Our Legacy

Our History

Huggers Charbroil was a St. Petersburg staple in the 80’s & 90’s owned by Joseph Gagliardo.

If the walls could talk, you would hear all about how Joe’s heart and soul went into every dish he served and how his 4 grandchildren were raised in the restaurant. Each of them inheriting Grandpa’s love of cooking. You would also gain some good advice you didn’t know you were looking for but absolutely needed.

Some years later after Huggers had closed its doors as Joe tried his hand at retirement, he had an idea. He told his grandson Keegan that food trucks were going to be the way to go in the future. He offered to invest in a food truck if the grandchildren would jump on board. The grandchildren politely declined, and the food truck idea was pushed to the side.

In November of 2020, Joe passed away. As the family mourned, inspiration was found! Food has always been what brings the Gagliardo’s friends and family together. Nearly 20 years after Huggers served its last burger, the name, the food, and the heart behind the original has been revived by one of Joe’s grandchildren, Keegan Climo.

Keegan was working a great full-time job and decided corporate America wasn’t for him and he needed to bring Grandpa’s food truck idea to life and build something of his own. As of October 2022, Huggers Food Truck is officially up and running.

If Joe were still here, he’d be smiling from ear to ear, his heart would be full, and he would be beaming with pride.

The legacy rolls on..