“Irie Mon” is a time period which means “every part is cool” or “every part is blessed” in Jamaican Patois, and that’s precisely the sensation Christoper and Payton Williams, the group behind Irie Mon Cafe, wish to prolong to Atlanta by its meals.
“Irie Mon is a time period of endearment in Jamaica, and that’s what we provide right here. Meals by irie mon, by endearment,” Christopher mentioned.
For the reason that father-daughter duo opened their flagship restaurant in 2017 — an 800-square-foot spot at 1800 Peachtree Rd. that serves takeout— the model has quickly grown as a staple for Caribbean fare in Atlanta. They now function seven places in Atlanta, together with within the Mercedes-Benz Stadium, the West Finish, and Politan Row in Colony Sq., and are in-demand distributors for charity occasions and well-liked occasions within the metropolis, similar to Rum Pum Brunch and One Musicfest. Roaming across the metropolis, it’s seemingly that you simply’ll discover one in all their meals vehicles parked someplace serving up sizzling dishes of daring flavors or that you simply’ve ordered from their restaurant on a meals supply app.
From classics similar to brown stew oxtail, ackee and saltfish, and pink beans and rice to fusion dishes similar to rasta pasta, the Williams’ are decided to carry genuine flavors and spices straight from Jamaica to town.
“We’re one of the best Jamaican restaurant in Atlanta. We’re right here representing the tradition to the fullest. We’re going to remain genuine as a result of we are able to’t water this factor down. They know genuine meals as soon as they stroll in,” Christopher mentioned.
The day normally begins within the early hours of the morning when the grill, situated outdoors of its flagship location, is fired up and able to pump out kilos of jerk hen for its different places as nicely DoorDash and Uber Eats. It’s a fast-growing enterprise that has them cooking 100 kilos of rice and 200 kilos of oxtail at a time and 15 tons of hen a month.
However the fast development that has hit its peak within the final two years started 50 years in the past in Religion’s Pen, a humble hall of roadside outlets between Ocho Rios and Kingston.
Sitting of their new lounge-style restaurant proper subsequent door to their flagship location, Christopher was reminiscent as he recalled his mom waking up at 3 a.m. to stroll for miles to purchase contemporary produce similar to corn, yam and oranges for her store, Ms. Schurry’s Spot. He mentioned he would sit by her aspect and assist her roast corn, watching as she turned recognized for her contemporary meals and flavorful dishes. Years later, Ms. Shurry — as she is affectionately recognized — started promoting curry goat, a staple Jamaican dish that allowed her to worm her means into the hearts of a whole bunch of vacationers and locals who stopped by her store, together with reggae pioneer Bob Marley.
That very same curry goat recipe, together with many others she cultivated, is now used at Irie Mon, due to Ms. Schurry’s assist in curating the menu in its starting part.
“All walks of life, all of the higher echelon of Jamaica, know my mother. That developed right into a restaurant the place she began promoting oxtail, jerk hen and every part else,” Christopher mentioned. “Each time my mom comes, she’s so proud. She’s such a humble girl, however she’s so pleased with what we have now achieved. Even at her little roadside store there, she’ll inform individuals, ‘Oh, I’ve a restaurant in Atlanta, Irie Mon Cafe.”
Her legacy is honored with a portrait displayed within the bar and lounge. What began as a quaint market on the streets of Jamaica, run by a mom along with her son’s assist, has developed right into a franchise greater than 1,000 miles away in Atlanta run by that very same son and his youngster. Nevertheless, working alongside her father wasn’t initially within the playing cards for Payton. She was attending nursing faculty in 2020 when she realized her father had been identified with stage-three gastric most cancers. She mentioned it was a “turning level” for her and that his struggle to beat most cancers impressed her.
“I noticed that life is brief,” Payton mentioned. “I didn’t go to highschool for this; neither did he. So I realized from him, I realized from the group, I realized from Atlanta, I realized from the purchasers and all people that I work together with.”
For Christopher and Payton, household is every part, and so they attempt to incorporate as many members of the family as attainable into the enterprise. Nice customer support can be a driving power for the enterprise. These sentiments of household and prospects first have translated into success, with a spot as one of many high 50 fastest-selling eating places on Uber Eats in Atlanta and hopes to proceed increasing, Christopher mentioned.
“It’s wonderful to see a 3rd era that’s nonetheless concerned on this factor that began 50 years in the past. We didn’t realize it was going to return to this, however we undoubtedly put our greatest foot ahead. We wish to have one of the best illustration of Jamaica,” Christopher mentioned. “Due to that, we simply go above and past for our purchasers. We go above and past for the group and our staff, who’re the spine that retains us going. We’re actually glad, and we’re actually proud to name this our house and our group.”
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