One of the hardest steps for a small business is moving from a food truck to a brick-and-mortar store. Yai & Toya’s Cuisine in Park Heights, MD, has made this leap while keeping their famous soul food flavors intact. Recently, Mr. 8 That stopped by for a taste test.
Mr. 8 That rates restaurants simply on two factors: price and taste. Each is scored from 1 to 5. If the total is 8 or above, it’s a win.
Yai & Toya’s serves a variety of soul food favorites like turkey wings, honey bourbon salmon, and lamb chops, all paired with generous sides of mac and cheese and candied yams.
During his visit, Mr. 8 That enjoyed crabcake eggrolls and hot honey shrimp, served with the beloved mac and cheese and yams. He praised the crabcake eggrolls, cut into four pieces and stuffed with lump crab meat, calling them well-seasoned. The hot honey shrimp were crispy, and the candied yams stood out for their sweet molasses flavor, earning high praise. He rated the flavors a 4.7 and the prices a 4.4, leading to an impressive total score of 9.1.
Yai & Toya’s is currently open from Thursday to Sunday and accepts online orders for carryout. This transition from a food truck to a full restaurant reflects a growing trend in the food industry. According to a report by the National Restaurant Association, more than half of food trucks aim to open a brick-and-mortar location within a few years of starting.
Social media is buzzing about Yai & Toya’s, with users highlighting their delicious offerings and emphasizing support for Black-owned businesses. The success story of Yai & Toya’s is inspiring, showing that with passion and hard work, small businesses can grow while staying true to their roots.
For more context on the success of Black-owned businesses, check out the latest data from the U.S. Census Bureau.
Yai & Toya’s is proof that great food, dedication, and community support can create something truly special.
