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New BBQ restaurant opens in Morrow

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By Justin McClelland, Staff Writer 3:02 PM Tuesday, May 5, 2009

From the Army mess halls to the winding roads of Morrow, Greg Collin’s journey and his special secret barbecue sauce have taken many twists and turns.

Now both have found a home at Grumpy’s Grill in Morrow, where, despite the name, a jolly face and a sweet, spicy sauce await a hungry mouth.

“I’ve always cooked,” said Collins, who owns the restaurant with three of his siblings. “From the time I was a teenager I’d cook for my little brothers and sisters.”

After growing up in Middletown, Collins joined the Army, where he landed a cooking assignment.

“The volume of food was unbelievable,” Collins said. “We got up before everybody else to make it and stayed up later scrubbing these giant pots that a whole person could fit into.”

After leaving the army, Collins moved to Maineville but also traveled, pursuing his love of cooking while working at other jobs.

It was on his journey that he first developed his speciality barbecue sauce, which he calls “Ohio BBQ.” He said the recipe was culled together from friends and grilling mentors from as far out as California. Collins also hand built a grill, which he has used to cater parties and gatherings for the past five years.

When Collins was laid off from teaching commercial truck driving, he realized it was finally his chance to pursue his dream of running his own restaurant.

“I always went back to cooking,” Collins said. “Rather it was relief or passion it just made me feel good.”

Grumpy’s Grill, located at 6005 East U.S. 22 and Ohio 3, Morrow, offers pulled pork and ribs, along with hot dogs and hamburgers. Collins said a key goal was to provide inexpensive dining and most meals cost around $5. Besides expanding his love of cooking, Collins said the restaurant is a chance to spend time with his family, who work with him at the grill.

“I’ve always had a make it happen attitude, which I got from my dad,” Collins said. “It felt like it was time to live out my dream. When I told my wife I’d been laid off, she knew I was going to cook.”

Collins said he’s been known as Grumpy since he was 12, but in truth he is out-going and jolly.

“It’s just a nickname that’s stuck with me based on one bad day,” Collins said. “I love dealing with people”

Just don’t ask him for the recipe for his barbecue sauce.

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