With a fancier setting, if you don't want to sit under the sky, you can sit and enjoy the happenings in the covered section.
Only six months in business and Truck Stop Grill and Bar is now one of the top food and drink locations in St Andrew. Located on West King's House Road, it is a spin-off of the Truck Stop hot spot based in Florida.
Designed to emanate that calm, outdoor feel and vibe, the grill and bar are decorated with elements of nature. Huge wooden barrel-shaped containers serve as the bases for tables and some chairs, and bamboo and wood are used for fencing, placed at strategic points around the venue and complemented by plants.
Patrons can opt to dine in a covered section (the more formal of the two sides), or an uncovered section with flooring laced with pebbles and gravel. Omar Shoucair, who is one of the managers, explains that the ambience is one of the characteristics of Truck Stop and makes patrons feel at ease. "It is different when compared to most restaurants here and it is an alternative to going to a club. It is a cool, relaxed vibe here, very simple and natural. We play music but not to disturb conversation. The fact that it is outdoors too appeals to smokers and non-smokers. "
With its simple concept, Truck Stop appeals to anyone who simply wants to have a good time over food and drink. "Persons of different ages come out. Good friends, families, anybody can come here," he noted.
The food, according to young Shoucair, is done predominantly wood-grilled style. "We do like jerk chicken, jerk pork, steamed and fried fish. We also do kebabs, bammy and festival." It is the jerk pork which is receiving rave reviews though. "We get good feedback for our food but I must say the jerk pork has many people coming back."
Out just for drinks? Then you are at the right place as the bar has many drink specialities including their signature drinks. "We have come up with our own drinks. We give them names based on different parts of a truck or just something in relation to a truck." For example; flatbed.
People want a good time
One of the managers, Omar Shoucair, sits with a menu in hand comprising predominantly grilled/wood-fire prepared food. This is in keeping with the casual atmosphere at the grill and bar establishment.
Truck Stop is open every day: Sunday to Thursday, 5 p.m. to midnight, and Friday and Saturday until 2 a.m. So far, business isn't being affected significantly by the economic downturn, and it hasn't been a cause for concern for management. "Let's face it, people always want to have a good time, regardless of the recession. And this is an alternative for other things that will cost you much more just for fun. In addition to the excellent package, we have reasonable prices and there is secure parking here so customers have nothing to worry about," notes Shoucair.
Not being complacent, there are plans in the making to further capture a significant piece of the market. In the near future, Truck Stop will be offering catering and lunch services for corporate events and companies.
latoya.grindley@gleanerjm.com