After a year and a half of serving the community as a food truck, the owners of Heart & SoulFood Eatery are getting ready to open a brick-and-mortar in Palatka, located at 308 St. Johns Ave.
This is a massive achievement for owners Tyrone Bennett and his wife, Lateefa, who started the food truck towards the end of the pandemic, serving soul food and other comfort foods with a Caribbean flair. Shortly after opening, the food truck was involved in a major car crash, leaving the owners having to start over a week after making its debut. Now, a year and a half after serving soul food from a food truck, the owners are preparing to open its first brick-and-mortar in the South Historic District.
Bennett tells What Now Jacksonville he expects to open Heart & SoulFood Eatery around August 1, 2023. He says it will be a backyard concept with a southern soul food menu and freshly squeezed juices. Other items the couple has served through the food truck include catfish, ribs, pulled pork, cornbread, macaroni and cheese, curry chicken, and jerk chicken. Eventually, the couple plans to apply for a beer and wine license to expand its menu.
Tyrone started his culinary career after studying at Johnson & Wales University, founding We Feed St Augustine, a not-for-profit, non-governmental food service organization. The company raises funds, collects food, and distributes donations and meals at events to anyone in need. Tyrone is also co-host of “The Hot Plate.” This will be the chef’s first restaurant venture. He says his homestyle cooking mostly comes from recipes passed down through the family.
