Mavis' Jerk Shack

"Wi likkle but wi tallawah" If you know the Jamaican proverb, you should know that Mavis' fully embodies it; small but mighty! This place is a GEM!The family (and I do mean family because in my times coming here I've met the husband, wife, and even their kids) that runs this place is amazing. They've been so fun to get to know. The story of how and why they started this small business is heartwarming and if you have the time when you stop by, you should definitely ask about it's history and it's namesake. The food is amazing! Do you hear me? ah-ma-zing! When I come in town to visit family, we drive the 30-40 minutes up to Mount Dora so that I can no only order food to eat during my stay, but to freeze an take back home with me to Chicago. I live for the oxtail, brown stew chicken, curry goat, jerk chicken and jerk pork; they've never let me down. I'm not usually a fan of cold slaw, but somehow they've managed to mix up their own version and I thoroughly enjoy. Now, I would be remiss if I didn't write a love letter to the oxtail stuffed beef patty. Ugh! I had seen a slightly similar concept on TikTok a while back and when I came here one year and they had is as a chalkboard special, I knew I HAD to try it. Now it's a standard menu item, and I've never been happier. This joy is a Jamaican beef patty, sliced open and stuffed with off-the bone pieces of oxtail, mac'n'cheese, snuggled in cocoa bread, and served with a side of oxtail gravy for dipping/dousing/drizzling. Read it again! It is like no other and may have worked it's way up to my favorite dish ever. I post it on IG every time I get it and my fellow Jamaican-American cousins are ready to to fight me for a bite. I could go on and on. But Mavis' is a wholesome, authentic, little Jamaican spot with great people and amazing food. It IS Jamaica; now go try it!

A bit of a cluster to order. It's 4p and the Jerk Shack is already out of Jerk Chicken, which I believe is their most popular item. And I got the very last of the Jerk Pork. Guess they weren't making more and probably closing early because of it.Tip: if the company's plastic advertising sign isn't out on the street then they probably aren't open. We tried them the night before and they were closed, even though Yelp indicated they were open.Food: You can see why this place is so highly rated. The tasty food makes you forget about how bad other things are. My jerk pork was truly a gem with just a little fat and so much goodness in each bite. I went with the large and chose rice with peas as my base. This was equally tasty. Also came with a small container of cole slaw. I wasn't hungry when I finished. The white sauce was my go-to and there was none left at the end.Seating is shared with numerous other restaurants in the same building. It kind of reminds you of a flea market setup with small stalls, some open, many vacant and others closed depending on when you go. Don't go here for any ambiance or to impress. Might be best to get it to go and take it to the nearby Sunset Park.

Amazing Food, even better service. Family owned and operated and very friendly, highly recommend.

THE FLAVOR IS JUST 10/10!!!!! & homie serving you is so sweet, let's you try anything before hand + the portions of the food and price is great. Go here if you wanna have some TASTY food

YEA MAVIS & Family...the jerked chicken is FABULOUS as is rice n'peas...service is spot on...what a fun family w/WONderful Jamaican food...don't miss'em...thx Mavis et al.

The oxtail I had, and the jerk chicken, my husband had, transported us back to Jamaica! We also ordered Jamaican Ting and pineapple soda to pair up with our dishes, which were refreshing. Authentic flavors! Owner Jason, from St. Elizabeth, JA, was very friendly and the marketplace's open seating adds to the feel you are away somewhere! Definitely worth the stop through!

Woke up in the morning craving a warm island vibe on this hot hot day and came across Mavis's Jerk Shack. First off absolutely amazing service very kind got there before they opened officially and was told my order was gonna be ready in 30 seconds and boom just like that little to no wait, got my food hot and ready. The oxtail stuffed patty with coco bread was literally the best Jamaican dish I've ever had in my 10 years of eating Jamaican cuisine. The Oxtail was unbelievably tender, before I even could chew it just melts in your mouth and the Mac and cheese paired with ox tail and sauce adds a great compliment, all squeezed in between a warm coco bread it just doesn't get any better than this....

The service is always top notch. The oxtail and jerk chicken is incredible! My favorite is the oxtail empanada! The Mavis' family is always so kind.

Another amazing meal from Mavis'! The empanadas are to die for, the burrito was spectacular, and the panini was perfect. The entire family was beyond satisfied, and are excited to go back.

Great food. Great people. Wonderful atmosphere. A little hidden in the market place.