Jerk'D Modern Caribbean Kitchen — Restaurant in Hackensack

The food smelled amazing while passing by and based on the good reviews I decided to try. . I ordered online for pick up and was surprised with with how pricey everything was but still ordered a few items to try. The restaurant was very clean and had a really nice set up. I didn't know that online orders would be ready and waiting on a rack inside so I waited in line. A few minutes later my bag was placed on the rack so timing was almost perfect. The food was rather disappointing though. Definitely not authentic Jamaican cuisine more like an like an American version. The chicken pumpkin soup consisted of diced carrots, what looked like chayote, and diced up chicken breast looked like canned chicken was used. There was no "pumpkin" or seasoning in the soup. scallion, pimento grain, yam dumpling, corn..all missing.The broth was thin and very spicy. But not scotch bonnet spicy so I'm not sure what kind of peppa was used. Red peas and dumpling soup again no flavor or seasoning. Ironically although it was called red peas and dumpling soup there wasn't one dumpling in it. It said it was a vegetarian soup but had a smoked flavor so not sure what was used for that either and again very spicy but not scotch bonnet spicy. Jerk chicken bowl- Cost double the amount of an average lunch special but was only about a 3rd of the size. Rice was very dry and tasteless and no gravy was put on or even offered for the rice cabbage tasted good although bland but had a unique flavor that I liked. Not sure what it was but it was good. Plantains tasted OK but seemed to be the frozen Goya ones from the supermarket. The jerk chicken itself was extremely spicy so nothing else was tasted and once again not scotch bonnet spicy. The outside anyway because the inside part of the chicken didn't taste like anything. The rumcake was missing the rum lol The Mac and cheese tasted good however it was and extremely small portion for the cost. Like everything else.

I assume it's because of the location and most likely very high rent that makes them charge so much for such a little bit of food however the food could taste better for the price. The price they charge for 2 32 oz soups, which btw the way were NOT 32oz, I could make a huge pot of soup...see pics... Definitely NOT authentic Jamaican food As it lacks traditional seasonings and flavor. The effort they put into the appearance of the restaurant should go into the quality and flavor...

My mom, dad, I went here to celebrate and we thoroughly enjoyed the food! Now...my family and I are Jamaican and my mother and I are suburb cooks of Jamaican food. My father ordered the oxtail and was mildly impressed.(He’s been spoiled for years on my mother’s perfected oxtails. How can a restaurant compete?! I even gave him side-eye when he said he ordered it, thinking, “You KNOW it’s not going to be like Mom’s”...but I digress😑) That being said, it was still a good flavor and enjoyable even though my father was mildly disappointed. We enjoyed the Creole Salmon, Carrot & Ginger Coconut Milk soup, codfish fritters (personal fav because the flavor and texture was perfect) Jerk Wings were nice and the sauce on the side was a bit salty for my taste but still lovely when I poured it on my veggies. For sides, I particularly enjoyed the Sweet Plantain, Rice and Peas, and the Mac and Cheese. I also appreciated that the veggies were nicely cooked instead of soggy afterthoughts. For dessert we had Mango Cheesecake and Rum Bread Pudding. The rum was a little heavy but we were eating it cold so, I think the rum would be more balanced if it was warm. It didn’t stop us from scarfing the entire thing down! 😋The Mango Cheesecake was surprisingly delicious! It was delightfully light with just enough richness to satisfy. We got the Hibiscus/Sorrel drink, Ginger Lemonade, and a bottle of Ting! ☺️ All lovely flavors and not overly sweet. I loved that the staff let me sample the drinks before committing! I’m not a fan of super sweet drinks.

Overall, we left full, satisfied, and even though our tastes are primed for authentic Jamaican food that we are perfectly capable of cooking ourselves my mom, dad, and I left very happy! It was the perfect way to celebrate together as a family. I only wish we grabbed a pic of the food. We dug right in because it looked delicious and we were HUNGRY!

Worthy place to go for a handsome and fulfilling meal! Staff was warm, friendly, and accommodating. Very clean location and lovely outdoor seating.

Definitely will return if I’m ever in...

So I moved to Hackensack from Harlem NY jan2020. I was so, excited to find a Jamaican restaurant and even more excited the food was delicious!!!!!!! Not sure what happened during the shut down but I noticed the quality of food started declining. The taste, size portions, and customer service all changed! Today I said let me give it another chance because maybe the original chef came back. Today March 11 2022 sealed the deal, Absolutely Horrible! The oxtail pasta was so bland and disgusting and I also, got the creole salmon/shrimp. They didn’t even put any shrimp in my order smhhhh . Again so bland and disappointing. Plaintains wasn’t cooked all the way, okra, greens, Mac and cheese. EVERYTHING was just disappointing. Didn’t even taste like Jamaican food and coming from NY trust me I know how it should taste. This food tasted like a Milli Vanilli Jamaican gimmick. To add insult to this experience the lady who took the order was rude and hostile. Sorry I won’t be back !!! Over priced , bland and taste nothing like Jamaican food!!! If I’m in the mood for Jamaican food and not planning on going to the city I will go to Parish...