Happy Panini is planning to open its first brick-and-mortar location in downtown Hutto.

The gist

The family-run business, owned by Chris and Rita Auditore, has operated out of a food truck since 2020, offering a variety of paninis.

The menu features items like the Hello Sunshine, which comes with smoked ham, turkey, provolone, Asiago cheese, tomato, pickles, mixed greens and garlic parmesan mayo; and the Carmine, including smoked ham, salami, pepperoni, provolone, Asiago cheese, roasted red peppers, banana peppers, tomato, mixed greens and red wine vinaigrette. Other hot-pressed sandwiches include chicken pesto, BBQ chipotle chicken, tuscan beef and more.

What else


Rita Auditore said the business is in the final stages of the permitting and inspection process for its new downtown location, and hopes to have the restaurant open in the coming weeks. The business also received help from the Hutto Economic Development Corporation, which signed an Economic Development Performance Agreement to assist Happy Panini in finding a brick-and-mortar location. Until then, the food truck is still open at 101 Main St., Hutto.