According to a social media announcement, a new concept called The Jerk Spot, owned by chef Troy Wheat, is making plans to open at Budd Dairy Food Hall, located at 1086 N 4th St. The menu will feature the authentic and bold flavors of Caribbean cuisine and it is slated to begin serving customers in the food hall’s Hatch incubator space on Feb. 4.
Wheat is an accomplished chef, and has operated a catering business in Springfield called All Seasons Catering for the past seven years. Prior to that, he worked for Cameron Mitchell Restaurants for over a decade. His time with the company spanned across several restaurants and Wheat was even part of the team that was sent to Denver to scout the popular food hall in the city’s Dairy Block, which is a concept that has some things in common with Budd Dairy.
Even though he has a history with Cameron Mitchell Restaurants, Wheat pointed out that he still went through the same process as any other vendor who applies to be a part of the food hall. His time on his own building a brand and reputation as a caterer in the smaller market surrounding Springfield has prepared him for this moment of launching the new concept in the food hall.
“It really feels like a full circle moment,” Wheat said about opening in Budd Dairy.
Although they enjoyed their time living in Springfield, Wheat said that he and his wife wanted to come back home to Columbus. By opening The Jerk Spot, he’s pursuing his long-time love of Caribbean food.
“My wife encouraged me and I just went head first into the concept,” he said of the menu.
With a focus on Caribbean flavors, the offerings range from classics like jerk chicken, seasoned and smoked with pimento wood for added flavor, as well as a pineapple bowl, which comes with a choice of sauteed shrimp or jerk chicken, jerk fried rice, diced pineapples, peppers and onions, tossed in jerk sauce. Other menu items include the ox tail, which is marinated then braised and smoked, as well as sides like jerk fried rice or saffron rice, jerk fries or pineapple spears, to name a few.
And there are vegan and vegetarian selections, like The Jerk Spot wrap, which comes with jack fruit, pickled daikon radishes, carrots, cilantro, spinach, jalapeno and jerk aioli. Another option for those who don’t wish to eat meat is the rasta pasta, made with pepper cream sauce, peppers and broccoli florets. The concept also offers a dessert made from maple glazed cornbread, carmelized plantains and a pineapple garnish, as well as grape, orange and pineapple sodas and bottled spring water.
Stay up to date on The Jerk Spot’s grand opening by following the business on Facebook or Instagram.
