Caribbean Jerk Hut opens in Copperas Cove

By PAMELA GRANT
Cove Leader-Press

The Caribbean Jerk Hut celebrated its grand opening Saturday with music, family fun, and great food.
The Caribbean Jerk Hut is located at 314 East Avenue D and is open Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. until 7 p.m.
“I think the food is great…I think this restaurant is great,” said Sandra Dukes who attended the grand opening. “My favorite is the ox tail. They’re so good and tender and once you start eating, you can’t stop. It’s delicious!”
In addition to the oxtail, their menu includes jerk chicken, beef patties, curry goat, curry chicken, fillet catfish, brown stew snapper, and more.
This is restaurant owner, Shawn Rowe’s second Caribbean food restaurant—his other restaurant is in Killeen. He said he’s been in the restaurant business since 2013.
“It’s a proud feeling,” said Rowe about holding the grand opening for his second restaurant. “I’m not only giving them food, I’m introducing them to my culture.”
Rowe is Jamaican and said that he has a passion for cooking, and people love food, so it works out perfectly. Still, he’s both nervous and excited to bring his style of cooking to Copperas Cove, admitting to a bit of butterflies before the grand opening.
“This is a new market. I see there is a void,” said Rowe, noting that Cove doesn’t have another restaurant like his.
Rowe said that he’s very active in the Killeen community, participating in things like an annual turkey drive, and he hopes to be just as active in the Cove community.
In addition to good food, Rowe hopes to in clude live music—to include reggae music—and potentially other entertainment on weekends.
“It’s something different that people can look forward to,” said Rowe about his restaurant. “It’s all about food, entertainment, and fun.”