Jamaican Yard Vibes opened on Parrish Avenue in February as Owensboro’s only Caribbean restaurant. Owned and operated by Dwayne Whyte and his wife Shanetha, the restaurant offers traditional Jamaican dishes with no shortage of flavor.
The carry-out establishment truly personifies Jamaican culture, despite being sandwiched between the U-Haul storage facility and Ollie’s Bargain Outlet on Parrish Avenue. Jamaican Yard Vibes and Whyte transport customers to the island through scratch-made dishes, a native Jamaican accent, and a “ya mon” mentality.
“It’s a pleasure,” Whyte said. “I love seeing people enjoying the food; it brings pleasure to my heart. It feels so good for my wife, family, and myself to put all this together. It makes me happy.”
When Dwayne and Shanetha Whyte married in the summer of 2019, they offered cuisine at the wedding, highlighting his Jamaican heritage. The dishes were an instant hit, triggering several community members to suggest that they open a restaurant.
“When we got married, we had some food at the wedding that was well-received,” Dwayne Whyte said. “People were going crazy and kept asking when we would open a restaurant. That inspired us.”
After more encouragement from the community, the couple began operating out of their house, offering several catering options. Fast forward to now, and they have a booming business on the west side of town.
The menu features jerk pork, rice and beans, steamed salad, cabbage, beef pattie on cocoa bread, and beef stew — all highlighted by their famous ox tail and jerk chicken.
They also incorporated some local flair with their version of mutton.
“The food is delicious,” Whyte said. “Everyone tends to think that everything is spicy, but it’s not. Some are spicy, and some are not. We have something for everyone.”
The establishment is coated in green, black, and yellow to pay homage to the Jamaican colors. Bob Marley is clearly on display, and Jamaican sodas stock the fridge but make no mistake, the authenticity revolves around Whyte. He pours his heart and soul into every dish, clearly having fun doing it.
“When you can cook for people, and they enjoy your food, that makes you happy. We just want people to keep coming back,” Whyte said.
The restaurant is open for carryout Wednesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., offering specials for lunch and dinner. Click here to place an order. To see the full menu or for more information, visit the Jamaican Yard Vibes Facebook page here.
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