URGENT - Need your INPUT by 4:30pm TODAY (Tuesday) on a Jerk Chicken Centre

[Rumlover]

I think a Jerk Center will be the death of the vendors we have known and loved forever. The competition between vendors will be extreme. Much, much more than it is now. Who gets what spot? How much will their spot cost? Can they move to venues for shows (I think not)? If we are stay near by we might make a visit but if we’re at the other end of the beach we would not. If they make this move i feel we won’t have jerk barrels anymore. It’s part of what makes Negril Negril.

[DiamondGirl]

I agree with the others so far. The Jerk barrels are spread out along the road giving people a spot to grab dinner without having to walk too far from their hotel. I like walking across the street to BITW for jerk chicken. Wouldn't like to walk too much further along the road at night. Couldn't they do both? Have a Jerk Centre for those that want to go there and let the guys who have their own jerk barrels stay where they are if they want. The jerk Center could add other booths like produce or desserts. Kind of like a food truck gathering. Just a thought.

[VVHT]

One of the long simmering issues with the "Independent" Jerk barrel vendors is the lack of hygiene available to the cook and customers.
Simply having the cook and food prep vendors able to wash their hands adequately has always been an issue for the safety of the customers. Almost all established restaurants are REQUIRED to have these facilities available. This adds additional cost to the restaurants that the "Independents" haven't had to bear. Check out Best in the West vs any Jerk Barrel on the beach road.

Ukran1ans and other comments are spot on regarding location. My daily walks up and down Norman Manley Blvd this April took me past several VACANT properties closer to the Boutique Hotels.

I have frequented many Jerk Barrels over the years, but as I get older, I'm more concerned about hygiene. Maybe it is time to put the "Independents" on the same playing field as the established restaurants.

Enjoy,

VVHT

[VVHT]

It just occurred to me that Tourists aren't the only one's that frequent the Jerk Barrels.
So maybe two locations, one across from the Crafts market and another further north along the beach road near the boutique hotels.

[ColdInNB]

A resounding no if the intent is to model it after the Boston jerk center near Port Antonio. We have never felt overly hassled on the beach in Negril but the BOSTON Jerk Center was uncomfortable, overpriced and poor quality. We went a second time just to make sure the first time was not an anomaly. It was not. It was worse. Street food is sold all over the world in similar conditions and always, it is buyer beware. We have our favs (another shoutout to Smokey Joe) and will continue to accept the very, very, very (IMHO) risk. I will be adding a shot of rum at the end of the meal….just in case.
Maintain the status quo.