Bubbacue set for second Belfast site

Bubbacue, the Belfast-based restaurant business, is to open a second branch in the city at a location on Botanic Avenue formerly occupied by Café Renoir.

John Blissard, the American who owns the Bubbacue brand, said recently that he hoped to see the south Belfast branch opened by the middle of June.

The new restaurant will be a copy of the existing outlet at Callender Street in the city centre and will generate around 15 new jobs.

Mr Blissard, who formerly owned the successful burrito chain, Boojum, said that he had jumped at the chance to open in the new location:

“The building became available and Botanic is a great spot, as we knew with Boojum,” he added. “We thought that our offering, our product and brand would be a good match for the students and young professionals.”

Since opening as a pop-up in 2012, Bubbacue has been a cult favourite among fast-casual diners, primarily because of the slow smoked barbecue cooking techniques it has imported from the American south.

Bubbacue also serves its own beer brand. Known as Bubbabrew, it is made for the restaurant by Boundary Brewing in Belfast.