It’s that time of year again – that time when New Englanders gather up their beach balls and towels for one more run in the sun. This weekend, that last fling will take thousands of Bay Staters north to Maine, to explore the outlets, the beaches, and most importantly, the restaurante. Now, when envisioning a casual dining experience in southern Maine, jerk chicken may not spring immediately to mind. Nor might oxtail curry, meat pies, or a suspicious-looking bottle labeled “roots drink”. But these delectable anomalies are exactly what you’ll find at the Jamaican Jerk Center (JJC), a small clapboard shack on Route 1 in Cape Neddick Maine, home to a much-needed break from the mundane.

As you pull into the parking lot, you’ll be greeted by reggae music playing through the window (or via turntables, on Riddim Sundays,) and food is delivered takeout-style in Styrofoam containers. For seating, this unassuming establishment provides standard-issue plastic tables and chairs on a well-manicured patch of lawn. The JJC has no liquor license, but you’re free to BYOB or partake in their avant-garde beverage selection, ranging from Ting (grapefruit soda) to Irish Moss (a supposed aphrodisiac). Ginger beer provides a solid middle ground for those who’d like something more adventurous than Fresca but stop short of drinking algae.

The menu boasts traditional Jamaican fare; Ackee and saltfish ($9), for example, or goat curry ($10), and the dishes are painstakingly and traditionally prepared. Bostonist has yet to sample the saltfish, but the goat curry is delicious, with deep and complex flavor. Another tried-and-true favorite is the Oxtail ($11 sm, $13 lg), served in a tasty brown sauce and eaten right off the bone. Although not overly spicy, the oxtail does actually resemble… oxtail, so be warned. If exotic offerings aren’t your style, there’s always the old standby of jerk chicken ($9.50 sm, $11.50 lg), rubbed with spices and slow-roasted in a handcrafted contraption out back. All entrées, small or large, come with generous sides of rice & beans and vegetables, as well as one plantain and a festival (bread twist). If you’ve recently filled up on Maine’s more traditional fare, Jamaican Patties ($2) provide a perfect snack. Similar to arepas, these little dumplings are filled with chicken, ground beef, or vegetables mixed with a tasty blend of spices.

A large Jamaican flag flies above the entrance to the parking lot, while a handmade sign featuring a Rastafarian guitarist invites guests to sit back, relax, and enjoy the day. Bostonist, new to Jamaican cuisine, is at a loss with the hat rating, but if you’re looking for a break from the clam rolls and lobster by-the-pound, the JJC is just the respite you need. Who knows – you might even find a new reason to venture north of the border!

1400 US Route 1, Cape Neddick, Maine

Photo Credit: Flickr user Killerbeez, and is not actually food from the JJC.