Jayy’s Little Red Trailer: Elevated Mobile Comfort Food For Your Next Event

Hannah Goodman

I was recently lucky enough to find myself in the small town of East Hampton, CT on the day of their annual Harvest Stroll. While there were supposed to be several food offerings at this annual event, the rain kept most of them away. Thankfully for me and my fellow rainy (and hangry) day adventurers, Jayy’s Little Red Trailer was not afraid to get wet…and seriously flavorful! 

Offering strictly comfort food, Chef Jayy Riera and her wife Tamara Riera have been running this food truck for a little over a year. The pair travel all over Connecticut to cater weddings, birthday bashes, office parties, apple orchards, and even ski resorts. Notably, Jayy and her crew catered a few healthcare facilities this past spring during National Nurses Week. Jayy and Tamara definitely stay busy as they travel around and cook for the people of Connecticut, so I asked them what their favorite experience has been thus far and they both had the same answer: they get to meet and interact with all types of people and the food they serve is so different from what customers are used to getting from food trucks. Jayy’s excitement and her love of cooking exudes from her food and her presence. While I was secretly hoping to try everything on the menu, I did not want to appear too…gluttonous? She insisted that try everything, and she’s the boss so I was in no position to break the rules. 

After taking a bite (more like several bites) of every dish Jayy handed my way, I was floored by the depth of flavor and creativity that each dish had to offer; Jayy makes all her own seasoning blends and sauces – such an impressive touch! The standouts were the “Triple B Grilled Cheese,” “Crunchy Taco Quesadilla,” and the “Philly Cheesesteak Egg Rolls”. The grilled cheese was stuffed with barbeque pulled chicken, a deliciously sharp cheese blend, and was served on a crusty sourdough. How can something be a taco and a quesadilla at the same time? Jayy will show you! This crunchy delight is filled with Mexican cheese, corn, black beans, taco-seasoned pulled chicken, tortilla chips (oh my crunch), and is topped with a drizzle of their homemade elote crema. Naturally, my favorite dish was the cheesesteak egg rolls because you can take the girl out of Philly but you can’t take the Philly out of the girl. These egg rolls are filled with shaved beef, peppers, onions, and a blend of mozzarella and provolone cheeses. Served with their homemade chipotle aioli, these pockets of comfort are not to be missed. 

Jayy has years of experience in the restaurant industry but really took to the kitchen because of how food and flavors have shaped her life. She claims her mom as a major inspiration, as she learned that feeding people great food could create so much joy. It was so clear that Jayy and Tamara were happy to cook for and serve the people of their community (even Jayy’s mom was there to help and talk up their food). Minus the parking lot location, it felt like I was in my mom’s kitchen eating a home cooked meal with friends and family. Follow Jayy’s Little Red Trailer on Instagram to find out where they’ll be cooking up their wonderful deliciousness next because you won’t want to miss it…not that you could, I mean look at that rad logo! 

Jayy’s Little Red Trailer @/jayys_