Island Breeze Brings the Savory Flavors of Jamaica to Louisville

**Island Breeze’s Jerk chicken.** *Photos by Kevin Gibson*

Twenty years ago, my friend Greg and I visited Jamaica. I’ll spare you the story of how two guys managed to go to a Sandals resort, but on the bus ride from the airport to Ocho Rios, a scheduled bathroom break gave us the opportunity to buy some Jerk chicken from a roadside vendor.

It was authentic. And fantastic. And I’ve rarely had such good Jamaican fare since. And now, 20 years later, I can have it again at the recently-opened Island Breeze Jamaican & American BBQ on lower Brownsboro Road.

But that Jamaica Jerk chicken experience is one Greg and I still bring up fairly often, so it would have seemed wrong to visit Island Breeze without inviting him. So, we met there for lunch. The small restaurant, which until recently was home to Fry Daddy’s, has only a handful of small tables, but its colorful confines do a fine job of offering an idea of what to expect, with a couple photos of Bob Marley on the walls, a blue and red mural on another wall and small palms inside and out (I forgot to check and see if they were real or fake, but it doesn’t matter).

Orders are taken at the counter, and we immediately found the staff to be friendly and ready to help however they can. (Heck, even our place mats read, “Laugh, Love, Dream.”) Enticing elements include a Jamaican sweet potato pie sitting right by the order station and a warmer filled with Jamaican beef patties – sort of Caribbean versions of Hot Pockets, if you will.

The menu features Jamaican-style classics like oxtails, curry goat, escovitch (a Jamaican fish dish that must be tried to be appreciated), Jerk chicken, plus Jerk rib tips, BBQ rib tips, turkey ribs and more. A few of the items can be had a la carte for $8.99, while most are served as dinners with two sides. Choices include rice and peas, steamed cabbage, greens, plantains, mac and cheese, and French fries.

Greg and I each ordered the Jerk chicken dinner, with both of us choosing greens. His second side was plantains, while I chose rice and peas. When our food came out, in Styrofoam containers, I immediately regretted getting rice and peas as a side. Why? Because my three big pieces of chicken were resting on a huge bed of rice and peas. So, essentially for $12.99, you’re getting a Jamaican-style meat and three.

Greg managed to get a first bite of the chicken before I could.

“Yep, that tastes like Jamaica,” he said, and then reminisced vocally about that roadside stand two decades previous.

The chicken was meaty, juicy, and so nicely seasoned that I’m not sure mere words would do it justice. What we got was a huge drumstick and an oversized thigh that has been sliced in half. It’s a LOT of food for the price, suffice to say. Tender and delicious, with just a tiny bit of heat sneaking into the familiar spice blend. Was that Scotch bonnet pepper I tasted?

The next best thing about the meal was the greens. Greg proclaimed them as the best he ever had. I’ve had some pretty damn good greens in my day, but I’ll concede those at Island Breeze are solidly in my top five. Greg surrendered a plantain for me to sample, which was crispy on the edges and perfectly soft inside and lightly sweet. And the rice and peas soak up so much of the spices, that it just intensifies the flavor.

We got full enough to take plenty home – getting to experience the food twice for one price is just another bonus – but Greg started itching to try a beef patty for “dessert,” so he bought one and we split it. For just $3.50, it’s a fantastic deal. Savory and lightly spicy filling inside a flaky crust.

I have to say, between the portions, the prices, the flavors and the friendly atmosphere, that place is a can’t-miss for me. If, like me, you’ve been missing the equally wonderful Taste of Jamaica for the past 15 or so years, get yourself to Island Breeze. The name may sound like a cheap fabric softener, but once you try the food, it will suddenly sound magical to your ears.

Island Breeze is located at 1991 Brownsboro Road. It’s open every day except Tuesday for lunch and dinner.