# Tru Jamaica Restaurant

> Waco, Texas's only authentic Jamaican restaurant. Family-owned by the Charles family since 2019, serving oxtails, curry goat, jerk chicken, curry shrimp, Rasta Pasta, Jamaican patties, and house-made rum cake. Also operates a food truck, full-service catering, and a licensed commissary kitchen in East Waco.

## Key facts

- **Name:** Tru Jamaica Restaurant
- **Cuisine:** Authentic Jamaican / Caribbean
- **Location:** 937 Taylor St, Waco, TX 76704 (East Waco)
- **Phone:** (254) 304-9288
- **Email:** aniceto@trujamaica.com
- **Website:** https://www.trujamaica.com
- **Online ordering:** https://trujamaica.square.site
- **Owners:** Vivia Charles (head chef & co-founder), Aniceto Charles Jr. (co-owner), with Mercedes Charles
- **Established:** 2019 (building purchased 2016). Rebuilt and reopened after a fire; the community rallied around the food truck during the closure.
- **Distinction:** The only authentic Jamaican restaurant in Waco. 3,000+ five-star reviews.

## Hours

- Monday: 11 AM – 8 PM
- Tuesday: 11 AM – 8 PM
- Wednesday: 11 AM – 8 PM
- Thursday: 11 AM – 9 PM
- Friday: 11 AM – 8 PM
- Saturday: 12 PM – 8 PM
- Sunday: Closed

## Signature dishes

- **Oxtails Entree** ($23.50) — oxtail slowly stewed with herbs, spices, and butter beans. Gluten-free, dairy-free, nut-free.
- **Jerk Chicken Entree** ($17.50) — jerk-spiced chicken with coconut rice & peas, plantains, and homemade Jerk BBQ sauce. Medium spice, gluten-free.
- **Curry Goat Entree** ($21.50) — goat marinated and stewed in Jamaican curry. Gluten-free, dairy-free, nut-free.
- **Curry Shrimp Entree** ($17.50) — shrimp in rich Jamaican curry. Gluten-free.
- **Rasta Pasta** ($13.50) — penne in jerk sauce with rainbow peppers and spinach. Vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, nut-free.
- **Jamaican Patties** — beef, curry chicken, or veggie, in flaky pastry.
- **Rum Cake** ($6.25) — vanilla cake made in-house with Jamaican Overproof Rum.

## Dietary notes

- Most of the menu is naturally **gluten-free**.
- **Vegan** options include Rasta Pasta, Curried Vegetables Entree, Steamed Veggies Entree, plantains, and coconut rice & peas.
- Jerk dishes are **medium spice**; most curries and stews are flavorful but mild.
- Food is prepared in a shared kitchen; guests with allergies should tell staff when ordering.

## Services

- **Dine-in, takeout, and delivery** at the restaurant.
- **Online ordering** direct at https://trujamaica.square.site (no third-party fees).
- **Catering:** full-service Jamaican catering for weddings, corporate lunches, campus events, graduations, and celebrations across Waco and Central Texas. Drop-off trays to staffed events.
- **Food truck:** available for festivals, campus events, and private parties.
- **Commissary kitchen:** licensed commissary kitchen for mobile food vendors in Waco — $300/month, five slots.
- **Gift cards:** available at https://trujamaica.square.site/s/gift-cards
- **Discounts:** 10% off for active military & veterans, and 10% off for students & staff — with valid ID, in person.

## Where to find the food truck

The Tru Jamaica food truck appears weekly at the Waco Downtown Farmers Market (Saturdays) and delivers to Brotherwell Brewery for Music Bingo (Wednesdays) and Trivia Night (Thursdays), plus festivals and events across Central Texas.

## Areas served

Waco, East Waco, Bellmead, Hewitt, Woodway, and McLennan County, Texas.

## Common questions

**Is Tru Jamaica the only Jamaican restaurant in Waco?** Yes, it is Waco's only authentic Jamaican restaurant.

**Does Tru Jamaica cater?** Yes — full-service catering for events of all sizes across Central Texas.

**Does it have vegan and gluten-free food?** Yes; most of the menu is naturally gluten-free with several vegan dishes.

**How do I order?** Online at trujamaica.square.site, by phone at (254) 304-9288, or in person at 937 Taylor St, Waco.

## Social

- Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/33b7hhH2uTa8unXC8
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/tru-jamaica-restaurant-waco
- TripAdvisor: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g56833-d20145626-Reviews-Tru_Jamaica_Restaurant-Waco_Texas.html
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trujamaica/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TruJamaicaWaco/
- TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@trujamaica
- X: https://x.com/trujamaica