I visited the new arrival with a big name following
16:10, 19 Nov 2025Updated 17:08, 19 Nov 2025
I spent the afternoon tasting the latest arrival to Liverpool ONE(Image: christopher megrath)
One of Manchester’s favourite venues, boasting its own celebrity following, has landed in Liverpool. Jerk Junction, created by Jake Shaffi, has moved into the old Gourmet Burger Kitchen location near Chavasse Park and promises “the best Caribbean food outside of the island.”
Liverpool is the company’s fourth site as part of “a mission to make authentic Jamaican food more accessible in the UK”. Jerk Junction previously won The Manc Eats Takeaway Champion award, receiving thousands of votes from all over the region.
The Caribbean restaurant has also racked up a celebrity following including sports pundit Ian Wright, television star Kai Fegan and musician Loyle Carner. With a number of famous faces and Manchester residents backing the business, I decided to see if all the fuss is really worth it.
The luminous signage is hard to miss in the corner of Chavasse Park‘s restaurant Mount Rushmore. The interiors ditch the lemon colours in favour of a lime drenching that plasters everything from the walls, panels, chairs and booths to the neon lights in electric green, presumably a nod to Jamaica’s flag.
Jerk Junction is laid out cafeteria style, asking guests to order step-by-step at the counter instead of at the table. The primary offer is a meal box with protein and carbs of your choice, topped with added “flava”. There are also wings and loaded fries if you fancy splurging on sides.
Jerk Junction in Liverpool ONE(Image: christopher megrath)
I went with the classic box featuring spiced rice, pepper steak and jerk chicken. The server upsold me to a meal deal, which came with a Caribbean Cola and a dumpling thrown in for good measure. To complete my gluttonous lunchtime feast , I added an order of loaded fries and then shuffled off to a corner like a fat little Bahamian pig.
The slop fest was a feast for the eyes, and although that may sound like a harsh critique, it was a spectacle – one that oozed visual appeal instead of appearing dry and without flavour. The box was built on a generous helping of spicy rice that stood on it’s own merits without the lashings of sauce to keep the palate entertained.
The stars of the show were the succulent strips of rump steak that broke apart in your mouth without so much as a chew, and the marinated, skin-on chicken served with gravy. Both were in abundance and I devoured them almost instantly, grabbing as many chips and grains as I could in each bite.
The additional jerk gravy flavour smothered everything under single coat, perfect for flavouring the last few pieces of rice hidden away at the bottom of the box. There were also a few red beans thrown in, but I hate beans, so let’s move on.
Jerk Junction in Liverpool ONE(Image: christopher megrath)
The loaded fries were moreish and I found myself shovelling them away despite being full, dissatisfied with leaving any for the trash. Super creamy with tangy undertones, the slathering of jerk mayo, BBQ sauce and a tossing of jerk chicken shredding on top, the loaded fries packed a hefty punch.
Once I reached the bottom of the loaded fries, I scraped the remaining sauce and chicken shreds over the rice, creating a disgracefully gluttonous concoction.
I waddled away from Jerk Junction leaving nothing more than a few empty boxes. Even the Caribbean Cola was polished off. Aside from a wait due to staff still finding their feet in the newly opened restaurant, I have absolutely nothing to complain about. Jerk Junction is a phenomenal new arrival that will knock your taste buds out of the park.
My biggest appreciation is for the peppered steak and how gently it broke apart. I didn’t even have to chew it. While I don’t think it’s the inarguable best Caribbean food outside of the island, it’s still pretty darn good.