Mr. Jerk

What is Mr. Jerk? Anchored along Wellesley Street East in downtown Toronto's St. James Town community, this outpost of Mr. Jerk is a long-standing neighborhood takeout institution that has supplied the downtown core with genuine Jamaican cooking for decades. Unassuming and straightforward, the counter-service shop moves at brisk pace as steam rises from massive stainless steel warming trays loaded with seasoned meats and hearty stews.

Mr. Jerk Menu & What to Order The legendary order is the classic quarter chicken dinner, seasoned aggressively with allspice, Scotch bonnet peppers, scallions, and thyme before hitting the grill, served over a massive mound of fluffy rice and peas drenched in savoury meat gravy. The slow-simmered Jamaican oxtail dinner is equally celebrated for its fall-off-the-bone tenderness and rich molasses-tinged reduction. Grab a warm jerk pork sandwich tucked inside soft coco bread, add a side of fried sweet plantains, and pick up a spicy Jamaican beef patty to snack on the way home.

Know Before You Go Operating Monday through Saturday from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. (closed on Sundays), the shop experiences heavy takeout rushes around noon and immediately after 5:00 p.m. Seating is minimal, so plan on ordering takeout or ordering delivery. Street parking is limited along Wellesley, with easy pedestrian access from the Sherbourne and Castle Frank subway stations.