Military Discount — 10% off every order with valid military ID Student & Staff Discount — 10% off every order with valid ID Order direct & skip the app fees — order online Kids eat free on their birthday — dine in with us Gift cards now available We're hiring — apply today
Family-owned · East Waco since 2019

Real Jamaican.
Real Waco.

Oxtails braised slow, curry goat like Sunday at Grandma's, jerk with real fire. Cooked fresh every day by the Charles family — Waco's one and only authentic Jamaican restaurant.

Order Online Book Catering Checking hours…

"Come mek wi nyam!" — Come, let's eat!

Tru Jamaica curry goat with rice and peas, steamed cabbage, and sweet plantains
3,000+ FIVE-STAR REVIEWS
Made fresh daily

The dishes people drive to Waco for

Our Story

Built by family.
Rebuilt by fire.

Tru Jamaica started with Mama Vivia's recipes, carried from Manchester Parish, Jamaica to East Waco, Texas. When a fire closed our dining room, we didn't close our kitchen — we took the food to the streets in our food truck, and Waco showed up for us every single day.

Read the Full Story
  • 2016

    The Charles family buys the building at 937 Taylor Street in East Waco.

  • 2019

    Tru Jamaica opens — Waco's first and only authentic Jamaican restaurant.

  • The Fire

    A fire closes the dining room. The family keeps cooking from the food truck.

  • Today

    Rebuilt, reopened, and growing — restaurant, food truck, catering, and commissary kitchen.

Three ways to get it

However you want your island fix

The Restaurant

Dine In or Take Out

Casual full-service dining with outdoor seating at 937 Taylor St. Order online for pickup or delivery straight from our kitchen.

Order online →
The Food Truck

Catch Us Around Waco

The truck that kept us alive is still rolling — Baylor events, festivals, markets, and gatherings across Central Texas.

See upcoming events →
The Catering Team

Weddings to Boardrooms

Full-service catering for weddings, corporate lunches, graduations, and everything between — drop-off trays to staffed events.

Start a catering request →
Word on the street

What Waco is saying

★★★★★

"Amazing vibe and food! Still amazing, and definitely worth a visit if you pass by Waco."

— Andrew L.
★★★★★

"Wonderful experience! The food was delicious and fresh. Rice and peas with plantain and vegetables, plus beef and chicken patties. The family loved them!"

— Sapphire W.
★★★★★

"I have my own jerk spice recipe, so I wanted to see how theirs stood up to mine. It was delicious! I will return — 1000%! Rum cake!"

— Marvin A.

3,000+ five-star reviews across Google, Yelp & Facebook — and counting.

The short answers

Tru Jamaica at a glance

What is Tru Jamaica?
Waco's only authentic Jamaican restaurant — family-owned by the Charles family since 2019, serving oxtails, curry goat, jerk chicken, and more, cooked fresh daily in East Waco.
Where is it?
937 Taylor St, Waco, TX 76704, in East Waco. Dine in, takeout, and delivery available.
Hours
Mon–Wed & Fri 11 AM–8 PM · Thu 11 AM–9 PM · Sat 12–8 PM · Closed Sunday.
What's it known for?
Oxtails, curry goat, jerk chicken, curry shrimp, Rasta Pasta, Jamaican patties, and house-made rum cake. Most of the menu is naturally gluten-free with vegan options.
Do they cater?
Yes — full-service Jamaican catering for weddings, corporate lunches, and events across Waco and Central Texas, plus food truck bookings.
How to order
Order pickup or delivery directly at trujamaica.square.site, or call (254) 304-9288.
Order Direct

From our kitchen, straight to you

Order pickup or delivery directly through our online store — no third-party markups, and every dollar supports a family-owned East Waco business.

Order Online
One
Love,
Waco
Stay in the loop

Join the Tru Jamaica family list

First word on brunch dates, food truck locations, specials, and events. No spam — just good food news.

Stop by anytime

Find us in East Waco

937 Taylor St, Waco, TX 76704

Map showing Tru Jamaica Restaurant at 937 Taylor St, Waco
  • SundayClosed
  • Monday11:00 AM – 8:00 PM
  • Tuesday11:00 AM – 8:00 PM
  • Wednesday11:00 AM – 8:00 PM
  • Thursday11:00 AM – 9:00 PM
  • Friday11:00 AM – 8:00 PM
  • Saturday12:00 PM – 8:00 PM

Delivery · Takeout · Dine In · Outdoor Seating · Vegan & Vegetarian Options · Catering

Catering & Events

Bring the island to your event

Weddings, corporate lunches, graduations, church events, and everything between — from drop-off trays to full-service staffed catering for hundreds of guests.

Why Waco keeps booking us back

  • Corporate lunches, office events & university functions
  • Weddings and celebrations — including custom fusion menus
  • Graduations, reunions, church & community events
  • Drop-off trays or full-service with staff
  • Trusted by Baylor and Waco businesses again and again

Every event gets a real conversation with our team — your headcount, your budget, your menu. We cook everything by hand and show up on time, every time.

Book a 15-Min Consultation

Request a quote

Tell us about your event and we'll send a custom estimate within 24 hours.

"Wi deh yah fi yuh."We're here for you. Tell us about your event and we'll take care of the rest.

This opens an email to our catering team. Prefer to talk? Call (254) 304-9288.

Drop-Off Trays

Half and full pans of your favorites, hot and ready to serve. Perfect for office lunches and family gatherings.

Full-Service

Staffed service, setup, and breakdown for weddings and formal events. We handle it so you can enjoy your day.

Food Truck On-Site

Book the Tru Jamaica food truck for your festival, campus event, or private party — a built-in crowd pleaser.

Plan by event type

Built for your kind of event

For Organizations

Corporate & Campus

Office lunches, campus events, and nonprofit functions — with invoicing, W-9s, and headcounts that flex.

Corporate catering →
For Your Big Day

Weddings & Celebrations

Full-service wedding catering with custom menus — including fusion menus that honor both families' roots.

Wedding catering →
Hands-On

Cooking Workshops

Learn to cook Jamaican classics with the family — great for team-building, parties, and food lovers.

See workshops →
Events & Food Truck

Where the truck rolls next

Catch the Tru Jamaica food truck at festivals, markets, and events across Waco and Central Texas. Follow us on Instagram for day-of updates and locations.

Every week

Our regular spots

The Restaurant

937 Taylor St, East Waco
Mon–Wed & Fri 11–8 · Thu 11–9 · Sat 12–8
Directions

Waco Farmers Market

Saturdays, weekly
Find the Tru Jamaica truck at the Waco Downtown Farmers Market.
Follow for details

Brotherwell Brewery

Wed & Thu, weekly
We deliver Tru Jamaica to Brotherwell's Music Bingo & Trivia nights.
Follow for details

Pop-Ups & Markets

Festivals, markets, and Baylor events across Central Texas.
Follow @trujamaica for locations

Every week at Brotherwell

Bingo & Trivia nights

We deliver Tru Jamaica straight to Brotherwell Brewery for their weekly game nights. Grab a beer, play along, and eat island food — no cooking, no cleanup.

Wednesday Weekly

Music Bingo

at Brotherwell Brewery

🎶 Tru Jamaica delivering island eats

Name that tune, win prizes, and pair it with jerk chicken and a cold one.

Order for delivery →
Thursday Weekly

Trivia Night

at Brotherwell Brewery

🧠 Tru Jamaica delivering island eats

Bring your smartest friends. We'll bring the oxtails, curry goat, and patties.

Order for delivery →

Have printed flyers for these nights? Upload the images and swap them in here — this section is built to hold them.

Upcoming

On the calendar

WeeklyWED

Music Bingo at Brotherwell Brewery

Tru Jamaica delivers island food to Brotherwell's weekly Music Bingo night.

Delivery
WeeklyTHU

Trivia Night at Brotherwell Brewery

We deliver Tru Jamaica to Brotherwell's weekly Trivia Night — game on.

Delivery
WeeklySAT

Waco Downtown Farmers Market

Catch the Tru Jamaica food truck at the Waco Farmers Market every Saturday.

Food Truck
AUG19–20

A Waco Welcome — Baylor University

Serving Baylor's incoming students at the official campus welcome event.

Food Truck
SEP18

Taste of Waco 2026

Come find us at Waco's biggest celebration of local food.

Food Truck
SeasonalSUM

Summer Markets & Concert Series

Look for the truck at Eastside Market, KWBU Summer Nights, and community events around East Waco.

Food Truck

Want the truck at your event?

Festivals, campus events, corporate parties — the truck books fast, so reach out early.

Request the Food Truck

Day-of locations and last-minute pop-ups: @trujamaica on Instagram

Our Story

Built by family.
Rebuilt by fire.

From Manchester Parish, Jamaica to East Waco, Texas — the story of a family, a fire, and a community that showed up.

The Family

Three of us, one kitchen

Mama Vivia, our head chef, carries recipes from Prattville, Manchester Parish, Jamaica — the curries, the jerk, the rice and peas that taste like home because they are home. Aniceto runs the business and the community side. Mercedes keeps the family operation moving.

In 2016 the family bought the building at 937 Taylor Street in East Waco, and in 2019 Tru Jamaica opened its doors as Waco's first and only authentic Jamaican restaurant.

Then came the fire. It closed our dining room — but it never closed our kitchen. We moved everything into the food truck and kept cooking, and Waco lined up for us day after day. That loyalty is why we rebuilt, why we reopened, and why every plate still gets the family treatment.

Today Tru Jamaica is more than a restaurant: it's a food truck, a catering team, and a licensed commissary kitchen helping Waco's next generation of food entrepreneurs get their start — all rooted right here in East Waco.

— Aniceto, Vivia & Mercedes
The Charles Family

  • Roots

    Family recipes carried from Prattville, Manchester Parish, Jamaica.

  • 2016

    The Charles family buys 937 Taylor Street in East Waco.

  • 2019

    Tru Jamaica opens — Waco's first authentic Jamaican restaurant.

  • The Fire

    A devastating fire forces an extended closure of the dining room.

  • Food Truck Era

    The family operates exclusively from the food truck. The community rallies.

  • The Comeback

    Rebuilt and reopened, with 3,000+ five-star reviews across platforms.

  • Today

    Restaurant, food truck, catering, and a commissary kitchen supporting local food entrepreneurs.

Roots & heritage

Did you know?

🌶️

The heat is heritage. The Scotch bonnet in our jerk and curries is the same pepper Jamaican cooks have used for generations — fruity, floral, and fiery.

🔥

Jerk was born in the mountains. The technique comes from the Maroons — freedom fighters who perfected slow-smoking meat over pimento wood while living free in Jamaica's hills.

🥥

Rice & peas isn't peas. The "peas" are kidney beans, and the magic is coconut milk — the Sunday-dinner side every Jamaican grew up on.

🇯🇲

Our colors mean something. The flag's black, green & gold stand for the strength of the people, the land, and the sunshine — the spirit we cook with.

🏝️

From Manchester Parish. Mama Vivia's recipes come from Prattville in Manchester Parish, Jamaica — carried across the ocean to East Waco, unchanged.

🍰

Rum cake is serious business. Traditional Jamaican rum cake soaks fruit in rum for weeks — ours is made in-house with Jamaican Overproof Rum.

"One One Coco Full Basket"
Every little bit adds up — big things are built one plate, one guest, one day at a time.
Taste the story

Come eat with the family

The best way to hear our story is over a plate of oxtails. Dine in at 937 Taylor St, or order online for pickup or delivery.

Order Online
Out of
Many,
One Food
Media

Tru Jamaica in the spotlight

Photos, press, and features. Media inquiries welcome — we love talking about Jamaican food, East Waco, and family business.

The Gallery

From our kitchen

Awards & Recognition

Recognized by our community

3,000+ Five-Star Reviews

Across Google, Yelp, and Facebook — earned one plate at a time since 2019.

Juneteenth Parade Business Marshal

Aniceto served as Business Marshal in Waco's Juneteenth Parade, representing East Waco's business community.

Baylor Waco Perks Partner

An official Baylor Waco Perks partner, serving students, faculty, and campus events year-round.

Licensed Commissary Kitchen

Certified by Waco-McLennan County Public Health to host and support local mobile food vendors.

East Waco Redevelopment

An active partner in East Waco's revitalization, invested in the neighborhood since 2016.

The Comeback Story

Featured in local media for rebuilding after fire and coming back stronger — powered by this community.

Community Features

Tru Jamaica has been featured in local Waco media for its comeback story, its role in East Waco's revitalization, and community events like the Juneteenth Parade, where Aniceto served as Business Marshal.

Media & Press Inquiries

Interviews, photo shoots, and features: email aniceto@trujamaica.com or call (254) 304-9288.

Follow along: Instagram · Facebook · TikTok · X

We're Hiring

Come cook with family

Tru Jamaica is growing — restaurant, food truck, and catering. We're looking for people who take pride in their work and treat guests like family.

Line Cook / Kitchen Team

Full-Time & Part-Time · 937 Taylor St, Waco

Prep, cook, and plate authentic Jamaican dishes under the direction of our head chef. Experience with Caribbean cuisine is a plus, but a great attitude and willingness to learn matter most.

Apply by Email

Front of House / Cashier

Part-Time · 937 Taylor St, Waco

Greet guests, take orders, manage pickup and delivery handoffs, and keep the dining room welcoming. You're the first face of Tru Jamaica.

Apply by Email

Food Truck & Catering Crew

Event-Based · Waco & Central Texas

Work events, festivals, and catered functions with our mobile team. Weekend availability and reliability are key. Great for students.

Apply by Email

Don't see your role? Send your resume to aniceto@trujamaica.com — we're always looking for good people.

Contact

Talk to the family

Questions, feedback, orders, events — we answer. Call, email, or send a message below.

Hours

Mon–Wed & Fri 11–8 · Thu 11–9 · Sat 12–8 · Sun Closed

Send a message

"Every mickle mek a muckle."Every little bit matters. We read every message.

This opens an email addressed to our team from your mail app.

Donations, Profit Shares & Community

Rooted in East Waco

When Waco showed up for us after the fire, we promised to keep showing up for Waco. We support community organizations through Profit Share fundraisers, food donations, and sponsorships.

Our favorite way to give

Tru Jamaica Profit Shares

Raise money for your organization by eating well. Pick a Profit Share day with us, spread the word, and $1 from every entree ordered by your supporters goes to your organization — at the restaurant, or with our food truck on-site at your event. Your people get a great meal, your cause gets a check, and everybody wins. Open to nonprofits, schools, churches, student groups, and community organizations.

1 · Request a date

Use the form below and pick "Profit Share event." We'll confirm your date and the details.

2 · Rally your people

We'll give you a flyer to share. Supporters mention your organization when they order during your event window.

3 · Get your check

After the event we tally qualifying orders and send your organization the proceeds with a full count.

Direct giving

Donations & sponsorships

What we support

School and youth programs, church events, community fundraisers, and East Waco neighborhood initiatives.

How it works

Submit your request at least 3 weeks before your event. We review every request, but as a small family business we can't say yes to everything.

Profit Share & Donation Request

This opens an email to our team. Requests are reviewed weekly.

FAQ

Questions? We got you.

The things people ask us most — about the food, the heat, the ordering, and everything else.

How do I order online?
Order pickup or delivery directly from our online store at trujamaica.square.site. Ordering direct means no third-party markups and your money supports a local family business.
What are you known for?
Oxtails, curry goat, jerk chicken, curry shrimp, Rasta Pasta, Jamaican patties, rum cake, and fresh pineapple-ginger juice. Everything is made fresh daily — when a dish sells out, it's gone until tomorrow.
How spicy is the food?
Jerk dishes carry real heat — that's the tradition. But most of our menu (curries, brown stew, Rasta Pasta, sides) is flavorful without being fiery, and we'll always tell you honestly how spicy something is. Just ask.
Do you have vegan or vegetarian options?
Yes! Vegetable plates, rice and peas, steamed cabbage, fried plantains, and veggie Rasta Pasta. Tell us about allergies when you order and we'll take care of you.
Do you offer delivery?
Yes — order delivery or pickup through our online store. We serve Waco and surrounding areas including East Waco, Downtown, Bellmead, and Beverly Hills.
Do you cater? What's the minimum?
We cater everything from office lunches to 200+ guest weddings, as drop-off trays or full-service with staff. Head to our Catering page to request a quote — we respond within 24 hours.
Can I book the food truck for my event?
Absolutely. The truck does festivals, campus events, corporate parties, and private events across Central Texas. Use the catering request form and select food truck service.
Do you do brunch?
We host special brunch events — see our Brunch Reservations page for the next date and how to reserve your table.
What about allergens?
Every dish on our Menu page lists its allergens — tap any item for full details. Common allergens in our kitchen include shellfish, fish, soy (in our marinades and browning sauce), wheat/gluten (patties, coco bread, pasta, baked goods), dairy, coconut, and tree nuts. Many dishes are naturally gluten-free, like our curries with rice and peas. Our kitchen and fryers are shared, so cross-contact is always possible — tell us about any allergy when you order and we'll walk you through safe choices honestly.
Do you offer military, student, or staff discounts?
Yes! We're proud to offer 10% off your order to active military & veterans, and 10% off to students & staff — just show a valid ID when you order in person. It's our way of saying thank you to those who serve and support our East Waco community.
Do kids eat free on their birthday?
Yes! Kids eat free on their birthday when dining in with us. Just let your server know it's the big day — we may have a little surprise. One free kids' meal per birthday child, with the family dining in.
Do you sell gift cards?
Yes — Tru Jamaica eGift cards make a great gift for students, employees, and anyone who loves good food. See our Gift Cards page.
Can my organization fundraise with Tru Jamaica?
Yes! Our Profit Share program gives $1 from every entree your supporters order during your event to your organization. Learn more on the Donations & Profit Shares page.
I'm a food vendor — do you rent commissary kitchen space?
Yes. Tru Jamaica operates as a licensed commissary kitchen for mobile food vendors in the Waco area — $300/month, only 5 slots. See our Commissary Kitchen page to request a slot or join the waitlist.
Where are you located and when are you open?
937 Taylor St, Waco, TX 76704. Monday–Wednesday and Friday 11 AM–8 PM, Thursday 11 AM–9 PM, Saturday 12 PM–8 PM, closed Sunday.
Brunch Reservations

Island brunch, Waco style

Our special brunch events bring Jamaican flavor to the weekend table — think ackee-inspired plates, jerk-spiced classics, fresh juices, and good music. Seats are limited and they go fast.

Book instantly

Reserve your table online

Pick your date, time, and party size below — reservations are handled securely through TableAgent.

Having trouble seeing the reservation form above?

Some browsers block embedded booking widgets. You can reserve directly on TableAgent instead — it opens in a new tab.

Reserve on TableAgent →
Good to know

Before you book

  • Brunch is hosted as special events — dates announced on our socials
  • Reservations are required; walk-ins seated as space allows
  • Groups of 6+ should call us directly to arrange seating
  • Tell us about birthdays and celebrations — we'll make it special

Next brunch date: follow @trujamaica or call (254) 304-9288.

Prefer we call you?

You can also send a request and we'll confirm by phone or email.

"Nyam til yuh belly full."Eat till your belly's full. Save your seat for island brunch.

This opens an email to our team. We'll confirm your table by phone or email.

Just for Kids

Color Jamaica!

Welcome, little chefs and artists! Pick a picture, choose your colors, and bring Jamaica to life. Print it out or color right on the screen. 🎨🇯🇲

🐦 Fun fact: Jamaica's national bird is the doctor bird — a shiny green-and-black hummingbird found nowhere else on Earth!
Coloring Book

Pick a picture to color

Tap a color above, then tap inside any shape to fill it in — you're coloring Ackee

Tip for grown-ups: use “Print” to make a black-and-white page for coloring on paper, or let the kids color right here on the screen first.

Free printable

Jamaica Coloring Book

14 full-page pictures of Jamaica's fruits, food, and symbols — ready to print at home or grab in the restaurant. Each page has a color guide at the bottom to help little artists get it just right.

01Ackee
02Jackfruit
03Dragon Fruit
04Mango
05Tamarind
06Bananas
07Pattie
08Pineapple
09Papaya
10Coconut
11Okra
12Breadfruit
13Jamaica Flag
14Hummingbird

15 pages · letter size · prints in black & white. Print the whole book, or just the page your little one wants.

Bring the family

Hungry after all that coloring?

Kids eat free on their birthday! Come dine with us, or order the family favorites for pickup.

Order Family Meals
Likkle
Chefs
Welcome
A taste of the island

Jamaica,
by the numbers.

Every plate at Tru Jamaica carries a little piece of this island's story. Here's the culture, history, and flavor behind the food we serve in East Waco.

The essentials

An island that punches above its weight

Culture

Jamaica gave the world reggae, ska, rocksteady, and dancehall — an astonishing musical output for an island of under 3 million people. 🎶

Food

"Jerk" isn't just a flavor — it's a centuries-old method, smoking meat low and slow over pimento (allspice) wood for that signature taste. 🔥

Speed

Jamaica produced the fastest human ever — Usain Bolt's 9.58s 100m world record still stands. ⚡

Coffee

Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee is among the most prized in the world, grown in misty peaks over 5,000 feet high. ☕

Language

Beyond English, Jamaicans speak Patois — a rich creole blending English with West African roots. 🗣️

Independence

Jamaica gained independence on August 6, 1962. The black, green & gold flag flies for the people, the land, and the sunshine. 🇯🇲

The Flag

Jamaica is one of only a few countries whose flag contains no red, white, or blue — black, green, and gold stand alone. 🇯🇲

Motto

"Out of Many, One People" reflects the island's African, Indian, Chinese, European, and Middle Eastern roots. 🤝

National Dish

Ackee and saltfish is Jamaica's national dish — and ackee, a fruit, was brought from West Africa in the 1700s. 🍳

On the plate

The story behind the flavors

🌶️

The heat is heritage. The Scotch bonnet in our jerk and curries is the same pepper Jamaican cooks have used for generations — fruity, floral, and fiery, up to 40× hotter than a jalapeño.

🔥

Jerk was born in the mountains. The technique comes from the Maroons — freedom fighters who perfected slow-smoking meat over pimento wood while living free in Jamaica's hills.

🥥

Rice & peas isn't peas. The "peas" are kidney beans, and the magic is coconut milk — the Sunday-dinner side every Jamaican grew up on.

🍛

Curry crossed oceans. Jamaican curry arrived with indentured workers from India in the 1800s — the island made it its own with allspice and Scotch bonnet.

🐟

Escovitch has Spanish roots. Frying fish then dressing it in spiced vinegar came from the Spanish-Portuguese "escabeche" — a Friday and Easter tradition.

🍰

Rum cake takes patience. Traditional Jamaican rum cake soaks its fruit in rum for weeks — ours is made in-house with Jamaican Overproof Rum.

"Wi likkle, but wi tallawah."
We may be small, but we are strong — the island spirit we cook with every day.
Taste it for yourself

Bring the island to your table

The best way to understand Jamaica is to taste it. Come in, or order online for pickup or delivery.

Order Online
Out of
Many,
One Food
Our Recovery Story

We lost everything.
We're still standing.

A fire took our restaurant — everything we'd built. The insurance still hasn't made us whole. But our family kept cooking, and East Waco never let us fall. This is our comeback, and you can be part of it.

What happened

The fire took everything

Tru Jamaica opened its doors in 2019 as Waco's first and only authentic Jamaican restaurant, in the building our family bought on Taylor Street in 2016. We poured everything we had into it — Mama Vivia's recipes carried all the way from Manchester Parish, Jamaica, and years of work to build a home for them in East Waco.

Then the fire came. It didn't just damage the dining room — it took everything. Our equipment, our furnishings, the space we'd built by hand. In a single night, the restaurant we'd worked so hard to open was gone.

And here's the part that's hardest to say: we still haven't received all of the insurance money we're owed. Rebuilding a business after a total loss is punishing enough — doing it while still fighting to get what was promised has stretched our family to the limit. Every month we wait, we carry the cost ourselves.

But we refused to close for good. We moved everything we had left into our food truck and kept cooking — oxtails, curry goat, jerk chicken, served out of a window on the street. And Waco showed up. Day after day, you lined up for us. That loyalty is the only reason we're still here today.

Our recovery journey. (Real photos coming soon — these are placeholders for now.)

Where your support goes

What we're rebuilding

🔥

Kitchen & Equipment

Replacing the commercial ovens, fryers, hoods, and prep equipment the fire destroyed — the heart of any restaurant.

🪑

The Dining Room

Rebuilding the space where Waco gathers — tables, seating, flooring, and the warm room our guests remember.

📋

The Insurance Gap

Covering what insurance hasn't paid, so the rebuild doesn't stall while we keep fighting for what we're owed.

👨‍👩‍👧

Keeping the Family Working

Keeping our doors open and our people paid through a recovery that's taken far longer than it should have.

The journey

From ashes to comeback

  • 2016

    Our family buys the building at 937 Taylor Street, planting roots in East Waco.

  • 2019

    Tru Jamaica opens — Waco's first and only authentic Jamaican restaurant.

  • The Fire

    A fire tears through the building and takes everything. The restaurant is a total loss.

  • The Fight

    The insurance falls short. We begin the long fight to recover what we're owed — a fight that continues today.

  • Food Truck Days

    We keep cooking from the food truck. The community lines up, day after day, and keeps us alive.

  • The Rebuild

    Brick by brick, we rebuild — with the same recipes, the same family, and the same heart.

  • Today

    Reopened and fighting forward: restaurant, food truck, catering, and a commissary kitchen lifting up other local vendors.

"We may have lost the building, but we never lost each other, or you. Thank you for keeping our family's dream alive."

— Aniceto, Vivia & Mercedes

The Charles Family · One Love & Blessings 🙏🇯🇲

Commissary Kitchen

A licensed home base for your food truck

Tru Jamaica operates a licensed commissary kitchen in East Waco supporting Central Texas mobile food vendors — with a permitted address for your MFU paperwork and the on-site utilities your truck needs to run right.

$300 / month

Only 5 slots total — reserved for serious operators. Signed agreement, proof of health permit, and monthly rent due on the 1st. Waitlist requests welcome when full.

Request a Slot
What's included

What you get with your slot

Permitted Address

Use 937 Taylor St, Waco as your commissary of record on your health permit and mobile food unit paperwork.

Health Dept. Compliance

A licensed, inspected facility that satisfies Waco-McLennan County Public Health commissary requirements.

Trash & Wastewater

Grease and gray-water disposal handled properly on-site. No hauling home at the end of your service.

The Tru Jamaica Community

Share space with other serious Central Texas operators. Referrals, events, and honest peer advice included.

Facility Specs

What's on-site

Grease Interceptor

Flow rate / grease capacity:
  • 100 GPM / 1,895 lbs
  • 200 GPM / 1,196 lbs
Solids capacity: 69 gallons
Liquid capacity: 277 gallons
Unit weight: 236 lbs
Installation: Indoor / Outdoor

Used Oil Disposal

A 500-gallon dumpster-style grease container on-site for used cooking oil collection and proper, permitted disposal — no hauling used oil off in your own truck.

Trash Dumpster

One 8-yard dumpster dedicated to trash.
Dimensions: 72″ W × 75″ D × 72″ H.

Recycling Dumpster

One 8-yard dumpster dedicated to recycling.
Dimensions: 72″ W × 75″ D × 72″ H.

Water Access

An outdoor water spigot for exterior access — fill your fresh water tank right at your parking spot.

Electrical

One 50-amp connection for truck shore power, plus six additional outdoor electrical connections for prep, lighting, and accessories.

Specs listed for reference. Access to specific utilities and dumpsters is coordinated across all 5 slots — we'll walk you through your usage plan before you sign.

Before you apply

The essentials

  • You'll need a current Waco-McLennan County health permit (or an active application in progress)
  • Proof of general liability insurance covering food-service operations
  • Signed commissary agreement before you get keys — we walk you through it
  • Rent is $300/month, due on the 1st. Month-to-month, 30-day notice to end
  • Access days & times coordinated so all 5 operators get the space they need

Commissary Kitchen Request

Tell us about your operation — we'll follow up within a few business days with slot availability, next steps, or your waitlist position.

"If yuh waan good, yuh nose haffi run."Good things take effort. Serious operators welcome.

This opens an email to Aniceto. Only 5 slots — if we're full, we'll add you to the waitlist and reach out as soon as one opens.

Questions before applying? Call (254) 304-9288 or email aniceto@trujamaica.com.

Gift Cards

Give the gift of good food

A Tru Jamaica eGift card is the easiest gift in Waco — perfect for students, employee appreciation, birthdays, and anyone who deserves a plate of oxtails.

Instant delivery

eGift cards are delivered by email in minutes — pick an amount, add a note, done.

Easy to redeem

Use it in the restaurant or on any online order. No expiration tricks, no fine print games.

Great for teams

Offices and organizations: gift cards make effortless employee and volunteer appreciation. Need a bulk order? Call us.

Buy an eGift card

Purchase securely through our online store, or call (254) 304-9288 for bulk and corporate orders.

Buy a Gift Card
Cooking Workshops

Cook with the family

Hands-on Jamaican cooking classes in our kitchen — learn the techniques behind the dishes Waco lines up for, then sit down and eat what you made.

Workshop 01

Jerk 101

The history and heat of real Jamaican jerk — build the marinade, learn the technique, and grill your own jerk chicken.

Request a spot →
Workshop 02

Island Table

Rice and peas, sweet plantains, and cabbage done right — the foundations of every great Jamaican plate, from our kitchen to yours.

Request a spot →
Workshop 03

Patty Making

Learn the art of the Jamaican beef patty — the flaky, golden, turmeric-kissed crust and the seasoned, spiced filling. Roll, fill, crimp, and bake your own to take home.

Request a spot →
Private

Team Building & Groups

Book a private workshop for your office, team, or party — cook together, eat together, and leave with recipes and stories.

Book your group →
How it works

Small classes, real cooking

  • Held in our licensed commercial kitchen at 937 Taylor St
  • Small groups so everyone actually cooks
  • All ingredients, tools, and aprons provided — plus the meal you make
  • Public class dates announced on our socials; private groups by request

Questions? Call (254) 304-9288 or follow @trujamaica for upcoming dates.

Workshop interest

This opens an email to our team. We'll reply with dates and pricing.

Corporate, Campus & Nonprofit Catering

Lunch your team actually talks about

Office lunches, campus events, conferences, and nonprofit functions across Waco — reliable, on time, and nothing like another sandwich tray.

Built for organizations

Invoicing, W-9s, and itemized estimates — we make it easy for your accounting team to say yes.

Flexible formats

Drop-off trays, boxed individual meals, buffet setup with staff, or the food truck on-site for campus-scale events.

Every diet covered

Vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options on every order, with honest heat labeling so nobody gets surprised by the jerk.

Trusted in Waco

Serving Baylor University departments, healthcare organizations, and Waco businesses on repeat.

Recurring programs

Weekly or monthly team lunch programs with rotating menus — set it once and feed your people well all quarter.

Any headcount

From a 10-person team meeting to campus events for hundreds — we scale, and we show up on time.

Get a corporate quote in 24 hours

Or book a 15-minute call: schedule with Aniceto · (254) 304-9288

Request a Quote
Weddings & Celebrations

Food your guests will remember

Weddings, quinceañeras, graduations, reunions, and milestone celebrations — full-service catering with menus built around your story.

Custom fusion menus

Two families, two cultures, one table — we build fusion menus that honor both sides, like our Jamaican-Venezuelan wedding spreads.

Full-service

Setup, service staff, and breakdown so you never think about the food except when you're eating it.

Tastings first

Taste before you decide. We'll sit down with you, build the menu together, and get every detail right.

Any venue

Clubhouses, halls, backyards, and outdoor venues across Central Texas — we bring everything we need.

From 20 to 200+

Intimate dinners to full receptions. Plated, buffet, or family-style service.

Sweet endings

House-made rum cake and desserts that give your dessert table an island signature.

Start planning your menu

Dates book fast in wedding season — reach out early. Book a consultation · (254) 304-9288

Request a Quote