East Austin is witnessing the end of an era for vegan eaters as the beloved Sunny's Backyard vegan food truck has shut down, leaving its patrons with fewer plant-based dining options. Co-owner Merritt Vaugh disclosed the tough financial reality that forced the closure: "It was simply losing money," she said. After years of financial struggle and attempts to keep the vegan dream alive, Merritt and Charrissa Vaugh decided to put an end to the food truck to save their bar from going under, according to Eater Austin.

Interestingly, the bar is set to go a different direction by hosting food pop-ups, including non-vegan dishes, as a new strategy to appeal to a broader customer base. Sunny's Backyard, in anticipation of the South by Southwest festival, is opening its space to various vendors offering both vegan and meat options. "If we are going to keep the bar and live music venue alive, we’re going to have to have meat options available," Merritt said, Eater Austin.

This closure follows the earlier shutdown of another local favorite, Counter Culture, known for a decade as a haven for vegan cuisine in East Austin. Sue Davis, the owner, expressed her concerns on Facebook, hinting at the challenges of maintaining a restaurant amidst rising costs and changes in dining habits. "I love Austin wholeheartedly but with the rising costs, I’m not sure it’s feasible to rent again, and buying seems like a faraway dream," she lamented in a post referenced by the Austin American Statesman.