At 215 E. Wooster St., tucked in the plaza with Jimmy John’s and Eric’s Ice Cream, sits one of Bowling Green’s newest restaurants. Grub Guys is a fast-casual, homemade-from-scratch-style restaurant that opened in mid-July.
Head chef Larry Johnson said Grub Guys has been in the works for around seven years. He said the goal is to give people a healthier choice of food.
“I know how life has gotten busy for people, and I wanted to give a food option that fit that lifestyle, but was a healthier option, a home-cooked option — something that people can relate to that don’t have time to do themselves because they’re busy,” said Johnson.
Johnson said he’s been in the food service industry for 26 years, which is how he developed the recipes he currently serves. However, one of his favorite recipes is one that’s unique to him — he’s not used it at any other restaurant.
“My barbecue rub I’m most proud of. I came up with that recipe years ago and said it was so good that I wasn’t going to let anybody else use it, and now I finally get to use it here, and I’m very happy for that,” Johnson said.
Another specialty menu item, he said, you won’t find anywhere else is his Cheeseburger Bowl.
“The cheeseburger bowl was something that popped into my head as I was writing the menu for this place, and I was really excited about it. I describe it as like an American nacho,” said Johnson.
In addition, his build-a-bowl feature is something else he’s proud of, too.
However, there’s one stipulation to know when placing an order at Grub Guys — there are no chairs or seating, but there’s good reasoning behind it.
“It’s for that very same reason of a busy life — people have things they want to do, and they want to be at home,” said Johnson. “Going out to eat is nice, but you have to wait half an hour to be sat, then you have to wait another hour before you get your order in and it comes out to your table. With Grub Guys, you get that restaurant-quality food in a quick-serve avenue.”
The restaurant is a family business as Johnson’s children and younger brother work there. Likewise, his ex-brother-in-law, Michael Drane, is his business partner and operational general manager of the store.
Drane said he’s known Johnson since he was in high school, and Johnson even worked for Drane when Drane worked with BGSU Dining Services several years ago.
Drane said finally seeing Johnson’s vision come to life is something he’s proud of.
“It’s absolutely amazing — I’ve known this guy since he was in PENTA trying to learn how to cook in high school. So, seeing him live out his dream and being able to be a part of it is amazing,” Drane said.
Johnson’s decision to open his own restaurant in Bowling Green was not a random choice — it’s a location he’s proud to be in.
“We spent a good amount of our lives here. We raised our families here, and to me, it’s only appropriate that our family gives back, and that’s to our community,” Johnson said.
Though Bowling Green may be a dedicated college town several months out of the year, both Drane and Johnson said they also serve another population in addition to the students. They said they’ve had several older community members who live by themselves stop in to get a home-cooked meal from time to time.
However, Johnson said he does have a message to the college student community that he hopes they hear.
“That home cooking that you’re going to miss while you’re in the dorms and you can’t do yourself —you can get here. The macaroni and cheese, those mashed potatoes, the gravy — the things your mom makes for you at home that you can’t do in the dorms, you can get here,” he said.
Grub Guys offers pickup or delivery. To view the menu or to see their hours, visit their website.
