Marsha Telfer and her husband, Adrian Telfer, opened Reggae Jerk Hut in summer 2023. The restaurant stemmed from Adrian’s vision of a place he wanted to open after he worked as a line cook before he joined the military. When he finished his service in 2015, Adrian decided he wanted to get back into hospitality and cooking. The duo took a look around their hometown of McKinney, Texas, and realized it lacked diverse Caribbean food destinations outside of a few staple places. Marsha had the idea to blend elements from Haitian and Jamaican cuisines and, in doing so, the couple created the city’s first Haitian-Jamaican restaurant.
“Reggae Jerk Hut [brings] both of our cultures together to serve Jamaican and Haitian food, fused together,” she says.
At Reggae Jerk Hut, find deep-fried conch fritters served with a creamy dipping sauce; oxtail birria tacos; chicken wings coated with a variety of sauces; rasta pasta, where penne and bell peppers get smothered in a cream sauce with RJH’s secret assortment of spices; curried goat or chicken; a griot snack box; and a macaroni and cheese oxtail skillet. “The first dish someone visiting for the first time should order is the Tour of Jamaica, because it offers a little bit of everything,” Marsha says. “It has oxtail, curry goat, and you can pick a Haitian rice to go with it.”
Marsha spoke to Eater Dallas about some of her favorite places in DFW to eat, from other Caribbean-inspired spots to the places she goes to for self-care. Her sweet tooth informed some of her choices, as well as the networking she has done with other small business owners as they support each other in the industry.
8700 Preston Road, Suite 127 in Plano
This place has only been open for a couple of months, and I want to show them love. They serve Louisiana/soul food fusion. The daiquiris are amazing, and the food is good. It’s like stepping into Louisiana without leaving DFW. I’ve been trying all the daiquiris out.
1522 East Abram Street in Arlington
This place has authentic Haitian food; I believe it’s the only Haitian restaurant in the DFW area. They also sell Haitian goodies and treats. The standout dish here is the legume, which is a blend of vegetables and meat with cabbage, beef chunks or oxtails, eggplant, and carrots that are cooked down together and served over rice. I found this place because we have a Haitian community, and the business owner reached out to me to ask some questions. We stay connected, and we all have to help one another.
1301 North Tennessee Street in McKinney
I go here a lot because it’s so close to me. I’m there two or three times a week. I love the brisket — I get the lean cut. I love the cream of corn, it has me in a chokehold. The flavors here are great. When I go to other barbecue spots, it can be hit or miss, but Hutchins is consistent every time I go.
1933 Elm Street in Dallas
I love soul food, and I like how [owner] Kevin Kelly does it with a twist. It’s mixed, like the jerk lamb chops, which I love. Also, the fried lobster with shrimp and grits. My favorite drink there is the peach d’usse frosé. I like to go here for date nights with my husband, and I’ve been for brunch with my girlfriends. It’s a good place to meet up with people who visit Dallas, especially if they’re staying Downtown.
205 East Virginia Street in McKinney
This is a place in Downtown McKinney that sells boozy ice creams and sorbets. I like the rum and raisin. They soak the raisins in rum for a while. It’s a typical ice cream place where you can get cones or cups. I always get a cup, because if I eat that waffle cone, it might soak up the liquor, and I want to feel the booziness in my ice cream.
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25999641/shrimppasta.jpeg)
2815 Greenville Avenue in Dallas
I’m into places with live music or bands. Terrilli’s has a piano man on the weekends, which is when I usually go. I like to take myself on a solo date to eat and listen to music. I also enjoy the martinis there and the shrimp alfredo.
2015 Woodall Rodgers Freeway in Dallas
This place is woman-owned, which I like. [Owner Miriam Jimenez] doesn’t mind coming out to talk to people. It makes me feel like I’m not just a customer, but a guest. She always has a smile on her face and is very personable. I want to support other woman-owned businesses. The empanadas and bolitas de yuca — crispy yuca fritters stuffed with mozzarella cheese and served with spicy ranch dressing — are really good. I also like the carne asada.
5100 Belt Line Road, Suite 830 in Dallas
My kids like to come here for a treat. They always have seasonal specials, and the owners are super sweet. The cookies here are so good: The chocolate chip and banana pudding cookies are special favorites. There are also excellent lemon bars, and the brownies are the best. We’ll stop by on the weekends with the kids, and sometimes I’ll bring a box home. The kids like to try the new flavors for the season. I think the other day we had a pound cake cookie. They also love it when we get some ice cream to go with the brownies.
This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.
