Rural Missouri - January 2021 - 27

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by Paul Newton | pnewton@ruralmissouri.coop

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with about 12 to 15 different ingredients, a lot of which we
ou can't drive by without getting a whiff. The disLPSRUWIURPEDFNKRPH,WKDVDOLWWOHNLFNWRLWEXWWKHÁD
tinctive Caribbean smell of pimento berries, Scotch
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bonnet peppers and other island spices on tender
barbecue. "
meat billows out of the grill that is manned by Rex
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Missouri and not to a bigger city was a no-brainer for Rex.
that will lure you in for some unforgettable food.
" Mid-Missouri is a fertile ground, " he says. " We made a
Rex and his business partner and lifelong friend, Colin
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for personal and professional growth were good and from a
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business standpoint it grew parallel to that. "
then, they've expanded their business to include a pair of
Rex says the biggest barrier they've faced is people asPLG0LVVRXULEULFNDQGPRUWDUORFDWLRQVWKDWVHUYHXSDX
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a bit here, " he says. " We try to put more of the spiciness
Rex and Colin grew up near the north
in the sauce and not the seasoning. So people can
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Soccer brought the pair to Lincoln University
at all.
in Jefferson City in the late 1990s.
Columbia
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" We were a small Jamaican community, so
volves around the island spices and " good vibes. "
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Jefferson City
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event where we would pool our funds together
response is listed on the menu as free. While
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that friendly attitude is a great start to your
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visit, it gets better with the food.
the form of a business in 2001 with an idea from
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Rex's wife, Tauwana. " My
seller at the restaurant.
wife said, 'Why don't you
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seasoned and marinated
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for at least 48 hours and
much at homecoming?' "
spend approximately
he says. " We rented a grill
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and that was really the
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genesis of this. "
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and the duo decided that
pair of sides. The most
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common combination is
logical way to sell their
potato salad and coconut
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red beans and rice.
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the street food you might
got that tropical mix of
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a little bit spicy from the
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rub, but also a little sweet
items, " Rex says. " The
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best way to describe it
Above: Rex Scott loads up a grill with meat that has been seasoned and
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marinated for at least 48 hours in Columbia. Opposite page: The Jerk Hut
since they're grilled and
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began two decades ago as a food truck and now includes brick-and-mortar
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and marinated for at least
locations in Columbia and Jefferson City and two food trailers.

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