Longtime Popular Authentic Jerk Take Out Opens Dine In With Grand Style

CHICAGO — In many Black neighborhoods across the city, the presence of a full-service, dine-in restaurant is more than a dining option—it’s a symbol of long-overdue investment and community development.

That symbolism was on full display in Auburn Gresham as excitement—and the scent of sizzling spices—filled the air during the grand opening of the newly expanded Jamaican Jerk Villa. Less than an hour after the ribbon-cutting, a line had already formed outside the freshly unveiled location at 642–648 W. 79th Street, proving that the South Side was more than ready for this next chapter of a beloved neighborhood staple.

For over two decades, Jamaican Jerk Villa has served as a culinary anchor on the South Side, dishing out authentic Caribbean flavors to a loyal takeout crowd. Now, thanks to a $250,000 Neighborhood Opportunity Fund grant through the City’s Invest South/West Initiative, owner Peter McKnight has reimagined the business as a 4,600-square-foot full-service bar and grill. With seating for up to 140 guests indoors and outdoors, the expansion marks a significant milestone not only for McKnight’s business but also for a neighborhood long hungry for reinvestment.