Flat Rock has a growing reputation for its culinary offerings, but in recent years, there’s been one element missing—a dedicated breakfast spot. Enter Hubbaloo – Starr Teel’s latest culinary venture which opened this month in the bright green building along the iconic Little Rainbow Row.

A quick glance at Hubbaloo’s menu of classic breakfast favorites and imaginative twists – breakfast tacos anyone? – makes it abundantly clear that Hubbaloo will soon become a cornerstone experience in Flat Rock’s bright and bustling business district. With the launch of Hubbaloo, Starr immediately fills a gap in Flat Rock’s restaurant scene: a cozy, community-driven breakfast and lunch spot. “We had everything in Flat Rock from a bakery to a BBQ joint to a lunch and dinner option, ” Starr explains. “But no place to start the day with a great breakfast.”

Now Flat Rock does.

Starr, of course, is not new to Flat Rock’s food scene. He is best known for his highly successful barbecue restaurant, Hubba Hubba Smokehouse, where locals and visitors alike have enjoyed his mastery of barbecue. He also started and later sold The Flat Rock Village Bakery. Campfire Grill has been a dinner staple for Flat Rock residents and visitors alike since 2020. Indeed, the previous occupant of Hubbaloo’s space was Starr’s Honey & Salt restaurant which was very successful but closed during the pandemic.

Breakfast Done Right

At the core of Hubbaloo’s menu are classic breakfast staples. However, Hubbaloo’s Executive Chef Yasmine Mansukhani and her team are elevating the breakfast experience by focusing on fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Beyond the classics, Hubbaloo will offer also a few creative twists for those looking for a unique breakfast experience. The menu prominently features both artisanal English muffins and creative breakfast tacos

“One of the things we’re most excited about is introducing breakfast tacos,” explains Yasmine. Drawing inspiration from a popular trend across the U.S., Hubbaloo’s breakfast tacos will feature smoked meats from Hubba Hubba, giving them a unique, Southern twist. Smoked brisket and pork options will be wrapped in warm homemade tortillas, all topped with house-made salsas, providing a fresh, bold flavor that complements the richness of the smoked meats.

If Starr Teel is the visionary, Yasmin is the woman charged with making that vision a reality in the Hubbaloo kitchen. With over 25 years in the restaurant industry, Yasmin brings a wealth of training, experience and a passion for culinary excellence. Her journey to becoming the head chef at Hubbaloo started long before she joined Starr’s team.

Born into a family of restaurateurs, Yasmin grew up watching her father run Indian restaurants in Japan and she was immersed in the world of food from a very early age. Yasmin later moved to the United States at age 15 where she finished high school. She then lived in Germany for a time before receiving formal culinary training at Le Cordon Bleu in London where she earned her Grand Diplôme in both patisserie and cuisine.

In the intervening years, Yasmin has worked in a variety of culinary settings, from fine dining resorts to corporate kitchens. Some of her most notable positions include working at The Breakers in Palm Beach and collaborating with Whole Foods to open new stores and fine-tune their prepared foods departments. Most recently, she served as sous chef at The Cliffs at Walnut Cove, where she honed her skills under the guidance of other talented chefs. At Hubbaloo, Yasmin is now eager to put her personal stamp on the menu.

The Menu: Classic Meets Creative

The heart of Hubbaloo’s menu is an intriguing combination of comforting breakfast classics paired with creative, modern touches. While familiar dishes like eggs, pancakes, biscuits and grits will form the backbone of the menu, Starr and Yasmin are keen to push the boundaries and offer something fresh and exciting. She is particularly proud of Hubbaloo’s commitment to homemade items, such as the tortillas made in-house as well as homemade biscuits and baked treats by well-known local pastry chef, Susan Parana. Ultimately, Yasmin’s culinary objective is to offer patrons a dining experience that feels comforting yet special—familiar yet innovative.

Collaborations that Elevate the Experience

One of the hallmarks of Starr’s approach to business is his ability to form strong partnerships with others in the food world. At Hubbaloo, these collaborations have played a critical role in shaping both the menu and the restaurant’s identity. “I'm a connector. The reason I went to culinary school was to be able to help my chefs.”

One key partnership Starr is particularly excited about is with Annabelle Comisar Lyles, a talented baker who owns the very successful Michael’s Muffins in Raleigh. Annabelle, who Starr met through her connection to Green Cove Camp, has developed a thriving business making handmade English muffins, which will be featured prominently in Hubbaloo’s breakfast sandwiches. Starr explained that while making everything in-house is ideal, forming partnerships with people like Annabelle allows Hubbaloo to offer a superior product. The muffins come in several varieties, including rosemary olive oil and sweet potato, and provide a rich, flavorful base for many of Hubbaloo’s signature dishes.

Another collaboration that has deeply influenced Hubbaloo’s development is Starr’s association with Suzanne Vizethann, the chef and owner of Buttermilk Kitchen in Atlanta. Suzanne’s restaurant is well-known for serving award-winning Southern breakfast fare, and Starr has long admired her work. Suzanne, who was named a James Beard Foundation Women’s Entrepreneurial Fellow in 2022, has shared techniques and insights with Starr, particularly helping Hubbaloo perfect its biscuit recipe. Based on early reviews of Hubbaloo’s biscuits, the partnership will be a huge boon to breakfast in Flat Rock.

One of the standout features of the Hubbaloo menu will be breakfast tacos, a dish inspired by the popularity of tacos in various parts of the U.S., but with a distinctly local twist. The tacos will be filled with smoked brisket and pork from Hubba Hubba Smokehouse, creating a flavorful fusion of barbecue and breakfast. Hubbaloo’s tacos are topped with fresh house-made salsas crafted by Yasmine, adding brightness and balance to the rich, smoky meats.

As the Hubbaloo menu continues to evolve, there will be more options for lunch. Look for Hubbaloo to find even more creative ways to incorporate the rich, smoky flavors perfected at Hubba Hubba Smokehouse.

A Community-Driven Experience

Hubbaloo ‘s dining room provides a warm, inviting atmosphere where patrons can relax and enjoy their meals. Whether stopping in for a quick breakfast or lingering over lunch with friends, customers will be greeted by friendly faces and a welcoming environment. Starr wants Hubbaloo to feel like an extension of the community.

Running the front of house will be Marla Looper with operational assistance provided by her husband Brian. Marla and her team will be the face of community at Hubbaloo with a commitment to something Starr refers to as “outrageous hospitality. ” Outrageous, in this case, is a very good thing.

In the final analysis for Starr, creating a restaurant isn’t just about good food—it’s about building a space where people feel welcome and connected. Hubbaloo’s mission is rooted in the idea of community, both in terms of the customers it serves and the team that brings it to life. “I want our customers to feel like they have a sense of place. That is what makes Flat Rock so special,” explains Starr.

And with the opening of Hubbaloo on Rainbow Row, a very special place in the mountains of western North Carolina just got a little more interesting and a lot more flavorful.

Hubbaloo
2730 Greenville Highway
Flat Rock, NC
Hours: Monday to Saturday, 9-1.
www.hubbalooflatrock.com