Chef Amanda Orser is bringing neighborhood sandwich shop LRB Provisions to Durham in a 550-square-foot space at 2009 Guess Road, according to a release. The spot, slated to open later this summer, will offer sandwiches, soups, salads, sides and desserts in a walk-up window style setup.
Orser has experience at other local establishments including Magnolia Grill, Lantern and Littler. She told What Now Charlotte that she has always wanted to open her own restaurant. Initially, she wanted to roll out a dinner-only spot, but once she began brainstorming a lunch spot, the right location fell into place.
“I came and saw this space with the lunch spot in my mind, and it was like, ‘Wow, we can do a lot out of here,’” Orser said. “It just fit in here.”
Orser has a large commercial smoker, allowing her to craft a sandwich menu featuring house-made pastrami, celery root pastrami, al pastor pork loin, smoked trout, grilled paneer with mushroom bacon, confit chicken and other options. Other offerings will include housemade potato chips and the LRB Brookie. On weekends, LRB Provisions will offer brunch boxes with bialys, smoked and cured fish, schmears and pickles.
Orser plans to place an emphasis on local farms and ingredients through her menu. Her venture into the sandwich business is what she feels will differentiate herself from others.
“There’s nothing around here doing the types of sandwiches we are doing,” Orser said.
Orser shared that they also plan to pay homage to The Dog House, the hot dog spot formerly housed at the location, by offering a weekly hot dog option.
Chef Helen Pfann, owner of the now-shuttered The Night Kitchen in Raleigh, will head up the bread and pastry for LRB Provisions, while chef Josh Nichols will bring his experience at Littler and NanaSteak and Picnic to the kitchen at LRB Provisions.
“After 27 years of fine dining experience, I am embracing my first ever lunch shift and am excited to apply the same flavors, techniques and ingredients between two slices of bread,” Orser said. “The best part of being a cook is the people you meet and form relationships with. Reconnecting with customers, farmers, coworkers and so many more is what I am most looking forward to at LRB Provisions.”
