It's Only Fair Food Truck: What to Expect and How to Find Them

It's Only Fair serves Caribbean and soul food from a mobile kitchen across South Carolina

It's Only Fair is a food truck operating in South Carolina that specializes in Caribbean and soul food. The truck moves between locations, so you'll need to track their current schedule rather than visit a fixed address. They focus on dishes that blend island flavors with Southern cooking traditions—think jerk chicken, rice and peas, collard greens, and cornbread prepared with Caribbean spices and techniques.

The menu rotates based on ingredient availability and the owner's seasonal offerings, so what's available in summer may differ from winter specials. Prices are typical for food truck dining in South Carolina, generally ranging from moderate to mid-range depending on portion size and what you order. Payment methods vary by location, so cash and card availability can differ week to week.

Key Takeaways

• It's Only Fair operates as a mobile food truck, not a brick-and-mortar restaurant, so you must find their current location before visiting.
• The menu combines Caribbean and soul food traditions, with rotating specials based on seasonal ingredients and availability.
• Social media accounts and food truck tracking apps are the most reliable ways to learn where the truck will be on any given day.
• Hours and payment methods can vary by location, so confirm details before you arrive.

How to find It's Only Fair's current location

Food trucks in South Carolina typically post their daily or weekly schedules on social media rather than maintaining a fixed route. Check Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter for It's Only Fair's account—most food truck owners update their location the morning of service or the night before. If you can't find them on social media, try searching their name plus your city to see if they've posted schedules on community pages or local event listings.

Food truck tracking apps and websites like Roaming Hunger or local Charleston and Columbia food truck directories sometimes list mobile vendors and their schedules. These resources aren't always current, so social media remains your most reliable source. You can also ask at local parks, farmers markets, or community events—food trucks often return to popular spots on the same day each week, even if they don't advertise a formal schedule.

What Caribbean and soul food means on this menu

Caribbean cuisine emphasizes rice, beans, plantains, coconut, and bold spices like allspice, thyme, and scotch bonnet peppers. Soul food draws from African American Southern cooking and features slow-cooked vegetables, cornbread, fried items, and rich gravies. It's Only Fair blends these traditions, so you might find jerk-seasoned proteins served with collard greens, or rice and peas alongside cornbread—each component prepared with techniques and flavors from both culinary backgrounds.

Jerk seasoning, common on Caribbean menus, is a dry rub or paste made with allspice, thyme, garlic, ginger, and hot peppers. Soul food sides like mac and cheese, black-eyed peas, and okra often appear with Caribbean twists—perhaps coconut milk in the mac and cheese or island spices in the greens. The result is food that honors both traditions rather than treating them as separate items on the same plate.

Typical menu items and what to expect

Most Caribbean and soul food trucks offer protein-based plates—chicken, pork, fish, or sometimes beef—seasoned and cooked to order or held warm. Jerk chicken is a staple, usually marinated overnight and grilled or baked until the exterior chars slightly. Sides typically include rice and peas (rice cooked with kidney beans or pigeon peas), fried plantains, cornbread, collard greens, or macaroni and cheese. Portions are usually generous, designed to be filling and satisfying.

Some trucks offer sandwiches or wraps built around the same proteins and sides—a jerk chicken sandwich with plantains on the side, for example. Vegetarian options vary; some trucks offer rice and peas with fried plantains and greens as a complete meal. Desserts or drinks may include coconut water, ginger beer, or Caribbean-style beverages, though availability depends on the truck's setup and what they can store in a mobile kitchen.

Payment, hours, and what to bring

Food trucks accept cash, card, or both, but this varies by location and the owner's equipment. If you're planning to visit, check their social media post for that day to confirm payment methods. Hours depend on where the truck is parked—a lunch service at a downtown office park runs different hours than an evening service at a park or event. Most food trucks operate during lunch (11 a.m. to 2 p.m.) or dinner (5 p.m. to 9 p.m.), but this is not may provide.

Bring cash if you're uncertain about card payment, especially if you're visiting a less-trafficked location. If you have dietary restrictions or allergies, arrive early when the owner can answer questions about ingredients and preparation. Food truck lines move quickly during peak hours, so expect a short wait during lunch or dinner rush, but longer waits if you arrive at an unusual time when the truck is less busy.

South Carolina food truck culture and where trucks gather

Food trucks are popular across South Carolina's major cities—Charleston, Columbia, Greenville, and Myrtle Beach all have active food truck scenes. Trucks often cluster at farmers markets, downtown lunch spots, evening entertainment districts, and community events. In Charleston, trucks gather near the waterfront and downtown parks. In Columbia, they concentrate around the Vista district and lunch-hour office parks. Greenville's trucks tend to operate near Main Street and local parks.

If you can't find It's Only Fair on a particular day, other Caribbean and soul food trucks operate in the same regions, offering similar menus. Food truck communities are tight-knit, and owners often know each other's schedules. Asking at a nearby truck or a regular food truck spot may help you track down It's Only Fair or learn when they'll be back in that location.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if It's Only Fair will be at a specific location on a certain day?

Check their social media accounts—Instagram and Facebook are most common—where they post their location the night before or morning of service. If they don't have social media, ask at local parks, farmers markets, or other food trucks in your area. Many trucks return to the same spot on the same day each week, so regulars can predict the schedule even without a posted calendar.

What if I have a food allergy or dietary restriction?

Arrive early in the service window and speak directly with the owner or staff. They can tell you about ingredients, preparation methods, and cross-contamination risks. Food trucks have smaller kitchens than restaurants, so some accommodations may not be possible, but most owners are willing to discuss what they can do.

Can I order ahead or place a large order for a group?

This depends on the truck's setup and current location. Some owners accept phone orders or messages through social media, while others operate first-come, first-served. Check their social media or call if you find a number listed. For large orders, reaching out ahead of time gives the owner time to prepare and ensures they have enough food on hand.

Are food trucks in South Carolina inspected and safe?

Yes, food trucks must meet the same health and safety standards as brick-and-mortar restaurants in South Carolina. They are inspected regularly by the Department of Health and Environmental Control. You can verify a truck's inspection history through your county health department if you have concerns.

What's the difference between Caribbean and soul food?

Soul food comes from African American Southern cooking and features slow-cooked vegetables, cornbread, and rich gravies. Caribbean cuisine emphasizes rice, beans, plantains, and bold spices. It's Only Fair blends both traditions, so you get the comfort and heartiness of soul food with the bright, complex flavors of Caribbean cooking.