating. Chef Dadrian Coke drives the wood-fired kitchen, turning out elevated Caribbean staples that trade neighborhood pretension for breezy island hospitality.

Chubby's Jamaican Kitchen Menu & What to Order The undisputed headliner is the wood-fired jerk chicken, seasoned with Scotch bonnet and allspice, charred over hardwood, and served alongside tangy Chubby’s slaw. Start your spread with honey-drizzled slow-baked jerk wings, golden saltfish fritters paired with papaya-mango salsa, or flaky homemade patties. For heavier mains, the slow-braised oxtail stew and rich curry goat deliver deep comfort, while vegetarians can lean into the curried chickpea hash or jerk tempeh. Pair the meal with house-made sorrel punch or a rum-forward cocktail.

Know Before You Go Online reservations are essential for prime evening hours and weekend brunch, as walk-in waits along Portland Street regularly climb past an hour during peak dinner rushes. The kitchen opens at 4:00 p.m. on Monday and Tuesday, at noon Wednesday through Friday, and at 11:00 a.m. for weekend brunch service. Street parking is sparse on King West, so consider taking the 504 King streetcar or parking in a commercial garage along Wellington Street West.