A List of Chicago’s Best Jerk Chicken Restaurants

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The good folks at the Windy City have certainly grown fond of the tropical Jerk spices. It’s easy to see why — homey and comforting, a bit spicy and utterly satisfying; Jamaican and Caribbean food is as tasty as it is colorful!

Now, not all jerk restaurants in Chicago are created equal. Sure, you’ll have a great meal at any Caribbean eatery, but some Jerk joints are just on another level. For good Jerk, you'll want to walk Southside Chicago, where there are more Jerk restaurants than Starbucks, but we’ve found a few hidden gems in other areas, too. Here are Chicago’s Best Jerk Restaurants. Have you tried them all?

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Ratings and additional data pulled from Google:

  1. Jamaican Jerk King
  2. Jerk 48
  3. Jerk Taco Man
  4. Caribbean Jerk Palace
  5. Jamaica Jerk Villa Bar & Grill
  6. Caribbean Jerk Joint
  7. Fire Jerk Jamaican Jerk Chicken
  8. Irie Jerk Bar and Grill
  9. Whadda Jerk
  10. The Jerk Shop

Read below for more details about each of these restaurants:

Jamaican Jerk King, South Side
  • Latin American, Caribbean, Chicken, Chicken Wings, Healthy
  • Rating: ★★★★1/2
  • $

206 E 35th St, Chicago, IL, 60616

Order your meal at the counter and find yourself a table in this cozy Jerk restaurant specializing in chicken, of course, but also in a lovely selection of fish and seafood, all blessed by the spicy richness of Jerk. This one’s more of a grab-and-go kind of place, but they know their Jerk — it’s fit for royalty.

Jerk 48, South Side
  • Latin American, Caribbean, Local Eats, Seafood
  • Rating: ★★★★
  • $

548 E 67th St, Chicago, IL, 60637

There are two Jerk 48 restaurants in Chicago, both on the South Side. Why? Because the food here is insanely good, and people know it. Start your meal with a Jerk Salad and work your way into a white, dark or mixed Jerk chicken.

Jerk Taco Man, South Side
  • American, Mediterranean, Black-Owned, Caribbean
  • Rating: ★★★★
  • $

4001 W Jackson Blvd, Chicago, IL, 60624

Did someone say jerk tacos? Count us in! Eating at Jerk Taco Man is messy, but you’ll love it. Allegedly home to the original jerk chicken tacos, this eatery is truly something different. And there’s more than tacos here; try the Jerk pasta or a mean smoked beef brisket burrito for a meal you won’t forget that easily.

Caribbean Jerk Palace
  • Burgers, Caribbean, Jamaican, Local Eats
  • Rating: ★★★★1/2
  • $

733 South Dearborn Street, Chicago, IL, 60605

This restaurant might not look like a palace, but you do eat like a king! For something new, try the jerk pizza, and if you’re more into traditional Jerk, the chicken and the catfish are wonderful alternatives.

Jamaica Jerk Villa Bar and Grill
  • Catering, Alcohol, BBQ, Barbecue, Caribbean
  • Rating: ★★★★
  • $

2216 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL, 60616

Jamaica Jerk Villa is definitely the place for dining out with friends. The crowd here is a bit young and loud, but that’s what makes you get that Caribbean feel. The jerk chicken comes with two sides of choice. Visit on Taco Tuesday during happy hour, and you’ll have a blast!

Caribbean Jerk Joint
  • Latin American, Caribbean, Local Eats, Seafood
  • Rating: ★★★★★
  • $$

1400 E 47th St, Chicago, IL, 60653

Caribbean Jerk Joint is more on the fast-food side of things, with an uncomplicated menu but plenty of options to choose from. The curry chicken is as good as the jerk chicken, and you can enjoy jerk chicken nachos while you wait for your order.

Fire Jerk Jamaican Jerk Chicken, South Side
  • Latin American, Caribbean, Local Eats, Seafood
  • Rating: ★★★★1/2
  • $

754 W Garfield Blvd, Chicago, IL, 60609

Dining at FJJC is always an experience. The sitting area is pretty small, so the restaurant focuses on takeout and delivery. The chicken, though, is not only addictively spicy but sticky and sweet. Everyone comes here for the Jerk chicken, but do try the stewed oxtail with bread, mashed potatoes and string beans. What a meal!

Whadda Jerk, South Side
  • Caribbean, Jamaican, West Indian
  • Rating: ★★★★
  • $

7530 S Stony Island Ave, Chicago, IL, 60619

What started as a popular Jerk food truck is now a brick-and-mortar eatery that still comes out as spontaneous and indulgent as a street food stall. The Jerk chimichanga is a crowd-pleaser, and their innovative Jerk in a Jar is a fun way of eating spicy chicken — straight out of a jar!

The Jerk Shop
  • Jamaican, Caribbean, Fast Food
  • Rating: ★★★★
  • $

5614 W, Chicago, IL, 60651

People come to the Jerk Shop for the Jerk tacos; they’re somewhat of a tradition in the area. The family-owned restaurant offers a Jerk Philly Cheese chicken as well, and it’s as fun as it sounds. They season everything here with spicy Jerk, except for the drinks.

Irie Jerk Bar and Grill, Central
  • Caribbean, Chicken, Comfort Food
  • Rating: ★★★★
  • $$

3404 N Clark St, Chicago, IL, 60657

A casual setting makes you feel at home at Irie, where Caribbean specialties are presented as home-cooked meals rather than BBQ or fast food. Of course, try the Jerk chicken, but do try other more unusual specialties, including a Jerk Alfredo Pasta or some very fun Jerk nachos.

Jam Rock BBQ Jerk, West Side
  • Lunch Special, Pit Fired, Fried Seafood, Locals
  • Rating: ★★★1/2
  • $

1659 N, Illinois Rte 59, Naperville, IL 60563

The Jerk chicken here rocks; it’s traditionally fire-roasted and seasoned beautifully. Jam Rock also offers some other tasty alternatives, including fried catfish, wings and curry shrimp. Save some room for dessert because coconut pound cake at Jam Rock is one of the best we’ve had!

Summary

There are tons of great Jerk Chicken restaurants in Chicago. Jerk 48 is still my favorite option, but as you can see in the list above, there are plenty of other great options featuring unique and diverse menus. Try them all yourself and figure out which you prefer!

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