_{Jamaican Mural: The restaurant's Conway location has joined in the town's celebration of its buildings.}

Downtown Conway isn’t an island, of course, but the warmth of the Caribbean islands is shining bright down onto Fourth Avenue in the form of the popular, family-owned restaurant, Caribbean Jerk Cuisine.

I first met owner/head chef Kamal Fraser at a culinary sampling special event at Pine Lakes Country Club, where he was serving cups of his Jerk Chicken Pasta, and when he smiled, you could just feel the pure passion for what he does. Originally from Jamaica, Fraser has more than 20 years’ experience in professional kitchens, and you can tell he passes that same genuine happiness and hospitality onto his staff, who greet you with larger-than-life smiles and make you feel welcome with their friendly banter during your meal.

Fraser’s business first began out of a food truck at the start of the pandemic, but, today, his brick-and-mortar restaurant in Conway is large, laid out with a bar/lounge area, dining/buffet area, and another L-shaped dining room toward the back of the building. Tabletops are draped in white linens, and pretty chandeliers hang like diamonds from the ceiling, so this isn’t your typical Jamaican jerk shack on the beach – and the food only adds to the authentic experience. A second location, by the way, just opened in Myrtle Beach.

His menu features fresh, made-from-scratch recipes, all based on Fraser’s original line of spices and sauces (also bottled and available for purchase). I ordered the Jerk Chicken Meal lunch entrée, with tender, bone-in chicken and a side of traditional rice and peas and steamed cabbage. For me, jerk sauces can sometimes be either too sweet or over-the-top spicy, but the flavors in this dish were pleasingly full of flavor and well-balanced.

_{Takeout Time: Meals at Caribbean Jerk Cuisine are also available to go, including their Signature Dish Jerk Chicken (left) and Country-Style Oxtail Platters.}

My husband was more adventurous and went with the Curry Goat, a bowl of slow-cooked Jamaican spice curry goat served with plain rice and steamed cabbage. He cleaned his dish and raved about how delicious it was. 

More exotic entrees are with seared shrimp, pork, a burger, wings, or a chicken sandwich, or combined with fries or atop a salad. More interesting entrees include the Sweet and Sour Chicken, Jamaican-Spiced Curry Chicken, Escovitch Fish (fried red snapper), Ackee Salt-Fish (Jamaica’s National Dish of salt cod with sweet fried bread), Country-Style Oxtail with vegetables and butter beans, and several different kebabs.

And to finish up the menu, there are Jamaican Patties: flaky, buttery crust pastries filled with curry chicken, jerk chicken, beef/cheese, or veggies. (We ordered the spicy beef/cheese patty to go, and it was delicious). Wine and beer are served from the bar, as well as tropical juices, teas, and their signature pineapple ginger drink.

Ongoing specials and events offered at Caribbean Jerk Cuisine include the Chef’s Table that can be booked for two or more guests after 4 p.m., catering for events on- or offsite, food truck rental, and daily specials, such as the in-demand lunch buffet on Mondays and Tuesdays. The Myrtle Beach location, however, does not offer the lunch buffet or chef's table experience. 

On top of being a successful entrepreneur in the restaurant industry (in September 2024, he was crowned winner of his round in “Chef Swap,” a locally filmed culinary show that aired on the Cooking Channel), Fraser is bishop/president/founder of Missions for the Nations Ministry (MFTN), alongside his wife, Dorina, who serves as pastor. The ministry not only oversees churches locally and in Jamaica, but the community outreach organization also provides childcare programs, a fellowship food bank, and more. MFTN also runs a massive thrift store and coffee bar across the street from the restaurant in Conway to support the community. After lunch, we sifted through the store’s apparel, home goods, and more, and found a few treasures. They always accept donations.

That’s the thing I love about Caribbean Jerk Cuisine. The Frasers have gone far outside the four walls of their restaurant to make a profit to also help the underserved of our community, and that will take them far beyond their brand. 

Caribbean Jerk Cuisine

1303 4th Ave., Conway
843-984-3663 (FOOD) 
3401 North Kings Highway, Myrtle Beach
843-602-1372
www.Caribbeanjerkfood.com, www.Missionsfornations.com
Hours: Mon-Sat, 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.