Outstanding Jerk Chicken In Joliet: Ferak Food Column

JOLIET, IL - A few weeks ago, I was driving along Manhattan Road back toward Joliet's downtown from the city's far east side when a roadside sign caught my eye. "BERNIE'S JERK KITCHEN." It's near the old Certified Foods grocery store.

The large sign conjured up great memories of my family's vacation back in late March to Jamaica. We stayed at Bluefields Bay where we were treated to some of the most delicious jerk chicken on the planet. That was my introduction to jerk chicken, and I've been craving it ever since.

Jerk chicken is a specialty on the island, and I was so impressed with Jamaica's jerk chicken that I had to get my picture taken with one of Jamaica's legendary jerk chicken cooks, James.

And now I found jerk chicken in Joliet.

So late Thursday afternoon, following up on another assignment at Nowell Park, I pulled into the parking lot for Bernie's Jerk Kitchen, 312 Manhattan Road. "Come Enjoy The Food. No Problem Maan," the menu reads. I had no idea what to expect. Not one clue.

There's a lot on this menu, not only does Bernie's boast a Caribbean flair, but the food is also influenced by Southern, Mexican and Italian cuisines. Side dishes include plaintains, sweet potatoes and lasagna. There's a special taco Tuesdays. Dinner specials also include ribs and catfish.

But I came for the jerk chicken and realized there were about a dozen different menu options staring back at me.

I went with one of the lunch specials, the dark chicken. I selected the baked mac and cheese plus red beans and rice for my two sides. From there, I drove home and enjoyed my meal. And this was a meal. This was something special.

Oh maan, was it good!

In case you're unfamiliar with jerk, it's a unique Jamaican cooking style that involves dry-rubbed chicken with a hot spice mix known as the Jamaican jerk spice.

After I paid for my food, I introduced myself to the staff. Come to find out, Bernie's Jerk Kitchen is fairly new. It just opened in late January.

The cooks and cashiers are cordial and a hard-working team. They take enormous pride in their carryout restaurant. They also told me they do a lot of catering as well. Because their nestled along U.S. 52, they get a lot of traffic from customers traveling between Joliet and Frankfort. They're just right up the road from Nowell Park.

When I stopped by Thursday, late in the afternoon, well after lunch, there were a half dozen other customers also coming and going. It's seven days a week: Monday-Thursday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday-Saturday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. For more, check out the full menu online at Bernie's Jerk Kitchen.

One last thing: the website for Bernie's indicates the restaurant is closed on Mondays, but that is not the case. Bernie's stressed they are open on Mondays.

Images via John Ferak/Joliet Patch Editor