2201 Brimley Rd Unit #5, Scarborough, ON M1S 2E3, Canada
I recently visited Jerk Up Central Inc., and I was absolutely blown away by the incredible flavors and quality of the food! This place takes authentic Caribbean cuisine to a whole new level. From the first bite, I could tell that the team at Jerk Up Central knows their craft. Their jerk chicken is perfectly seasoned, juicy, and cooked to perfection with just the right amount of smoky heat. The spices are balanced so well, and you get that genuine Caribbean flavor that’s hard to come by outside of the islands. The sides were also delicious—rice and peas, plantains, and their slaw all complemented the main dishes beautifully, adding richness and a refreshing contrast to the spices. One of my favorite things about Jerk Up Central Inc. is that they don’t shy away from delivering bold, authentic flavors. Every bite transported me straight to the Caribbean! The portions were generous, making it worth every penny. Their team was also super friendly, and you can tell they are passionate about what they do. If you’re a fan of jerk or Caribbean food, or if you're just looking to try something new, I highly recommend Jerk Up Central Inc. This is a true gem, and I’ll definitely be back for more!
wow delicious, I don’t need to drive a long way to find yummy jerk chicken anymore. The kitchen is very clean as well.
Just grabbed the Curry Chicken and it was very filling and delicious. The meat falls off the bone and it's so comforting. The portions are blessed. Also, I grabbed the BBQ and Jerk chicken the other day. They also have lunch specials. The price is right and the taste even better. Definitely a Scarborough hidden gem people must try.
Read some really great reviews online. Was super excited to try out the jerk pork and a patty. I was really disappointed with the jerk pork. 😞 There was no jerk seasoning at all, it actually tasted like barbecue sauce? The coleslaw was alright and the rice and peas were decent. The patty was different- it wasn’t a Randy’s Patty or Allen’s. It was thinner and the beef tasted really different. Can’t say I would reorder from here again.
Absolutely good food I just love it. People should come and try this food. I take food from all around, perfect mix of stuffs and good service and a pleasant looking staff at the front. Really. Enjoyed.
Got the jerk pork, jerk chicken, and oxtail. All of them were really good and had great portion sizes. The jerk pork had a nice kick to it. The oxtail was nice and tender. The jerk chicken was flavorful and tender. For the price, I'd definitely come back any day.
The amount of food you get for $8.99 is a steal! Everything on the jerk chicken plate tastes fresh and homemade. The jerk sauce could use more kick but that's just a preference. Even the patties appear handmade and are a good size. Good humble food.
Ordered the small jerk pork and the jerk chicken special. Special is only til 2pm and comes with a beverage. Friendly and great customer service, the owner took time to explain the menu. Jerk pork is not dry and was tender and juicy.Jerk chicken, for my personal preference, could be more spicy. Portions are generous even though I ordered small.
My uncle loves the patties from this place and he requests them whenever Im omw to visit him
Foods great at good prices. Specials each day.
Had their jerk chicken meal at the international centre. Worst jerk chicken of my life, it tasted like the chicken started to go bad and they cooked it. Then to add insult to injury, they ran out of rice and peas, so substituted it with jerk lentils (which didnt taste too bad) for which they charged an extra $5. Never again.
Too good
Very quiet, only 2 units
Visiting Toronto from London, and just had the pleasure of visiting Jerk Up Central. This is the best food I have tasted in a long time. My 6 year old nephew has never said previously, Can we come back tomorrow please , which is high praise indeed. I will definitely visit again when I m in Toronto.
Good food, red bean soup with jerk chicken dinner. Friendly staff overall nice vibe! I recommend it.
One of my favorite spots!!! Friendly and fun environment that offers amazing food!! My favorite is the cowfoot! Stop by if you can - you wont regret it!!
Perfect, just go
Friendly and let me have jerk lunch special although I was a few minutes late. Clean kitchen. Chef made the plate not too spicy for me; I would ask for spice if you are not Caribbean.
First time I went there with my daughter and grandson food was good on point will be going back I recommend
Im a huge jerk fanatic and when I saw this place was near me with amazing reviews, I had to try it out. However i was very underwhelmed unfortunately. Usually jerk places would ask if you wanted jerk sauce but this place didnt ask so I thought they already added it. Side note, food was prepared in the back and packaged in the back. I didnt see how it was prepared until I went to eat it. Coleslaw was tasteless and the chicken tasted old and dry and the rice wasnt cooked properly, it was still hard.
Jerk Up Central Driving past your restaurant made me hungry so I stopped in and ordered Jerk Chicken w oxtail gravy. Got home and wished your Restaurant was closer to me as your food would be a weekly must have Looked you up on your website and Love your menu with the ingredients listed and their benefits! Great stuff
Excellent jerk chicken! Good portions and good quality meat.
Wooow where to start , im from montreal quebec I be doing back and forth in the city for almost 12 years now And I can tell you best jamaican food you can find you got to believe me the rice , the chicken and the cosleslaw were on point plus it a super clean inside . The staff are very generous and friendly
First time trying Jerk Up Central and I was very happy I did. Lots of great parking, very friendly shop owner and damn good food!! I was hoping to try the Cow Foot special but it wasnt available, I did try the large jerk chicken, ox tail and jerk pork. All three were delicious and great portion sizes. Not to mention, the price is well worth the portion. Keep up the great food and prices Jerk Up!
Travelled in from Bowmanville today.I ordered two large jerk chicken dinners and they were absolutely delicious.Very fresh ingredients.Nice clean restaurant and extremely friendly and courteous service.I ll stop in again when I m in Scarborough.
Im thrilled I found a good place for jerk pork. Good flavour, texture, and moisture in the meat.
Just stopped by for lunch after driving by this place for ages. Great food, really enjoyed it thank you very much! We had the oxtail and the jerk chicken, 100% will be back.
Best tasting, generous servings and their focus on sustainability make this the best option in the city. Highly recommended Food
My first time here, The food is delicious. I will be back soon and try other dishes. Impressed and highly recommend. Great job everyone
Disgusting place. Food is not fresh it gave me stomach ache. Serving food thats days old. Im going to report to public health.
Good quality great value
So Im a delivery guy and I live in the west end and I had to delivery there. By far his food is a lot better than a lot of places in the west. I got a large jerk pork and I and a quarter chicken jerk it came up to about 20 a good size portion of food I got for the price . Now the food was 10 out of 10 the rice and peas was made perfectly. The jerk had a good amount of heat and seasoning. The jerk pork was actually meat and not dryed out pork fat none was over cooked. Overall the food taste really good and fresh. I will be coming back
Had Oxtail/jerk chicken/jerk pork and a patty. Pork and patty were really good IMO. Chicken not so good, lacking in flavors which was surprising as the pork was nicely seasoned and had a lot more kick. Oxtail just was not up to par, also lacking flavor.
I enjoyed the jerk pork and the beef patties are fantastic
Kind and quick service considering how much we ordered! My family loved the food, we will be returning.
Authenthic, flavourful, and delicious. Best part is the happy smile the owner gives you everytime you visit! Excellent!
Nice Jamaican hidden gem of a restaurant! Great value and service and really good food. The jerk and BBQ chicken is amazing !
The Oxtail was amazing! Great Food and service! I 100% recommend this place
The Oxtail was incredibly meaty and tender; couldnt help but finish it quickly! Plus, the staff were genuinely friendly. Highly recommend this place.
We just came in to get some jerk chicken.. really friendly person served us great food We drove a long way for an appointment would definitely come back again
Good ish
My recent dining experience at Jerk Up Central was nothing short of spectacular, setting a new benchmark for Caribbean cuisine, particularly their exceptional jerk chicken. The restaurants vibrant atmosphere, combined with the top-notch service provided by a friendly male server, made for an unforgettable meal. From the moment I walked in, I was enveloped in an inviting ambiance that perfectly captured the essence of Caribbean culture. The decor was lively and colorful, creating a cheerful and relaxed environment. The aroma of spices and grilled meats wafting through the air was tantalizing, promising a culinary treat. The highlight of my visit was undoubtedly the jerk chicken. It was expertly prepared, with the perfect balance of smoky, spicy, and sweet flavors. The chicken was succulent and tender, falling off the bone effortlessly, while the skin was grilled to a perfect crisp. The unique blend of
Id been looking for a new jerk spot for 2 reasons: #1) The larger incumbents to me have been getting lazy with sub-par food, sub-par service, and a sense of entitlement. One popular spot in the Tam OShanter area has an extensive menu and is always super busy. But the chicken is not of high-quality, and the jerk is not the real back-a-yard jerk. They dont do anything really really well anymore. Another vendor (known as Mr.) stopped caring long ago. The love and attention is gone. #2) The smaller more numerous places are a coin toss. Some really care and try their best, while others dont care, and they survive only because theyre the local hang-spot or the only option. Decided to scour the internet ratings to find somewhere that I could trust. This place had good ratings that felt real i.e. not written by the owner, an employee, or a digital marketing agency. The location is not great, and if youre not paying attention you could miss it. Admittedly, Id passed by it many times but didnt even bother because I was thinking how good could it be? Well...its good. Its really good. I spent some time talking to Easton (the owner) to get a sense of his philosophy on cooking, nutrition, food quality, and the importance of customer service. He checked all the boxes and is the real deal. He offers a simple menu that focuses on core Jamaican take-out specialties. Then I ate the food (2 orders of jerk-chicken). You can taste the difference with the pasture-raised chicken, and the seasoning is low-salt SO THAT YOU CAN ACTUALLY TASTE THE MEAT, instead of just getting a mouthful of spices (anyone can do that). The rice & peas were on point (light-tasting, fresh tasting beans, and not overcooked), and the coleslaw was creamy and light. The portion size was Jamaican as well i.e. if you have this for lunch, you might not have dinner. Rating J.U.C. a 5 on the jerk chicken experience, and will be going back to try out the other offerings. Ive finally found my spot.
Always service with a smile not to mention great food
Well seasoned food - lightly spiced and harmone free meats. Gluten-free Jamaican dishes. Dietary restrictions: Gluten-free options are available.
Good food, can tell the ingredients are fresh, and the restaurant looks vary clean
Food is good, place is clean, service with a smile. What more can you ask for? Dietary restrictions: Jerk chicken is gluten free... and they didnt get schupid bout it like most caribbean places. Food : 5/5 |
I trying to for the first time I found it really good the portion was really good for the money I would recommend it to anyone who links jerk chicken and Jamaican food or should I say Caribbean Vegetarian options: There are vegetarian options You can have the rice beans etc and Im sure he can customize an order for you
Parking: One of the best jerk chicken and portion for the price I ever had. Friendly service. Food
Delicious oxtail, perfect amount of heat, lots of flavour, not greasy. Side veg is perfectly cooked.
Good food with good portions. Amazing Caribbean flavours! And the prices were good with daily specials
Had this a few weeks ago and had Chris jerk alongside it, this definitely comparable in terms of tenderness and taste for jerk chicken and oxtail, Jerk central is more like a healthy choice with less seasoning and spices than Chris jerk in general but doesnt leave you with too much phlegm afterwards
Staff is friendly
This place is so freaking good
Ordered peas Soup which was burned. Burned smell was very present with pieces of burn food also not much provision and whatever meat was in there was just skin and fat. Curry goat was rich in curry but lacked flavour. Rice and peas was good. Been searching for a great restaurant in Scarborough that is consistent . Still looking. :(
The owner really knows how to handle business. Super clean and tidy with the most authentic and homemade style of cooking. Cheers and more prosperity to you guys
My husband and I were really hungry and decided to purchase food from jerk up central. Bad idea. The jerk chicken and red peas soup were just ok but the curry goat and rice and peas was terrible. We will not be returning
Love the foooooood and service! Great place for jerk chicken, pork, dumplings, salmon, everything!
Customer Service- I was welcomed with a BIG SMILE which you dont see now a days. I appreciated that . Place and bathroom- clean, tidy and good smell. Food- Omgoodness it was perfect! I ordered the oxtail with rice and the veggies were fresh, crispy and good portion. Dine in- got to sit outside and enjoy the beautiful weather with great food. Yummy! I didnt feel bloated after eating the food...2 thumbs way up! This is my go to place from now on and its convenient as I live close by. God bless and Gracias= Thank you!
Food is fresh and very tasty. True to taste. Service is professional and friendly. Worth every dollar
This place is great! Great portion, flavor and service. I recommend 100%! I tried the Jerk chicken.
Discovered this place on a Tiktok post, decided to give it a try. I had Jerk Pork dinner. It was well cooked and moist not dried out. The only thing was the jerk flavour too mild, Im not talking about spiciness, it was lacking that jerk flavour. However you wont be disappointed with the overall taste. Portion was good. The side veggies would also have been nicer without the carrots.
Good value, flavour is on point,everything else is great. Easton is warm and friendly
Awesome spot! Love the food!
Omg the best oxtail I have ever had. Dont change a thing
Had there jerk chicken very mild ask for hot sauce extra charge $1 every other place dont change for little hot sauce
Decent spot, but not the best jerk around.
Pleasure in a box that s the best way I can describe my jerk chicken dinner. Phenomenal service, presentation and to top it off I enjoyed every bite dinner was definitely More-ish
Really good food. Very clean space.
I ordered the large jerk pork. Not too spicy but the heat is present. Generous serving of tender juicy pork (and not charred!). There is a nice subtle smoke flavour imparted on pork. Rice and beans solid and not buried in sauce. I very much welcome the side of vegetables (its in line with their more nutritious take on Jamaican cookin). The gentleman that served me (maybe the owner) was very friendly and super chill. His demeanour and the music playing gave the whole place Island relaxin vibes. Lots of specials available - check the website out (prices may be old).
My husband said the jerk chicken was very bland and I ordered the curry goat which I actually quite liked
Ive only been here once - ordered the oxtail. It was arguably the best oxtail Ive ever had. An order is about $16, but the portion size is good. Id rather spend the $16 here, than $13 at some other places where it doesnt taste as good and for a tiny portion size. They menu items rotate throughout the week. I will update once I try more items
RECOMMENDED. FRESH, ORGANIC FOOD. THE BEST.
Was in the east end and looking for a quick bite. Passed by this restaurant to try it out. Owner/chef was very friendly. It is a healthier alternative to jerk chicken, a lighter meal.
Excellent food. Clean place. Professional.
Great food, always!
The store owner is friendly and the food is great!
First timer here, I tried the oxtail and rice. Wow just the way I like it. Nice infused jerk flavour, oxtail perfect not fall off the bone and no apparent sugar taste. Rice texture just right. Stay tuned, will be back to sample the other items on the menu.
Amazing people and delicious food! Thank you for being great!
First time here, ordered the oxtail and smoked jerk chicken. Both dishes were very good, really hit the spot. The oxtail was tender, flavourful and juicy. The smoked jerk chicken probably the best out there. Wonderfully spiced, moist and satisfying. Has a kick but in a nice balanced way. The vegetables had a good crunch and very fresh. Portions were on point. Priced well for the quality and quantity. The gentleman that took my order was pleasant and engaging. Will definitely be coming back again. I finally have a go-to place for my cravings. Side note, love all round clear containers. It added an elevated element to the take out experience. You get home and your food is beautifully presented to you, almost like a dine-in experience.
Excellent food , so far I had the jerk chicken lunch special cant wait to try the jerk salmon
I drive past this place everytime Im on Brimley going and leaving from work so I had to try it. I ordered jerk chicken and oxtail for take out. I was not disappointed at all. Both orders, I ordered large and the portions was big so I was pleased with that. Also the taste of the jerk chicken had the right spices and was not to dry to eat (not much heat which was ok). The oxtail was very tender (melt in your mouth) and flavorful. I enjoyed mixing both together for my meal. These 2 large boxes can actually feed 3 people if you dont eat that much (small to medium appetite). It was also served with rice and peas and mixed vegetables (zucchini, baby bok choy & carrots). I will definitely come back for another meal..maybe try the curry or the jerk pork :)
This food perfect. The chicken and oxtail are grain fed, clean and low salt. The staff are very welcoming. The place is clean and well organized. They have a special Jerk it up seasonings to die for...Ill be back!!
Awesome eating!!!
Amazing red peas soup
Just had the jerk chicken lunch special, it was delicious, the greens tasty and one of the best jerk chicken meal Ive had in a long time. The place is clean and spacious.
Great food. Great owner and cares so much about healthy eating.
Service was prompt good, open and friendly
Opens at 12. Doors were open at 11:50am with food ready to go. Ordered the large jerk chicken. Let me tell you the quality of the food is amazing. The chicken was robust in flavour, the bones fell right off, supple, tender and sexy. I will definitely come back. Was served by the owner and I highly enjoyed his presence this means a lot because I dont like a lot of people. 5 fat thick stars
We got the jerk chicken and the jerk pork meal they were both fantastic! We bought the jerk seasoning and so happy we did because the flavour is so good! Healthy delicious Jamaican food!
Food healthy
Great tasting food. Always fresh.
Good food... Good vibes.... consistency all the time
Awesome and healthy Caribbean food
Delicious food, great owner, healthy and authentic. Note that only the pork is boneless currently. Everything is delicious and juicy, high quality food. Their small is a healthy portion for one person. Photo is of small jerk pork meal.
Food was delicious. Venue is clean.
Very clean and the food was amazing. I enjoyed the vegetarian option
Great jamaican food in Scarborough
Ok food, pretty blah for a jerk place where your expect bold flavors
Great food. Love this spot!
Probably the best stew beef Ive had in my life. Very nice and tender, just melts in your mouth.
Definitely the best take-out Jamaican food Ive ever had, and the best in T.O.
Im a huge fan of Caribbean cuisine and honestly this is one of the best Ive tried in all of GTA. The owner is extremely friendly, and you can tell hes passionate about always serving high quality food. The major differentiating factor about them is how clean and healthy their food is compared to other Caribbean restaurants in the city. Im a nutrition practitioner myself and I would recommend it to anyone looking for the perfect combination of health and flavour. Ill keep coming back!
One of the best take out food
If you want clean eating and great service always with a smile and maybe a laugh you will not be disappointed here. Easton the chef and owner is an amazing person and you can tell he cooks with love. His soups are so delicious but get there early because it does sell out, thats how good it is. His jerk pork....the smoky flavour with the jerk just makes my mouth water. He also has the jerk marinade bottled up and ready for you to take home and do your own jerk up whatever. Customer for life!!!!
Ive been here about 5 times now. I find the food very clean is the only way i can describe it. I have yet to move on from the jerk chicken and the soup because i really like it. Im on my way there now as a matter of fact
Love the food, love the service. Would reccomend 100%
Very dry & flavourless chicken, won t be back
The lunch special is a great deal and super douper tasty. Recommend asking for more spicy.. The default jerk chicken on the mild side od spice.
Really flavorful jerk chicken with a reasonable amount of spice. The rice and peas are good too, and the portions are well put together. The owner seems like a good man that takes pride in his business and his food. The location is a little tough to access because of constant construction on Brimley, but its well worth it.
Really great jerk chicken
probably the worst oxtail Ive had ever. rice was soggy and the gravy was watery. horrible!
Best in Toronto! Place is clean, food is clean with great flavours and perfect spice. Owner is a great guy to top it all off. Would not hesitate to recommend. My go to jerk spot in Scarborough. Give it a try!
Environment is clean. Customer service is perfect. Food is amazing!
I wish I had crossed path with this restaurant when they first opened for business!! You will experience real authentic West Indian dishes prepped to perfection! Not to mention, the meat used are grain fed!!! Talk about a healthier choice with reasonable prices. You will not be disappointed! Theyve gained a new loyal customer! Thank you for your lovely customer service and Ill be back for my Brown stew fish dinner!
Amazing food and great service. If youre looking for a healthy choice of Jamaican food you must try jerkup central!
Great place for clean Jamaican food
Food is really authentic. Jerk rub is out of this world - spicy and very tasty you can add it to almost anything. Place is rather hidden but well worth finding.
Delicious jerk lentils and the best steamed vegetables. I just keep going back for more.
Truly a hidden gem in Scarborough. Must try the curry goat on Wednesdays ! Fresh and healthy ingredients generous portions.
Hidden gem! Odd location but worth it for the great flavours, clean food! Go out of your way...totally worth it.
Super friendly, super tasty, super experience. Will definitely be back!
Love the Beef Patties!!! Very natural tastying..No after taste like many patties...Will be buying a Dozen next visit!!!! The Jerk Chicken Dinner is very delicious too.