From Busser to Business Owner

Harriette's Restaurant has been a Florida Keys tradition since 1982—serving great food and genuine hospitality to generations of locals and visitors.

My name is Kevin Mendoza, and I grew up right here in the Florida Keys. This community isn't just where I live—it helped shape who I am and the kind of business owner I want to become.

My journey with Harriette's began when I was just 13 years old. I started as a busser, clearing tables and learning the restaurant business from the ground up. Over the years, I worked my way up to host, cashier, and eventually manager. I learned how to lead a team, handle the pressure of a busy restaurant, and make every guest feel welcome.

More importantly, I learned that great hospitality is about more than serving good food. It's about remembering someone's name, noticing the little things, and creating the kind of experience that makes people want to come back.

After spending years growing with Harriette's, I knew I wanted to take everything I had learned and use it to build something of my own. The current owner of Harriette's, Carlos Hernandez, saw that drive in me. He believed in me, guided me in the right direction, and gave me the opportunity to open something of my own. When the chance came to open a food truck on Overseas Highway in Key Largo, it felt like the natural next step—an expansion of everything Harriette's has stood for since 1982. We just wanted to keep bringing great food and great customer service to the community in a fresh, convenient way.

That is how Harriette's On The Go was born. I'm grateful to Carlos for trusting me to carry the Harriette's name forward and for the mentorship that helped me get here.

Located on Overseas Highway in Key Largo, our food truck brings together the hospitality that shaped me and the relaxed lifestyle of the Florida Keys. We serve breakfast and lunch throughout the day for locals, visitors, and the community. Whether you're starting your morning, taking a break from the water, or looking for a satisfying meal without slowing down your day, we want you to feel welcome at our window.

Harriette's On The Go is an extension of the restaurant that raised me—carrying forward the same great food, the same warm service, and the same commitment to the community that has made Harriette's a Keys staple for over four decades. It's a new chapter, built on the same values, brought to life in a fresh and different way.

This truck is more than a place to grab a meal. It's where I came from, what I've learned, and where I'm going next.

Welcome to Harriette's On The Go. I'm proud to share this next chapter with you.

— Kevin Mendoza

Fresh Homemade Muffins

Complete your breakfast or coffee order with a homemade Harriette's muffin. Flavors rotate daily, so ask which selections are available today.