Tru Jamaica Restaurant — Restaurant in Waco

Before you read this: I love food. Sometimes I eat a good croissant and I'm tempted to weep. If this ain't you, that's okay! It may feel like I'm exaggerating in this review, but I assure you I'm not.

Lemme tell you something right now. I was having a rough day, and this food straight up healed my soul. I'll walk you through my experience.

My husband and I walk in around 2pm on a Friday. My favorite dish here is the curried goat. I order it, and the employee taking my order informs me that it's still cooking, and that they were actually having problems with this batch of goat because it wasn't cooking down tender like it normally does. I've had it before, I know how good it can be, it's my favorite! So lemme tell you how much I APPRECIATE this man encouraging me to order something else. That shows integrity, that they believe in their product and want me to have a good experience. Thank you sir!

We both end up ordering the jerk chicken, which I actually haven't had here before. We also get ourselves a beef patty to split. The food comes out super fast and looks amazing. Just look at that plating! Another way they show you they care. Y'all, we both left with completely clean chicken bones and plates. Everything was seasoned to perfection, a beautiful combination of flavor and perfect texture, 10/10 experience.

The jerk chicken fell off the bone and melted in your mouth. The sauce was balanced between sweet and spicy. The vegetables were soft but still had that good bite. The rice and peas were spicy, warm, and tender. The plantains, dear God the plantains. They crush the plantains every single time I come here. They are delightfully crispy on the edges and soft in the middle. You ever had a fried plantain? No? Time to treat yourself and change your life. The beef patty wrapped my mouth in a spicy blanket for an afternoon nap in the shade on the beach.

In conclusion, I can't recommend Tru Jamaica enough. You can taste the love in the food. I feel so lucky to have a restaurant with authentic Jamaican food in our little Waco town. Give...

So, I'd been wanting to try Tru Jamaica for a while, and my hubby and I were finally in Waco during business hours. We came in hungry, for a late lunch. I've never been to Jamaica, but I grew up in NYC, and went to school with friends who immigrated from Jamaica. They always brought the best lunches to school! I can remember an argument over whose mom made the best curry goat. Sometimes I got lucky, and someone would split a Jamaican meat patty with me. But I digress... The Jamaican Beef Patty is a tasty trip down memory lane. The fragrant yellow pastry is light and flaky. The beef filling (my mouth is now watering!) is moist, and just the right amount of spicy, owing to the chef's expertise in the use of the Scotch Bonnet pepper, which is grown in-house. I had the curry goat, and I must say, it's the best I've ever had! The meat was tender, succulent, and spicy. If you want it really hot, just ask. My husband had the jerk shrimp. The shrimp were plump, fresh, and juicy. It's really easy to overcook shrimp, but not here! It was perfection! Jerk spice is a blend of 16 different herbs and spices, and distinctly Jamaican. Again, the heat level was perfect for hubby, who doesn't like food TOO hot. Our plates included coconut rice with peas (we call them red beans), fried plantains, and steamed vegetables- a mixture of cabbage, peppers, and carrots. Sometimes side dishes are just place holders, and don't really stand out. Not the case at Tru Jamaica. The rice was fluffy and flavorful and of a good portion size. The plantains were well prepared, with just a hint of sweetness. The veggies were bright, crisp-tender, and not overcooked at all. The owner came out and checked on us and talked with us. He was so friendly, and we could tell he's proud of the great food and good service his restaurant offers. I guess this review can be summed up like this: You won't be sorry if you eat at...

Update from 9/20/2025: After many years I am still a BIG fan of Tru Jamaica and now my spice tolerance has increase just in time to be able to eat all their delicious flavorful foods with all the spice! Let’s go! I had the delicious red snapper fish this afternoon for lunch alongside the fresh plaintains and veggies and beans and rice! The sorrel (hibiscus ginger) and rum cake is to die for!!!! The goat curry, oxtails, jerk chicken, pork chop and dishes are all so delicious and filling. Welcome back to Tru Jamaica restaurant after rebuilding following a terrible fire.

You can also find their food truck popping up at the local Waco Downtown Farmers market and for catering/events. Don’t sleep on Tru Jamaica Waco!

Update from 4/9/2022: I've had Tru Jamaica many many times since their early opening days and love their Sorrel Ginger drink and their curry shrimp, oxtails and jerk chicken! Fried plantains are delicious! Love their food and excellent customer service!

We ordered the jerk chicken and oxtail entrees. Loved the fried plantains and the oxtails. Very flavorful and well cooked. The jerk chicken was slightly spicier than I could handle; the owners shared that in the future the spice can be adjusted (good to know!). The servers should let the customers know there is adjustable spice levels for the jerk chicken in case they can't eat as spicy of a food. The rice and peas was slightly dry. The carrot cake, however, was very moist! Absolutely delicious! The servers were very caring and sought to help us understand the menu. We enjoyed our visit and look forward to more diverse food options in Waco! Hope for a...