15 May Two Local Boys Turn a Local Dream Into a Locavore Reality

Rob Higgs and Chuck Watkins grew up together, went to Anderson High School together and had a dream to go into business together. NATY (North Austin Trailer Yard) is their food trailer yard dream come true.

Sat. May 12 was NATY's grand opening, and with 5 food trailers, a concrete zoo, sand play area for kids, dog friendly spots, and lots of shaded tents for eating and relaxing, I felt like I was at a festival more than a trailer yard for lunch. Partial proceeds from the day's event go to Hospice Austin.

Watkins' main goal when he envisioned a North Austin trailer park location was more consistent hours. "I listened when people complained that they didn't like to drive across town only to find a truck closed. Our customers set the hours, not the other way around," Watkins said.

Diversity of food is a 2nd goal. Staggering the hours so that at least one trailer is open at breakfast, lunch, or dinner was  a standard set by Watkin's, even adjusting "Snarkey's"  hours from Mon-Sat. to Tues-Sun. based on Opening Day's success.

Despite building NATY on a concrete slab, evidence of "greening" is everywhere. Texas Disposal Systems is responsible for the recycling and soon to be composting. No Styrofoam products will be used, solar lights where possible, and local artists using recycled metal contributed to the bigger than life-size animals taking center stage of the yard.

"Our goal is to get as close to zero waste as possible," Watkins said. "This is only 50% of our final look."

Snarkey's boasts all meats roasted daily, breads made from scratch delivered from up the street, and all sauces 100% homemade. Genuine Joe's coffee trailer also purchases almost solely Austin homemade, with weekend vegan donuts from the Red Rabbit Bakery Co-Op and gluten free scones from the Happy Vegan.

North Austin can now happily claim it's right to a piece of the trailer park boom, with NATY located on the SW corner of Lamar and Anderson Lane soon to be a huge local success story.