Bubba’s Gas & Grill, a no-frills, family-run counter spot from Blowing Rock natives Austin and Mike Northern, has quietly fired up the flat top at 7816 Valley Boulevard. The daytime cafe is packed with car memorabilia, a nod to Mike Northern’s longtime passion for all things on four wheels, and its walls are anchored by a hand-painted mural from Austin’s mother, Molly Northern. The name pays tribute to Austin’s 55-pound burnadoodle, Bubba, and the owners say breakfast service is slated to roll out in the coming weeks.
“Hospitality has always been part of what we do,” Austin Northern said, tying the new venture to the family’s long-running tradition of welcoming locals and visitors alike. Bubba’s marked its official arrival with a ribbon-cutting on Friday and opened with a straight-shooting menu of combos: burgers, hot dogs and chicken tenders, each served with fries, salad or okra. The Northerns also told reporters they hope to host car-focused events this summer as part of the restaurant’s community programming, according to the Watauga Democrat.
Where to find Bubba’s and when it’s open
Bubba’s lists its address and contact details on the official site, which shows 7816 Valley Blvd and phone (828) 372-9222 on Bubba’s Gas & Grill. Local listings from the Blowing Rock Chamber also include the business and show public hours as 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., with lunch served from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. That chamber listing is a public directory entry for the new shop and can differ from a business’s initial operating schedule.
Part of a local hospitality family
Austin’s latest restaurant work builds on an existing local footprint. He co-founded Blue Deer Cookies with his wife, Callie, a small sweets operation profiled by High Country Press. The Northerns also operate Daniel & The Dog, a bar and small-plates spot inside Boone’s 1850 Hotel that lists its address and hours on its website, Daniel & The Dog.
For now, Bubba’s reads as a straightforward, hometown counter for visitors and regulars on Valley Boulevard, serving quick comfort food with a built-in family backstory. Look for updates on hours and special events on the restaurant’s social pages and official site as the team settles into its latest corner of the High Country dining scene.
