This Beloved Jamaican Spot Has Been In Kendall for 50 Years.
You've still probably never heard of it
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The enigma that is Kendall never ceases to surprise. It’s a place so vast, so varied, and so teeming with international enclaves that you could live in Miami your entire adult life and never understand all the bounty it holds. This point was driven home when I was introduced to Jamaica Kitchen, a narrow Jamaican fast-casual counter wedged into a strip mall on Sunset and Galloway.
Jamaica Kitchen has been in business for 50 years, and has seen a parade of Jamaican celebrities come through the door. Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives even featured it back in 2008. Still, after 25 years in Miami – some of those spent living in Kendall – I still hadn’t heard of it, which is a testament to how well a place can stay hidden in Southwest Dade.
How has this place been around for 50 years and I’ve never heard about it?
Jamaica Kitchen is definitely not a hidden gem for Kendallites in the know, and on a rainy Thursday afternoon they had a constant parade of to-go customers. But the Jamaican Chinese couple who run Jamaica Kitchen have kept the place a neighborhood secret, and those who rarely venture west of I-95, much less the Palmetto, wouldn’t know it exists. Still, a wall of celebrity guests adorns the entrance, and a signed poster from Guy Fieri, who came here back in 2008, hangs above its lone window.
The space: It’s a micro version of the famous B&M Market on 79th street, where you can buy any number of Jamaican spices, hot sauces, meats, and sodas. Pictures of Jamaican legends and famous spots on the island make up the rest of the decor, with picture menus hanging above it all. There’s also a big sign that says, “Yes, we are Jamaican” over the cash register, in case th family’s Chinese appearance throws you off. There’s only eight seats inside, but if there’s room grab an order of curry goat and post up at the seats by the window. The people watching is spectacular.
What to eat and drink: Definitely get a Jamaican patty with coco bread. It’s a carb bomb with spicy meat in between, and the most authentically-Jamaican thing on the menu. The jerk chicken is also a winner – literally - it’s a past Best Bites on the Beach champ at South Beach Wine and Food Festival. The Jamaican Chinese dishes are an intriguing change of pace, too, so give the shrimp fried rice a chance. Wash it all down with Ting, a grapefruit soda that’s literally everywhere in the West Indies.
Perfect for: Take-out lunch, or take-out anytime.
Pro tips: Order ahead of time. There’s not a lot of space inside and the line can stretch out the door, so you won’t have anywhere to wait.
Expect to pay: About $10-$15 per person.
How’s the parking: Say what you will about Kendall, parking is never an issue. Strip malls have their upsides.
@jamaicakitchen // 8736 SW 72nd St., Kendall