Charcoal Grilled Jerk Chicken & Pork
Canada's original jerk destination. Authentic flavours that will melt in your mouth — straight from the charcoal grill.
FLAVOUR
From a Closet-Sized Kitchen to Toronto's Favourite Jerk
In 1979, Mr. Jerk had its humble beginning in Toronto in the backroom of a small West Indian grocery chain called Linstead Market. The original restaurant was established in 1986 in a very small space in the Peanut Plaza in North York — so small that a Toronto Sun reporter described it as not much larger than a closet.
No one could have imagined what a phenomenon this little restaurant would unleash when they offered authentic Jamaican jerk products to Toronto for the first time outside of Jamaica. For over 40 years, Mr. Jerk's reputation has spread far and wide.
Today, Mr. Jerk Don Mills is one of the last remaining Jamaican restaurants in Canada still dedicated to using a real charcoal grill for our jerk pork and jerk chicken — the way it has always been done since day one.
Is it any wonder why so many competitors have tried to imitate Mr. Jerk — but none have ever been able to duplicate them?
One of the Last True Charcoal Grills in Ontario
Most restaurants switched to gas years ago. We never did — and you can taste the difference.
Direct Flame Charcoal
Mr. Jerk Don Mills is one of the few remaining locations in all of Ontario still committed to grilling our jerk pork and jerk chicken over direct charcoal flame — the way it was always meant to be done.
The Bark
That dark, caramelised crust on the edges of the meat? That's called the "bark" — and it only forms on true charcoal-grilled meat. It's the sign of real jerk, and you won't find it anywhere that uses gas.
2-Day Marinade
We marinate every piece of jerk chicken and jerk pork using the original Mr. Jerk recipe for a full 2 days before it ever touches the grill. Then it's hand-grilled in our charcoal rotisserie so it's perfect every time.
Know Your Order 🎯
Ordering at Mr. Jerk is an art. Here's how to get exactly what you want.
Jerk Pork — Pick Your Cut
When ordering jerk pork, just tell our staff which part you prefer. We'll do our best to find it for you — but it's first come, first served!
The crispy, charred edges of the pork — maximum bark, maximum flavour. The crowd favourite.
The meaty centre cut — tender, juicy, and packed with the full jerk marinade flavour.
Spread throughout the pork — rich, melt-in-your-mouth pieces with deep smoky flavour.
Rice & Peas — Choose Your Gravy Level
When ordering a dinner with rice and peas, just tell us how much oxtail gravy you want. Four levels — you decide.
Our Meals
Prices subject to change without notice
Daily Specials
Open – 3 PM · Served in Cocobread
Tender charcoal-grilled jerk chicken tucked into soft cocobread with fresh coleslaw and rich oxtail gravy — the best lunch deal in North York, comes with a pop!
Smoky charcoal-grilled jerk pork piled into soft cocobread with fresh coleslaw and rich oxtail gravy — bold Jamaican flavour in every bite, comes with a pop!
A full Jamaican lunch — your choice of jerk pork, jerk chicken, curry goat, curry chicken, or stew chicken with coconut flavoured rice & peas, Fresh Coleslaw, a water, and oxtail gravy.
What People Are Saying
"This Jamaican spot has been my go-to for years. It's tucked inside the busy Peanut Plaza at Don Mills and Sheppard, a real hidden gem. The jerk pork is absolutely incredible — smoky, spicy, and perfectly charred. Huge portions too!"
"Absolutely delicious, enough for 2 people to eat plenty. Nice Fresh Coleslaw, easy to chew. The coconut flavoured rice and peas were cooked perfectly. Authentic Jamaican flavours you can't find anywhere else in Toronto."
"Best jerk pork in the city. Atmosphere hasn't changed in 30 years. Same retro look and feel. Love this place! The homemade hot sauce is legendary — I always ask for extra."
Enjoyed Your Visit?
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Leave a Google ReviewDid you know? We are one of the few remaining restaurants in all of Canada still using charcoal to grill our jerk pork.
This makes the flavour completely unique — a deep, smoky aroma and that unmistakable charcoal taste that gas simply cannot replicate. If you haven't tried it, you are missing out.
Follow Us on Instagram
@mrjerkpeanutplaza & follow along for daily jerk, specials, and behind-the-scenes.
Opening Hours
Come Visit
3050 Don Mills Rd N · Peanut Plaza · North York · beside Pizza Pizza
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about Mr. Jerk
Charcoal Grilled vs Oven-Cooked Jerk
Why does charcoal-grilled jerk taste so different? Here’s what sets Mr. Jerk apart from restaurants that use a conventional oven or gas grill.
| Feature | Charcoal Grilled — Mr. Jerk 🔥 | Oven / Gas Grill |
|---|---|---|
| Smoky Aroma | ✅ Deep, authentic wood-smoke aroma from real charcoal | ❌ Mild or artificial smoke flavour |
| The Bark | ✅ Crispy caramelised crust on the edges — the true sign of real jerk | ❌ Soft edges, no bark formation |
| Flavour Depth | ✅ Complex layers from direct flame, charcoal, and 2-day marinade | ❌ One-dimensional, oven-steamed flavour |
| Heat Source | ✅ Direct charcoal flame — one of the last in Ontario | ❌ Indirect gas or electric heat |
| Marinade | ✅ 2-day original Mr. Jerk recipe, hand-applied | ❌ Often hours or less |
| Texture | ✅ Juicy inside, charred and crispy outside | ❌ Uniform texture throughout |
| Jerk Pork Availability | ✅ Charcoal-grilled jerk pork — one of the last in Canada | ❌ Rarely available; often oven-roasted |
| Authenticity | ✅ Traditional Jamaican method unchanged since 1986 | ❌ Modern shortcut method |
Mr. Jerk Don Mills — North York, Ontario — Charcoal Grilled Jerk Chicken & Pork since 1986
Stories, Tips & Flavour from Canada's Original Jerk Destination
Dive into the history of Jamaican jerk, the science behind charcoal grilling, ordering guides, and more — written by the team that's been doing this since 1986.
📖 Read the Blog