Jerk King — Restaurant in Toronto

I give this place a solid 3. I took a quick look at the other reviews and it seems over all I had a relatively positive experience. I ordered a large jerk chicken with rice.

First, the pros. The service was quite good. The lady at the cash was quite nice. The portions were very generous (with caveats ... see cons), and overall I think I got good value for money. The chicken and rice were cooked well, and very flavorful. I requested 'spicy' and it was ok-spicy with a low grade burn.

The cons. This is not authentic jerk chicken, rice and peas, or a Caribbean establishment. There was a slight sweetness throughout the food, and it was cooked with a noticeable amt of coconut milk/cream. The coleslaw was the thickest and creamiest I have ever had. Don't get me wrong, the taste was good, it just was not authentic Jamaican (to me), and I expected the angina to hit me at any moment. Fearing shooting pains down my left arm, I decided to eat only half and leave the rest for the next day. The size of the portion was extreme, however over 70% was the rice and peas. The coleslaw was relatively miniscule. The portioning of rice, meat, salad is just not how it is done in a Caribbean establishment.

After chatting with the staff, I can confirm that the ownership is jamaican-philipino. The fusion is not bad. It is tasty, but extremely unhealthy.

Portion: 3/5 (generous, but not really ... rice) Value: 4/5 (still ... a good portion of chicken) Authenticity: 2/5 (tasted more like chicken adobo, or a bbq chicken resurrected as jerk) Healthiness: 1/5 (my chest hurts ...) Taste: 3/5 (not bad at all) Service: 4/5 (a good experience)

Regardless of the other reviews, I would roll the dice one more time and give them another chance. But 1/2 the rice, unless I'm feeding the whole family.

And I'll have to work off the calories and run there and back...

Jerk King — Late-Night Comfort and Classic Island Flavour

Jerk King is one of those Toronto staples you can count on when you’re craving that unmistakable Caribbean spice and warmth — especially after hours. The moment you open the container, the aroma of jerk seasoning hits you — smoky, peppery, and rich. Their jerk chicken is tender and full of flavour, with just enough heat to make you pause between bites. The rice and peas are always a solid sidekick, perfectly seasoned and never dry, while the coleslaw adds a refreshing crunch that balances the spice beautifully.

The menu offers good variety — from curry goat to oxtail and fried plantains — and the portions are generous enough to leave you fully satisfied. It’s a no-frills experience, but the food does all the talking.

Service is usually quick, even when the line stretches, and the staff manage to stay friendly despite the rush. My only small note is that consistency can vary slightly depending on location or timing, but when Jerk King gets it right, it’s pure island comfort in every bite.

For bold flavour, hearty portions, and a reliable taste of Jamaica in the city, Jerk King definitely earns 4...

I've been to this location multiple times and so far, I've had their boneless jerk chicken, oxtail, coleslaw, and cassava cake. Their pricing is a bit high imo but it is quite filling because of the rice and peas. But I do keep coming back for their gravy because not a lot of place in the area add a generous serving of gravy (I probably won't be coming here if they were to charge extra for it though).

Another thing I like about this place is their coleslaw. I'm a big fan of the creamy coleslaw and I prefer it over the vinegar-y one so this place hits the spot. And also compliments the dish.

Boneless chicken I've found that their chicken is a bit dry for my liking.

Oxtail I love the meat, but it is a bit expensive considering how many bones there are.

Cassava cake I've never had a cassava cake before so I had no idea what I was getting, but it was much denser than I expected. It was like a dense custard cake and I liked how it wasn't too sweet. But $6 feels a bit pricey imo.

Their service is usually not that great with the exception of today. Hazel was very nice and patient with my order, and that was part of the reason why I decided to finally...