Restaurant Owners Uncorked · Schedulefly

From Brač Island to NC Smoke: Kristina & David Garrison’s 5-Suitcase BBQ Reboot

·49 min·4 clips

They sold everything in Europe and moved to North Carolina with only five suitcases to open a barbecue joint.

Christina Garrison shares her journey from a family circus in the Soviet Union to co-owning Grub Smokehouse in North Carolina with her chef husband. They discuss their move from Europe with five suitcases, the challenges of opening a restaurant post-COVID, and their focus on high-quality, non-traditional barbecue. The conversation highlights themes of resilience, community building, and adapting to the hospitality industry's evolving demands.

As heard by us

A grounded restaurant story built on daily discipline, creative reuse, and the realities of running Grub Smokehouse.

Christina and her husband bring a steady, practical look at Grub Smokehouse, with the 12-day pastrami brine, daily scratch-made desserts, leftover bread turned into bread pudding, and a clear reliance on local farmers and purveyors.

Read the full review in PlayNext →

Why you'd press play

You want a restaurant story with smoke, grit, and practical kitchen decisions.

Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →

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