By Rosemary Parkinson, Contributor Jerkies
Phone: 962 8138
Open from 10 a.m. until-.
Bar/Pool Tables
For the best service, ask for Kevin
NO MATTER what time of day (or night) I
travel the Mandeville bypass (and God knows I do that often enough) down come the windows, off goes the 'aircondoo' and I just let that cool, fresh breeze blow on my face.
Delicious. This is the same fresh air I have experienced in England during Spring or early Summer mornings and have often wondered if it's imported by the inhabitants of those enormous houses that smack of English countryside Manors. What a ting the houses I mean. Hello. Dem could hold most of London inna each one. My Jamaican friends tell me that they are owned by the "returning nationals". Wow! I mean I worked my little tail off in London but when I returned home, I couldn't even afford a bicycle. I should have kept an eye on the Jamaicans and found out whey dem get a nice salary so. I used to have a tiny 'studio apartment' in a house in East London, owned by a Jamaican. It always amused me to see how many people poured out of it every day I befriended one girl and she told me every room had its own lock and every man living inside (sometimes as much as ten) had their own key and the landlord just collected those pounds every week. Now mi see where it all gawn Mandeville meh dear.
Once I ventured into this 'henglish' town just for the experience. I thought I would see Jamaicans in fur coats or something but Lordie Lordie all mi buck up was a most disorganised bustling confusion of cars and humanity. I was, to say the least, taken aback (more like "freaked out") by this dichotomy after all, the serene bypass view looks like something out of the Sound of Music and then within the bowels of that this total craziness.
Schoolchildren by the thousands; shoppers, vendors; taxis, horns blowing, buses everywhere. Total disorder, madness in fact. My imagined hopes of a 'peaceful' Little England the "returning nationals' paradise" squashed. I have not since ever felt the need to venture there again. Maybe I have to go back and travel around amongst the big houses and check out the scene. Can anyone from Mandeville recommend a quiet corner for a weekend? God knows there must be room for a lone soul like myself . I mean hello some o' dem places bigger dan Blenheim and Windsor Castle put together!
I did, however, peep into the history of Mandeville and have recently met so many 'Mandevillians'. They exude pride not only in their beloved home town whose virtues they expound at every given chance but are such friendly, peaceful, loving, joyful, respectful people. Maybe they are from the suburbs or from the "feeding tree" of Jamaica, that is, the surrounding agricultural areas.
The town of Mandeville sits on the top of the Manchester Plateau at an elevation of 2,061 ft hence that cool climate that invigorates and lures those who have spent many years in the United Kingdom to feel more at home than in the heat of the lower plains.
Mandeville was founded in the early 1800s by the then Governor of Jamaica who created the parish of Manchester and named the capital city after his son, Lord Mandeville. It is said that to this day the town centre with its Georgian Courthouse and Parish Church has an English country town look (did I make a wrong turn and go to somewhere else?).
As I am sure you know by now Spur Tree Hill and Alex's Curry Goat was always worth my wait for food when coming from Kingston or even Mother's in Santa Cruz but this time a most necessary stop was forced upon me the need for a ladies room and an unadulterated horrid hunger both things almost driving me to suicide. Thank God, for the bright Jerky's sign I suddenly noticed on the left. Turned in like a rocket, parked in the spacious car park and ran to you-know-where. Great so far. Approaching the "cashier" afterwards with a screaming stomach, however, turned out to be a
catastrophe.
The extensive menu from Mannish Water to Lobster was most inviting but prepare yourself for a voice from a dark hole in the wall "Yes what you want?" "I will have the Lobster" "Sorry it nuh ready" "Okay I will have Oxtail" "Not ready Miss" "Special of the day Curry Goat?" "Not ready" "When will it be ready" "Me 'ave to ask de cook," and then one smiling 'Kevin' behind a concrete counter that hid several types of Jerk and barbecue pans came to the rescue.
I ordered Ribs what can I say succulent, meat falling softly off the bone and into the mouth. Amazing. My friend had the steamed fish. You want to know the truth? I actually broke my rule and stuck my fork straight into his choice. I can tell you that was the best fish that I have experienced since Uncle Sam's or even Valeries, Sandy Bay. If you ever pass Jerkies and don't stop for that steamed fish, you have not experienced life. Delicious. Succulent. Smooth off the bone. Stuffed (not marinated with or placed upon, but stuffed) with a secret mixture of okra, onions, pepper, thyme and "other things and anyhow I should maybe not be giving you the whole recipe" says Kevin. Okay then. "You just write about us and tell Jamaica come and taste for yourself. We are good. Trust Me," says Lord Kevin.
One thing I must mention why do "fast-food" (and some others too) restaurants in Jamaica insist on serving fish in foil I mean this is lethal to those of us whose mouths are filled with fillings nerve-wracking to say the least. Try your best do and remove it before serving it also is so much more presentable. This foil fetish must stop!
Jerkies please if you offer a full menu of delicious Jamaican fare, it is only right that it should all be ready at lunch time meaning from 12 noon at least. I really hate having my mouth watering over a delicious selection of grub only to be told "It nuh ready". You have the perfect spot, the perfect place, some great food so just get the perfect timing for dem hungry bellies who have a mind of their own as to what they want and want NOW remember driving the long haul does not allow for patience only the lack of it!
Happy belated Independence Jamaica and for those passing through Mandeville's Bypass Highway, Jerkies is worth a stop. True. True. True.
Rosemary Parkinson is joyful. So many Jamaicans spread their money in their country this last weekend instead of foreign, overseas and abroad. Bless you. One more party in Negril and then peace Jamaica Taboo Wednesday is the last lap.
