MONROE, La. – Taylor’d Eatz in Monroe is a new mobile Cajun/Caribbean restaurant reintroducing itself with a pop-up on Friday.
Owner Robyne Moore-Taylor relocated from New Jersey to Monroe in February. Because of the pandemic, her grand opening originally set for earlier this year was delayed. Taylor said she chose to use her time off from doing business to give back.
In May, she reopened with the intention of helping others. With the help of MS Kick, a community kitchen in Shreveport, she was able to donate up to 100 meals a day to frontline workers.
These meals went to healthcare workers and environmental service members at Ochsner LSU and Overton Brooks VA Medical Center.
“When I was thinking about community give-backs the first thing that came to mind was the food insecure, the homeless, and then those who work so hard and deserve to have a really good meal,” said Taylor.
Taylor’d Eatz is a ghost restaurant, meaning there’s no set location.
“I don’t have a brick and mortar, I’m considered a ghost restaurant. So I provide services and food retail without customers actually coming into a building to purchase from me,” said Taylor.
Taylor said Caribbean cuisine is something that’s not typically accessible in Northeast Louisiana. She also said business suffered during the pandemic because it operates on meal deliveries, catering, and pop-ups. Now, she’s ready to bounce back.
“It’s just kind of a way to say ‘Hey, we’re here.’ And we offer Cajun, and Caribbean and southern food. It also gives my customers a way to see what we have to offer,” she said.
The pop-up takes place at 11 a.m. at Tower Place in Monroe. Workers will be wearing masks and gloves.
There will be six-foot markings on the floor and between tables to distance customers. There will also be plexiglass separating workers from customers when ordering food.