Building a Business on Belief: Halo’s Eatery

In partnership with Northwest Bank, ASSETS is building opportunities for entrepreneurs in Central PA, brick by brick.

At Halo’s Eatery in Columbia, Angel Mejias is sharing his lifelong love of cooking through a menu that brings together flavors from around the world with a Latin twist. 

From rice bowls loaded with jerk chicken or slow-roasted pork to Cuban egg rolls and empanada cheesesteak sandwiches, Halo’s reflects Angel’s creativity in the kitchen and his commitment to serving flavorful food at an affordable price. 

But Angel’s path to opening his own restaurant wasn’t straightforward. Along the way, he faced setbacks, found new opportunities and received encouragement from people who believed in his potential. 

After making mistakes as a young man that led to incarceration, Angel was released in 2004 and began working toward a different future. Finding employment wasn’t easy, but he eventually found an opportunity with a local hardware store. 

There, he began cooking for his coworkers every Friday. His meals became something they looked forward to, and his employer and colleagues encouraged him to pursue his culinary talents professionally.

With support from the people around him, Angel returned to school, eventually graduating from YTI Career Institute’s culinary arts program in 2013. He later worked in kitchens serving people experiencing homelessness and others in need. Although the work didn’t pay much, it gave him an opportunity to use his skills to give back.

Looking back, Angel credits much of his progress to the people who recognized his potential and encouraged him along the way. “They believed in me even before I believed in myself.”

While the trailer was being repaired, Angel began selling food from a tent under the name Halo’s Kitchen, Soul Rican Cuisine. The menu combined Puerto Rican and soul food favorites, including pinchos, arroz con gandules, collard greens and fried chicken. As the business grew, he moved into the trailer and opened a takeout location in Lancaster. Managing both operations brought challenges, and changes in the original business partnership eventually led Angel to establish Halo’s Eatery. 

As the business evolved, Angel continued experimenting with flavors and refining his menu, developing the global fusion cuisine that defines Halo’s Eatery today. 

Another opportunity came when a local landlord visited Angel’s food trailer at an event in Marietta. After tasting his food, the landlord approached Angel about an available restaurant space in Columbia. It was a location Angel had considered years earlier, but the space wasn’t available at the time. Although Angel wasn’t the strongest applicant financially, the landlord believed in his cooking and decided to give him a chance. 

In August 2025, Halo’s Eatery opened at 301 Cherry Street in Columbia, marking a new chapter for Angel and his business. He continues building on each success while navigating the everyday challenges of running a restaurant.

Looking Ahead 

Angel hopes to one day establish Redemption Kitchen, a nonprofit organization that would help people returning from incarceration learn culinary skills and find employment. It’s an idea shaped by his own experiences. 

After his release, Angel struggled to find employers willing to give him a chance. He remembers submitting dozens of job applications without success and how discouraging that experience could be for someone trying to move forward. Through Redemption Kitchen, Angel hopes to provide culinary training and connect participants with chefs and employers willing to give them an opportunity. 

Having experienced those barriers himself, Angel understands how meaningful that support can be. The encouragement he received helped him pursue his passion for cooking and eventually build a business of his own. Now, as he continues growing Halo’s Eatery, he hopes to create similar opportunities for others. 

To keep up with Halo’s Eatery, visit their website and follow along on Instagram and Facebook.