Bubba's Gas & Grill Rolls Onto Valley Blvd With Hometown Heat

New family-run counter spot in Boone, NC serves burgers, hot dogs and chicken tenders with a side of car memorabilia.

Mar. 14, 2026 at 4:06pm

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Bubba's Gas & Grill, a new counter spot from Blowing Rock natives Austin and Mike Northern, has opened at 7816 Valley Boulevard in Boone, North Carolina. The restaurant is packed with car memorabilia and features a hand-painted mural from Austin's mother, Molly Northern. The name pays tribute to Austin's 55-pound burnadoodle, Bubba. Bubba's offers a straight-shooting menu of burgers, hot dogs and chicken tenders, each served with fries, salad or okra. The owners plan to host car-focused events this summer as part of the restaurant's community programming.

Why it matters

Bubba's Gas & Grill represents a new addition to the dining scene in Boone, North Carolina, a popular tourist destination in the High Country region. The restaurant's focus on classic comfort food and car culture appeals to both locals and visitors, and its family-run, community-oriented approach aligns with the town's small-town charm.

The details

Bubba's Gas & Grill is a new counter spot opened by Blowing Rock natives Austin and Mike Northern. The restaurant is located at 7816 Valley Boulevard in Boone and is packed with car memorabilia, a nod to Mike Northern's longtime passion for all things automotive. The walls feature a hand-painted mural from Austin's mother, Molly Northern. The name pays tribute to Austin's 55-pound burnadoodle, Bubba. Bubba's offers a menu of burgers, hot dogs and chicken tenders, each served with fries, salad or okra. The owners plan to host car-focused events this summer as part of the restaurant's community programming.

  • Bubba's Gas & Grill officially opened on Friday, March 14, 2026 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
  • Breakfast service is slated to roll out at Bubba's in the coming weeks.

The players

Bubba

Austin Northern's 55-pound burnadoodle, who the restaurant is named after.

Austin Northern

Co-owner of Bubba's Gas & Grill, who also co-founded Blue Deer Cookies and operates Daniel & The Dog bar and small-plates spot.

Mike Northern

Co-owner of Bubba's Gas & Grill and Austin Northern's brother, with a longtime passion for cars.

Molly Northern

Austin Northern's mother, who created the hand-painted mural that anchors the walls of Bubba's Gas & Grill.

Callie

Austin Northern's wife, with whom he co-founded Blue Deer Cookies.

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What they’re saying

“Hospitality has always been part of what we do”

— Austin Northern, Co-owner, Bubba's Gas & Grill

What’s next

Bubba's Gas & Grill plans to roll out breakfast service in the coming weeks and host car-focused events this summer as part of the restaurant's community programming.

The takeaway

Bubba's Gas & Grill represents a new family-run, community-oriented addition to the dining scene in Boone, North Carolina, offering classic comfort food and a celebration of car culture that appeals to both locals and visitors.