Got Jerk owner Kenny Henny (right) and Jomo Bunsie
Chef Kenny Henny is bringing a little slice of the Caribbean to a Harrisburg street corner.
Got Jerk Island Grill and Juice Bar opened on Tuesday on N. 2nd Street, cooking up authentic Jamaican cuisine.
“We want to give everybody a touch of our culture,” said Henny, who owns the restaurant with several business partners.
To Henny, that means not only serving up great food to “spice up your life,” but also creating a laid back, familial atmosphere.
The restaurant opened at 1313 N. 2nd St., the location of the former Ted’s Bar and Grill in Midtown.
Got Jerk Island Grill & Juice Bar
Got Jerk started in 2014 when Henny began crafting unique jerk sauces, which evolved into a restaurant several years after. Until recently, Got Jerk operated a takeout location on Union Deposit Road and two restaurants in Lancaster and Carlisle. All locations closed due to the effects of the pandemic, Henny said.
However, over the years, Got Jerk grew a dedicated following of customers who constantly asked Henny when they’d be able to get their hands on his food again.
Now, they can.
Henny’s jerk chicken and oxtail are the biggest sellers, but his curry goat and chicken, snapper fish and wings are popular with diners as well. Everything is marinated, seasoned and spiced to perfection, a skill Henny learned from his mother.
Growing up in Jamaica, Henny’s family worked in the restaurant industry, his mom serving as the “greatest cook” and teacher. Ever since, he has worked in the food business, operating several other restaurants before Got Jerk.
At the new Midtown location, Got Jerk decided to offer a juice bar with daily fresh-made creations like pineapple and ginger, guava sensation and blueberry lemonade.
Jomo Bunsie serves up a pineapple and ginger juice
Jomo Bunsie, who makes the juices, will hand you your glass with a smile and tell you all the health benefits of each ingredient he uses.
“It’s a natural remedy,” he said. “There’s beet, kale, spinach, cucumbers, carrot. You get a mixture of fruit and vegetables. We give people great taste, but also healthy.”
Customer John Crippins would regularly get takeout from Got Jerk over the past several years. So, he was excited to see that his favorite Jamaican spot was planning to reopen, now just a few blocks from his house.
“When I saw the sign go up, I was like, ‘what?’” he said. “I love their jerk chicken. It’s spicy.”
In addition to making sure people love their food, the Got Jerk staff also makes the effort to get to know each customer and promote a welcoming environment.
“We try to make you not just a customer, you’re a part of the family,” Bunsie said.
For more information about Got Jerk Island Grill and Juice Bar, visit their Facebook page.
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