Food truck owner opens Haitian restaurant in Dauphin County

Jerry Olivier has expanded his Haitian cuisine offerings in the Harrisburg area, opening a brick-and-mortar restaurant after running a successful food truck

Olivier’s Haitian & American Restaurant at 3402 Walnut St. in Susquehanna Township carries a full Haitian menu, including fried red snapper, goat stew and boulette, a type of meatball.

It is located at a former Pizza Hut, where a series of different Asian restaurants have also operated over the years. Most recently, it was 99 Walnut Express Nepalese restaurant.

Olivier personalized the space with a red and purple paint scheme and pictures reflecting his Haitian heritage.

After opening the truck in May 2024, Olivier wanted a permanent place for customers to enjoy his home cooking.

He arrived in the United States in 2003, first living in Brooklyn before moving to Harrisburg in 2014. He noted the expanding Haitian population in the region, attributing the growth to the area’s quiet environment.”

“Since I came to the state, our population wasn’t that big, but right now it is starting to grow,” Olivier said.

The BYOB restaurant is gaining popularity, mostly through word of mouth and Google reviews.

“The owners are wonderful! So nice! I stopped on my way to work and the food is INCREDIBLE!!! if you’re looking for a new tasty spot THIS IS THE PLACE!! can’t wait to go back and try more!” wrote one reviewer.

“The menu, in a sense, is designed for Haitian people, but I adjust the food for everyone. A lot of American and African people they love eating rice and beans with chicken,” Olivier said.

The menu begins with traditional breakfast, including three daily offerings — espageti (Haitian spaghetti) with eggs, plantain with eggs and plantain with liver, each for $12.

Lunch features fried pork, chicken, turkey, beef, goat or red snapper with sides.

“We do have something every Haitian person loves — we call it fritay,” he said.

The platters of Haitian street food include a variety of fried foods such as pork, chicken or goat and sides such as plantains and spicy coleslaw.

Those looking for Haitian specials, including joumou, a national dish served on Haiti’s Independence Day, will find them on a rotating menu.

The soup is made with beef, vegetables and squash and featured on Sundays. Other daily specials include Tonm Tonm with crab on Tuesdays; mixed vegetables and rice on Wednesdays; goat stew on Thursdays; lalo, a traditional dish made from jute leaves, on Fridays; and black rice with chicken on Saturdays.

The menu also includes such American foods as french fries, wings and macaroni and cheese. Beverage options range from soda to fruit juices, energy drinks and fruit flavored lemonades.

The restaurant offers a regular slate of entertainment. DJ nights are held from 9 p.m. to midnight on Friday and Saturday nights, and customers are welcome to stop daily starting at 6 p.m. to play Dominoes.

Olivier’s is open 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 10 a.m.-midnight Friday-Saturday and 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Sunday.