Our Story

A Family Behind the Counter

Family & veteran run, honorably serving the Camp Lejeune community with fresh food made to order.

Meet Karen Young

Karen Young, Owner and Operator of Lighthouse Café

Meet Karen Young, our owner and operator — a wife, mother and businesswoman who has served the greater Onslow County community for more than 30 years. As a teenager, Karen and her twin sister, Sharon, were both diagnosed with Stargardt disease, a rare genetic condition that causes progressive vision loss.

Resilient and determined to live life to the fullest, Karen has never let her disability dictate what she can and cannot do. With support from the NC DHHS Business Enterprise Program — part of Services for the Blind — she realized a lifelong dream of running her own business, becoming a licensed BEP operator managing vending facilities across the southeastern part of the state.

Today, she’s thrilled to call the Lighthouse Café home. You’ll often find Karen and Sharon right behind the counter, ready to take your order with a warm smile and a positive attitude. The sisters have learned to manage their vision loss with grace — it may take them a moment longer at the register, and we hope you’ll meet them with the same patience and kindness they bring to your day.

The Family Behind the Counter

Sharon Young
Baker · Day 7 Sourdough

Karen's twin sister shares the same Stargardt journey — and an unstoppable work ethic. From scratch, Sharon bakes our Day 7 Sourdough in dozens of varieties: scones, muffins, loaves and mini loaves, cookies and more. If it just came out of the oven, it's probably hers.

Kat Mendes
General Manager

Karen's daughter and a seasoned professional with years of experience being a GM in the industry, she brings a wealth of knowledge and leadership to the team. She's responsible for everything from food ordering to the small details that make every visit feel effortless.

V Mendes
Operations & Administration

Kat's husband and a retired, disabled U.S. Marine. V runs the business behind the business — HR, IT, payroll and admin — so the rest of the family can stay focused on the food and the guests.

Aaron
Assistant Manager

Our resident jack-of-all-trades. Wherever there's a gap, Aaron fills it — usually before anyone even notices it was there.

“Grandma Katie”
Heart of the Kitchen

Karen's mom, and the heart of our kitchen. At 81, Grandma Katie runs the prep side and keeps every dish spotless — and she wouldn't have it any other way. For her, it's all about being surrounded by family.

Allen
Cashier

Karen's brother-in-law and a friendly face at the register. Allen loves a good conversation and makes every guest feel right at home — always with respect and a smile.

Tami
Expeditor

Karen's sister and one of our expeditors a few days a week. Loud, warm and impossible not to like — Tami keeps the energy up and the orders moving.

Bri
Grill Cook

The backbone of our kitchen. Bri’s cooking and work ethic set the standard for everything that leaves our line.

“Miss Jen”
Line Cook

Our line cook handles the lunch rush with ease and is always there when the team needs her.

Keira
Barista

Our newest team member — and already a favorite. Keira has been amazing behind the espresso bar from day one.

From Our Online Orders

4.8Based on 50 verified reviews
Verified purchases
Gustavo MunozJune 2026 · on Classic Turkey Sandwich

If you’re short on time, order online! Your food will be ready on time. They offer plenty of room to dine in if you’d like it too. A great value and variety.

Lighthouse Café replied

Thank you Gustavo, we're glad you had this experience with us!

Rebecca SApril 2026 · on BLT

This BLT is my go to breakfast sandwich! Delicious!!!

Lighthouse Café replied

We agree, you can't go wrong with a BLT any time of the day!

Joella PittsApril 2026 · on Dipping Sauces

Great sauce and amount per purchase. Love ordering here

Lighthouse Café replied

Thank you for leaving us the positive feedback, I know our line and prep cooks will appreciate hearing this.

Joella PittsApril 2026 · on French Fries

Always perfect every time! Great price and quick snack when working.

Lighthouse Café replied

We appreciate this, we strive to have fair prices and still deliver on a quality our customers will come back to.

What Guests Say On Google

4.4Based on 30 Google reviews
Reviews from Google
Laura Jenkins2 months ago

Ordered biscuits and gravy with a scoop of home fries. Food was excellent!

Read on Google →
Leonel Mendez11 months ago

Every time i have a chance i have to stop by. Really friendly staff really good food and this is the one place where they can say proudly serving our troops without taking advantage of them. Extremely fair prices.

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TM Ja year ago

Food is always made fresh and delicious! The gentleman who works the counter/cash register is very personable, professional, and courteous. At lunchtime, you can even order easily from a kiosk.

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Gabriel Molina Lopeza year ago

The food is awesome!! The service is amazing, you have to try the Cubana Sandwich or the Club Deli, my absolute favorites, I just wish I knew who made it, sometimes the sandwich is made with larger portions as opposed to sometimes whoever makes it skimps out on the meat and other ingredients (rushing maybe?) But besides that best lunch around the Hospital!

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Visit Us

Yes — we’re located inside the Naval Medical Center at Camp Lejeune. But step up to our counter and you’ll find something different: a small, family-run café making fresh food to order, with friendly faces and competitive prices. Whether you’re on base for an appointment, a shift, or just passing through, we think we’re well worth the stop.

Short on time? You can order ahead for pickup on our own website or through DoorDash. When your order is ready we’ll send you a text — skip the line and pick it up hot. It’s a quick, convenient way to get a fresh meal made just for you without the wait.

Lighthouse Café & Beacon Coffee
Naval Medical Center Camp Lejeune
100 Brewster Blvd, Bldg NH-100, Floor 1
Camp Lejeune, NC 28547
Open Mon–Fri · 7:00 AM – 1:30 PM

Ordering on our site costs less than the delivery apps — same fresh food, made to order, at a better price.

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