Just Rollin’ owner hangs up food truck keys to open Matteo’s Gourmet Cafe

After about of year of operating the food truck Just Rollin’, Matthew Meyer is settling down with his brick-and-mortar restaurant, Matteo’s Gourmet Cafe.

Though the cuisine of egg rolls and tacos he once offered at his truck is expected to be different, Meyer is excited for the next chapter as a business owner.

“I have always wanted to be an entrepreneur,” Meyer said. “It keeps calling me at a distance. Third time’s a charm.”

The cafe is expected to open Dec. 30.

Located inside Crovetti Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine, 2779 W. Horizon Ridge Parkway, the new cafe is expected to feature paninis, wraps, salads and other health options.

“I think the vision goes along with the center,” Meyer said. “It’s a lot of healthy options made from scratch.”

Dr. Michael Crovetti said the cafe complements the center’s mission.

“We do everything first-class,” he said. “I think this will add to that. It is way more gourmet than a typical deli.”

Meyer found out about the location’s opening through catering opportunities.

“We got this location by luck,” he said.

This isn’t Meyer’s first try at an establishment.

His first experience running a restaurant was in 2008 when he opened Matteo’s Cafe in Henderson.

The restaurant fell on hard times and was open only nine months.

Still having a passion to serve food, Meyer continued catering with his business Matteo’s Gourmet Food Services LLC.

In 2012, he decided to try his luck at having a food truck.

Just Rollin’ featured food from different countries and regions rolled into a wonton-like wrapper and fried.

Anne Guevarra, Meyer’s wife and No. 1 supporter, said it started slowly.

“It had its ups and downs, which is the nature of the beast,” she said. “It could be difficult to find parking or getting into events. You were always at the mercy of the streets. If you got a flat tire on the way to an event, you never knew if you’d be late or miss it altogether.”

But opportunity opened along the way.

Guevarra said the first big break was being at a local food festival, where the truck attracted a lot of business and fans.

Even though the ball was rolling and the truck was developing a customer base, Meyer was tired of some of the obstacles that came with a food truck, such as hauling propane or never having a steady location.

Guevarra was sad when Meyer decided to sell the truck this year, but she is excited for this new venture.

“If I knew how to cook, I would have kept it going,” she said.

Meyer said compared to his first restaurant, the process of setting up the new cafe was easier since it was already established as a cafe.

“It’s a thousand times easier,” he said.

He also has a business partner, John Oh.

Even though Meyer said he will miss having a more extensive kitchen, he is excited to be stationary.

“It’s great to be back in a location,” he added.

He said he still gets people asking about Just Rollin’ and hopes they check out his new venture.

Guevarra and Meyer think this is just the beginning.

“Maybe once he is established here, he can try another round with the food truck,” Guevarra said.

Meyer is already looking toward the future but doesn’t know how lasting the food truck industry will be.

“Maybe not a food truck,” he said. “I was thinking more a van with a pop-up window with wraps and healthy options on the go.”

Matteo’s Gourmet Cafe is expected to be open from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, closed Saturday and Sunday.

For more information, visit mgourmet.com.

Contact Henderson/Anthem View reporter Michael Lyle at mlyle@viewnews.com or 702-387-5201.