As you descend the stairs, you’re transported into an edgy, speakeasy-like hideaway that’s mysterious enough to have you coming back for more. Perfect for this Halloween season!

Located in the historic 1898 Brock Building in downtown Lockhart, Little Trouble is a bar and restaurant serving up American-style cuisine by well-known chef Casey Wilcox since it first opened its doors in the spring of 2020. 

Guests take a street level staircase to enter, and pass a big bright Little Trouble glowing neon sign above the entrance. A great Instagrammable moment! As soon as you walk in, the candles, beautiful chandelier, and dimly lit atmosphere set the mood. 

The underground lair was modernized with electric art and amusing wallpaper, but kept the exposed brick and wooden beams as prominent features to give it that rustic charm. You’ll see taxidermy of local wildlife as centerpieces, as well as plants hanging from the ceiling. It gives off that Keep Austin Weird vibe. In the center of the space is a custom-made bar built by Chef Casey himself that immediately catches your eye.

Chef Casey’s Concoctions 

Chef Casey’s bold approach to Little Trouble’s menu combined with his blend of fresh foods and innovative flavors allow him to overlook traditional pairings, and create his one-of-a-kind concoctions. His inventive dishes spice up the menu but also tip a hat (or should that be skillet?) to the various palettes of the Texas regions. 

I suggest starting with the Fried Cheese. Dip the cheese ball in the sauce that’s sour and sweet, yet tangy. Although — full confession — I found myself eating the cheese ball without the sauce as it’s perfectly battered and not overly fried. 

Pan de Campo (pictured at the top of this article) is a popular item on the menu that locals and visitors love. This made-to-order bread is served with butter and brought in an individual small cast iron skillet. The dish is famous in the South Texas region for its simple ingredients and knead-free dough, making it a staple among cowboys of the state. In fact, Pan de Campo was named the official state bread of Texas in 2005.

For mains, the Chicken Confit brings that classic Southern flair with it’s slow cooked chicken leg and crispy exterior, but the sauce is the real star here. The pumpkin seeds in the savory sauce give it a nice crunch. (I found myself searching for them!) The Party Rice lives up to its name with the complementary flavors of smoked salmon, sausage, veggies, and garlic rice with jalapeño aioli. It’s truly a party in your mouth!

Meat lovers can’t go wrong with the Grilled Ribeye with sizzling ranchero butter on top, or the juicy burgers dressed in sun-dried tomato aioli. Seafood lovers should try the Al Pastor Fish—grilled trout on a bed of pineapple, grilled onions and raw cabbage. 

Sooth Your Sweet Tooth

Dinner isn’t over without your sweet tooth being soothed. So, be sure to check out the specials of the day. Full confession: I indulged in both the Smoked Chocolate Pudding and Banana Pudding Cake. The Chocolate Pudding really had a smokey flavor which separated it from other puddings I’ve tried. The toasted pecans and chocolate make a great team, pretty much a campfire flavor. The Banana Pudding Cake was one of the best desserts I’ve tasted. If only you saw how clean I left my plate. The banana flavor and strawberry sweet cream pair wonderfully together. It’s soft, light and not too sweet. The perfect balance.

Wash it All Down

Be sure to indulge in Little Trouble’s bar selection, like the canned beer, wine or signature cocktails that look as great as they taste. The Dolly is a fan-favorite, so of course I had to try it. Combining Deep Eddy lemon vodka, St Germain, creme de cassis and whipped cream this beverage is served in the perfect container — a Little Trouble boob mug. The cocktail reminded me of a Minute Maid ice cream!

Spicy lovers should try The Ginger, especially if you’re a jalapeño person. The hot pepper balances out the tequila. If you dare to be bold, order the Holy Spirit off the menu where the bartender picks his choice of drink. 

To accommodate COVID-19 protocols, Little Trouble has extended their outdoor seating with a newly built patio. Now you can enjoy the Texas weather, people watch, and revel in exquisite cuisine while taking in Lockhart’s small town charm.

Little Trouble: The Brock Building, 101 E San Antonio St., Downstairs, Lockhart, TX 78644

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Cover photo courtesy Little Trouble

Leean Vargas is an Editorial Assistant at Texas Lifestyle Magazine and an honors graduate of

Texas State University with a bachelor’s degree in Public Relations. She is a concert enthusiast who loves traveling, photography, good food, and discovering new hangout spots in her beloved city, Austin, Texas.