Happy Panini — Restaurant in Hutto

I took a short road trip north to Hutto to visit Happy Panini. The restaurant is located on the corner in a small downtown area and has both inside and outside seating.

There are a lot of places that say they have a great Cuban ($9.00) sandwich. Sadly, many fail to execute the dish.

Happy Panini's version of this Caribbean classic is the perfect combination of ham, pork, Swiss cheese, pickles, and mustard. The ingredients blended perfectly, held together by a sourdough pressed roll (panini), sourced locally from The New World Bakery in Kyle, Texas.  You will notice the juicy, tender pork when you take your first bite. I also appreciate when a Cuban is not smothered in mustard.  HP is not trying to hide their ingredients.

Owner Chris Auditore says the sandwich  is one of his top sellers.  He also recommended trying Mr. BIG ($10.25) and Rocky's Roast Beef ($9.25).

Following those recommendations, I also tried the Mr. BIG, which included roast beef, smoked ham, turkey, Genoa salami, and pepperoni with sharp cheddar and provolone cheeses, pickled jalapeños, and chili garlic mayo.  The five-meat behemoth was about 1 1/2 times the Cuban and was packed with flavor.  The mayo and jalapeños hit you after the first bite, but after your taste buds acclimate, all the wonderful meats and cheeses shine through.

Happy Panini offers diners options for all their sandwiches.  You can get each selection on a wrap, chaffle, or in a bowl.  For those who dont know, a chaffle is a low-carb egg and cheese version of a waffle.

Chris, along with his wife Gina, designed the menu with a nod to the great kitchens of Italy, using fresh ingredients put together in simple dishes.  That's why, in addition to great paninis, you will also find pastas on the menu and side dishes like Caprese ($6) and pasta salads ($2/$4).  They also have homemade milkshakes ($6)

I am a sucker for a good pasta salad, and I had to try Happy's version. It had bacon, sweet peas, tri-colored peppers, green onions, and cheese.  Get the small to go along with your sandwich, or the large with half a sandwich, and take the half panini and leftover salad home for another meal.

Excellent, well-run family business.  Head up 130 and give them a try. It's...

I recently visited the Happy Panini food truck in Hutto, Texas and had a great experience. Upon placing order, I received a buzzer that would notify me when my food was ready. My spouse and I found a cozy spot at one of the many benches in the food truck area and eagerly waited for our meals. I ordered the chicken pesto panini and it was simply perfect. The basil pesto sauce was so delicious and complemented the tender chicken perfectly. It was evident that the ingredients used were fresh and of high quality. I would definitely go back for more. The food truck itself is a local gem, and the fact that you can grab a quick bite here and then go for a little stroll downtown Hutto just adds to the charm.

The prices are reasonable and the quality of the food is worth it. If you're in the area, make sure you stop by Happy Panini for a...

I ordered the Turkey Pesto Chaffel and have to say, it was delicious. The happy panini sits in a little food truck park and rivals any of the best sandwiches in Austin. First of all, the service was friendly and fast, I ordered online and skipped the crowd at the window, which was awesome. When I opened the bag to get the panini in all of its glory, it basically bust itself out of the box to reveal its huge, turkey stuffed deliciousness. It was so big, I shared half with the hubby, even though I would have liked to eat it all. Also, order the chips and...