Box Food

Open only since August, Box Food is easily the newest spot on this list, but there’s no downplaying the fact that this Melrose street vendor is churning out some incredibly special jerk chicken. The weekend-only pop-up is essentially just a grill and a few tables at Melrose and Gardner (right in front of the CVS), making it a tremendous on-the-go lunch option if you’re in the area or heading to the Melrose Trading Post on Sundays. In terms of ordering, the name of the game is the “Box Food” - a $15 lunch box containing rice and peas, charred sweet corn with cotija, plantains, and some of the best jerk chicken you’ll find north of Venice Blvd. Or south, for that matter. Follow them on Instagram for the latest details.