Janet’s Jerk Stop, Poughkeepsie

Even if a Caribbean adventure isn’t in the cards, that doesn’t mean your taste buds have to miss out on the flavors of the islands. Savor authentic Jamaican cuisine at Janet’s Jerk Stop — a small, inexpensive eatery with a feel-good vibe. Owner/chef Janet Smith’s home-cooked recipes and kind hospitality are so well known that the restaurant is often the first stop for reggae musicians playing the nearby Chance Theater.

Beyond the allure of exotic flavors, most meals are around the affordable $10 mark. The hugely popular jerk chicken dish — which comes with two sides — satisfies for about $6. Harder-to-find meals such as oxtail and curry goat are also in high demand here; many people say the tender goat is the area’s best. Sides include Caribbean staples — plantains, cubed pork, and others — plus a few soul food favorites like collard greens, rice and beans, and steamed vegetables.
Order your meal to go, or stay and dine among sweet reggae tunes and African artwork.

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