A staple on the Centre County food truck scene has expanded with a long-planned restaurant

The Happy Dishes brand has been a long-standing staple on the Centre County food truck scene. In 2018, Michael and Kennita Johnson launched the business with the Happy Dishes food trailer, banking on Michael’s 25 years in the food industry, plus a style of food at the time not readily available locally, as their secrets to success. Now, the Johnsons have added to the Happy Dishes experience with a brick-and-mortar restaurant in Milesburg.

The Happy Dishes restaurant opened in July in the former Stover’s Tea Room building, next door to Lupita’s Authentic Mexican Food.

The journey from food trailer to physical locale hasn’t been an easy one, though. As early as 2019, the Johnsons had planned to open a physical restaurant in the Nittany Mall, in the former Golden Ladle spot. When that location fell through, Michael turned his attention to the 49-seat Milesburg space, a process which was further delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It took us about two years to get the restaurant open,” he said. “There have been a lot of different challenges. We’re trying to find people to work it. It’s easier to find people to work the mobile unit, because you don’t need as many staff members. But ... the people, the locals have been very, very supportive.”

While it’s not always easy to draw in business from the State College area to Milesburg, Michael said that those who do make the trip to the new restaurant will be well-rewarded for their efforts.

“The food quality, the type of food that I make is really good and unique, even just the burgers, and the different styles of the food that I do — the gumbo, the shrimp and grits, things like that. I think people enjoy the flavors. I feel as though the travel is definitely worth it,” he said. “We’re next door to Lupita’s as well, so you get a chance to enjoy two great, different styles of restaurants next door to one another.”

For those who are familiar with the menu at the Happy Dishes food trailer, Michael said to expect a similar, but expanded menu with more specials. Popular items include the restaurant’s specialty burgers and brisket cheesesteak. The restaurant also offers brunch on Sundays, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Brunch items include breakfast staples such as waffles, breakfast tacos with pulled brisket and breakfast sandwiches. Regional cideries and breweries also make appearances at the restaurant at least once per month, to serve rotating selections of local brews and ciders.

The Happy Dishes mobile trailer remains in business as well, offering catering and service at businesses and events. Michael notes the trailer was “pretty busy” over the pandemic, setting up at hospitals and nursing homes, catering to health care professionals in the region, and he’s now filling his calendar with events. As staffing issues for restaurants continue all around Centre County, though, Michael has found that some events and catering commitments require the restaurant to limit its hours.

Updated hours and specials menus can be found on the Happy Dishes Facebook page, www.facebook.com/HappyDishesFoodTrailer, and on Instagram, at www.instagram.com/happydishesfood/.