(both photos courtesy of Little Trouble)
Instagram-worthy neon sign entrance
Several months ago I was sitting across from Alex (co-owner) while sipping on a well-crafted cocktail and savoring every bite of Casey’s take on the perfectly prepared Grilled New York Strip with with mole, poblanos and Pano de Campo bread when Alex told me how she came to name her restaurant Little Trouble.
In November, I met up with Casey Wilcox at the 2021 Austin Food + Wine Festival 2021. Casey is the chef and part owner of the edgy Little Trouble Restaurant which is a very unique restaurant with a cool vibe located in historic 1898 Brock Building in downtown Lockhart, Texas.
When entrepreneur and owner Alex Worthington met Casey, they both knew they were on to something one-of-a-kind big for their beloved Lockhart. With Alex’s business savviness and Casey’s think-out-of-the-box free culinary spirit and creativity they knew that Little Trouble was not to be just a restaurant but a destination location for foodies far and wide and those inspired by the eclectic Texas-Cowboy-Country lovin’ way of life.
This is sooo Alex! She lives life to the fullest and this is probably her best of living life yet! She has always been a leader in fun with a playful spirit for adventure and a real sense of place. She knows what she wants and has the discipline on how to reach her goals and is determined on making dreams come true. Casey’s “fly by the seat of his pants impulsive approach” to the Little Trouble menu was the perfectly fitting piece to puzzle that created this dream team to make this vision happen.
“We wanted something kind of cheeky and edgy. And getting into a little trouble is always fun!”
With a mutual love for Lockhart and the Texas lifestyle, they created exactly what they had envisioned.
When you arrive you will enter the restaurant by walking down the street level staircase past the glowing Little Trouble neon sign. As you descend down the stairs and enter the venue, you will be transported to an alluring, gritty, dimly lit, unpretentious hideaway with a sexy vibe where speakeasy-meets-neighborhood-watering-hole with an eccentric feel unlike anything in the area.
Casey is gifted not only culinarily but apparently is as gifted with creating works of art as well. Just to sit at the bar for a round of drinks and experience the show stopping custom-made bar built by chef Casey, is worth the trip to Lockhart.
Chef Casey’s own unique brand of the cooking is highlighted with creative and playful starters such as the Crunchy Smoked Cauliflower Salad, Party Rice, Pano de Campo with Camp Butter to Cowboy and Tex-Mex inspired steaks, lobster, trout and all the way to the quirky Boob Cocktail topped with whipped cream.
Sunday’s are for burgers so if you have a hankering for one of Casey’s burgers and fries, head to Little Trouble on Sunday for a featured burger and some cool country music to pair with your meal.
Along with the artistic menu, there’s all kinds of opportunities for half-price bottles of wine to enjoy with your dining experience.
Let me know when you go and I’ll slip on my Tecovas, slide into my fringed jacket, put on my Stetson and I’ll meet you there!
Sous Chef Steven Sartuche
Having some fun conversation with Casey at the Austin Food + Wine Festival 2021
I am in love with this insanely crunchy salad with smoked cauliflower.
Chef Casey Wilcox
Photo Courtesy of Little Trouble)
