Kingston's Jerk Chicken [Pictures]

LTH,

Due to prior commitments I could only do the first two legs, Pop's, Rosangelas, plus bonus round Wolf's Bakery, of Beefathon VI. So, naturally, I was feeling a bit peckish when I spotted Kingston's Jerk Chicken and decided to stop in for a snack.

Soon as I parked I caught a whiff of wood smoke, always a good sign, and Kingston, while modest, is neat as a pin with comfortable seating. I got a quarter Jerk chicken, dark, and was pleasantly surprised to find Kingston's jerk of the paste type, as opposed to most in Chicago who serve a soupier, more liquid, type of jerk sauce. Jerk paste had good flavor, though could have used a bit more heat for my taste. Skin was crisp, chicken flesh moist, though the jerk did not penetrate the chicken flesh to any degree.

Kingston's Jerk Chicken



All in all a nice rendition of Jerk chicken and most worthy of a stop if in the general vicinity. I also noticed a couple of other jerk places on 95th, though I could not write them down. Steve Z mentioned he spotted a jerk place near Pop's as well.

Enjoy,
Gary

Kingston's Jerk Chicken
1767 W 95th Street
Chicago (Beverly), IL
773-238-4045

G Wiv wrote:All in all a nice rendition of Jerk chicken and most worthy of a stop if in the general vicinity. I also noticed a couple of other jerk places on 95th, though I could not write them down. Steve Z mentioned he spotted a jerk place near Pop's as well.

I’ve wondered about Kingston’s, thanks for the report. Kingston’s is immediately east of the Metra station, handy for commuters. The only other jerk place on 95th that comes to mind is Best Dressed Chicken (after the classic reggae album), a few blocks west of the Ryan, on the south side of 95th. Maybe Steve is referring to Jamaican Jerk Chicken on the west side of Kedzie just north of 83rd? It’s about a block south of Walter’s BBQ. Unfortunately I know nothing more about these three places. Plenty to explore, that’s for sure.

Rene G wrote:

G Wiv wrote:All in all a nice rendition of Jerk chicken and most worthy of a stop if in the general vicinity. I also noticed a couple of other jerk places on 95th, though I could not write them down. Steve Z mentioned he spotted a jerk place near Pop's as well.

I’ve wondered about Kingston’s, thanks for the report. Kingston’s is immediately east of the Metra station, handy for commuters. The only other jerk place on 95th that comes to mind is Best Dressed Chicken (after the classic reggae album), a few blocks west of the Ryan, on the south side of 95th. Maybe Steve is referring to Jamaican Jerk Chicken on the west side of Kedzie just north of 83rd? It’s about a block south of Walter’s BBQ. Unfortunately I know nothing more about these three places. Plenty to explore, that’s for sure.

While driving around on the southside we noticed, first the wonderful smell and then the restaurant itself...

Jamaican Jerk Chicken
8216 S. Kedzie
Chicago IL. 60652
773 434-2408

... if we already didn't have a date with Mack at Uncle John's, this would of been our dinner stop.

Soon, soon...

About 2 months ago, I visited Best Dressed, Jamaican Jerk, Tropical Time, Tropical Island, Uncle Joe's and JRs all within a week's worth. really brief summaries here (jerk chicken on the south side clearly deserves its own thread):

Best Dressed's young owner, while brave in her attempt to start a Jerk restaurant on a desolate streth of 95th, spread herself too thin in the menu and the chicken shows. jerk sauce has zilch punch; the chicken sat out in the cold and was apparently nuked to warmth. Perhaps the restaurant needs a chance to grow as it was fairly new when i visited. Interestingly, all the prices on the menu (which was HUGE and painted onto the wall) includes tax.

Jamaica Jerk on Kedzie is run by an extremely cute elderly woman from the Islands. She don't smoke the chicken but instead uses an electric grill? Or something to that effect. She really took care of me as I sat at the lone table; got some extra curry goat for reference as well. The chicken, while tender, lacked smoke and the spiced sauce lacked heat and bordered on generic. I really wanted to love this chicken...

Uncle Joe would be a clear winner if ambience is important in jerk shacks. Not that it's a shack. Their chicken is clearly smoked, crispy ends, pseudo-crunchy skin, tender innards. Sauce is mildly-hot. Solid basics at a fair price. Sides are lacking.

Tropical Island on 79th and Tropical Time in Maywood have been written to death:

Tropical Island is the best in the compromises. Smoked chicken, bit dry, good sauce, plethora of sides tossed into combo styrofoam. Zilch room to sit, all sides sitting in steamer but still pungent and delicious.

Tropical Time on First Ave. Great Sauce. I mean... "the sauce is boss"? Can i abuse and apply this trademark here? (FWIW, Sweet Baby Ray's is opening a second restaurant; the first restaurant received a slight menu upgrade). don't know what's in the sauce, but it's addictive. Smoked chicken & curry goat better than JR's IMO. service is above and beyond call of duty the few times i've visited.

Basically, the perfect platter of jerk chicken would consist of (for me):
* chicken from Uncle Joe's
* sauce from Tropical Time
* sides from Tropical Island

PS: thanks to ReneG for mentioning "Best Dressed" in this thread during March. you sent me off to a drive up and down 79th/95th/kedzie/bronzeville, etc.

PPS. I have pix from most of this but.. lappy HDD died last week (confirmed by LAZ's husband)

Kingston's Jerk Chicken has moved about half a mile west on 95th. Based on only a single visit I'd have to say it's up there with the best south side Jamaican spots.







Chicken, cooked on a drum grill, is spicy, smoky and fairly moist. Sauce packs a punch. Bland rice and peas is the only weak link. Even better was the escovitched catfish, one of the best renditions I've had. Very moist and spicy flesh. I wonder if it's consistently so good. A few tables by the front counter make eating in a possibility. Good place, well worth a visit.

Kingston's Jerk Chicken
2237 W 95th St
Chicago
773-238-4045
http://kingstonsjerkchickenchicago.com/

That chicken looks airie, mon. Do they serve pork as well?

No Piggie on da Menu, Mon.....but-day-got-da-Curry-Goat!

(but if you MUST have some very tasty Jerk Pork- MAN- The Carribean American Bakery's Jerk Pork
will make a Kosher/Hallaal person think about switching teams!)
Man- dat's some good Jerk Pork dey gott dere!
(my faux-maican accent spelled out in transliterated fashion )