‘Anyone Can Find Something They Like’ at Junior’s Grill in La Pine

‘Anyone Can Find Something They Like’ at Junior’s Grill in La Pine

By Andrea Hine

“I was surprised how little weather affects the business. Some of my busiest days have been when La Pine gets a bunch of snow or rain,” said Matt Huserik, who opened Junior’s Grill 15+ months ago. Another pleasant surprise was that “I stayed busy last summer through the end of October, rather than slowing down after Labor Day as expected.”

Huserik’s build-your-own mac & cheese truck is known for a long list of possible toppings ranging from steamed (broccoli, cauliflower) to sauteed (mushrooms, bell peppers) to smoked (pulled pork) – and that’s leaving out such imaginative choices as crispy fried jalapenos or onions, chipotle in adobo, and kielbasa.

“I’m always exploring new menu options,” he said, “one example being brie & blue cheese mac that I created at Wallowa Lake summer camp six or seven years ago when unexpectedly finding myself with a wheel of blue cheese.”

Some options are more successful than others. “Offering customers cauliflower rather than macaroni has proved super popular, as has vegan cheese sauce. On the other hand, sometimes I end up pulling an item from the menu due to tepid response, such as deep-fried soft-shell crab.”

A graduate of Bend High, where he was enrolled in the culinary program, and the Oregon Coast Culinary Institute in Coos Bay, Huserik has been in the food business going on 10 years. But his experience goes back to childhood, where “I grew up cooking with my grandmother Deanna.”

Taking the marketing adage about success to heart – “find a niche that hasn’t been filled, and fill it” – Junior’s Grill is the only food truck in Central Oregon specializing in mac & cheese. Huserik has also branched out into catering, with his mac & cheese trays “doing well” for holiday celebrations and local events.

“I know comfort food, both in terms of cooking and eating it, which is why that has remained the focus of Junior’s Grill -- as anyone can find something they like,” he said. “And, some 15 months in and going strong, I thank the La Pine community for all its support.” (Junior’s Grill, located at 51500 U.S. 97 behind Badland’s Distillery, is open Thursday – Saturday, 12 – 6:30 p.m., and Sunday, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. (winter hours). Tel: 541.280.4237.