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Jamaican eatery launches in Branson

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A couple formerly from Jamaica have delved into their native country’s heritage to inspire the menu for a new restaurant in Branson.

Cavene Crosdale co-owns The Jerk Spot with boyfriend Durront McGann. The Jamaican eatery, which opened Oct. 15, occupies roughly 1,000 square feet at 607 Highway 165, Ste. 6, in Dogwood Plaza shopping center.

Crosdale said they signed a two-year lease for $1,250 per month with Windfield Real Estate LLC. She estimated startup costs were around $150,000.

“We’ve always wanted to open one,” Crosdale said, noting she and McGann have a combined 10 years of experience working in Branson restaurants. “For a long time, we just didn’t have the finances to do so.”

She said McGann is a former manager of a Pizza World restaurant in Branson, while she worked at Starvin’ Marvin’s, and each previously were employed at Ruby Tuesday.

Both are natives of Jamaica, Crosdale said, adding she came to Branson on a work visa in 2011. She said The Jerk Spot, which employs eight, offers fans of Jamaican cuisine a locally owned place to visit, but also an option for those looking to try foods of which they may have little to no exposure.

“We serve authentic Jamaican cuisine. When people think of jerk, they probably think of spicy food. That’s actually not true,” she said. “The jerk is just the method of cooking that we use. It incorporates all the herbs and spices we use to create the flavors.”

The Jerk Spot’s menu includes salads, pastas, soups and entrees, such as jerk chicken, curry goat and oxtail. The restaurant also serves Jamaican sodas in flavors including ginger beer and kola champagne, according to its website. Lunch and dinner entree prices range $8-$22.50.

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