The Story Behind the Truck
MEET THE FOUNDERS
Harlen's Hangout was built from more than a love for food — it was built from 21 years of partnership, family, hard work, and a shared vision. After meeting in Michigan, we moved to Arizona in 2006 and have spent the last two decades building our family, careers, relationships, and roots within the community we now call home.
What started as conversations around family meals, comfort food, and creating memorable experiences eventually turned into something bigger than a food truck — it became Harlen's Hangout. Our goal is simple: create a place where great food, genuine connections, and good vibes come together.
While Harlen brings the food, flavor, and personality behind the brand, Kelly brings the business strategy, operations, marketing, and community relationships that help keep the vision moving forward. Together, we're building more than a business — we're building a place where everyone feels welcome.
30+
Years in the Game
MEET HARLEN
Meet Harlen — the face behind Harlen's Hangout and the guy bringing comfort food, good vibes, and big flavor to every stop. With more than 30 years of restaurant and management experience, Harlen has spent decades learning what keeps people coming back — great food, genuine connections, and memorable experiences. Now, he's taking it to the streets to serve the people he loves most: the community.
If you know Harlen, you know one thing for sure — he knows no strangers. He has a way of making everyone feel welcome, turning quick conversations into lasting memories, and treating people like family from the moment they meet him. That same energy and heart are built into Harlen's Hangout.
What started as a dream turned into more than a food truck — it became a place where everyone feels welcome, portions are generous, and the vibe is just as important as the menu. Whether he's serving up comfort food favorites, catering a special event, or meeting customers at a local pop-up, Harlen's goal is simple: create plates that keep people coming back for more and create experiences people want to be part of.
MEET KELLY
Behind the scenes, Kelly helps turn the vision into reality. With more than 25 years of experience in business and finance, she brings a strong focus on customer experience, partnerships, collaboration, and building processes that help businesses grow and thrive.
From managing operations and marketing to building community relationships and creating strategic partnerships, Kelly focuses on creating an experience that feels welcoming from the first social media post to the last bite of food.
Her passion for exceeding customer expectations and creating meaningful connections helps shape what Harlen's Hangout is all about — great food, great people, and creating a place customers want to come back to again and again.
25+
Years in Business
30+
Years of Experience
21
Years of Partnership
AZ
West Valley & Growing
Our Mission
"CREATE A PLACE WHERE GREAT FOOD, GENUINE CONNECTIONS, AND GOOD VIBES COME TOGETHER."
We're building more than a food truck — we're building a place to hang out.