Grand Ole BBQ Reopens Original North Park Restaurant | Eater San Diego

"It's an overdue homecoming for the acclaimed barbecue destination, which is nearly ready to reopen its North Park flagship after more than three years closed for what was meant to be a relatively quick remodel — keep an eye on the restaurant’s social media for an opening-date announcement. Founded in 2015 by Andy Harris, who turned a lifelong obsession with smoked meat into an instant sensation starting with just a smoker, a few picnic tables and some string lights, the operation has since expanded to a massive 15,000-square-foot restaurant in East County and joined the concessions roster at Petco Park. The renovated North Park location multiplies the outdoor tables and adds a well-appointed dining room decorated with Disney-inspired artwork, a new Toro Islander bar named for the late Nate Soroko with expanded beer taps, three walk-up ordering windows and a satellite patio bar. A 1,000-gallon Texas pit and three grills will cook larger batches of signature smoked meats — tri-tip, brisket, pulled pork, Texas turkey, hot links and ribs — and the bigger kitchen enables more menu items, including new sides like sticky rice and kimchi plus vegan versions of chili, tacos and burgers. Desserts range from ice cream sundaes and dipped cones to tropical Dole Whip and root beer floats made with Abita draft root beer; Sunday asado is returning with chorizo sandwiches and grilled Argentine skirt steak and lamb shoulder, and Harris is bringing back a BYOB policy one day a week." - Candice Woo