Li'l Nonna's, the beloved Austin vegan pizza truck, is on the hunt for a new home base after the unexpected closure of its host bar, Ani’s Day & Night. The mobile eatery, known for its plant-based pies, had to put the brakes on service last month when the bar closed due to lease issues. The truck's owner, Rob Lordi, is now on the lookout for a fresh spot to park his business, a move scheduled to start on January 16, as reported by Austin Eater.
Lordi's woes began when a lockout notice for Ani, dated December 21, appeared online. Nearly two weeks of uncertainty followed, leaving Li’l Nonna’s loyal customers craving their vegan fix. Despite the setback, Lordi fired up the ovens on January 4, providing a workaround with a porta-potty for staff, and has been slinging pizzas since, often selling out. Ani's Day & Night, meanwhile, has remained closed, with co-owner Rachael Garbowski hoping to "reopen again as soon as possible," according to Eater.
It's not all bad news for Li'l Nonna's fans though, the truck's sister brick-and-mortar location, Big Nonna's, is serving up its own vegan delights. The North Austin establishment, which opened in October, features an expanded menu that includes housemade ingredients like beet "pepperoni" and nut-based cheeses. Big Nonna's also caters to gluten- and soy-free patrons, ensuring a diverse customer base can dine with ease. The establishment rooted in the collaboration between Lordi, Amelia Raley of Sweet Ritual, and Sean Connolly formerly of Spiral Diner, is dedicated to expanding vegan cuisine options in the area as noted by Britty Hamby, CEO of ATX Vegans, who said it's "an exciting and much-needed expansion for vegan food for those of us in North Austin, Pflugerville, and Wells Branch," in a release earlier last year detailed by CultureMap Austin.
During these uncertain times, Big Nonna's is emphasizing curbside, takeout, and delivery services in accordance with Good Work Austin's COVID-19 guidelines. They've also launched a virtual gift card program to support the business, which can be redeemed for a meal or as a "pie it forward" gesture to help others in need. This aspect has brought an innovative touch to supporting the local business community,
