Karinas Homestyle Grill
Formally known as "Chunky Salsa"
Same great service &
even better food
Karinas Homestyle Grill
Formally known as "Chunky Salsa"
Same great service &
even better food
About Us
"Country Roads take me home"
Chef and owner Karina Lopez has been rooted in Grissett Town, Brunswick County since 1989. Growing up in the Carolinas, Karina learned early on that food is a powerful expression of love. Raised on biscuits and sweet tea, she developed a deep appreciation for southern cuisine. After watching Fried Green Tomatoes, her passion for cooking was ignited, though it would be serval years before
that dream became a reality.
During her upbringing, Lopez recognized that she had a unique perspective. While deeply influenced by Southern traditions, she also began to reconnect with her Latin heritage-an experience that would shape her culinary identity. This fusion inspired her to begin creating original dishes at a young age, blending flavors and cultures. Her creativity and bold approach to food became evident early on and would soon become a household name.
In September of 2020, amid a global pandemic, Lopez identified a growing need for comfort and connection through food. As a community's faced isolation and limited dining potion, she stepped in to provide meals that brought both quality and comfort. Shortly thereafter, she partnered with Corey Alford-known for his distinctive style and shared passion for food-forming a collaboration grounded in creativity and dedication to the craft.
With 20 plus years of experience in the some of the best restaurants in Brunswick County, Lopez and Alford combined their knowledge and passion for the culinary arts and are excited to present their vision., in expanding the tent of Chunky Salsa to an eatery.
Everyone wants to know " Why the rebrand, why the name change?"
Since 2020, we operated under the name Chunky Salsa, a concept created solely from Karina Lopez. At the time, little consideration was given to how her Latin heritage and the restaurant's name might place both Lopez and her establishment into a narrowly defined "Mexican restaurant" category. Over time, this perception created a snowball effect. Whenever Lopez attempted to expand beyond those expectations and demonstrate her broader capabilities, she was often told to "stay in her lane." As a chef, she also grew increasingly frustrated with guest assumptions about what Mexican cuisine should be, as well as the expectation of complimentary items such as chips and salsa. As Lopez has stated, "People wouldn't recognize authentic Latin cuisine if it truly made an impact."
While Karina Lopez may appear, at first glance, to fit a certain cultural expectation, her culinary identity is deeply rooted in Southern influence. She takes pride in that duality. At the same time, she became discouraged by individuals who attempted to take credit for her success or benefit from her hard work.
Her journey required significant personal sacrifice. From sleeping on restaurant floors while preparing for busy events and holidays to exhausting her saving and damaging her credit, Lopez carried the full weight of building her business. Time with family and friends was often sacrificed in pursuit of her vision.
For these reasons, when it came time to rebrand, she chose to name the restaurant after herself- a reflection of the resilience, sacrifice, passion, and dedication that define her story.
Our Culinary Philosophy
At Karina's Homestyle grill, we celebrate a rich culinary heritage rooted in Southern traditions and Latin influences. Chef Karina Lopez's passion for blending flavors creates a unique dining experience that honors her roots and culinary creativity. She spends some morning swing by the family produce stand "W. W Grissett Farm's", to retrieve fresh ingredients. The menu will continue to rotate, and will always operate as food truck style daily, "ONCE WE ARE OUT, WE ARE OUT"!