Sorrel’s Jamaican Food takes over the former Next Level space

The owners of Jamaican food of sorrel closed their last physical store at 222 S. Commerce, just outside Intrust Bank Arena, in December 2020 saying that because of COVID-19, business was too slow and that they would reopen in the spring.

But the couple changed their minds and gave up the space in March, saying they could reopen the business as a food truck.

Instead, they found another food court, which will be their third since opening as a food truck in 2017.

The Sorrels say they are occupying the space at 3802 E. Harry that the owners of the Next Level Cafe recently announced they are leaving. The in-game cafe has been serving Thai cuisine since October 2019, but its last day of operation will be Wednesday, when it is open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

The owner of Next Level, who says the restaurant has to close due to medical issues, said seating will likely be limited on the day it closes.

Christine Rhoden, who owns Sorrel’s with her husband, Sorrel, said the couple didn’t know when they would open in space, although Sorrel hoped next month.

They had been looking for a new brick and mortar location since they left their downtown location, she said. They found a place and had hoped to open in August, but the deal fell through. When they heard about the planned closure of Next Level, she said, they jumped on it.

Chris Abdayem from the real estate group InSite handled the case.

They plan to serve the Jamaican favorites they’ve been offering since opening, including jerk chicken, jerk pork and oxtail, and will add new dishes as well, she said.

They haven’t given up on their food truck projects but want to reestablish themselves as a stationary restaurant first.

The couple, who opened their business as a food truck four years ago, first settled at 2808 E. Douglas before moving to a colorful but tiny stationary location at 3090 W. 13th St. in late 2018. A year later, they closed that space to move to Commerce Street.

Rhoden said she would let me know when they set an opening date for the new restaurant.

This story was originally published September 28, 2021 5:16 pm.