Today, Trini Bites is synonymous with authenticity and culinary transmission on Long Island. Led by Renee Davis, Trini Bites embodies the desire to bring Trinidad and Tobago cuisine to the local community. Since its launch, the brand has won over a varied public, from those nostalgic for the flavors of their childhood to those curious to learn about a rich and little-known gastronomy.
The story of Renee Davis, founder of Trini Bites
Renee Davis, a first-generation Trinidadian-American, worked for many years as a nurse before devoting herself to her passion for cooking. Born into a home where Trinidad and Tobago traditions were omnipresent, she grew up in Brooklyn before moving to Long Island. It was here that she noticed the absence of truly Trinidadian restaurants, which led her to create Trini Bites. For her, it was above all a question of filling a gap and sharing a family heritage.
The beginnings of Trini Bites: an adventure born of an observation
In January 2021, Trini Bites saw the light of day in the form of pop-ups, while Renee Davis was still working as a nurse. Growing demand prompts the founder to rent a professional kitchen in Lynbrook. By June, Trini Bites began serving the community, which welcomed the initiative with enthusiasm. The business quickly becomes one of the few Trinidadian cooking addresses in Nassau County. This success is based on the company’s ability to offer authentic dishes, prepared according to family recipes.
Trini Bites: from food truck to Smorgasburg
In 2022, the brand took a decisive step forward with the launch of Long Island’s first exclusively Trinidadian food truck. Renee Davis manages the preparation, driving, service and maintenance of the truck herself. Thanks to this food truck, the company takes part in numerous public events, festivals, weddings and birthdays. The year 2024 marks the company’s entry into Smorgasburg, New York’s famous food market. Under the name “Doubles or Nothing”, Trini Bites offers doubles, an emblematic sandwich from Trinidad and Tobago, to a clientele eager for new flavors. This experience has enabled the brand to forge valuable links with other players in the sector and broaden its customer base.
The Trini Bites menu: authenticity and creativity
The company’s menu features specialties from Trinidad and Tobago. Doubles, made with fried bread and spicy chickpeas, are the star of the menu. Other specialties include pelau, a simmered rice dish, pholourie, chickpea fritters, and “buss-up-shut” roti. Trini Bites also innovates with original creations, such as curry-stuffed wanton, which reflect the cultural diversity of Trinidad and Tobago. Each dish is prepared with care and respect for tradition, but with a modern touch that appeals to an ever-growing audience.
Trini Bites' challenges and ambitions
Behind its success lies the hard work of Renee Davis, who manages the kitchen, delivery, accounting and customer relations. The challenges are many, including financing and recruitment. “I need more hands, but first we need to increase sales so we can hire,” she explains. Trini Bites is also a family adventure: Renee Davis is keen to pass on to her children the culture of Trinidad and Tobago, so that they remain connected to their roots. The company’s future looks promising, with plans to develop the catering service and, eventually, to open a restaurant or lounge.
Trini Bites is more than just a caterer or food truck. It’s an identity project, a way of preserving and transmitting a culture through cuisine. Thanks to the company, Long Islanders and New Yorkers can enjoy authentic dishes prepared with passion. The brand embodies perseverance, attachment to tradition and the desire to create a bond within the community.
