I have something to confess; I’ve been holding out on you. I’ve been asked many times and I’m always hesitant on revealing my favourite place for Jamaican food in Montreal… but for a good reason. Ok I lied, there’s no reason. I’m greedy and selfish and wanted to keep this spot for myself. You can’t tell, but I’m rolling my eyes as I write this because it’s not like Boom J’s is a secret. Anyone who knows anything about Jamaican food (even if you don’t) knows that this spot slaps. From what I think is probably the best jerk chicken in Montreal to steaming bowls curry goat and the fluffiest spicy beef patties, Boom J’s in the Point is your authentic taste of the islands.
Their menu reads like a greatest hits list of classic Jamaican fare. They’ve got curry goat, stew beef, ackee and salt fish, a variety of chicken, as well as a bunch of roti and wraps. Caribbean food is the epitome of comfort food. Rich hearty stews served on over rice, piqued with fragrant herbs and prickly spices. I can attest to the fact that there is literally not one bad order here; it’s all irie. Am I biased when I say that because it’s my favourite Jamaican restaurant in the city? Yes, absolutely. But also for the simple reason of the food is consistently delicious.
“Anyone who knows anything about Jamaican food (even if you don’t) knows that this spot slaps.”
The “SMALL” Oxtail plate.
The plates come in two sizes, small and large. This is the small plate of oxtail. Six to seven pieces of tender stewed oxtail and gravy on top of what easily is two pounds of rice and peas, with a side of coleslaw and fried plantains. If you’ve never had oxtail before, they’re unctuous and tender beefy goodness. Hopefully you’ll be lucky and get pieces with the bone marrow still attached. Profound and rich in flavour, each mouthful has a hint of sweetness from the stewing vegetables.
The fluffy spiced rice and peas is the best foundation you can want to soak up all the gravy. The sharp coleslaw is perfect for cutting through the richness of the stew chased by a sweet, starchy a bite of the fried plantain. Perfection.
The Jerk Store Called, it’s running out of chicken.
Boom J’s has six different kinds of chicken. Yes, six. Why? Because five is obviously not enough and seven is way too much. Jerk, fried, bbq, pineapple, curry, and stew chicken. That’s nice and all but let’s cut the point; GET.FOCUSED.IMMEDIATELY because Boom J’s has the best jerk chicken in Montreal. Hard stop. The flavour is off the charts deep and complex. The chicken is rendered juicy and delicious after being bathed in a melange royale of aromatic seasoning of all spice, ginger, thyme and a gentle slap in the face scotch bonnet pepper.
Fried chicken proper.
The fried chicken is a classic homestyle recipe. Moist chicken with crispy, crunchy skin, what else do you need? It must be noted that these two chicken orders (jerk and fried) are from the weekday lunch special. Try any one of these signature chicken dishes served with rice and coleslaw at a literal STEAL of a price of $7 each. So if you’re going to load up and chow down and sample every kind of chicken in the house, this is the way to do it. Alternatively, the small chicken plates consist on one full leg, and a large plate has two.
“The chicken is rendered juicy and delicious after being bathed in a melange royale of aromatic seasoning of all spice, ginger, thyme and a gentle slap in the face scotch bonnet pepper.”
Get a “Car-Patty”
The plates are great, but the patties are NOT to be missed. These home made pocket pies are amazing! They’re big and substantial and incredibly flakey. I guarantee you half the pastry dough will end up on you and around you. Fun fact, the Jamaican Patty is like the Nature Valley Granola bar of the Caribbean. Purely based on the fact that it leaves a trail of crumbs behind you. Available in beef, chicken and veggie. Whatever you decide to order, make sure you order a “car-patty”. It’s not really a thing, but it’s something I invented – I always a patty for the drive home – a car-patty.
“Fun fact, the Jamaican patty is like the Nature Valley Granola bar of the Caribbean purely based on the fact that it leaves a trail of crumbs behind you.”
After coming here for a while, I’ve concluded that the Boom J’s mojo lies in the grill. Like “wok hei” – the fiery kiss of the dragon that blesses the food in a wok of Chinese cuisine, the addictive umami found in Boom J’s cuisine is thanks to the imported oil-drum grill from Jamaica. I get it, although seasoned with secret spices, love and patience, the equipment is only one part of the equation. If his Instagram posts of him grilling up a storm of the best jerk chicken in Montreal isn’t tempting enough; you probably hate life.
Owned and operated by Chef Jermain “Boom J” Wallace, his family recipes will transport you to Jamaica through laid-back non-pretentious food and hospitality to match.
Boom J’s Cuisine
2026 Rue Wellington
(514) 730-6524
https://www.boomjscuisine.ca/
PRO TIP: Get extra hot sauce!
2 comments
Omg you had me at Oxtail. My mouth is watering and I want to order everything on the menu that you described (and I just had dinner!)
So good! You won’t be disappointed!