With Caribbean flair in tow, the Dawsons arecoming to Dawsonville.

Derrick Dawson and his family are set to openthe first African-American owned Caribbean restaurant in Dawson County in early2020.

We are a Caribbean family out of Brooklyn,Dawson said. We moved here from New York City and we basically worked hard inthe catering business to build up the concept of having a brick and mortar. Andnow that we have it, its our mission to make sure its successful.

Dawson has been passionate about cookingJamaican cuisine since he was a young boy in his mothers kitchen, and now hispassion is taking root in Dawson County as he plans to unveil Dawson Jerk CityUSA in the former Taco Bell inside the old Kroger shopping center on Ga. 400.

We just got into the fair business aboutthree years ago and its been really a tremendous opportunity for us because wehave so many people that came around and decided that you guys needed to behere or there, said Dawson.

In fact, it was at the Cumming Fairgroundsearlier this year when the vision of Dawsons first restaurant would begin totake shape with the encouragement from Margaret Looney, a member of the RotaryClub of Dawson County, who fell in love with the familys cuisine. Sheintroduced Dawson to what would become the future site of Dawson Jerk City USA.

Derrick Dawson and his son Darius are excited to bring the first Caribbean restaurant to Dawsonville. The Dawsons plan to open their family run restaurant, Dawson Jerk City USA, early next year. - photo by Jessica Taylor

It was her blessing that brought us to thisfacility here, Dawson said.

The restaurant is located next to the Shellgas station on Ga. 400 and will feature sports memorabilia and Caribbean vibesto create a receptive atmosphere for the community.

When you walk into Jerk City USA, youregoing to walk into the Caribbean, Dawson said. We just want to make it very,very open and inviting to the community.

The menu will feature some traditionalJamaican and West Indies dishes like beef patties, curries, oxtails, seafood,and of course, jerk chicken.

Our jerk chicken is probably the best chickenyoull have across the continent, said Dawsons son, Darius.

Our jerk spice is a little sweet but a lot ofspice, Dawson added.

Jerk chicken is a combination of dry and wetrubs featuring notes of picante pepper and covered in a homemade sauce thats aDawson family secret.

Its a nice spice, a nice pepper flavor andits charred, its a grilled flavor, Dawson said. Its all a combination ofbarbecue but its a Caribbean version of barbecue.

Dawson plans to run the restaurant with hiswife Anika and children Darius, Kymani, Kristian and Taylor and hopes sonConner (9) and Parker (3) grow up in the family business.

Being part of preparing meals and helping inthe kitchen has always been a familial and cultural tradition for the Dawsons.

My mother is originally from Jamaica and atage eight I used to just be her sous chef in the kitchen which means I used toclean up behind everything. Then one day she said to me do I want to learn howto fry fish, Dawson said.

Weve been cooking forever, Darius said.Since Ive been born Ive been in the kitchen watching them cook, gettingyelled at for wanting to cook too much.

The passion for cooking turned into asuccessful catering business that has allowed the Dawsons to open their dreamrestaurant in scenic north Georgia, choosing Dawson County as their flagshiprestaurant.

Derrick Dawson begins putting up decor inside his new restaurant Dawson Jerk City USA that is located inside the old Taco Bell location in the old Kroger shopping center on Ga. 400. - photo by Jessica Taylor

We decided we wanted to start some placewhere theres nothing - not nothing meaning nothing, but no other Caribbeanbusiness so when we got the opportunity for Dawsonville we thought it was a winespecially since our last name is Dawson, Dawson said. God is good. Its justtrue testament of the hard work weve been putting in over the years. My wifeand I have been working hard on developing different menu items and differentconcepts of exciting peoples taste buds.

Dawson is gearing up to open Dawson Jerk CityUSA on Feb. 15, 2020. It will be open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mondays throughSaturdays serving a New York style breakfast and Caribbean lunch and dinner.

Were a Christian-based family and we believea day of worship is important so we take our Sunday off, Dawson said.

We want to be big, Darius said. We want totake over Georgia.

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Meet the man who's bringing Caribbean flavor to Dawson County in 2020 - Dawson Community News