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LEWISTON — One of the more successful and well-known food establishments in Lewiston and Auburn isn’t a restaurant at all — it’s a brightly colored food trailer that is the heart and soul of Jeff’s Jamaican Cuisine.

Now there are two trailers.

Jeff's Jamaican Cuisine
Chef Jeff Bailey, left, and Jay Williams pose on a second food trailer they picked up recently, expanding the possibilities for Jeff’s Jamaican Cuisine in Lewiston. (Courtesy of Jeff’s Jamaican Cuisine)

Jeff and Sophia Bailey took delivery of their second food trailer June 18. They bought the first one in August of 2020, which is based at 940 Lisbon St. in Lewiston — also home to the couple’s Caribbean Life Grocery and Gift Shop that opened in 2016.

“It’s a game changer,” Sophia Bailey said Wednesday with a big smile, noting the new trailer is bigger and has a full oven on board, which will allow them to bake more Jamaican patties — a popular item that she says almost always sells out. Bailey says it will also allow them to add a few items to their menu like yams, mac and cheese and a non-jerked barbecue chicken.

The combination of store and trailer represents a little oasis for the Jamaican and Caribbean diaspora, curious foodies and people looking for a change of pace from the fried foods offered up by many food trucks.

Bailey says the additional trailer will enable them to access more venues and spread their Jamaican vibe, while still serving Lewiston customers at the customary spot on Lisbon Street.

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The Jeff’s Jamaican trailer is constantly on the go to food truck parks in Waterville, Biddeford, Gorham and Lisbon. They will be at the Moxie Festival, the Fourth of July festivities at Veterans Memorial Park in Lewiston, the Litchfield Fair and this year adding the Cumberland Fair.

Chef Jeff, whose been in Maine since 1991, speaks with a Jamaican patois. He focuses on the food, while his wife, Sophia, handles the grocery and business affairs in addition to helping out with the food truck.

Family members help out with events and whenever they’re needed. The Baileys are considering hiring someone part time to keep both trailers cranking out the jerk pork and chicken, oxtail and curry chicken.

The Baileys hope to have the second trailer up and running by mid July. The best way to find out where they will be is by following them on their Facebook page.

Jeff’s Jamaican Cuisine is open Wednesday through Sunday starting at noon.

Jeff's Jamaican Cuisine
Jeff’s Jamaican Cuisine in Lewiston has added a second food trailer, expanding the reach of the popular Lewiston-based business. (Courtesy of Jeff’s Jamaican Cuisine)

A long-time journalist, Christopher got his start with Armed Forces Radio & Television after college. Seventeen years at CNN International brought exposure to major national and international stories...

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