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Meet Brittny Lowrey of The Happy Grilled Cheese ATX

Happy Grilled Cheese ATX

An interview with Brittny Lowrey, one of the owners of the Happy Grilled Cheese ATX

Location: Austin, TX

The name “The Happy Grilled Cheese ATX” tells you all you need to know, I mean who can be sad while eating a grilled cheese sandwich? Those with dietary restrictions excluded, of course. But this truck is much more than its name.

Brittny Lowrey, one of the owners of the truck, has been cooking all her life. Her passion manifested itself into mouth watering masterpieces like their Daddy of the Mac sandwich (BBQ Pulled Pork, Mac and Cheese, and Grilled Onions- holy yum). The concept originally started as a truck in Jacksonville, FL, and now they have restaurant locations and their food truck in Austin. Read the origin story of her cooking journey below:

What’s your favorite food memory?

All of the Thanksgiving meals I’ve cooked with my sisters. We each excel at different things in the kitchen. Together, we can create one incredible meal.

What’s the best part of running a food truck?

The customers. Food truck customers are a very laid back and relaxed group of people who are seeking out fun food and the experience of eating at a food truck.

If you were on Chopped and given pickled onions and pork belly, what would you make?

Fried Pork Belly Tacos topped with a creamy avocado salsa and pickled onions on corn tortillas.

What’s your favorite sandwich?

Cheesy Jalapeno Popper from Happy Grilled Cheese!

What’s the story behind your food truck name?

We kept it simple! Having what you sell in the name is so important for branding, and grilled cheese is the ultimate comfort food for so many people which makes them happy. Combine all that together and we have The Happy Grilled Cheese!

Happy Grilled Cheese

Your must-read cookbook or food blog?

I love Kristen Cavalleri’s cookbook line for recipes for clean eating, and my favorite national food blog to follow is Eater and their subsidiaries.

What is your favorite part of using Truckster?

Getting to visit great new communities around the city!

View The Happy Grilled Cheese on Truckster to find upcoming events: https://gotruckster.com/food-truck/happy-grilled-cheese

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Our Favorite Things to Do in Austin

Our Favorite Things To Do In Austin

Austin, Texas, has something for everyone, including nature lovers, art fans, romantics, and even the foodies. If you plan on visiting the city anytime soon, here are Truckster’s favorite things in Austin that you should give a try.

Visit the State Capitol

The State Capitol is Texas’s legislative center and one of the most impressive state legislative buildings in the US.

It has been around since 1888 and is a rich representation of Austin’s political history. The building itself is an architectural marvel that’s 14 feet taller than the U.S. Capitol in D.C. It has undergone a few renovations over the years, but still retains much of its original look.

Visiting the Capitol is a great opportunity to learn about Texas history and entry is free. But because the place can be a bit crowded at times, it’s best to plan and time your visit to avoid peak visit periods.

Sample the Food Trucks

In Austin, brick and mortar restaurants aren’t the only place to find fine dining. There are food trucks not far from most streets and they serve almost anything you want. Some serve Italian cuisine, while others offer Mexican, Middle Eastern, Asian, Tex-Mex, and their unique twists of traditional dishes.

The growing scene is an affordable way to get a tasty meal from anywhere in the world without having to travel. And if you have favorite food trucks, you can easily track them down when they move with the help of apps like Truckster’s Austin Food Trucks Map.

Watch Performers on Sixth Street

Fans of music can catch a live show at Sixth Street, which is celebrated as the “Live Music Capital of the World.” Most of the performers are upcoming artists, but famous ones do show up from time to time.

You’ll find Sixth Street on the Dirty Sixth, which is between Congress Street and Interstate 35. Aside from music, the area also offers a vibrant mix of restaurants, shops, and, of course, bars.

Hike Mount Bonnell

Austin has a lot of scenic views to offer and you can find some of the best ones at Covert Park’s Mount Bonnell. From the top of Mount Bonnell’s 775-foot-high outcrop, you get a panoramic view of the city and Lake Austin. That might seem tall, but many visitors describe the hike as easy and the view worthwhile.

The area is one of Texas’ historic landmarks and it’s also in the National Register of Historic Places, so be sure to treat it with respect by not littering.

Catch a Show at Austin City Limits Live at the Moody Theater

Another favorite among music lovers, the Moody Center has hosted several artists, including some of your favorites. The venue can seat thousands of people and has great acoustics. When you are in Austin next, be sure to check out who’s performing at the Moody Center, because it just might be an artist that you’ve been dying to see live.

Visit SoCo District

Have you ever heard the saying, “keep Austin weird?” If you haven’t, the residents of SoCo District have and are committed to the message.
SoCo District is in downtown Austin and it plays a big part in keeping Austin’s weirdness alive and well. After soaking up some of the weird, you can browse and shop the diverse boutiques and stores in the area to find treasures.

You can also grab a bite or refreshments at one of the many food joints in the area. Taco, ice cream, and coffee joints are in abundance. The Continental Club is a favorite for grabbing drinks and enjoying live country music.

Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail at Lady Bird Lake

Here’s another favorite hiking spot in Austin. It has a scenic 10-mile hike-and-bike trail in the middle of the city that takes you past the lake and by places where you can grab a bite. Whether you are running, cycling, or power walking, the gorgeous, yet quiet, view of the trail makes for great company.

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Why Should We “Keep Austin Weird?”

Why Should We Keep Austin Weird

Most visitors have no idea what keeping Austin weird means. We’ll try to explain it and why keeping the “weird” alive is important.

The History of Keeping Austin Weird

Before “Keep Austin Weird” became a famous slogan on signs, shirts, mugs, and more, it was a notion. In the ‘70s, Austin was where up-and-coming artists came to get their big break and where techies came to innovate.

By the ‘90s, Austin was hosting festivals like the Austin City Limits and legends like Willie Nelson. The tech scene was also booming thanks to the presence of Motorola, IBM, and other tech giants within the city.

Even though the area had become popular, it hadn’t become as popular as to erode the city’s core essence. But the more successful the city became, the more people and businesses began to pour in, remolding the look and sound of Austin.

From an economic standpoint, this was good. But from a cultural standpoint, not so great. The influx of new people, big businesses, and the constant changes were diluting and eroding a lot of the things that made Austin unique and famous.

To prevent industrial growth from wiping out Austin’s natural ecosystem and personality, the movement to maintain the city’s weirdness was born.

The Movement to Keep Austin Weird

Depending on who you ask, the term “keep Austin weird” was born on the radio when Red Wassenich called in to share his perspective on how a new culture of high-tech and luxury were eroding what makes Austin special.

When asked why he made his contribution, he replied, “I don’t know. It helps keep Austin weird.”

After he made the statement, Wassenich realized he’d struck a slogan goldmine. Not too long after, he and his wife began printing and sharing bumper stickers carrying the phrase.

Before long, Austin locals were chanting the motto. The slogan soon spread across Texas, and next thing you know, Portland had its variation: “Keep Portland Weird.”

Why Keep it Weird?

Austin is one of those few cities where various ingredients come together to make it whole and unique. According to Truckster, even the food scene is different, with best food trucks in Austin serving familiar dishes with a weird twist.

Changes in the economy, landscape, and the way people do business were gradually taking away the things that made Austin the place its locals knew and loved, which is what led to the “keep it weird movement.”

For example, many of the local creatives were of the opinion that the city’s expanding infrastructure was taking away key features that made the city ideal for artists to flourish.

Proof of this can be seen in 2003 when BookPeople, a famous local bookstore in the city and a landmark, was almost driven to extinction.
How?

The city government at the time was providing millions of dollars in government waivers to Borders Group, a national book chain, to facilitate their moving to Austin. If Borders Group were to open in Austin, the financial incentive, plus their larger resources, would have given them an edge over competing local businesses, like BookPeople.

To protect the city and local businesses, “keep Austin weird” once again became a battle cry. Eventually, the local government had no choice but to side with local businesses.

Failure to keep Austin weird may lead to short-term economic prosperity, but it could also result in the death of what makes Austin a Mecca for creatives and tourists. That doesn’t mean keeping the weirdness requires Austin to remain in the Stone Age. It simply means finding a balance between evolving and retaining the heart and soul of Austin.

By finding that balance, the unique quirks of Austin will still be there, setting the city apart from its neighbors. More importantly, the city will remain a haven for creatives and retain that magnetic attraction that keeps tourists coming back for more weirdness.

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Tasty Places to Eat in Austin, Texas

Tasty Places To Eat In Austin

Austin is famous for its barbecue, but the city has far more to offer foodies than beautifully grilled meat. Whether you are hankering for Italian, Mediterranean, Asian, or anything else, you can find it here. You’ll find some of these options in a restaurant, others right on your street from the back of a food cart.

Let’s take a look at some of the tastiest places to pig out in Austin.

Din Ho Chinese BBQ

If you are a fan of Chinese, specifically Cantonese food, you have to check this spot out. It’s been around for over two decades and its fans still love the quality of its menu and service. Some of the restaurant’s popular sellers include its Peking duck and steamed buns, Singapore style rice noodles, salt and pepper squid, won ton soup, orange beef, and sautéed snow pea leaves.

Three Little Pigs

In Austin, the best food isn’t always found in a brick and mortar restaurant. The Three Little Pigs is proof of this with its unique twist on comfort food. Some of the biggest sellers at this meals-on-wheels are its bacon-wrapped meatloaf and Asian fried chicken.

Unlike many Austin food trucks, finding the Three Little Pigs is easy since you can always find the truck at the same spot behind the Aristocrat Lounge.

Franklin Barbecue

Hungry for an authentic Texan barbecue? Franklin Barbecue is the grill to feast at.

The only complaint about this barbecue joint is how long the lines can get. But considering how good the food at the end of the line is, it’s worth the wait.

The joint’s most popular dish is the brisket. It’s tender, moist, and, most importantly, packed with flavor. But Franklin Barbecue doesn’t stop there. You can also get pork ribs that are crisp on the outside yet tender enough to fall off the bone.

If you are a fan of sandwiches, you can’t go wrong with the Tipsy Texan and its chopped beef and sausage filling topped with coleslaw. You’ll make a mess while eating it, but you’ll love every bit of it.

Kreyol Korner Caribbean Cuisine

Caribbean Cuisine is something you probably didn’t think you could find in the city, but the local food truck scene is happy to prove you wrong.

The specialty of Kreyol Korner is Haitian dishes. Its biggest sellers are stewed red snapper, fried pork shoulders, stuffed plantain cups, and jerk chicken wings. You can also get special creations that merge American cuisine with Haitian flavors, like its burgers made with plantain buns and nachos.

Tâm Deli & Cafe

Vietnamese food, when cooked right, is super flavorful. That’s why people come to Tâm’s–they know it’s one of the best places in Austin for authentic Vietnamese. The Vietnamese ham, pâté, and roasted chicken combination sandwich are simply sublime.

There are several other items on the menu that are worth trying, but make sure not to overlook the bánh cuốn (steamed rice rolls). They’re fantastic.

Garbo’s Lobster Truck

If not for apps like Truckster, finding Garbo’s roaming food trucks would be a pain in the neck. With the app, you can easily hunt down this moving lobster master chef, regardless of where he’s hiding out in Austin.

The truck offers various lobster recipes with fresh Maine lobsters. Don’t hesitate to try out the Northeastern-style sandwiches with butter and a lobster-rich center.

The Backspace

If you’re in the mood for hot and fresh Neapolitan pies, the Backspace on 6th Street is the spot. While the pizzas aren’t the biggest, they make up for quantity with quality. Regardless of the type of toppings you choose, we guarantee your pizza will be awesome.

Stiles Switch BBQ & Brew

A completely casual barbecue joint where the food is far from casual. Be it the pork rib, turkey, or beef, the barbecue is awesome. Everything is grilled to perfection and tastes even better than it looks and smells. If you like it sweet and spicy with a nice cold brew to wash it down, Stiles Switch is where you need to be.

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Upcoming Events and Festivals in Austin

Upcoming Events & Festivals In Austin

Austin is a hub for various types of events, especially music festivals. Here’s your guide to the best ones to look forward to in 2020.

No Idea Festival

The No Idea Festival is an annual event that typically occurs in February. The festival brings together musical artists of different genres from around the world, including Japan, Europe, Mexico, and around the US to thrill music lovers in Austin.

The entire event takes two days and three nights and you’ll get to enjoy everything from fantastic performances to improvisation sets.

ROT Biker Rally

For those who prefer two wheels to four, the ROT Biker rally shows up in June to celebrate everything about bikes for four days. There will also be bike expeditions, races, live music, and more. If you get hungry, some of Austin’s top food trucks will be in attendance and you can find your favorites with apps like Truckster.

St. Patrick’s Day Festival

In mid-March, there’ll be the St. Patrick’s Day Festival, which, as you’ve guessed, is all about the Irish. Traditional Irish musical performances will be the main act of the day, alongside various displays of Irish culture and pride.

If you are a fan of green, authentic Irish cuisine, bagpipes, dancing, and more, you won’t want to miss this.

SXSW

Another big event in March is the 10 days of SXSW. The event occurs in various parts of Austin and showcases music, films, and more from around the world.

Rodeo Austin

If you are a fan of BBQ, the Rodeo Austin is a chance to get a taste of ranch life and real Texan barbeque. There’s also music and a carnival. The best part is you can shuttle between Rodeo Austin’s festivities and SXSW since some of their dates overlap.

HONK!TX Festival

It’s an April nonprofit event that showcases street and brass bands from within and outside the US. You can enjoy the performances for free on the streets of Austin, including a great show from the New Orleans second-line brass, Brazilian bands, West African bands, and more.

Fusebox Festival

This is one of Austin’s biggest art events. It’s held annually and this year’s festival will last for four days across over 20 different venues all over Austin. Artists from within and outside the US will be in attendance to perform.

The Lonestar Round-Up

Here’s a huge April outdoor car show for Texan gearheads. It’ll last for three days at the Travis County Expo Center and showcase everything from custom cars to vintage hot rods from all over the world.

Aside from the beautiful sound of roaring car engines, attendees will also be serenaded by the live music festival held alongside the car show.

Moontower Comedy Festival

Comedy lovers can get their laughs at the Moontower Comedy Festival at the Paramount Theatre. Comics from around the world congregate in Austin in April to crack up the audience with improv, comedy sketches, musical comedy, and more. Some of the nation’s biggest comedy stars will also be in attendance.

Kerrville Folk Festival

May is another big month for music festivals in Austin with the Kerrville Folk Festival that lasts for two weeks. It’s one of the longest nonstop music festivals in the US that brings singer-songwriters from various genres and continents to perform. Over 30,000 revelers are expected to attend.

ATX Television Festival

Fans of the small screen get to meet some of their favorite actors, writers, creators, and directors at this weekend event in June. There will be panels where the cast and crew of your favorite shows discuss the journey to creating a successful show and bringing it to the screen.

Bat Fest

When over a million Mexican free-tailed bats come out to fly in August, Bat Fest begins with live music on two stages. As the night progresses, there will be food and arts & crafts vendors, drinks, a bat costume contest, and more.

Wizard World

Wizard World is Austin’s equivalent of Comic-Con. Thousands of fans gather every year in September to partake at the Austin Convention Center, where booths and panels celebrating some of the biggest movie, comic, gaming, anime, and MMA franchises pop up. You won’t want to miss it.

Other major events in Austin are the Gruene Music & Wine Festival, Austin Film Festival, and the Texas Monthly BBQ Fest. Which are you looking forward to?