Trini Bites is a Trinidadian takeout spot in Scarborough that started out as a popular YouTube channel.

While stuck inside during the pandemic, the Persad family needed a way to pass the time.

The family had always shared a passion for cooking, so they decided to start a Youtube channel centered around Caribbean cuisine. 

In each video, parents Bobby and Sita would teach viewers how to make Trinidadian dishes with help from their children, Chris and Katrina.

Eventually, positive reactions from their viewers convinced the Persads to open a restaurant.

Katrina tells us that starting a business was much harder and more time-consuming than they expected, but Bobby and Sita’s background in catering made the transition a little smoother.

With the help of Bobby and Sita's nephew Aaron and daughter-in-law Angeli, the Persads were able to open their restaurant in April 2024.

The small space has a quaint, homey feel, with bar-style seating and a wall of greenery. The walls and counters are painted in the colours of the Trinidadian flag: red, white and black. Since family is such an important part of the business's history, family photos can be found throughout the restaurant.

The six core members of the team are prominently featured, alongside numerous friends, pets and relatives. Trini Bites' menu consists mostly of small, portable meals, served in white plastic takeout containers.

The restaurant also offers a variety of Caribbean snacks and soft drinks, including plantain chips, Cola Champagne and Big Foot.

Chris and Katrina explained that the team had a hard time paring down the menu, since there were so many dishes that they wanted to feature.

Though they plan to adjust their line-up in response to customer feedback, the siblings are confident that the items they've chosen are the best their family has to offer.

Veggie doubles ($3.99) consist of curried chickpeas spread over two fried flatbreads.Chow ($5/small, $10/large) is a sweet and spicy snack made from pickled mangoes or pineapples, seasoned with peppers, garlic and coriander. Pholourie ($5) are bite-sized balls of dough, made from flour and ground split peas. Spicy tamarind sauce is served on the side.Aloo pie ($3.75) is a fried pastry filled with seasoned potatoes. It's crispy on the outside, with a light, fluffy center.

We opted for an aloo pie with shrimp for an extra $1.50. You can also add chicken, duck or goat, depending on your preferences.

Curry goat ($13.99/regular, $18.99/large) is one of the restaurant's specialties.

This combo comes with either roti or rice and a large helping of tender goat meat, mixed with potatoes and spices.

The fried chicken combo ($12.99) is a new addition to the menu, having only been introduced in mid-May.

The combo consists of two pieces of fried chicken, a side of fries and an assortment of condiments, including spicy pepper sauce.

Though this meal is more Americanized than many of Trini Bites' other options, it has nevertheless been well-received.

I personally found that the seasoning set it apart from other similar dishes, making it feel more in line with the restaurant's spicy Caribbean sensibilities.

As the Persads continue to navigate the exciting world of restaurant service, they express their sincerest thanks to everyone who has supported them along the way.

They hope that in the years to come, they can give back to the community that has helped them get to where they are today.

Trini Bites is located at 4286 Kingston Road, Unit 8.