After a year-and-a-half hiatus, The Real Jerk has found a new home at Gerrard and Carlaw. It has been a long and bumpy road getting here, but owners Ed and Lily Pottinger have managed to continue tradition by staying in the east end, where they originally started nearly 30 years ago. The space and menu are still in development, but customers will find lots of familiarity in the food and furnishings.

Taking over the space that was previously The Playpen, the 140-seat restaurant is covered in the bright red and yellow hues and corrugated sheet metal artwork that patrons will remember from the previous location at Queen and Broadview. The exterior of the building may also get a similar transformation in the coming months.

New for the Jerk is a 50-seat lounge featuring a rum bar with 40 different Caribbean and South American rums ranging from $5.50 to $12.50 per shot. The lounge will also eventually have karaoke and live entertainment.

For now, the familiar menu of jerk, roti and curry previously found at Queen and Broadview is available, but new items such as jerk calamari and wings with mango-ginger sauce are currently in the works.

Other planned menu items include head chef Lily’s take on Thai chili shrimp, along with a bigger selection of vegetarian dishes. At The Real Jerk - Gerrard, there will also be sandwiches, including jerk pork on a panini with sautéed onions.

Published: October 9, 2013