Cape Verdean jag ribs, empanadas, lobster rolls: Jones N' to open at Craigville Beach

CRAIGVILLE — Paulene Jones' excitement was palpable as she ambled around Jones' N — her new snack bar and restaurant that she and longtime friend Jeneen Texeira will open in May on Craigville Beach.

The space is currently filled with unopened boxes, ice cream machines, old, commercial cooking equipment like flatiron grills and deep-fat fryers, "as well as a wood-fired pizza oven," said Jones.

About 50 people had gathered at the restaurant's introductory opening on Monday for a ribbon-cutting ceremony. For Jones, the opening of Jones' N "is bittersweet."

It's the first Wampanoag and Cape Verdean-run snack bar to ever launch at that location, said Jones, "which is a big deal," she said. But the restaurant was the lifelong dream of her daughter Junelle "Nellz" Jones Saunders, she said. That dream that was cut short when Saunders died April 15, 2023 at age 29.

"I know she's looking down and saying, 'you did it!'" said Jones. "The whole family came together to make this happen in her memory."

What kind of food will be on the Jones' N menu?

Saunders came up with name Jones' N - initially as the name for a food truck, said Jones. "Jonesing" is a popular saying that means "a craving for someone or something," she said.

Saunders' plan was to cook all her favorite foods on the food truck including Cape Verdean jagacida or "jag," ribs, Spanish empanadas, fried chicken, lobster rolls, fish n' chips, and a variety of pizza — all of which will be on the menu, said Texeira.

Jones said she and her daughter shared a passion for cooking, and for food. They would often try different recipes together, and they loved cooking Jamaican food, soul food and traditional Wampanoag recipes.

"She (Junelle) was never drawn to one type of food," said Jones. "She wanted to do it all."

According to Jones, Saunders had money saved to open the food truck, and was headed to culinary school before she died.

"This was her vision," said Texeira. "Now we are going to honor that vision,"

Craigville Beach snack shacks have legacy

Jones and Texeira submitted an application to the town for the space at 974 Craigville Beach Road and will be heard by the Barnstable Licensing Authority on April 24, according to Interim Deputy Director of Asset Management & Licensing Erin Logan.

The building, sandwiched between The Barnacle and the Ocean View Motel, has been home to number of establishments, including The Barnacle Too, and most recently, Bites at Craigville, said Jones.

The Barnacle and Barnacle Too were first opened by Barbara Ross in 1951. Texeira remembers when her son Aasim Smith ran the kitchen at the location when it was under different ownership. Saunders, she said, would often meet him there, and cook and help with customers.

When Jones and Texeira were teenagers, said Texeira, they would drive down Craigville Beach Road and dreamed of running a restaurant on the beach strip.

"We have so many memories and connections to this place," said Texeira, who is Cape Verdean and from the Ponca Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma.

Dreams don't end with addiction

Throughout her life, Saunders struggled with addiction, said Jones. Before she died, her daughter had been sober for a period of time and had recently emerged from a residential recovery program.

"Those with addictions struggle. But they still have dreams," said Jones.

Sabrina Barros, a friend to Saunders, Jones and Texeira, said the snack bar can help Jones through her grief. It's also an inspiration to watch Jones and Texeira follow through with Saunders' dream, she said.

"The dedication, the love and the loyalty that Paulene has for her children is really going to shine though this restaurant," said Barros. "Junelle's life was not in vain. She will be remembered forever."

Cheryl Austin, Jones' family member, said there will be "a touch of love" in all the food served.

"This is an amazing tribute to Junelle," said Austin. "And we know she will be in spirit right beside her mother and Janeen in that kitchen."

In a letter, which Jones shared with the Times, Saunders apologized to her mother for causing her any pain.

"You never gave up on me. You stood by me. And I know that wasn't easy," said Saunders in the letter. "Hopefully I can make you proud."

Jones said Saunders died before she could give her the letter.

"It was on her dresser at the sober house," said Jones. The letter, she said, helped to remind her to continue to dream.

"We have to represent. We have to keep on trying," she said. "This restaurant is part of my heart that beats for my daughter."

Rachael Devaney writes about community and culture. Reach her at rdevaney@capecodonline.com. Follow her on Twitter: @RachaelDevaney.

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