Empanadas, Wings, and New Beginnings: The Story of Kysha Rideout and K & A Eats

On this episode of the Out & About with Antionette Podcast, I sat down with an inspiring guest—Kysha Rideout, owner of K & A Eats. As the first business owner in her family, Kysha’s journey from Philadelphia to Delaware to food truck ownership is a testament to resilience, creativity, and the power of community. In their conversation, Kysha shares candid insights into building a business during a pandemic, honoring her heritage through food, and her dreams for the future of Delaware’s food truck scene.

From Philly Streets to Delaware Dreams

Kysha Rideout’s story begins in Philadelphia, where family and food were central to daily life. Like many, she didn’t set out to be a business owner. “I would have never even imagined being a business owner, let alone a business owner to a food truck,” she told me.  The move to Delaware was motivated by her family’s desire for a better life for their children, but just six months after settling in, the pandemic struck.

Suddenly, life’s rhythm changed, and new opportunities emerged. “We were just looking for houses, a better living for our children…” says Kysha. Yet as the world shifted, she and her husband found themselves craving the diverse food options they’d grown up with in Philly—something their new Delaware town lacked.

Flavors of Heritage and Community Reception

Food, especially Latin food, is more than just sustenance for Kysha—it’s a way to honor her Puerto Rican roots. “My mom is from Puerto Rico,” Kysha shares, highlighting how she tweaked recipes she learned from her mother, aunts, and grandmother to develop her own signature style. One point of pride is her homemade Empanada dough: “I had to make sure that I figured out how to make that dough from scratch, so…that could set us apart from everything.”

Kysha’s unique fusion of empanadas and wings was initially a pleasant surprise to many, but it quickly found fans. As she put it, “We really, really do get repeat customers. People are always like, oh, where are you from?…There’s not a lot of Latin food options down here, so it’s amazing to hear that.” By offering something different, K & A Eats not only satisfied appetites but also introduced many locals to new flavors and traditions.

Growth, Giving Back, and Business Wisdom

Running K & A Eats has been a family affair. With kids in tow and her husband still working full-time in Pennsylvania, Kysha juggles many hats—sometimes even returning to medical work in a substitute role. Yet her vision for the future is expansive and inclusive.

“Our future plans are to purchase a building and open up a takeout restaurant and even possibly…turn that into a commissary,” she explains. Kysha wants to offer other food truck owners what she struggled to find herself—a supportive hub to help small food businesses flourish. “If we can help other people that are small business owners, especially in the food industry, it’s like a full circle growth.”

Kysha’s biggest words of wisdom? Embrace criticism, especially from your loved ones, because it prepares you for the world. “My husband…he’s always constantly saying to me, I’m going to be your biggest fan, but I’m also going to be your worst critic.”

Kysha’s story is one of courage, adaptability, and generosity. From tackling pandemic challenges to infusing Delaware’s food landscape with cultural richness, she and K & A Eats are proof that food truly brings people together.

Be sure to follow K & A Eats on Facebook for their latest schedule and location updates, or order online when you spot them at local events. As Delaware’s food truck scene grows, entrepreneurs like Kysha are not just feeding communities—they’re inspiring future generations of dreamers and doers.