Smokey Jerkey
158 New Cross Rd, New Cross, London SE14 5BA
Down toward the South-eastern section of London, along a road that eventually leads to France, Smokey Jerkey has been a local favourite for nearly a decade. After the shop suffered an unfortunate fire, the crew were forced to strip the operation back to its bare bones. Hence, the shop doesn’t have the colourful flair that Caribbean food stops are usually known for. With this, the shop has solely focused on one element of the cuisine: Jerking.
Owner Louie, a native of Jamaica’s Portland parish, proudly (and accurately) boasts that “My birthplace is the home of Jerk.” The choices here are simple but delicious: stew or jerk chicken, lamb or pork, with rice and peas or plain white rice. After visiting Smokey Jerkey’s, you quickly realise what a luxury it must be to have such a refined choice in one’s community. The jerk is easily some of the best in London.
