The Discriminating Diner is back in Lehigh Acres and with something “tasty” to report! Jus Jerk in the Crossroads Shopping Center at the corner of SR 82 and Lee Blvd. We have been looking at the “Jus Jerk Coming Soon” sign for some time and finally they are open for business. Being fans of “jerk cooking”, we had to stop in a give them a try!
We arrived around 6:30pm, and there were customers! Good sign as they have been open about two weeks at the time of this review! Being greeted by friendly folks behind the counter we immediately felt welcomed, again a good sign! We went to the counter and were handed menus. Everything jerk from Pork and Chicken to Fish. Very middle of the road prices ranging from $1.99 sides to $3.99 to $19.99 for meals. The higher end prices are for Family Sized Meals ($19.99), Whole Rack of Ribs ($19.99), Whole Chicken ($16.99) and Large Ring Ding Wings ($16.99). You can order just the “Jerk Item” or you can “make it a meal (includes a regular drink and choice of two sides)” for only $2.00 more! Fountain Drinks, Bottled Drinks, Beer and Wine are also offered. What a deal! Very competitively priced, and really the only “Jerk Cuisine” restaurant in the area! You order at the counter and whether it is eat-in or carry-out, you pick your order at the counter. There are several tables to eat-in, and Jus Jerk offers a true Jamaican atmosphere through décor, color and music. We originally were going to get the order to go, but liked the feel of the place so much we ended up eating it there! After asking a barrage of questions about the food they have to offer, we placed our order. I ordered a medium order of Ring Ding Wings and yes I made it a meal with Steamed Cabbage and Green Beans. My first dinner partner ordered and order of No Fork Jerk Pork and also made it a meal with Steamed Cabbage and Rice & Peas. My second dinner partner ordered an Authentic Jamaican Beef Patty with an order of Sweet Plantains. After placing the order we took and seat and enjoyed the atmosphere that Jus Jerk offers. While there were several orders ahead of us, we only waited about 15 minutes before our name was called to pick up our order. The music truly made our wait more enjoyable, Jamaican music is great and not a lot of opportunities to get to hear true Jamaican music when out!
Now came the true test, the taste of Jus Jerk’s food! My one dinning partner is well versed in Island Food, as they are from the Islands. Their take of the food was more than favorable, reminds them of their days back in the Islands, “like their mom used to make”! The Jerk Flavor was spot on!! My other dinning partner thoroughly enjoyed the Authentic Jamaican Beef Patty and Sweet Plantains. They have friends from the Caribbean that cook the Beef Patties and they were just as good, if not better than their friends! Two for two so far! Now comes my order of Ring Ding Wings with my side of Steamed Cabbage and Green Beans. Finger licking good for sure, and I ordered them with a “hot spice” and they delivered both on the flavor and the spice! Excellent to say the least! And “making it a meal for $2” was the way to go! The Steamed Cabbage and Green Beans took me back to my vacations to Jamaica!! Definitely a place to go if you are a fan of “Jerk Cooking”! If you have never had “Jerk Cooking”, find your way to Jus Jerk and give it a try! You will most assuredly be partaking upon true authentic Jerk Cooking! A definite hit for the Lehigh Acres community!!!
Jus Jerk has counter service. They still have a few kinks to work out when it comes to smooth operation but as they are only open 2 weeks they have a solid foundation. The staff is still learning the system and there a was delay in getting our foutain drinks. We recieved them after our order was complete and it would of been nice to have them while we were waiting. Once they work through the small details they will have great counter service as all the staff were very attentive and are striving to do a great job.
Jus Jerk says “Come Excite Your Tastebuds With The Most Delicious Selection Ever” and they truly are speaking the truth! We all feel this is a true gem and will be visiting them again and again! Call your order in, fax your order in or just stop by and place your order. Either way, your taste buds will be glad you did! Jus Jerk, “Where Taste Is Everything”!!!!