LET’S CHECK OUT JERK SHACK, WUSE 2

It was raining when I visited Jerk Shack after a recommendation from their fellow Jamaican restaurant in Lagos, Jamrock. I was told I was going to like it here plus their ads all over my Instagram kept compelling me to check this place upon my arrival into Abuja.

I don’t know if it’s everyone in Abuja or is it just the people of Jerk Shack that are so friendly? I got a warm welcoming from them, even when I asked for the loo, the waiter offered an umbrella without me asking.

My dining partner was Princess of @minister.of.enjoyment, all through our stay here, it was nothing but a comfortable dining experience with exchange of chit-chats and laughs. Jerk Shack is quite a small restaurant, nothing very large or fancy, but they made sure everything here had a Jamaican twist to it, even all the songs playing were somehow mixed with reggae. Imagine a Chris Brown sound turned into reggae version. This was the ultimate Jamaican atmosphere because details matter a lot to me.

When it was time for food, I ordered quite a lot because of a little mistake I made, or the waiter confused me 🙄

STARTER:

Ital Carrot Soup – ₦1,500

To be honest, I have never had soup this thick. I don’t know how it was made but it was thick and very yummy. I Googled carrot soup, and the pictures I saw on Google had a more carrot-like colour than what was served, I don’t understand why, but in all, the soup was very tasty and creamy. I loved it. Had the feel of soft Quaker oats or very soft ukwa (my Igbo brothers will know ukwa). The creamy topping on it helped with balancing the taste for every scoop. To be honest, this was really nice, and I won’t mind trying it again.

MAIN:

Curry Goat – ₦2,500

I was first confused for which side I wanted this dish to be served with, choosing between the chef’s special or plain rice. So guess what happened, the waiter went ahead and ordered both sides for me 🤦🏽‍♂ Can’t blame her much, I must have confused her with my indecisiveness. But they were not too expensive anyways, and I didn’t regret it in the end.

I love goat meat, and what’s better is when it’s actually tender. This curry goat was so tender that it almost melts in my mouth. The small cuts of boiled potatoes in it was so soft and the spicing level was just accurate for my taste buds.

SIDES:

Chef’s Special Plantain Dumpling’s – ₦800

Ripe plantain that was fried together with peppers and onions, served compressed and wrapped together in form of a dough ball. I thought this was a creative way to serve fried plantain, but it sha just tasted like fried ripe plantain. Lol

Pineapple and Ginger – ₦800 (hover mouse to view)  

I really wanted a drink with ginger but the bar man said they were out of Jamaican Mule, so this was my next only option 🤷🏾‍♂️

This drink is basically blended pineapple and ginger, pinna colada style. I usually make this at home so I was pretty comfortable washing down my food with it.

Escovitch Fish + Fries – ₦3,800 + ₦500

I forgot to get a taste of it, but Princess has a not so good story to tell about it. There’s something in this dish that she’s allergic to, and unfortunately, she won’t be eating from this dish or the restaurant any time soon 🙁 I wish I had a taste of it, let me know if it was just her 🤷🏾‍♂️

Steamed Basmati Rice – ₦800

Nothing to write much about, you already know what basmati rice is like. Lol