Rooted in the Islands
From Durham Region to Simcoe County, EBONY Bites has been rolling through with one mission — to serve Caribbean food that tastes like home. Fresh, fiery, and full of love.
🇯🇲 Authentic Jamaican
🚚 Food Truck
✊🏿 Black-Owned
👨👩👦 Family Operated
📍 Orillia, Ontario
A Family Dream
with Island Soul.
EBONY Bites was born from a simple but powerful idea — that the bold, soulful flavours of the Caribbean deserved a real home in Simcoe County. Inspired by authentic Jamaican recipes passed down through generations, Joan Mahaffey set out to bring the taste of the islands to the streets of Orillia.
In 2019, Joan and her son TJ launched EBONY Bites — a black-owned, family-operated Caribbean food truck — and parked it where the community gathers. From the Port of Orillia waterfront on a busy summer afternoon, the response was immediate. People weren’t just buying food. They were coming back.
“The goal was never just to sell food. It was to make people feel something — the warmth of a home-cooked Caribbean meal.”
Today, EBONY Bites is recognized as one of the region’s most beloved food trucks — serving up Jerk Chicken/Pork, Vegan Stew, and so much more to a growing community of loyal fans across Simcoe County.
🏆 4× Best Food Truck Award — Recognized for high-quality, fresh food and friendly service four consecutive years running.
The Principles Behind Every Plate
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Authenticity First
Every recipe is rooted in genuine Jamaican tradition/Canadian fusion. We never cut corners or substitute flavour for convenience.
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Community Rooted
Welcomed from Durham region to Orillia. We give back by showing up — at cultural events, and wherever our community gathers.
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Sustainably Minded
Compostable containers, minimal waste, and eco-conscious operations from the kitchen to the serving window.
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Made With Love
Every meal is cooked fresh daily — never frozen, never rushed. The care we put in is something you can taste.
Every Bite Tells a Story
EBONY Bites Hits the Road
Adapting Through the Pandemic
Despite the challenges of 2020, we adapted to serve our community — and discovered just how deeply our customers had fallen for authentic Caribbean food.
4× Best Food Truck — Durham Region
Recognized four consecutive years for high-quality, fresh food and friendly service. An award that belongs to every customer who came back for seconds.
Orillia's Caribbean Kitchen
Find us at 50 Lightfoot Dr, Orillia, ON L3V 4M8 (Port of Orillia). Same recipes, same passion, same commitment to giving Simcoe County the Caribbean experience it deserves.
The Faces Behind the Flavour
The heart of EBONY Bites. Joan built this business from the ground up — bringing authentic Jamaican flavour and warm hospitality to every plate since day one.
Joan's son and right hand. TJ keeps the truck running, the orders flowing, and the energy high — a true backbone of the EBONY Bites experience.