Tropical Jerk

- Liberty Ave, Jamaica, NY 11433

Tropical Jerk: Your Local Taste of Jamaica in the Heart of Queens

For New Yorkers craving a genuine taste of the Caribbean, Tropical Jerk stands out as a reliable and flavorful destination right here in Queens. Located on the bustling Liberty Avenue in Jamaica, this restaurant is a local go-to for authentic Jamaican comfort food, delivering bold spices and generous portions that capture the spirit of the islands. Whether you're a long-time fan of Caribbean cuisine or just looking to try one of the city's most beloved food traditions, Tropical Jerk offers a casual, welcoming atmosphere perfect for a quick bite or a satisfying dinner. It’s more than just a place to eat; it's a neighborhood staple serving up the culinary richness of Jamaica, one plate at a time.

The restaurant has garnered a reputation for its well-seasoned and hearty meals, earning praise from the community for both the quality of the food and the size of the servings—often noted as being large enough for multiple meals. From the iconic Jerk Chicken to tender, slow-cooked Oxtail, the menu is packed with traditional favorites that make it a constant highlight for those seeking Caribbean flavor without leaving the city. It operates as a local favorite for lunch and dinner, embracing the high-energy, casual dining experience that New Yorkers appreciate.

Location and Accessibility

The Liberty Avenue location of Tropical Jerk places it right in the vibrant, easily accessible hub of Jamaica, Queens. This area is well-known for its rich cultural diversity and provides a perfect setting for an authentic Jamaican establishment. Its proximity to major thoroughfares makes it a convenient stop for locals throughout Queens and beyond.

The specific address is: Liberty Ave, Jamaica, NY 11433, USA. While the official address is the general area, many food-ordering platforms indicate a specific location at 16525 Liberty Ave, Jamaica, NY 11433, making it easier for customers to pinpoint. This street is a major artery, ensuring good local visibility.

For those driving, the restaurant provides valuable amenities in a city where parking is a premium: complimentary parking options are available, including a free parking lot and free street parking. This accessibility makes it a practical choice for picking up takeout or dining in without the hassle of searching for a spot.

The environment at Tropical Jerk is defined as casual, catering perfectly to the everyday needs of the Queens crowd, including commuters, local residents, and even tourists looking for an authentic New York food experience. The restaurant is popular for solo dining, quick bites, and is generally accessible, ensuring a smooth experience for all customers.

Services Offered

Tropical Jerk offers a comprehensive set of services designed to meet the busy, diverse needs of the New York metropolitan area customer. These services include:

• Dine-in Service: Customers can enjoy their meal in a casual, comfortable atmosphere.
• Takeout/Pickup: Conveniently order ahead and pick up your meal to enjoy at home or on the go.
• Delivery: The restaurant partners with delivery services, ensuring your favorite Jamaican comfort food is brought right to your door.
• Catering Services: Tropical Jerk provides large-format meal options for events and parties, with catering sizes available for popular items like Jerk Chicken, Oxtail, Curry Goat, and Stew Chicken, making it ideal for large family gatherings or office lunches. For example, catering sizes for meats like Jerk Chicken, Curry Chicken, Stew Chicken, and BBQ Fry are listed at $130.00, while others like Oxtail ($300.00) and Curry Goat ($245.00) are also available.
• Breakfast Options: Serving traditional Caribbean breakfast favorites, including dishes like Ackee, Saltfish, and Porridge.
• Payment Flexibility: The restaurant accepts major forms of payment, including credit cards, debit cards, and NFC mobile payments for a seamless transaction.

Features / Highlights

Tropical Jerk's appeal is rooted in several key features that resonate with the local New York clientele:

• Authentic Jamaican Cuisine: The core of the menu consists of well-known and highly-rated Jamaican specialties, focusing on traditional cooking and powerful flavors.
• Signature Jerk: The name says it all. Both the Jerk Chicken and Jerk Pork are central to the menu, offering the signature spicy, smoky Caribbean seasoning that the cuisine is famous for.
• Hearty Comfort Food: The offerings are classic comfort food, rich and satisfying. Popular items like Oxtail and Curry Goat are slow-cooked to perfection, providing tender meat and rich gravy.
• Generous Portion Sizes: Customer feedback frequently highlights the large, satisfying portion sizes, offering great value and often enough food for multiple meals.
• Spice Customization: While traditional jerk is known for its heat (often from scotch bonnet peppers), the restaurant offers the ability to customize the spiciness of dishes, such as selecting spicy, sweet, or no sauce on the side for their main meat dishes like Jerk Chicken and Fry Chicken, accommodating all palates.
• Diverse Menu Selection: Beyond the main entrees, the menu is extensive, featuring Roti meals, various patties (Beef, Chicken, Veg), seafood (Brown Stew Snapper, Jerk Salmon), and a wide selection of sides, including Rice & Peas, Plantains, and Mac & Cheese.
• Availability of Caribbean Beverages: They offer a selection of popular Caribbean soft drinks, such as D & G Cola, D & G Cream, and Nature Goodness, which complement the bold flavors of the main dishes.

Contact Information

For New York customers interested in ordering or learning more about the Tropical Jerk location in Jamaica, Queens, here is the essential contact information:

Address: Liberty Ave, Jamaica, NY 11433, USA

Phone: (718) 480-1700

What is Worth Choosing

When visiting or ordering from Tropical Jerk, certain dishes stand out as must-try options, particularly those that have earned the highest praise from the local community. The menu is structured around rich, flavorful Caribbean cooking that makes it an excellent choice for a filling lunch or a satisfying dinner.

The absolute centerpiece of the menu is the Jerk Chicken, available in small ($11.54), medium ($16.17), and large ($21.41) sizes, which is central to the restaurant's reputation. Following closely are the rich, fall-off-the-bone Oxtail (medium $22.44, large $27.14), a premium favorite, and the deeply spiced Curry Goat (medium $13.14, large $18.00). These three items—Jerk Chicken, Oxtail, and Curry Goat—form the foundation of the Jamaican comfort food experience and are consistently highlighted as local favorites.

For those who prefer a non-spicy but equally flavorful option, the Fry Chicken (small $8.54, medium $12.17, large $16.41) or the savory Stew Chicken (small $11.54, medium $15.17, large $19.41) are excellent choices. Customers can choose their preferred meat (dark or white) and a variety of sides to complete their meal. Popular side choices include Rice & Peas and Vegetables, which can be ordered as part of the meal or separately in small ($3.25–$3.50) to large ($9.00–$11.00) portions.

On the lighter side, the restaurant also features fresh options like the Jerk Chicken Salad ($9.80) or the Jerk Shrimp Salad ($12.25). For a quick snack, any of the warm, flaky Patties (Beef, Chicken, Spicy Beef, or Veg, all at $3.25) served with a side of Coco Bread ($2.00) make for a perfect quick bite. Finally, to experience a full Jamaican day, consider starting with a traditional breakfast item like Ackee (Medium $16.85) or a bowl of filling Porridge (Small $3.69, Large $7.39).

No matter your preference, Tropical Jerk on Liberty Avenue delivers an authentic, satisfying, and memorable taste of the Caribbean right to the Queens community.

Tropical Jerk

Liberty Ave, Jamaica, NY 11433, USA