Learn more about the Triangle's #1 Haitian Food Truck and its Success during the Pandemic
Are you wondering where to find good Haitian food in the Triangle? Bon Fritay founders Dafney Tales-Lafortune and Andre Lafortune realized there was a dearth of Haitian food establishments in North Carolina, so they decided to combine their pursuit of entrepreneurship with their love for Haitian food.
The dynamic duo serves "fritay" [pronounced fwee-tie], which is Haitian street food. Besides music, food is Haiti’s love language. It can take years to master the intricacies of cooking authentic Haitian food. Fritay consists of assorted fried delicacies from pork to plantains and fritters that are often served by street food vendors in Haiti. Bon Fritay translates to "Good Fried Food.” When considering names for the business, they contemplated a name in English that was more universal, but then decided to stay true to themselves and go with a name that is authentically Haitian Kreyol.
Wondering what to try? In Haiti and throughout the Haitian diaspora, fried pork cubes called griot [pronounced gy-oh] is a staple among fritay lovers. It's no different at their food truck. The griot dish with rice and beans and plantains is the most popular item. The Kreyol Chicken sandwich is also really popular. It's traditional stewed chicken made into a sandwich and paired with fries.
When asked about launching their business and operating during a pandemic, they said they don't know any other way! Dafney and Andre launched in March 2020, days before the quarantine lockdown. From the start, they’ve had to navigate a unique landscape, pivoting when they hit roadblocks. Despite the circumstances, they’ve been able to maintain steady business. Check out their video!
Dafney and Andre want everyone to hold space for the following thought when tasting Haitian food and coming to Bon Fritay: “The most important thing to know about our business is not only our aim to serve quality Haitian food, but also our goal to showcase Haiti and its people/culture in a positive and meaningful way. The United States is fed a pervasive diet of negative images of our island nation - which is far from an accurate portrayal. We truly feel that we are on a mission to dismantle these misconceptions and one-dimensional narratives. We want to give people, who may never visit Haiti themselves, a snapshot into the richness, hospitality and delightful flavor of our food, culture and our people.” Enjoy!