Former Magnolia Grill chef transforms old Durham hot dog joint into sandwich shop
The smoker is named Gertrude at the upcoming LRB Provisions in Durham, the first restaurant from esteemed local chef Amanda Orser.
“Gertie is going to be a workhorse,” Orser said, sharing plans of housemade pastrami and smoked fish.
Over a 27-year career, Orser has worked in some of the Triangle’s very best kitchens. She spent a decade in Durham’s iconic Magnolia Grill, rising to chef de cuisine for owners Ben and Karen Barker. Later she cooked at Lantern in Chapel Hill and then served as opening chef at Littler, leading the kitchen for half a decade until the pandemic.
Now Orser is taking on a new challenge: the lunch shift.
“I’ve literally never worked a breakfast, lunch or brunch shift in 27 years in the kitchen,” Orser said.
LRB Provisions takes its name from the Ellerbe Creek that winds through most of Durham. Orser has transformed a legendary location of the frankfurter stand The Dog House at 2009 Guess Road into a gourmet walk-up for lunches and weekend brunch.
Orser said she was inspired by restaurants like Ricky Moore’s original Saltbox Seafood Joint on Mangum Street in proving ambitious food could be served out of a takeout window and a tiny kitchen.
“I tell people it’s bigger than you think,” Orser said of the 550-square-foot building. “It’s basically all kitchen.”
LRB Provision’s sandwich, soup & dessert menu
The LRB menu will feature sandwiches like pastrami on housemade bread, al pastor pork loin and grilled paneer cheese with mushroom bacon. Seasonal soups might include heirloom tomato gazpacho and sides like homemade potato chips.
For dessert look for a brown butter “brookie” made with dark chocolate, smoked oats, pepitas and a sprinkle of flaky salt.
In a nod to The Dog House, Orser plans to have a “Throwback Thursday” hot dog special, rotating in Coney Island style dogs, bratwursts and other classic bangers.
On the weekends, LRB will offer brunch boxes to take home or to a picnic, filled with bialys, smoked fish, cream cheese and pickles. As the restaurant gets its legs, LRB will offer take home entrees, snacks and sides, plus retail beer and wine.
Orser notes with pride the size of the parking lot, 22 marked spaces, after most recently navigating the parking woes of downtown Durham.
Joining Orser in LRB are Helen Pfann, formerly of the Night Kitchen in Raleigh and Magnolia Grill, and Josh Nichols, whose resume includes Littler, NanaSteak and Picnic.
LRB joins one of the Triangle’s most exciting food trends, where accomplished fine dining chefs take on casual comfort food. This new golden age of sandwich shops includes places like Ideal’s, (ish) Delicatessen and Alimentari at Mothers & Sons.
For her first restaurant, Orser always imagined it would be fine dining dinner service, but the combination of timing and location led to LRB Provisions.
“I think the area just wanted it; people are turning to a more casual environment,” Orser said. “They’re embracing the casual and not just the white table cloth restaurants....I think everybody loves a good sandwich.”
When does LRB Provisions open?
LRB Provisions is expected to open in late summer.
To follow its progress, visit instagram.com/lrbprovisions.
This story was originally published July 9, 2025 at 9:16 AM.
