If you long for some jerk chicken, oxtail, curry, brown stew, escoveitch fish; ackee and saltfish, bananas and dumplings or even calaloo, mackerel, plantains, ground provisions and cow foot, you can find it in Atlanta. It is estimated that there are over 75 Jamaican restaurants in the metro area. Most are small mom and pop operations but some have made a name for themselves.

Kool Runnings is one of the best known Jamaican restaurants. They’re a big supporter of community projects and reporters and TV cameras are there whenever they want to get the Jamaican view of any issue. Their flagship restaurant on Memorial Drive in Stone Mountain is a cafeteria styled setup where you can eat indoors or on the outdoor patio. They are also in the Gwinnett Place and Northlake malls.

Royal Caribbean Bakery is one of the busiest and another big supporter of the Jamaican community. It’s also on Memorial Drive in Stone Mountain and it’s a regular meeting place as everyone passes through regularly to stock up on beef patties, hard dough bread and spice bun. They also sell the usual Jamaican dishes such as curry goat and chicken, oxtail and rice and peas. At peak hours the line goes out the door.

Captain Mike’s Jerk Chicken and Seafood has only been in Stone Mountain a few years but in that time it has developed a reputation for mouthwatering jerk chicken. Word of the captain’s food spread quickly as they are a perennial contributor to local fund raising functions and attendees want to know if the Captain’s hors d’oeuvres will be served before buying tickets.

If you’re downtown Atlanta, you can stop at the Negril Caribbean Restaurant, One Stop Pattie Shop, Jamaica Jamaica or Calypso Café. If you’re in Austell, C& D Jamerican is the place while in Fayetteville it’s Jerk Palace. In Lawrenceville, the Loaf is popular and in Marietta it’s the Jamaican Jerk. But no matter where you are in the Atlanta area there is bound to be a Jamaican eatery near you.

The following is a partial listing of some of the better known establishments:

• Golden Krust
• JerkQZine
• Island Cafe
• Mom’s Peppa Pot
• Patmar Bake Shop
• Carnival Grocery
• Della’s Jerk Palace
• Bev’s Jerk
• Just Jerk Café
• Peaches Jamaican Cafe
• Taste of Caribbean
• Sunshine Jamaica
• Banana Tree
• Jam Down Café
• Caribbean American Wings n Things
• Jamaica Country Kitchen
• Jerk Stuff Kitchen

Footprints Cafe

706 Grayson Hwy

Lawrenceville, GA