Jerk Flavors Nears Opening On Jefferson Street

JOLIET, IL — The Jefferson Center Plaza has looked deserted since Louis Polimenakos retired and closed his Louis' Family Restaurant in late November, but that's about to change.

Next door to the vacant family restaurant, the new Jerk Flavors Jamaican Cuisine restaurant expects to be open at 1003 West Jefferson St. in April, owner Gary Hayles told Joliet Patch's editor.

"I'm hoping to build a good name and carry on the Jerk Flavors name and become a staple," Hayles said. "It's very authentic. The owners are Jamaicans, so you're getting real authentic dishes."

On Friday morning, Joliet Patch found Hayles and several contractors inside the property at 1003 West Jefferson St.

Hayles said his new Joliet restaurant should be all done in just a few more weeks.

He's hoping to have his building and inspection permits approved by the city of Joliet toward the end of March, so he can open "the first week of April.

"It should be right there," he said.

Hayles said he and his wife, Simone, are from Jamaica, and Joliet marks their second restaurant. His Jerk Flavors Restaurant & Lounge on 159th Street in Markham has 167 Google Reviews, averaging 4.1 stars out of 5 stars.

The Joliet restaurant will be different.

"It's carryout only," he said.

Jerk Flavors hopes to be known for its jerk chicken, its oxtails and "we do a very good jerk taco," Hayles said. "Everything is done here."

The Jerk Flavors takeout restaurant in Joliet will probably be open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. during the week and noon to 7 p.m. on Sunday, Hayles said.

Hayles said his aunt has run the Jamaican Jerk Spice restaurant in Chicago and his cousin has the Jamaican Jerk Choice restaurant in Calumet City and Oak Forest.

Hayles said he started his Jamaican restaurant business in 2012 in Matteson.

At the moment, there are few places around Joliet that serve Jamaican food, one being THA Kitchen on Black Road, operated by Joshua Betts.

The Tapley family also offered weekly Jerk chicken specials at their Taps Tips BBQ Smokehouse on Theodore Street, but Taps Tips BBQ closed in December.

Hayles said his plans to open in Joliet last year got delayed because of issues surrounding permits, contractors and the availability of getting supplies for the project.

Related Patch coverage: Here's Why Bernie's Jerk Kitchen Became THA Kitchen