In 1979 Mr. Jerk had its humble beginning in Toronto, Canada in the backroom of a small West Indian grocery chain called Linstead Market. The demand for jerk pork and chicken was so overwhelming from its customers that in 1986 the Jamaican owners opened their first Caribbean restaurant specializing in jerk products. At the same time they also introduced a new Jamaican fried delight called festivals which was only known to the local beach-goers at Helshire Beach in Jamaica.This original restaurant was established in a very small space in the Peanut Plaza in North York, Ontario, Canada. It was so small that a reporter from the Toronto Sun newspaper described it as not much larger than a closet. No one could ever realize what a phenomena this little restaurant would unleash on the international scene when they offered authentic Jamaican jerk products to their customers for the first time outside of Jamaica. At this time most Caribbean restaurants were only known mainly for their patties, stews, and curriesmore...See more text
The chicken was dried when I had it, unsure if it was fresh or not. The seasoning was not hot enough, just burnt on the outside but smelt and tasted like regular chicken.
Food: If you love Caribbean food this is the spot but stay on the Caribbean food section near the window side. The Chinese food is ok.
Past 10 years I never stopped coming back. Before the service was good, server was nice and welcomes you. Even if you haven't decided what to get, they tell you the special.
Now service has changed. Not sure who she is, I don't think she likes a customer who lines up and has a question about what in the menu or special menu. I'm not talking about my self, 2 customers asked a simple question about the specials and she just told them "It's right there". When it was my turn I asked for extra oxtail gravy and a bag. I got my receipt I got charge for 2 bags. I just asked why I was asked for extra bag (i know it's only 5cents), she said you asked for extra gravy its 5cents.
I still came back on the same month, I just pass when I see her behind the counter. Oh yhea! when I came back and asked for extra gavy, i was not charged for extra gavy and I was only charged 5cents for 1 bad.
I like to add something... it was this place who taught me how to cook curry chicken and jerk chicken.
The chieese style food is tasty, but their jerk...
The chieese style food is tasty, but their jerk pork is very good, but is light on the spicy. I recommend that you stick with the carribbean section as it is freshly presented and this is what they specialize in "Carribbean cooking". Will be back again.
Went here awhile ago. Heard so many positive reviews about it, heck might as well try it I thought.
I have tasted jerk chicken from many other West Indian restaurants before.
Many were decent, some were bad, few were very good.
This Mr Jerk I would say falls within the decent catagory. It was ok if you happen to work in the area and need to go out for a quick lunch.
However, I wouldn't really say it is a place you would rush to every week (or even month) if you live all the way across town; like perhaps in Mississauga or East York.
I've tried a few other Mr Jerk locations and, would honestly say I would travel far to pick up food from them if I ever felt the cravings lol.
But not so sure about the Don Mills location though.
Asides this though, the jerk chicken itself was passable. It was not open char-grilled btw, it was instead simply oven baked and served.
Rice was a bit watered down for my taste, needed a bit more spices. Plantains tasted fine.
Every week day there is a dif $4.99 lunch special btw.
Certain days it would be curry goat, other days it would be stew chicken, or jerk pork. You could choose it served w/rice + peas or white rice, coleslaw, etc.
Decent but not "must dine @ all the time" restaurant.
