The Jamaican & African Cuisine on Carriage House Drive has been a local favorite of mine for years, but as for other Union students, it seems that most have never visited or even heard of the place. It’s easy to drive right by it— the building is located on the corner of a small shopping center behind a gas station and a hair salon.
I visited the cuisine last Saturday to enjoy a delicious meal, talk to the owner and review the restaurant’s food and environment.
I walked in at lunch time and was greeted by the owner, Joseph Kabre, and his son, Marshall. The restaurant was bustling. Kabre and his son flashed big grins and sincere greetings towards everyone that entered. I heard the word “usual?” half a dozen times in the hour I was there, which I took as a good sign. All the must-haves checked out— the dining area and restrooms were clean and organized. The service was polite and quick, and the prices were affordable. The menu contained a variety of options with daily specials offered. The African music playing over the speakers and beautiful decorations were an added bonus.
The menu contained some unique meals— I saw everything from goat dishes to oxtail stew, a traditional Jamaican staple. I went with something less adventurous and ordered the jerk chicken. For my two sides I chose rice and peas and steamed cabbage. Fried plantains and a juicy sweet roll come with every meal.
With my stomach rumbling in anticipation, I asked a few other customers what they thought of the food.
“Authentic,” said customer Roderic. “The food is unbelievable, and the atmosphere is great too.”
I extended the question to Roderic’s wife, Toni.
“Authentic and delicious. I feel like I could eat here every day, and I don’t usually feel like that with food,” she said.
Roderic smiled with approval but added a caveat.
“I have to go for a run and get in the gym after eating here— I can’t be eating this stuff all the time.”
Roderic makes a fair point— the Jamaican & African Cuisine probably won’t help you on your quest to get in shape, but a heart attack at 35 might be worth it for the food that had just arrived at my table. The dry-seasoned chicken was perfectly tender with a smoky flavor reminiscent of Memphis barbecue. I can say, without hesitation, it was some of the best chicken I’ve ever had. My sides were equally delicious and great complements to the meat. I’m not a huge cabbage guy, but this stuff was tasty.
After cleaning my plate, I approached Mr. Kabre to ask him a few questions. Kabre is from Burkina Faso, a West African country about the size of Texas.
“I started cooking in a culinary school in 1989,” said Kabre. “They taught me how to cook African food, and also a little French cuisine.”
Once across the Atlantic, Kabre and his family chose to move to Jackson because of the weather.
“Before Jackson, we were living in Michigan,” said Kabre. “We tried to find a place to skip all the snow and ended up here.”
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Kabre always wanted to own a restaurant but faced difficulties after arriving in America.
“Coming from the French side, I knew no English, and it was very hard to get started,” Kabre said. “I started other businesses first, but I missed cooking. That’s what I love doing. That’s my life.”
I highly recommend the Jamaican & African Cuisine. With great food, a beautiful environment and a passionate and kind owner, what’s not to love? The restaurant is located at 101 Carriage House Drive in Jackson. They’re open Monday-Saturday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.