The canonical jerk experience in Jamaica — a roadside jerk pit between Montego Bay and Ocho Rios where the pork and chicken have been smoking over pimento wood since 1994. The benchmark against which all other jerk is measured.
Why It Belongs on the List
Scotchies is the finest jerk restaurant in Jamaica — a roadside pimento-wood pit operation on the coastal road between Montego Bay and Ocho Rios that has been the benchmark for proper Jamaican jerk since 1994. The pork and chicken are marinated in Scotch bonnet pepper, allspice (pimento), thyme, and scallion and smoked slowly over green pimento wood — the technique that distinguishes proper Jamaican jerk from the pale imitations available elsewhere in the world. The bammy (cassava flatbread), festival (sweet fried dough), and rice and peas are the canonical accompaniments. Scotchies has expanded to multiple locations (Ocho Rios, Kingston, Montego Bay) but the original Drax Hall roadside location is the one worth making the detour for.
What Stands Out
- The canonical jerk experience in Jamaica — the benchmark since 1994
- Pimento wood smoking — the technique that defines authentic Jamaican jerk
- Scotch bonnet heat levels that are not for the timid — ask for advice
- Bammy
- festival
- and rice and peas as the canonical sides
- Drax Hall original location is the one to visit