Jerk Shop Go opened their first Springfield in 2020 on Fifth St. across from Floyd’s Thirst Parlor during an otherwise very hectic year. Despite the challenges of operating a business during a global pandemic, Jerk Shop Go has quickly become a favorite for many locals and out-of-town visitors. There is even a wall of photos featuring fans of their delicious food eagerly posing in the establishment with an excitement normally reserved for celebrity meet and greets.

This is because Jerk Shop Go is not your average restaurant. The business has its roots where the first restaurant, The Jerk Shop, was opened in 2014 on Chicago’s West Side. The business expanded to Macomb under the name Jerk Shop Go and earned the support of locals and the large student population of Western Illinois University. The business takes pride in providing excellent customer service and sharing a mutual love of food between many cultures and communities.

Jerk Shop Go expanded in 2021 by opening a store in the White Oaks Mall food court while also moving a few doors down from their first location on S. Fifth St. and into a larger space.  If by some chance you find yourself craving Jerk Chicken in Atlanta, Georgia – you are in luck! The business opened a store in “The Peach State” in 2021. However, if you are going to be a little closer to home, you can place an order in person, over the phone, or through several delivery apps. The downtown Springfield location is open Monday-Saturday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. The White Oaks Mall location is open Monday-Saturday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday from 12 p.m. – 6 p.m.

Jerk Shop Go is also great at customer interaction, keeping their throngs of fans in their orbit by way of fun Facebook and Instagram posts that keep their name in not only front of your eyes but also the taste of their food in your memory by posting enticing videos and photos. The Springfield locations feature a $2 taco Tuesday, which brings spice to an otherwise boring and uneventful “filler” day of the week. I must testify that they are good every day of the week. My typical order consists of a platter combo with Jerk Chicken Tips, a Jerk Taco, and Jerk Eggroll, and since Valentine’s Day is coming up, I will come right out and tell you that Jerk Shop Go is the way to my heart.