Trailer park eatery to open near UT

AUSTIN (KXAN) - Sliding open the window on the side of his bright orange trailer, Jason Umlas looked at the white board menu next to him.

"People sometimes hear chicken and waffles, and they don't really get it,” Umlas laughed. “It's one of those things you have to try."

The Lucky J's Chicken & Waffles owner said his business didn't exactly live up to its brand name since he started two years ago.

"I really feel like the people of Austin root for the little guy to succeed in a way that you won't really see in New York and Los Angeles,” he said.

After closing down one of two sites, his 6th and Waller trailer carried him through a bad economy, but he's banking on a corner across town to carry his business into the future.

"(We’ll) reach some of the people who work in the office buildings,” he explained. “I think the UT students are really going to be the core of our business there."

Now in the clearing stages, the Longhorn Food Court will sit where Ivory Cleaners once was at MLK Jr. Blvd. and Rio Grande, only a few blocks from the University of Texas. Umlas said the trailer park eatery will include a dozen vendors, plenty of parking, and covered seating.

"There's not much like this where we came from,” said customer Tyler Wachelhausen, “so this is very different and cool."

Success at other eateries like the one on South Congress came with heavy traffic.

"I love all the mini-pies and the cupcakes,” said Devin Arey, another customer. “They're so good."

Umlas was the first to jump on board at the new location. Like his food, the financial risk was something he just had to try.

"We're just waiting for the construction to get done so we can get selling," said Umlas.

Lucky J's plans to open at the new site on March 1. So far, other vendors are in negotiations to move there. Umlas said it will probably be a few months before it's all full.