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    Mr Jerk

    3.8 (97 reviews)
    InexpensiveCaribbean, Chinese, Bakeries
    Closed 11:00 am - 9:00 pm

    Order Mr Jerk Takeout or Delivery

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    MR JERK ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Good for kids

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    Recommended Reviews - Mr Jerk

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    Soft & tender oxtail
    Jo Y.

    The process of Jamaican "jerking" originated as a means to preserve meats prior to the invention of refrigeration. It evolved to the use of local spices to slowly cook and smoke meats over wood, sometimes called the popular "street food" throughout Jamaica. Jerk cooking is considered a mixture of cooking techniques, flavors, and spices from the indigenous people of Jamaica and Africa. Seafood, meats, tropical fruits, and vegetables are widely used. Mr. Jerk (love that name!) consists of five unpretentious restaurant locations in Toronto, Ontario Canada. In 1979, it had its humble beginnings in the back of a small West Indian grocery chain, Linstead Market. In 1986, the first Mr. Jerk opened in the Peanut Plaza in North York, Toronto. The popular Mr. Jerk in the Cabbagetown suburb of eastern downtown Toronto subsequently opened not long after that. This charming Cabbagetown is known for its many brick Victorian homes built in the 1880's and 1890's by the Irish community at that time, with cabbage patches planted in front of the homes. These homes have since been restored and now reflect the heritage of a charming upscale area of many parks, large trees, coffee houses and restaurants. As with other Mr. Jerk locations, this Mr. Jerk offers jerk chicken/pork ala carte or in sandwiches; rice and peas with ox tails; stewed beef; chicken, beef or goat curry roti; chicken soup; curries (chicken, goat or beef with potatoes and veggies); meat patties; fried or fricassee chicken; fried plantains; escovitch (snapper, kingfish, and salt fish with onions); dinner plates; cole slaw; rum cake; festivals and dumplings; sweet potato pudding; black fruit cake; snacks; and Jamaican drinks such as Ting, tropical juices, sodas and vita malt. However, note that each of the Mr. Jerk restaurants has slight variations in that one location may offer certain menu items that the other locations may not. We've tried the following at Mr. Jerk Wellesley: * Jerk chicken sandwich. We love jerk chicken! Many people comment that Jamaican jerk chicken appears to be burnt on the outside, as there are black patches; however, it is the jerk seasoning that makes it appear that it is burnt, but it is not. The chicken is juicy and tender on the inside, and because it is cooked in a smoker, the interior may be pink, but it is fully cooked with savory smokiness. Note that the jerk seasoning is spicy hot. This sandwich was full of juicy and flavorful chicken that was very filling. Note that Allan's Pastry, which is a popular local Jamaican bakery, makes the tasty golden brown bread. * Meat patties. Encased in a buttery and flaky crust, these slightly spicy meat patties are easy to eat as a quick snack. Similar to an empanada. * Codfish fritters. These were delicious, and you wouldn't have known that scraps of fish were used for these fritters. Very addictive. * Tamarind balls. Jamaican packaged sweet snacks such as these sugar-coated, dried tamarind balls satisfies a sweet tooth. They also carry coconut drops, peanut drops, caramel wafers, and cashew nuts. We are fortunate to have been introduced to this authentic Jamaican cuisine, as its owners were born and raised in Jamaica. Food offerings are very flavorful, mouth-watering, and having us to want more. The few Jamaican restaurants that we have back home in HI come and go and are not authentic, as its food is tailored to diners who are unfamiliar with true Jamaican cuisine. As such, it is a special treat to have these foods when we visit Toronto. Cost-saving lunch specials of jerk, bbq, fried, curry or stewed chicken; jerk pork; or fried fish are offered on weekdays. This is a small take-out restaurant. There's a counter next to the window with four seats; however, with Covid, it is not being presently used at this time. It is good to see diners lining up during the busy lunch and dinner hours. The restaurant is bright and clean, with cool photos of Jamaica adorning the walls. Staff is pleasant and friendly, with smiling faces and ready to assist you with your order. Mr. Jerk is located on Wellesley Street across the street from a fresh fruit market and a Food Basics Supermarket. Close parking may be difficult to find, as most customers are already in the area. We parked a couple of blocks away and enjoyed our leisurely stroll through the quaint neighborhood while eating our delicious lunch and reading a couple of Jamaican community newspapers (that we picked up at Mr. Jerk) at a nearby park with lovely shaded trees. Hours of operation are Mon. to Sat., 11a to 9p; Sun. closed. We look forward to enjoying Jamaican food at Mr. Jerk Cabbagetown again when we return to Toronto in the near future. The amazing flavors with sweet and savory spices and smoky jerk aroma will surely be calling us.

    Jerk chicken sandwich
    Robert C.

    I'm just passing through and my daughter recommended I try this place. So I order a jerk chicken meal and she has the sandwich. In addition I I have a Snapple mango ginger drink. Now I'm a big eater and although there is a fair amount of chicken in my meal there is a considerable amount of rice. You won't go away hungry. The taste is alright. The orders are all to go. The key takeaway is the value you receive for your money. You can't beat it. It cost me USD $17.11.

    Spicy meat patty
    Kat J.

    This place is a 505 if you're just going for the patties. They are really flaky and tender and the filling is super flavorful. Nine times out of 10 I just go here and get patties. I could live off of them if I wouldn't weigh 1,000,000 pounds. Last night we try the rest of the offerings we got the curry goat and the jerk chicken with coleslaw and some festivals (and of course some pink ting). Sadly, the patty was still the best part. The chicken and goat were cooked perfectly but the seasoning wasn't as powerful as I was hoping and the goat was a little greasy. Maybe it was a bad day though. I'm going to give it another go for sure! They are also the most friendly people!! Always leave smiling.

    Patty in coco bread.
    Nibo S.

    The food is tasty and affordable, and the customer service is pleasant. The patty in coco bread is my go to here.

    Sandy C.

    I was driving down for work several time and drove the same path, kept passing by Mr Jerk. Finally was able to stop and grab some food . The store owner was very nice and cheerful. Pleasure to chat with her. I bought the Wednesday special which was jerk chicken for $7.99 , came with a drink. It was lunch box full of food! Generous amount of peas and rice. I also ordered curry lamb roti, which tasted amazing. They used good quality lamb, again not cheap on giving big pieces of meat. I also ordered the beef patty which was from Allans, and fried dumplings.. it was very good. Tasted like the Chinese style fried dough that goes with congee. Will definitely stop by again!

    Bargain lunch special!
    Jared R.

    I had to stop half way through my lunch here to write the review. Tiny little hole in the wall with mighty jerk. Paid 8 dollars for the lunch special which included 4 pieces of jerk chicken, coleslaw , rice and beans and I bought a dumping for gravy dipping. The jerk is rich , with a bit of heat but dosent overpower. The slaw and rice and beans are nice as well. I'm so full yet all I want to do is finish my chicken! Recommended.

    1/2 Jerk chicken dinner.
    Bo Z.

    The jerk chicken itself isn't bad. It's definitely flavorful, but a bit lacking on the seasoning. On the other hand, I feel like other places I've been to tend to *over*-season, so I'll give them credit for not over-seasoning. The portion sizes are good for their price, and the lunch special comes with a drink. The coleslaw tastes a bit bland too, like a salad without dressing, although I suppose that's a good thing, since it's healthier without all the dressing. The lady who works there is nice, so that's a bonus too. All in all, decent place for a lunch and I'll definitely go back again.

    James K.

    I used to come into Mr. Jerk all the time as I lived in the Cabbagetown hood for many years and it was usually good. Moved out of the neighbourhood but got nostalgic and ordered for delivery. Before, when I ordered Half Jerk Chicken a la Carte, the Take-Out container was so full it could barely shut. With white meat and dark meat ( which is breast, thigh, leg, hence half chicken). My container arrived as pictured with the container half empty with the left over shitty parts of the chicken with barely any meat on it. See picture. Called to complain and the owner (y'all know who she is if you know) didn't listen to me at all and kept saying she put in half a chicken. See their idea of half chicken and a regular half chicken at say, oh I don't know, let's say Swiss chalet... this place went DOWN HILL and they give ZERO Fucks about it... judge for yourself...

    1lb jerk without sauce

    Picked up 2lbs of jerk pork to go, one with sauce and the other without. It used to be $11 a pound, now it's $13 a pound! Very tasty, nice cuts of pork, just the right amount of heat. I made sure to call ahead because YELP showed as closed, but they are open on Saturday. Very satisfied with purchase. I also bought 3 fried dumplings @ $1.50 each but they were very tough and hard when I got it home :( This place has been here for years! I would definitely go back for pork

    Jerk Chicken with rice an beans topped with oxtail sauce.

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    7 years ago

    Best Jerk Pork South of Eglinton West. The location is small and the line up is often out the door.

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    9 years ago

    Great prices and good portions if you wanna quick take out Jamaican meal. The jerk pork is amazing and is accompanied by an amazing sauce.

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    15 years ago

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    13 years ago

    Amazing jerk chicken, jerk pork and chicken soup! The portions are huge and the prices are cheap! Cash only.

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    Mr Jerk - caribbean - Updated June 2026

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