Jerk House Caribbean Food Review
Jerk House in Midtown NYC serves authentic Caribbean favorites including fall-off-the-bone jerk ribs, braised oxtail, and crispy sweet chili wings that showcase bold spice and expert technique.
Recommended$$ price range
Jerk House
- Location
- New York, NY
What the creator ordered
- Ting soda
- Spicy jerk ribs with baked mac and cheese
- Creamy rasta pasta with curried goat and sweet plantains
- Shrimp fried rice with oxtail and steamed cabbage
- Grilled jerk chicken with rice, sweet plantains, cabbage, and oxtail gravy
- Sweet chili wings
- Crispy fried chicken with rice, cabbage, and oxtail gravy
- Jamaican jerk pork with jerk sauce and barbecue sauce
Standout moments
- +Fall-off-the-bone texture of the jerk ribs and oxtail.
- +Incredibly delicious and cheesy baked mac and cheese.
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Tips & Notes
Pro tips
- Jerk marinades benefit from 4–8 hours of resting time; longer marinating deepens spice penetration in ribs and oxtail.
- For oxtail, sear meat hard before braising to build a flavorful crust that enriches the braising liquid.
- Sweet chili wings stay crispiest when glazed just before serving; add sauce after frying, not before.
- Toast whole spices (allspice berries, peppercorns) before grinding for jerk seasoning to unlock aromatic oils.
Substitutions
- Pork ribs or chicken thighs → jerk ribs (adjust cooking time; chicken requires 45 min at 375°F)
- Beef short ribs → oxtail (similar braising time; slightly leaner)
- Scotch bonnet peppers → habanero or ghost pepper (adjust heat level to taste)
Storage & make-ahead
Store cooked ribs and oxtail in an airtight container for up to 4 days; reheat gently in a 300°F oven with a splash of stock to restore moisture. Wings are best eaten fresh but keep 3 days refrigerated.
Equipment
Dutch oven or heavy braising pot · meat thermometer · grill or oven broiler
Common Questions
What makes jerk ribs fall off the bone?
Low-and-slow cooking with a jerk marinade of allspice, scotch bonnets, thyme, and spices breaks down collagen over hours, creating tender, pull-apart meat.
How do you prepare oxtail for Caribbean cooking?
Brown oxtail to develop flavor, then braise low and slow in stock with aromatics and spices for 2–3 hours until meat is tender and pulls from the bone.
What's the best way to get crispy wings with a glaze?
Fry wings until golden, then toss with a reduced sweet chili sauce just before serving to maintain crispness without sogginess.
Can you make Caribbean food at home without a restaurant kitchen?
Yes—use a home oven at 275°F for ribs and oxtail, a heavy pot or Dutch oven for braising, and a standard skillet or deep fryer for wings.
