The Jerk Pit

Really really good food. The jerk chicken was nice a spicey. The cabbage and bread was good. I also had the jerk shrimp and it was delicious as well.

I never write reviews for food or anything lol. Only thing I like was the beef patty. Everything tasted average. Mac and cheese taste like the kraft microwaveable version, like they literally mixed macaroni and cheddar cheese, nothing else, and called it a day. The cocobread taste like store– bought sliced wonderbread. I asked for bbq/​jerk sauce incase I thought the chicken was dry. I didn’t get it and I thought the chicken was dry. I wouldn’t recommend the jerk pit, unless you want a beef patty. Plantains were average. Fish sandwich was soggy. I asked for my money back and they said they couldn’t do it because «they’ve never had any complaints before» and «everyone else likes it». You mean to tell me a «legitimate restaurant», business for that matter, can’t give me a refund when I don’t like their product??? It’s standard customer service. They’re not legit. Get real Jamaican food somewhere else, especially the mac and cheese. Especially.

The only reason i dont give them a 5 star is that their staff is not very friendly and they move slowly. Their food is delicious. One of the only Jamaican joints I repeat visit. The only thing i dont love is the jerk wings, but I seem to be alone in that. Even the driveway is authentic Jamaican. I like this place, definitely worth a visit! (oh, if you’re in a rush, don’t come during lunch hours)

Beef patties are amazing and is a bang for your buck.
Ox tail platter is really good but their isn’t a lot of meat for the price you pay for. Place is a bit expensive.
Sells Red Stripe beer which is a plus.
Workers are friendly but at times when I visit there I sometimes see the workers fight amongst each other.

The food was amazing I got jerk king fish and my daughter got curried goat. We also ordered coco bread and it wasn’t that good to me and my daughter.

The food is delicious. I love the sorrel. Sorrel is a Caribbean beverage made with ginger. Jerk Pit It’s great for vegetarians. Many options to choose from. They have mostly Jamaican fare, but they have a pleasing Caribbean flavor. I love the roti it’s the kind I like with Dahl. They have great jerk chicken and curry. I brought a whole jerk chicken to a potluck and it went over well. It wasn’t spicy but it comes with a spicy sauce. The service is a bit slow at times so if you order ahead that would be a good idea. I used the Unilocal app to order and pay before I got there. The front door sticks so push hard. And Friday nights they have a DJ come and play reggae music. Enjoy

I heard good things & decided to try my 1^st order on line. Attempted to order directly from the jerk pit websites option to do so (makes sense, right?!) no option for cash, so I call. Man who answered said I have to order through Grub Hub. I explained I tried to do so directly from their website and he continued to talk over me with a condescending attitude. Very Rude. Went on to Grub Hub anyway. First noticed that menu prices & options were quite different from website ordering options. OK? There’s an option to add special instruction/​requests under each item, don’t bother, they don’t read or acknowledge! Buss Up Shut = hard as a rock. Veggies /​mac & cheese were fantastic! Jerk is only so-​so, I will stick with Negril in the future as they know how to do Jerk!

2 stars is being kind. I love Caribbean food, jerk chicken especially. I thought this was going to be a great experience especially because it’s right up the street from my house. But the service was lacking and the food was just OK. The worst part was waiting for over 30 minutes for my carry out order. The server mixed up several orders, causing the wait to be even longer. They ran out of rum cake at 2pm and they seemed unapologetic too! It has a cool Caribbean vibe with the décor, but it could be a little cleaner. It leaves questions how sanitary the kitchen was. There are better spots in the area!

If you’re driving too fast you’ll zoom right past this place. Such was the case when I came here for lunch. There is a lunch buffet but when I asked the hours instead of responding w/​the times I got we’ll keep it open for you. I checked the chaffing dishes to see what was in each and sadly each one was almost as empty as the next. I politely told Lisa that the items were low and needed replenishing. Out from the kitchen comes a legging clad young lady sucking on what appeared to be a ring pop or section of fruit. Snack in her left hand and begrudgingly checking each dish with her right; she sauntered back into the kitchen to pretend like she had a sense of urgency in refilling the «buffet».
After seeing that I knew that the buffet wasn’t for me. I saw they offer a combo of two meats, a side with rice. This was my chance to try the curried goat and oxtails in one visit. I was in no hurry so it was no big deal that it took my too go order a few extra minutes to come out. Nadine, the cashier was very pleasant and when I went to go sit in the sunroom area she thought I was leaving and immediately reassured me that my food would be ready soon. I wasn’t leaving but trying to place a call so it was not a problem. As I’m sitting there I notice there were a lot of leaves on the floor from the door in the rear entry being opened and closed often. Hmm, maybe Ms. Thang will tidy up this area when she’s done w/​her snack and refilling the buffet. One can only hope.
I get home and check my food and upon closer inspection I see that it appears to be a sizable portion but for the curried goat and oxtails it’s pieces that have large bones and pieces of chewy connective tissue.
Why 3 stars? Glad you asked. The flavor of all my items were really good. I wanted to be fair despite the aforementioned shortfalls. There is nothing that compels me to go out of my way to come back but I hope for other first-​timers sake that they tighten up on their backstroke.

Here at the Jerk pit for my infusion of Jamaican food. The quality remains the same. The food is delicious I wish it was closer to me though I have to drive 70 miles round trip since I no longer work in the area
They have free wifi here now. Spotty at best but it’s free. They have new cash register now using ipads. Very nice.
Now can I make it back home before my lunch hour is over. Only one way to find out…
I didn’t make it back in time to eat but when I did get a chance to eat I got a surprise.
When I opened my box found peas &rice and curry chicken together but an empty space where something was supposed to be that space was suppose to occupy calaloo. Why do I say this because I paid extra for it. I have my recipient to prove it.
The young lady at the register should have taken her time to review my order before packaging it up to me that was poor customer service the next time I’m going to have her open it up for myself to make sure I have everything I need I do not like being ripped off for food that I pay for although the cost was minimal it’s the principle of the thing

Their Jerk Tofu is spicy, tasty and always made to order (which can take up to 30 minutes :/​). Overall, a fantastic place to get away from the typical college Route 1 restaurants, but not so far away a determined walker couldn’t make it there (been there, done that).

Just ordered from here for the second time. It was even better this time. I ordered the Mac and cheese (of course you’ve got to try that), the jerk chicken combo with rice and peas. The jerk was perfectly spiced and really juicy. I’ve had dry jerk and it ain’t my ting. The cocoa bread was really awesome too!
I hate to say it but I also ordered the jerk BBQ wings as well. I know I know, I can just never choose one meal because I like to get a little taste of everything. These BBQ wings are awesome as well. They are juicy jerk wings pieces. You can get the sauce on the side if you don’t want them smothered but I like it that way.
Fully recommend.

My first time trying out this restaurant. This review is based solely on the fact that I had to wait 45 minutes to get two medium sized meals to go. FORTY FIVE MINUTES! As a Jamaican, I can say that a wait at a Jamaican restaurant is to be expected, although it’s still asinine. This, though, was by far the longest I’ve had to wait. It better be the best of the best or else I’m starting a smear campaign (but just in my head, because I don’t have time for that mess)!
Update! After all of that, there was a hair in my food. The goat was soft, but could def use more pepper. The jerk was okay, but I sure wish they gave jerk sauce instead of bbq sauce to eat with it. Who eats bbq sauce with jerk?!

I Title My Review; Walk Good
Ive frequented this place on many occasions. Sometimes the service is good, sometimes the service is bad. But one thing remains GOOD FOOD. Food is nice. Zeen!
Food mek mi wan guh dung an wine. Yeaaasuh.
Mek me tell unu somting many jamaican restaurant dem claim fi sell h-​audentic jamaican cuisine but ah lie dem a tell. Dis spot heresuh sell good jamaican food.
Ok enough patois.
On my latest reggae escapade I enjoyed the Jerk Chicken, Rice and Peas and Fried Plantain. Its spicyyyyyyyyyyyyy! Like even too spicy for this jamaican gal. Whoah mi nearly dead ah fiyah me jus a sweat and fan because chile its spicy but tasty. So Im fanning and sweating and eating. Guess I like torture.
Ive come for the Sunday Brunch. LOVE it. Its worth it. OMG they have Ackee and Salt Fish on the buffet and I am in heaven!!!
The calaloo is kinda mushy for my taste, me like mi greens a likkle more tough.
I always get the shandy or the DG cream soda. They have veggie and chicken patties. I like the feel of the place too. I can hear my uncles slamming dominoes on the table in the porch.
Authentic indeed!
I recommend it! My second favorite place after Caribbean Market in Takoma Park.

I recently ordered the Seafood combo which included Jerk Tilapia (options in fish included King Fish or Red Snapper) with Jerk Shrimp and all I can say is that was AWESOME!!! The meal also came with rice and peas and steamed cabbage.
I have also had their Jerk Chicken which was a little too dry for me for it being dark meat. I have also had there curried Goat which was a little lacking on the meat side and had a few more bones than meat.
Overall, the Jerk Pit is pretty good dining experience. I happen to stop in on a Friday night and there was a live DJ and plenty of diners and take-​out orders being taken.

Didn’t care for their jerk chicken. The oxtails, curry goat, and stew chicken are good. They’re out of things a lot like the patties. Decent location. The staff (mainly the young girl that takes the orders) could be friendlier. The are better spots in the area.
I’m updating my review bc I had the worst service here yesterday. The now older lady that took our order was extremely rude. I asked what were the lunch specials meaning price, what they included, etc. All she said was anything but the seafood. I asked again bc her answer wasn’t at all helpful and she repeatedly very rudely this time with the same useless response as if I were bothering her! Mind you, the lunch specials nor their prices are printed on the menu or any board around the restaurant. So me asking what they include and the price is a legit request. Well the BF and I got two beef patties bc we were starving and hit the door. I’ll continue to take my business to Unforgettable Flavors which is right down the street (they were closed yesterday)!!
So long JERK pit and their horrible staff!

Very good jerk chicken. And I am picky about my jerk.
The vegetables and the rice and beans (called «rice and peas») could use some improvement.
Friendly staff. Can speak directly to the chefs, which is commendable.
A big, clapboard house on Route 1 that’s been converted to a restaurant/​bar.
Jerk pork, jerk shrimp, jerk fish and jerk tofu are all available, but never had any of these. I just stick to the jerk chicken. They have an extensive menu of Jamaican food, most of which I have not tried.
Solid selection of beers and soft drinks, many of which hail from the Caribbean. And for those of you who like the dark brews: I’m able to get a can/​bottle of Guinness here without that annoying widget thing in it.
Moderate prices and open late.
I’ll drive to College Park from DC to get this jerk, and do. Been a customer going on two years now.

I was really confused when I walked into this house. But here’s how it works:
Stand in line at the counter/​bar
Order and pay
Get a number and find a seat
They bring you your food
I wish someone had told me that before i continued to aimlessly stand around for the first few minutes.
Anyway, we ordered the whole jerk chicken. It was really tasty and vibrant. Chicken was a bit dry but the sauce on the side remedied that. The Mac n cheese was pretty good too. And the roti was really really dry and covered in this weird dust thing. But also had a lot of good spices going on. I guess I’m just used to the roti I get at Malaysian/​Thai places.
People complain about the service but I guess we caught them on a good day. A very nice worker came to check up on us a couple of times to make sure we were comfortable which I really appreciated.
Overall great experience! Would def come back to try the jerk pork. the atmosphere is very fun and authentic too

You know a place is gonna be good when you can smell their food from the parking lot! My coworkers and I probably eat here once a week. You have to try their jerk pork! It’s BOMB! And that jerk sauce, ugh don’t get me started! Seriously, get the jerk pork with rice and peas and a side of plantains and thank me later. And a cream soda too! My coworkers have tried the brown stew chicken and curry chicken and have said good things about them too. The portion size is good too. It always turns into two meals for me.
Inside it’s painted brightly and has Jamaican sayings all over the walls. Definitely a nice spot for lunch with friends. They also have their own parking lot that’s free.
My only complaint with this place is the customer service. The people working there are friendly and all, it’s just that I often call my order ahead of time so that I can quickly grab it and head back to eat it at the office, and it’s never ready when I arrive. They usually say it’ll be ready in 20 – 30 minutes, however this is never the case. I honestly think they start the order when I get there. The last time I came in there were people who ordered after I had called my order in 30 minutes previously and they got their food before I did.
Tip: Show your UMD student ID for 10% off

Ever watch the Batman movies, television series or cartoons? Whenever people want to get his attention and get him to show up, they send out a «bat signal». That’s how my friends are with me. In similar fashion, every so often I’ll get phone calls and texts about catching up over a meal, along with the capitalized and/​or emphatic statement of «I’LL PAY». The nerve of them to use food as bait! Yet and still, I keep falling for it. I’m so weak…
On this occasion, a friend mentioned The Jerk Pit, a Jamaican restaurant not far from the University of Maryland’s campus. Odd choice in my mind, primarily because she is of Jamaican heritage and like many folks who have a connection to a region and/​or food, tends to avoid such places in favor of homemade creations.
The Jerk Pit as a name really does fit for this place. It’s hard to visually locate as you’re driving down the road, except for the fence that’s painted in the colors of the Jamaican flag. Once you pull into the gravelly driveway and head towards the backyard of the house turned restaurant, the concept and theme comes together. It reminds me of local restaurants in Jamaica that are very basic in their décor and rural in setting where the only focus is the food.
Once you walk inside, if you’re thinking that folks are gonna flash their pearly whites and use their Jamaican accent to charm you… yea…not so much. Instead, you’ll hear a lot of loud and playful banter in Patois. The service isn’t bad, more so a little gruff and matter of fact. Again, this is not the «Cool Runnings» movie.
I tried the Jerk Chicken, Braised Oxtails and Curry Goat, along with some specialty drinks.
Unlike a lot of places in the States where jerk chicken is smothered in heaping amounts of fiery jerk sauce, this place utilizes the more authentic method used in Jamaica where the meat is simply rubbed with seasoning and smoked. Sauce is available on the side by request. The meat is moist and tender. The flavors are in the mild to moderate range, which pales in comparison to Sweet Mango, whose flavor profile for their chicken is pretty consistently intense. Good dish, especially for people who aren’t into excessively spicy food.
The Oxtails actually have a good amount of meat on them. Moist and tender, they’re also seasoned and each bite offered mild to moderate flavor. Some sauce would have added even more flavor. Definitely some of the better oxtails I’ve had outside of Jamaica.
The star of the meal was the Curry Goat. So moist and tender, drenched in a curry sauce of complex flavors bursting onto the scene like gangbusters! Excellent dish and it was nice to see that there was no skimping on the meat! I also enjoyed the heat from the curry, which was a moderate spice level.
The side items of steamed veggies and fresh salad were decent. The specialty drinks had a lot of Caribbean classics, including Tropical Fruit Punch and Cola Champagne. The bottled fruit punch they keep in stock is ok flavorwise, but actually has the texture of a smoothie. The Cola Champagne tasted similar to apple soda, which registered better for me than other versions of this malta drink.
A free meal will always have me open like 7-​Eleven, but it’s even better when the meal is quality. Thankfully, Jerk Pit is that and then some. I still hold Sweet Mango as the benchmark for Caribbean food in the DC area, especially jerk chicken and patties. That said, it’s nice to have a second option, particularly if I’m in the mood for something different like some bangin’ curry goat! YUM!