Now that spinach has been deemed a performance-enhancing vegetable, Popeye's future shortstop career hinges on his transition to jerk chicken. Get a sailor's helping of energizing Jamaican jerk with today's deal: $12 for $25 worth of Caribbean cuisine at Jamroc 101 Caribbean Grill, located off Coast Highway 101.

The sandwiches, seafood, and meaty combo plates on Jamroc 101's menu are suffused with the tongue-twistingly complex island-nation's flavors, which came from African, European, Indian, and Chinese influences. Preheat your appetite with The Wicked Jamaican Patties, a signature Jamaican dish of flaky empanadas filled with either beef, curry chicken, or vegetarian callaloo and steamed vegetables ($2.75). Jerk combo-platter options ($12.99 for a big serving) include pork, barbeque pork, and quarter chicken served with fried plantains, festival bread (similar to hush puppies), and choice of two sides, such as sweet potato fries. The Oxtail combo plate ($14.99) is an exotically-tender meat cooked in a flavorful brown sauce with butter beans and spinners. Vegetarians pull steamed-veggie coils from the Dreads Rap ($6.99), a tortilla filled with rice and beans, steamed veggies, and plantains.

Jamroc 101 uses no trans fats in its kitchen, and since Jamiacan dishes are mostly made from unprocessed foods such as fish, beans, and vegetables, it's a healthy alternative to frozen dinners or licking schoolbus windows. The spicy, health-concious cuisine is served in a friendly, inviting environment, and on Fridays and Saturdays, Jamroc features live music from both authentic steel-drum acts and good-old-fashioned bar bands.

Reviews

Three Yahoo! Locals give Jamroc 101 Caribbean Grill 4.5 stars, 90% of Urbanspooners like it, and Yelpers give it 3.5 stars. Check out what the San Diego Reader has to say:

• Kick back to reggae with a fresh coconut water and the Jamaican sampler, including luscious soft-fried plantains and splendid patties (empanadas to you and me) with a choice of fillings. The jerk’s way mild. Inexpensive. – San Diego Reader
• Totally different, totally delicious!: This is a funky little place with fantastic food for reasonable prices. – Oceansider1215, Yahoo! Local
• I LOVE this place! My hubby and I love it so much that we had them cater our wedding in April. – Chelsea L., Yelp