Bold Haitian flavors available at the unique Makaya Caters

When people ask me for food recommendations around Salt Lake, they are often surprised when I enthusiastically suggest various food trucks. Some of the most diverse, flavorful, and interesting food comes from these local trucks, and one such truck happens to be the only food of its kind in the county.

Chef Jean-Roody Fleuranvil is the brains behind Makaya Caters, a Haitian food truck full of heart and flavor. Jean-Roody seamlessly blends his passion for food that is vibrant and rich, and the love he has for his home country. The food isn’t just personal because he learned how to cook from his mother and grandmother growing up; it’s personal because, through his food, he can educate his customers about his country. “People don’t talk about Haitian cuisine because all they hear and see is poverty. What I can tell you is that even when the poor people put their food together, it tastes good.” If you ask Jean-Roody about Haiti, he lights up as he shares that it contains beaches as beautiful as any other country in the Caribbean, known for vacations, and mountains so green that Utah makes him feel at home. It’s so much more than the struggles and unrest that it has faced.

Now, let’s talk about the food. The first time I tried the Griyo Platter, the chef’s signature dish, I had to close my eyes to fully take in and appreciate it. The star of the show is the tender, slow-cooked pork that is flavored with cinnamon and other Creole spices. As it turns out, cinnamon and pork are a match made in heaven. On the side, you’ll find delicious, fried plantains, a house-made sauce, and pikliz, a spicy slaw that is common in Haitian cooking. When all of these elements are eaten together, they create one perfect, harmonious bite that is somehow comforting, yet spicy and sweet. It’s clear that Jean-Roody spent time thoughtfully crafting his food, with practice and patience, until he got it right. It’s how he discovered the importance of slow-cooking his pork before frying it created the ideal texture, or how adding cinnamon (which is not traditional) makes a significant difference. 

For those wanting something less spicy and more familiar, I recommend his fried chicken, pork, or tofu bowls. None of this food is lacking in flavor and is meant to create an interesting, yet soothing meal. Many restaurants focus so much on certain areas of the menu that others get left behind, but not Jean-Roody. He handcrafts even his refreshing drinks (his passion fruit juice is the perfect accompaniment to any meal), and intentionally keeps his menu small so that everything he serves you is high quality. 

Jean-Roody’s food is just as memorable as his story. His mother immigrated to America and fought for asylum so that her children could join her and have a better life. When he goes back to Haiti to visit loved ones, it’s apparent to him how her sacrifices changed his life for the better, giving him opportunities he wouldn’t have had otherwise. After receiving his U.S. citizenship in 2012, he returned to the land his family owns in Haiti, which was purchased by his ancestor, a former slave turned soldier–who worked and saved to buy acres of land for his future generations to live. Standing on that land, he felt a reverence for the bravery of those who came before him who have allowed him to live authentically in America. 

The food available at the Makaya Caters truck is what is typically served in Haiti at celebrations–it is special food, cooked with care, warmth, and joy. How lucky we are to be able to eat it on a regular Saturday at the Downtown Farmer’s Market. You can find Jean-Roody serving up his heart on a plate every Saturday at the Farmer’s Market this summer, at Soho Food Park in Holladay, or order his food for your next event. 

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• Best of SLC 2024 – what you can’t miss in the Beehive right now.

Moriah Mason

Moriah is a mom by day, and a therapist by night. In her free time, she loves cooking for others, trying new restaurants, throwing themed parties, reading, and traveling. When it comes to food, she is especially passionate about fries, ice cream, and anything new. She lives in the Salt Lake area with her family and can usually be found wearing something sparkly.