Jamaican Jerk Hut
(215) 545-8644
1436 South St
Philadelphia,
PA
19146
39.9435
-75.1662
Neighborhoods: Rittenhouse Square, Center City
What People Are Saying About Jamaican Jerk Hut
The Editor
Contributor
Citysearch
In Short
Down-home meals feature rich island spices and generous helpings. Jerk chicken is smoky, tender and sweet, atop spicy red beans and rice and cooked cabbage. Curry adds rich, Indian flavors to pungently earthy goat; a root vegetable stew with squash, tomatoes and corn; or Jamaican favorite ackee and saltfish, a sweet and salty combination of a soft tropical fruit and cod. Soul-food lovers swear by the oxtail stew, while vegetarians adore a combination platter.
User Reviews
FoodieFunGirl
June 16, 2009
I have not been to the Jamaican J Hut in over three years. Why? When I last dined there in 2006 food was HORRIBLE and the service was TERRIBLE. Last Saturday I had out-of-town company and we decided to South Street. As we drove by The JJH we could hear the band playing and my company wanted to check it out (he is a big Reggae fan). We parked in adjoining parking lot $8. not bad, and walked over to The JJH. To my SUPRISE there was a greeter at the gate who welcomed us in and motioned for a waiter to help us get seated and take our orders. HUGE CHANGES from the last time I was there. My friend ordered the Jrk Chicken and I got the Brown Stewed Fish. Our waiter informed us that the wait would be 45mins but the band was great so time went by rather quickly. The Jrk Chicken was excellent but the fish was burnt, dried out, bitter and had enough salt for 3 servings, but that was my only problem. Pumpkin Soup Appetizer was wonderful; our waiter Sam was very efficient. My advice; go; enjoy Happiness Reggae Band on a Saturday evening, BYOB and DO NOT order Brown Stewed Fish.
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msbsouthpaw
April 26, 2009
My friends and I waited patiently and quietly after being told it was a 90 minute wait for a party of 10. We enjoyed the live band, sat on the grass, and had a friendly bit of kickaround w/ a soccer ball and some of the other guests. 90 minutes passed, and shortly after that, the hostess told us our table was being prepared now. Just over another 30 minutes passed, and we were not shown to a table. The hostess and another member of the wait staff behaved rudely to politely offered inquiries about when we would be seated. We were finally shown to a table, and then did not have a waitress for about another 20 minutes. She finally identified herself, and promptly took another 15 minutes or so to get us menus. We saw her engaged in casual conversation and smoking w/ another person, while we continued to wait for her to come back and take our order, or at least provide us w/ glasses of water (by the way, we never even got waters. we were given a half-full dirty bucket of ice). She returned finally while the band was taking a break, and informed the band she could not get them anything to eat b/c it would take too long (we were seated next to them and could hear the discussion). I had enough at this point, but other members of my party apparently are much more tolerant of B-S than me, and were still willing to place an order. We asked the waitress for an estimate on getting food -- even just the appetizers -- and she said at least another hour b/c there were so many other orders that hadn't even been sent to the kitchen yet. Well, that was it for us. We left, tipped the band b/c they were the only good part of the experience, walked across the street to Pico de Gallo, got seated immediately and had great Mexican food. It was outrageous to be made to wait for so long while staff there were repeatedly rude to us. Also, there seemed to be a sense of total disorganization among the staff, and a trip inside from the patio where we were seated revealed an even more chaotic scene as we passed by the kitchen. I will never go there again. I can somewhat understand a long wait on a nice night on a weekend in the spring. But almost 3 hours after we had been told 90 minutes? Not acceptable. Also not acceptable was the rudeness, disorganization, and seeming disdain for the guests (in particular the band!). We waited patiently and politely, noting that some guests were not so reserved as we were about expressing their frustration w/ their wait-times. I don't care how good the food is, that place is a disaster. I only gave them one star b/c of the music, otherwise I would give it Zero stars.
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tdspyce
March 30, 2009
First, don't order the J*rk Shrimp Skewers to go. I paid $9.00 and received 1 Skewer containing 4 Shrimp! What was even more insulting was the large container they placed it in! Second, the Dunn's River BBQ Wings ($6.00) were EXCELLENT. You get 4 wings, which I thought was adequate. Third, if you place a take-out order over the phone, ask point blank if they have run out of plantains. This happened to me once and to a friend once or twice. He believes that they withhold this information intentionally. My friend is Trini. He ordered the Oxtail and Vegetable Pattie, and he did not complain, and believe me, he is a complainer. I would order from there again, keeping in mind the issue with the shrimp skewers and the plantain.
read full reviewThe Details on Jamaican Jerk Hut
What to Drink:
The tropical juice and soda selection is perfect for mixing with light rum. Find some at the State Store at Seventh and South Streets, (215) 560-6900.
Know Before You Go:
During cold months, this reggae-rich little B.Y.O.B. conducts a bustling takeout and quick-meal business from an indoor thatched-roof counter. But spring through fall, this place really jumps, when diners wearing cargo shorts stroll behind the restaurant to a secluded covered veranda with an amazingly tropical vibe.
Category:
Restaurants, Barbecue Restaurants, Catering
Payment Methods:
Cash, Discover, Visa, MasterCard, Debit Card
Restaurant Special Features:
Local Favorite, B.Y.O.B., Brunch, Outdoor Dining, Lunch Spot, Family Style Dining
Cuisine:
Smoking Permitted:
No
