Food trailer owner to open restaurant in May

Heidi Garbo, owner of food trailer Garbo's Lobster Truck, is preparing to feed the masses at the South by Southwest Music and Media Conference this spring and at her new restaurant scheduled to open in the Wells Branch area.

Garbo describes her new restaurant as an extension of the food truck with a bigger menu and local craft beer on draft. Garbo expects to open her restaurant in May on Bratton Lane next door to Polvos Mexican Restaurant. She said an integral part of the restaurant opening is her chef, Mateo Vannucci, who was hired in July and attended the Escoffier Culinary School in Austin.

Garbo, who is a Wells Branch–area resident, said she picked the area because of the need for a restaurant with a good atmosphere.

"It's going to bring a hip vibe to a sleepy neighborhood," Garbo said. "We have a new live music venue there called The Roost, and I think that is going to draw a lot of people up north."

The restaurant will be open for lunch and dinner and for brunch on Sundays.

Garbo launched her food truck in March and said business has been so busy that she has been renting out restaurant space to accommodate her daily food service.

Garbo and Vannucci have kept the food truck menu simple by offering only lobster rolls and clam chowder and frequent specials such as lobster grilled cheese served with fire-roasted tomato soup, ceviche and lobster macaroni and cheese. The food truck also receives fresh lobster from Maine daily.

She said opening the restaurant will allow her to try out new dishes such as surf and turf with steamed lobster and whole-belly fried clams.

"We've had such an overwhelming response that it makes sense to open a restaurant," she said. "It will actually make the truck run that much better. We can do more specials, and we can do a lot more with a restaurant."

Garbo's was asked to be one of the local food trailers to participate in this year's SXSW SouthBites food trailer court.

Garbo's Lobster Truck is open seven days a week at various locations in North Austin and throughout the Austin area.

To find out the food truck's schedule, visit its website or on Facebook by searching Garbo's Lobster Truck ATX.

Garbo's Lobster Truck, 14735 Bratton Lane (restaurant), 512-350-9814, www.garboslobsteratx.com, Hours: open daily, but hours vary depending on the day; visit the website or Facebook page