Popular Durham Pop-Up Lutra Brings Its Big Buns to Brunch
Chef Chris McLaurin has amassed a loyal following in the Triangle for his baked goods since popping up as Lutra Bakery in early 2024. He recently announced that Lutra will become a counter-service restaurant in the American Tobacco Campus in Durham by the end of 2025.
McLaurin's pop-up bakeshop offers sweet and savory buns with flavors like strawberry lavender, pistachio lemon, cinnamon vanilla, and pepperoni. The forthcoming brick-and-mortar will offer more variety with breakfast and lunch offerings like biscuits and gravy, eggs Benedict, salads, and sandwiches.
McLaurin, a Chapel Hill native, says he started Lutra with a focus on buns because they reminded him of his childhood. 'It makes me this of Saturday mornings, watching cartoons,' he says, 'My mom made Pillsbury buns, but she would put an orange glaze on them. I always loved those.'
Prior to starting Lutra, McLaurin was the chef de cuisine at Poole'side Pies in Raleigh, before it closed in 2023. Since Lutra launched, McLaurin has sold over 10,000 buns to hungry fans.
If you want a taste of Lutra before the American Tobacco Campus opening, McLaurin is popping up with a brunch series at Indian restaurant Cheeni from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Sundays at 202 Corcoran Street, Suite 100, Durham. Look for sweet and savory buns, granola bowls, breakfast sandwiches, bread pudding, and more.
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