Sophia’s Haitian Cuisine, a food truck serving authentic Haitian comfort food, is making its way across North Texas. If you’re lucky, it might park at a location near you, offering a delicious culinary experience that goes beyond just food.
A Culinary Response to Political Realities
In a world where politics often overshadows human stories, sometimes the best response is through food. When recent headlines spotlighted Haitian immigrants in the midst of election debates, the team behind this article decided to take action—by seeking out Haitian cuisine. The goal was simple: to show solidarity and enjoy the flavors of a culture often misunderstood or underrepresented. This search led to Sophia’s Haitian Cuisine, a food truck serving up authentic dishes from the island nation of Hispaniola.
Finding Sophia’s in North Texas
Tracking down Haitian food in North Texas was no easy task. After extensive online searches, we found just one option: Sophia’s Haitian Cuisine, a food truck based mainly around Celina, with stops in nearby areas like Plano. On this particular day, the truck was parked outside a fitness center in Plano.
The Story Behind Sophia’s
The owner, Kavin Adisson, runs this family-operated business, which he named after his wife. Adisson, originally from Haiti by way of New Jersey, moved to the Dallas area in 2017. He noticed a distinct lack of Haitian food offerings, just as we did. In 2020, Adisson began catering and serving at festivals, eventually launching the food truck that has now become a staple in North Texas.
What’s on the Menu?
Sophia’s Haitian Cuisine serves a variety of traditional dishes, with pikliz, plantains, and meat platters being the star attractions. Seasonal items like joumou soup—a traditional Haitian New Year’s dish—also make an appearance, and there’s even a highly-rated Haitian-style hot dog.
The Essential Pikliz
Pikliz, a spicy Haitian condiment made from pickled cabbage, carrots, and Scotch bonnet peppers, is a key part of the food truck’s offerings. Adisson, sporting a “Got Pikliz?” shirt, is clearly proud of this Haitian staple. It’s served with almost every dish, including their signature hot dog and the loaded plantains, which we sampled.
The plantains, fried to perfection, were topped with tender shredded chicken, special sauce, and, of course, pikliz. The combination created a delicious and filling dish that showcased the bold flavors of Haitian cuisine. You can also opt for fried pork chunks or substitute the plantains with fries.
Traditional Haitian Snacks and Platters
We also tried a pâté, which is similar to an empanada but with a Haitian twist. This deep-fried snack, available with beef, chicken, or vegetables, had a flavor complexity that took us by surprise. We chose the beef version, and it exceeded expectations with its rich taste.
Our meal wouldn’t have been complete without trying the griot platter, a dish featuring marinated pork chunks that were lightly fried and incredibly tender. Served with plantains, seafood pasta (or rice on some days), and pikliz, this dish was one of the best bites we’ve had in a long time.
Other protein options on the menu include goat, chicken drumsticks (poulet), and a vegan option made with potatoes, onions, mushrooms, and sweet peppers.
Where to Find Sophia’s Haitian Cuisine
For those eager to try Sophia’s, their schedule of locations is updated regularly on their Instagram and Facebook pages. It’s worth the effort to track them down for a taste of authentic Haitian food. Whether you’re seeking to satisfy your palate or find a small moment of cultural connection, Sophia’s Haitian Cuisine is a must-try.
Related topics:
- The Essence of Thanksgiving: Exploring Three Traditional American Foods
- What Are the Christmas Foods?
- What is a Good Appetizer for Christmas?