Mr. Jerk · North York, Toronto
Jerk Pork
The original jerk meat. Charred outside, juicy within. The dish the Maroons invented.
Jerk Started With Pork
Before jerk chicken became the dish most people know, jerk was a pork dish. The Maroons — escaped enslaved Africans who hid in Jamaica's Blue Mountains — developed the jerk technique using wild boar. They marinated the meat in allspice and scotch bonnet, then cooked it in pits lined with pimento wood to preserve it and mask the smoke from British soldiers.
Pork remains the more traditional jerk meat. It has more fat than chicken, which means more flavour from the marinade and more rendered fat dripping onto the coals — creating the smoke that makes jerk what it is.
Why Pork Works Better for Jerk
Pork shoulder and pork belly are the cuts most commonly used for jerk. Both have enough intramuscular fat to stay moist through a long cook over high charcoal heat. The fat also carries the marinade deeper into the meat than leaner cuts.
The result is a deeply charred exterior — almost blackened in places — with a juicy, tender interior that pulls apart easily. The char isn't burnt; it's caramelized marinade, rendered fat, and smoke. That's the flavour.
How It's Served at Mr. Jerk
Dinner Plate or À la Carte
Available as a dinner plate with sides, or à la carte by weight.
Traditional Sides
Coconut flavoured rice & peas, plantains, festivals, coleslaw, or cocobread.
Real Charcoal
Grilled over real charcoal — not gas, not a flat-top. The char and smoke are part of the dish.
Common Questions
Is jerk pork spicier than jerk chicken?
They use the same marinade, so the base heat level is the same. However, pork fat carries spice differently — some people find jerk pork has a more intense flavour overall. Ask us to go lighter on the scotch bonnet if you prefer mild.
Is jerk pork available every day?
Yes. We grill jerk pork fresh daily alongside our jerk chicken.
Can I order jerk pork for catering?
Yes. Jerk pork is available for catering events of 10–100 guests. It's cut and packed in large aluminum trays. Call 416-491-3593 or visit mrjerk.ca/catering.
Is jerk pork gluten-free?
Our jerk marinade contains soy sauce, which has gluten. If you have a gluten sensitivity, let us know and we can prepare it without soy sauce.
Also on the Menu
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3050 Don Mills Rd N, North York · Open Mon–Sat 11am–8pm, Sun 12–7:30pm