Popular Cedar Rapids Food Truck Returns to NewBo City Market

It started off in NewBo City Market, then became a food truck, and now it's back!

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According to the Gazette, almost 10 years ago Caribbean Kitchen started in NewBo City Market and after being gone for several years, they're finally back. Patrick Rashed or "Jamaican Pat" is a native of Kingston, Jamaica who was one of the only people serving authentic jerked chicken in Cedar Rapids when he first opened at NewBo in 2012. Despite other places now serving up jerked chicken, Jamaican Pat told the Gazette that he's the "original" that caters to Iowans' palates and his Jamaican authenticity.

After originally leaving NewBo years ago, Caribbean Kitchen opened another location that closed in 2016 and lived out of the food truck for the last several years before food trucks became a trend. Turns out, that's been a saving grace through the pandemic. As of August of 2021 Caribbean Kitchen moved back into NewBo. You can read more about Jamaican Pat and his business in the Gazette article here.

Now you can enjoy the authentic taste of Jamaica on your lunch break!  They're open inside NewBo City Market during the following hours:

• Thursday and Friday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Saturday 10 a.m to 6 p.m.
• Sunday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

That's plenty of opportunities to enjoy dishes such as rice bowls, tacos, jerk chicken, ribs, sandwiches, and more! Speaking of enjoying food, there are other great food options to try as well. If you're looking forward to summer and food truck season, here are some delicious food trucks you could put on your list to try. Yum!