Jerk House has only been open a few days, and the crowds keep coming.
The new restaurant recently opened in what was once Café Dulce at 3118 Washington Rd. It serves authentic Jamaican cuisine made by a family that’s been sharing their Jamaican heritage with Augusta for many years.
Shawna-Morae Gittons is the manager of Jerk House and the daughter of the owners of Jamaican Way, a popular Jamaican restaurant in Hephzibah. Her sister, Monique Bramwell, has joined her at Jerk House.
So far the response has been positive, and diners are leaving good comments, Gittons said.
The restaurant is simple. Order at the counter and select sides. Disposable containers are used so it's easy to
get it to go, but there's plenty of seating in the restaurant.
The most popular dishes so far have been oxtails and jerk chicken, she said, both of which were ordered during this visit. Jamaican food is known for its bold, spicy blend of many cultures.
The oxtails were fall-off-the-bone tender and well-seasoned. The serving was generous, so there was plenty to take home. The sides selected were macaroni-and-cheese and plantains. Both were excellent.
The other dish ordered was jerk chicken served over rice and peas with a side of macaroni and cheese. The chicken was well-seasoned and tender. The rice and peas are one of the most popular Jamaican side dishes, and it had a nice bite.
Gittons said her mother taught her how to cook, which helps explain the home-cooked feeling of the food.
She said the family was ready to expand and the Washington Road site was ideal. The building has an upstairs area that will probably be turned into a space for parties.
The menu at Jerk House is somewhat different from Jamaican Way, Gittons said. The new restaurant has more exotic menu options such as jerk pork and fresh salmon dishes. And she’s had multiple requests for Jamaican soups.
It fits with the restaurant’s motto: “ One love. Many flavas.”
Jennifer Miller covers food and business for The Augusta Chronicle. She can be reached at jmiller@USATodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: Jerk House brings Jamaican favorites to Washington Road | Exclusive
