What A Jerk!

You know how some Caribbean restaurants have a stunning waterfront location, beautiful décor and disappointingly mediocre food? Scotchie’s is the opposite. In an uninspiring location that resembles a construction site on a dusty shoulder of the main road east of Montego Bay, it serves jerk specialties that are so delicious you’ll be forever in the debt of the kind soul who clued you in to this unpretentious eatery.

Montegonians – and visitors in the know - flock to this humble joint to buy pork by the pound, and quarter, half or whole chickens infused with the uniquely Jamaican combination of spices and fiery Scotch bonnet peppers (for which the establishment is named) that make up the jerk rub with which it is seasoned. Slow-smoked over a barbecue grill made of logs from the pimento (allspice) tree, the resulting meat is tender, juicy and sanctified with an addictive heat that’ll have you reaching for more – even as your eyes water and your nose runs from its sting. Enjoy it with a side of festival (sweet, fried finger-like dumplings), then wash it down with a Red Stripe or frosty bottle of Ting grapefruit soda, and you’re good to go.

Scotchie’s was my first stop after arriving at the airport in Montego Bay this weekend (it’s only 10 minutes away), and something tells me that I might have to sample its incendiary fare on my way out, too.

What A Jerk!