Island Riddim Jerk & BBQ Grill is cranking up the Caribbean flavor in the Austin area with a grand opening celebration this weekend in Round Rock. The new spot, run by a husband-and-wife team, blends authentic Jamaican dishes with Texas-style barbecue for an island-meets-smokehouse mashup. On the menu: jerk chicken, oxtails, and jerk-BBQ ribs, plus classic sides like rice and peas and fried plantains.
Owners Wayne and Dianne Anderson, who emigrated from Jamaica, told CBS Austin that the word "riddim" Jamaican patois for rhythm, is a nod to the energy they want guests to feel in both the music and the food. Wayne described the lineup as a deliberate fusion of authentic jerk and Austin-style barbecue, a combo the couple says has been missing from the local dining scene.
What to expect
The menu leans hard into jerk staples, including jerk chicken, jerk wings, oxtail, and curry goat, and pairs them with smoked items like BBQ ribs and jerk-BBQ ribs, according to the restaurant's menu. Island Riddim's website also lists sides such as rice and peas, fried plantain,s and specialty lemonades, along with late-night weekend hours, plus online ordering and delivery options.
Owners and mission
Community Impact reported that the Andersons previously operated a Golden Krust franchise in New Jersey before relocating to Central Texas to be closer to family. The couple told the outlet that proceeds from Island Riddim will help fund scholarships for students in Jamaica, turning the restaurant into both a culinary venture and a personal mission.
Grand opening and community angle
The grand opening event, billed as "Christmas in the Caribbean," is set for Saturday and is designed to spotlight Caribbean culture, music, and food while creating a gathering place for families and the local Caribbean community, as reported by CBS Austin. The Andersons said they want Island Riddim to feel like a home away from home for Caribbean residents and a laid-back entry point for Austinites curious about island flavors.
Island Riddim is located at 200 University Blvd, Suite 350, in the University Commons retail center and is taking orders online and through delivery apps, per the restaurant's site. For menus, hours, and ordering information, see Island Riddim's website.
