Since 2019, Dyer has owned and operated KingsnQueens Jamaican Cuisine, a mobile food truck situated downtown next to Hanovers Draught Haus.
What's on the menu
KingsnQueens boasts a variety of traditional Jamaican fare, from ackee and saltfish to jerk-style meats, oxtail, patties and curries.
The menu includes several vegetarian options and all the meats are sourced from halal-certified vendors, Dyer said.
Dyer said he would like to continue experimenting with more fusion dishes, such as his jerk chicken tacos and jerk turkey legs.
The past
When Dyer's family arrived in Austin in 2012, their options for authentic Jamaican dining were limited. Dyer and his sister began making use of their family recipes by selling food at pop-up events around town.
Eventually Dyer, who was a sheetmetal worker by trade, began building a food truck from scratch in 2015—a process that would take years to complete.
"It's a lot harder than I thought it would be, but hard work has never been an issue for me," Dyer said.
The present
Between partnering with local elementary schools and, most recently, vending at the Pflugerville Pride parade, Dyer said he has developed a loyal customer base both from within the community and across the state.
Despite the positive feedback, pandemic-related inflation and marketing challenges have made it difficult to remain profitable, Dyer said.
"I pay to keep the doors open, but I love it," Dyer said. "We love offering our food to people that have never tried it. Giving them that experience is fulfilling."
Quote of note
"We grew up in a small neighborhood among small islands. Everybody knows everybody, and that's how we like to operate," Dyer said. "The moment you walk up, we treat you like family."
The future
Dyer hopes to eventually open a brick-and-mortar location in Pflugerville to reach more customers and plant KingsnQueens as a community staple.
"We are working tirelessly to get to that point. ... The food truck is just a start."
- 108 E. Main St., Pflugerville
- www.facebook/kingsnqueensjc
