The Jerk House - Santa Cruz

This place was absolutely fantastic and incredibly affordable. We spent just $117 for meals for four people, along with a bottle of wine and three beers—an incredible deal, especially for Santa Cruz. Every dish was delicious! We enjoyed the jerk chicken, veggie tacos, the large goat plate, and the big rib plate. Not to mention the fried plantains and Ruck chips, which were equally amazing. The portions were generous, so we definitely had leftovers to take home! Our service was outstanding, and we had the pleasure of sitting on the terrace while a solo reggae artist entertained us. This was my first visit, but they've definitely earned my loyalty. I can’t wait to return and would highly recommend it—10/10!

The food here is absolutely amazing! It's definitely worth the trip, even if it's a bit out of the way. You won't be disappointed!

Our waitress has been with the restaurant since it opened about three years ago, and she still clearly loves her job and the food. It was great to witness her strong connection with the kitchen staff, who prepare incredibly delicious dishes. The food is home-cooked, perfectly spiced, and genuinely authentic—just outstanding. This is the new comfort spot that Santa Cruz has been waiting for.

The food was delicious and the service was pretty good. There were choices of vegan and vegetarian choices and the meat eaters were also happy. We felt they had to hire a 2nd waitress, as we waited longer than we were used to and stressed the waitress.

My family and I were in Santa Cruz, and found this hidden gem on Yelp. The food is authentic, well-prepared, and delicious. the service is also friendly and attentive but not obtrusive. We will be back any time we are in the area.