Glen Powell’s new condiment brand has been a smashing success so far — and the actor sat down with Us Weekly to share all of his most controversial food opinions.
“I mean, I would say that no one’s ever really mastered the art of eating a lobster. I would say probably don’t do that,” Powell, 36, jokingly shared when asked about his go-to first date meals — and the ones he never orders — in his My Life in Food feature in the latest issue of Us Weekly, on newsstands now. “Oysters are always a good move. I would say that eating those pork ribs sounds like a pretty scary thing for a first date to witness. They probably won’t understand it until we’re deep in the relationship.”
The self proclaimed sauce lover — “If this goes well, on my next car, the license plate’s gonna say ‘Sauce Boss,’” he joked to Us — launched his first-ever brand venture, a line of organic pantry staples called Smash Kitchen, earlier this month, and the actor didn’t hold back when it came to sharing unexpected favorites.
“I’ve heard the weirdest things. I had a person that was like, ‘Yeah, I put ketchup on blueberries,’” he told Us of the process of launching the brand. “I’ve actually started loving ketchup on waffles. If you do the chicken and waffles with some hot honey ketchup, it’s fire.”
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While Us can’t necessarily cosign those particular flavor combos, we an attest our Smash Kitchen favorites like hot honey ketchup and spicy mayonnaise bring something unique to the table — or BBQ grill.
For Powell, the inspiration for the brand came from home.
“As a kid in Texas, obviously, barbeque sauce is king, and the family was always making their own barbeque sauce and mixing things and trying new stuff out to spice it up,” Powell told Us. “It was always part of the fabric of the family. Most of my favorite memories with my family all happened in the kitchen.”
Keep scrolling for more fun food insights from Powell — including the secret to his perfect margarita:
What is a dish or a sauce that you feel like is underappreciated?
The fun part about messing around with condiments is when you share your favorites with people, they start telling you what they put stuff on. I’ve heard the weirdest things. I had a person that was like, ‘Yeah, I put ketchup on blueberries.’ I’ve actually started loving ketchup on waffles. If you do the chicken and waffles with some hot honey ketchup, it’s fire.
What snack are you most obsessed with?
Obviously, I’m obsessed with my dog Brisket, but I’m also obsessed with the actual meat. I like to put brisket on my breakfast taco. So I like to do a little scrambled eggs, a little slice of brisket or some chopped up brisket. Then you put some jalapeños and some hot sauce or barbecue sauce on it and call it a day.
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What would be your last meal on Earth?
Honestly, I’m a big pork rib guy. I think I may hold the record for most ribs eaten at the Salt Lick [BBQ] in Driftwood, Texas. The amount of ribs that I can take down is pretty extraordinary stuff. I would probably die very full after some pork ribs.
What is a country’s cuisine that you love the most and why?
Indian food. That’s some really good stuff. What’s been really fun is a lot of our mustards, the Dijon and the regular mustard, you can throw in with curry. It’s really good with curry. I’ve always been a spice guy, so anything that’s south of the border, I’ve always been really into. Growing up in Texas, I love Tex-Mex and Mexican food as well. The spicier the better, usually, for me.
What would be your perfect Mexican meal?
I make a mean guac. So we start off with some homemade guac, and I love the grill, so I’d probably grill some fajitas for everybody — some fresh onions and peppers, and then some homemade Texas queso. That’s my sister’s department. She would contribute to that. And then maybe follow it up with some fried ice cream. Maybe a little tequila as well.
What makes the perfect margarita?
One of my favorite things to put in a margarita is crushed jalapeño. What I always do when I make drinks for people at my place is crush fresh jalapeños and an orange slice. It’s really, really good. You get that sweet and spice.
What food didn’t you like as a kid?
I was never really big on cheese, although I do eat pizza. But there’s a large amount of cheeses that I find really gross. But I do eat pizza, so I don’t know exactly what that sensitivity is. Maybe it’s a texture thing, but yeah, you’ll notice I get very picky about cheese.
What do you order on a first date — or NOT order on a first date?
I mean, I would say that no one’s ever really mastered the art of eating a lobster. I would say, probably, don’t do that. Oysters are always a good move. I would say that eating those pork ribs sounds like a pretty scary thing for a first date to witness. They probably won’t understand it until we’re deep in the relationship.
Do you have a favorite cooking show?
I don’t think there’s anybody that’s not a Top Chef fan. I think that’s the go-to. I am getting to sit down with Martha Stewart, and I’m really excited. That’s a big deal for my family and me — who doesn’t love Martha Stewart? I’m very excited to talk to her about Smash and maybe even get some tips. [Spoiler alert: he did!]
Smash Kitchen is now available exclusively at Walmart and on Walmart.com.
