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Heather Bublick

@heatherbublick

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CEO & Sommelier @soulandsmoke ❤️‍🔥
A BBQ Empire in the Making
Mom to 👧🏽👼🏽👧🏽
JBF WEL Alum 25
Community Activist
Art Curator
🏠 5th Ward Evanston

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The holidays are meant to be a time for warmth, love, and shared meals. Every year, Soul & Smoke partners with local nonprofits like Family Focus and Connections for the Homeless to help make sure families in our community can gather around the table with dignity and joy. Supported by community donations, we normally provide 250 Thanksgiving meals to families in need - no questions asked.

Because of the government shutdown, SNAP benefits are being taken away from nearly 2 million people in Illinois, almost half of which are families with children or people with disabilities. In Evanston alone, it is estimated that nearly 3,000 kids will be losing SNAP benefits. On top of this is widespread fear in immigrant communities due to the increased ICE activity, as well as tens of thousands of Illinois federal workers heading into the holidays without a paycheck. A large portion of our community needs help now more than ever.

The Soul & Smoke Foundation, a registered 501(c)(3), is ready to activate.

We’re committed to feeding as many families as we can this Thanksgiving and throughout the holiday season. But we can’t do it alone. Your generosity makes a direct, tangible impact.
👉How you can help:
💛 Make a donation to help us fund holiday meals for local families
🛒 Add meals or groceries directly to our Community Fridge and Pantry
📣 Share this message with your community to help us reach more people

Every dollar raised goes directly toward feeding families in our community — no hurdles, no barriers, just food and love. This Thanksgiving, let’s come together to make sure every family has a seat at the table, no matter their circumstances. Food is love. Food is hope. Food is community.

Do you or someone you know need a meal for Thanksgiving? Please email us at team@soulandsmoke.com and let us know, we would love to help. If you need food ASAP, please come visit our community fridge at 1601 Payne St. in Evanston. Soul & Smoke, a network of neighbors, and Evanston Community Fridges volunteers work hard to make sure food is added multiple times per day. The fridge is open 24/7 and is available to anyone in need, no questions asked. by @heatherbublick

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a year ago

This week I had the honor and privilege of speaking at a behind the business chat with @letstalkwomxnchi. I am so thankful for the friendship and community LTW has given me. Entrepreneurship can be lonely.

Thank you to, to @deyrohini for always pushing me to tell mine and @soulandsmoke’s story and to be louder.

After loosing Avery, I really went into my shell. I stopped taking meetings, I stopped doing customer consultations, I more or less, stopped talking.

The last two years, I have really tried to come out more and be the hospitality professional, I’m supposed to be. She knows what I’ve over come and always applies a constant gentle pressure. I’m forever greatful.

Also, these chats are wonderful. They’ve been inspiring and really help to bring us all together. We’re hosting four more this month, every Thursday from 5-8 at @vermilionchicago. Please come. taken in SanctuaryChicago by @heatherbublick

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3 years ago

We’re getting rid of tipping!

Our goal is to fairly compensate our team for their work while separating ourselves from the negative historical practices surrounding tipping.

At Soul & Smoke, we pride ourselves on using high-quality ingredients, paying our staff well, composting, using eco-friendly disposables, and giving back to our community - we've provided almost 350,000 community meals since 2020!

We recognize the importance of value, and feel that further price adjustments to our menu could risk our competitive standing within the market. Moving forward, we’re instituting an 8% service charge at our counter service restaurants and for catering orders and 18% service charge for food truck and full service catering. There will not be an option to add an additional gratuity to any checks.

This service fee will be distributed to all of our employees. From delivery drivers, to dishwashers, to the kitchen team and cashiers- based on the number of hours worked each week. We will also continue to pay our employees a living wage, provide paid time off, health + dental insurance, retirement savings, and other ancillary benefits.

We appreciate your support as we continue striving to establish an environment that is welcoming, inclusive, and considerate of all individuals.

If you would like the service charge removed from your bill, please let us know.

—Heather, D’Andre and the @soulandsmoke team

❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥 by @heatherbublick

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3 years ago

By far this is the best one.
#hotellobby taken in Hotel Lobby by @heatherbublick

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5 days ago

Unc & Phew could never. 😂🎤 by @heatherbublick

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7 days ago

Happy National Food Service Workers Day! ❤️

Everything we do at Soul & Smoke is possible because of the incredible people behind it.

From the kitchen and the pit to the dining room, catering, events, trucks, and everywhere in between—our team shows up every day with hard work, talent, care, and a whole lot of heart.

We couldn’t do what we do without them, and we’re so thankful for each and every one of them—today and every day. ❤️

Stop by and say hi to the team!

Food is Love. Food is Hope. Food is Community. by @heatherbublick

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7 days ago

We’ve officially been open for three weeks! ❤️

We’re so incredibly thankful for the restaurant community that has already come out to support us.

Opening this restaurant has been a long time coming, and getting to finally share this version of Soul & Smoke with people we admire has made these first few weeks even more special.

Thank you for showing up for us. We feel the love. ❤️ taken in Soul & Smoke by @heatherbublick

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7 days ago

Its @chicagobears opening day at @soldierfield and you know you can find us all day in section 312! Stop by for our famous brisket nachos, cheddar brats, rib tips and more!

Head over to Evanston if you’re looking to watch the game and enjoy some great BBQ!!

BEAR DOWN 🐻⬇️ taken in Soldier Field by @heatherbublick

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12 days ago

We’ve been so busy getting settled in that I’m just now getting a chance to share some of these.

A couple weeks ago we had our Friends & Family practice service at Soul & Smoke. Family, friends, a full dining room, the kitchen moving, drinks going across the bar — exactly what we needed before really getting into it.

It was a practice run, but it felt like a real moment for us. After everything it took to get this room open, seeing people sitting down, eating, laughing and enjoying themselves felt good.

We learned a lot, made some adjustments, and most importantly the team got to work through service together. taken in Evanston, Illinois by @heatherbublick

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17 days ago

EVANSTON! We’re officially OPEN! 🔥

All-Day BBQ Menu
Dinner Specials starting at 4PM
Reservations available exclusively on Resy

We’ve waited a long time to say this: Welcome to Soul & Smoke Evanston. ❤️

You’ve never seen barbecue like this. taken in Soul & Smoke by @heatherbublick

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a month ago

Yesterday, we stepped away from the restaurant for the morning to deliver the keynote address at the City of Chicago’s Business Resource Expo, hosted by @chicagobacp .

It was an honor to share our story of growth and resilience—and a privilege to use what we’ve learned along the way to inspire and support the next generation of entrepreneurs. ❤️ taken in Malcolm X College by @heatherbublick

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a month ago

It’s tiiiime… in our best Mariah Carey voice! 🎶

Reservations are officially live, exclusively on Resy. We can’t wait to welcome you! ❤️🔥 by @heatherbublick

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a month ago