About
Featured in Harrisburg Magazine
Owner,
Victor Perez
Victor Perez was born in Mexico City, Mexico. At three years old, he moved to Puebla with his parents – a city known for its culinary history.
In 1987, Victor had arrived in New York City and began working in the food service industry.
“There was a Yankee Doodle Deli. They used to sing the Yankee Doodle song when I was in there. I told the owners if I ever have a restaurant, I am going to name it Yankee Doodle…” he said.
He was also employed at the famous Tick Tock Diner, an iconic symbol of the American diner in Midtown Manhattan, just one block from Madison Square Gardens.
From the big city, Victor traveled to Lancaster, PA where he learned to cook Pennsylvania Dutch food. These American dishes that felt like home to the Pennsylvanian’s who delighted in their savory flavors, have the same comfort and fulfilling effect of the Mexican favorites Victor grew up cooking and enjoying in his culture. What would happen if you dared to have one restaurant that just combined the two? Crazy, right? What an expansive menu that would be – all the American favorites of homestyle diners right beside all the Mexican dishes adored in Spanish cuisine across Pennsylvania!
In the mid 1990’s, Victor Perez took the Amtrack Train to Harrisburg City. In nearby Wormleysburg, he fell in love with the views of the capital and the Susquehanna River – he knew this was the area he wanted to open his own restaurant. Victor’s “American dream come true” first opened in 2011 as “Yankee Doodle Diner,” at 902 N. Front Street. Customers quickly became friends, and through word-of-mouth business grew. When a building became available a little further down the Susquehanna Riverfront view, Victor took it – opening an even bigger and better version of his beloved restaurant: Yankee Doodle Family Restaurant at 860 N. Front Street.
Victor prides himself on serving delicious American AND Mexican cuisine made with high quality ingredients. His customers keep coming back year after year for the generous portions at, what Victor calls, “working man’s prices.” When you combine those with a comfortable, family-friendly atmosphere, it’s obvious why it’s an area favorite!
Victor and his sons are very grateful to Central PA for making this dream come true!