Meet Anita Hsu | Owner-Partner of Sweet Auburn Barbecue, Gezzo’s Brands, Tio Lucho’s, and Lazy Betty

We had the good fortune of connecting with Anita Hsu and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Anita, what role has risk played in your life or career?
Risk-taking is a natural part of life—everyone engages in it to some degree, though some are more risk-averse than others. Entrepreneurs, by nature, are risk-takers, and I come from a long line of them. My great-grandparents sent my maternal grandmother from China to Malaysia to live with my grandfather’s family, with the hope that they would eventually marry. They did this to help her escape the oppression of the Cultural Revolution, fully aware that they might never see her again.

My mother immigrated to the U.S. in her twenties without knowing a single person and with very limited English. She left behind everything familiar in pursuit of the American dream and went on to open the first Chinese restaurant in Henry County—truly a pioneer.

I’ve had a lot of inspiration that’s made me comfortable with taking risks. Every risk I’ve taken has been grounded in a belief in my ability to face and overcome the challenges that may follow. I carefully analyze each situation, consider the worst-case scenario, and ask myself if—and how—I would handle it. In that way, I approach risk with calculation, not recklessness.

Only 3 out of 10 restaurants make it through their first year, and of those, just 50% last five years. Every restaurant opening has been a risk—but I choose to shift the perspective, treating each challenge as an opportunity.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I co-own four unique restaurant brands: Sweet Auburn BBQ, Lazy Betty, Tio Lucho’s, and Gezzo’s West Coast Burritos.

I’m proud of each brand because they authentically reflect a different part of who we are and what we love about food and hospitality.  Sweet Auburn BBQ is approachable and creative — we take traditional Southern BBQ and infuse it with Asian flavors and techniques. Lazy Betty is refined and elegant, offering a thoughtful and elevated dining experience. Tio Lucho’s is playful and vibrant, proudly celebrating Peruvian culture through bold, locally sourced dishes.
Gezzo’s draws inspiration from our family roots in California and time spent in Hawaii — think beach culture, art, and health-forward food that’s flavorful and fresh.

I love people.  And it’s very rewarding to build brands that are all about relationships.  What ties all our brands together is that they’re not just about a meal — they’re about an experience and creating memories.  We create spaces where people can connect, celebrate, and feel a sense of belonging. Our food tells a story — it brings people together and honors both tradition and innovation.

My work is exciting in so many ways. At Sweet Auburn BBQ, I feel like I’m part of a living culinary history. We’re reimagining traditional BBQ through the lens of Asian influences — flavors that reflect my heritage and upbringing. The beauty of food is that it evolves over generations. Mac and cheese, for example, is a dish shaped by many cultures and countless shared meals. Even pasta, which we think of as quintessentially Italian, was influenced by Asian noodle-making traditions brought to Europe through trade routes like those traveled by Marco Polo.

When I first opened Gezzo’s, we introduced grilled fish tacos, and at the time, guests didn’t quite understand the concept — they barely sold. Fast forward 20 years, and those tacos are one of our best-sellers. We’ve continued to build on that momentum with new items like our Coconut Curry Chicken Rice Bowl and Smoked Brisket Burrito.

At Tio Lucho’s, our chef and co-owner Arnaldo Castillo is creating beautiful, deeply flavorful Peruvian dishes using seasonal, local ingredients. Right now, we have items like Lomo Saltado Croque Monsieur and Ceviche with Sea Island Red Peas on the menu — dishes that are both rooted in tradition and creatively forward-thinking. I often wonder if dishes like our Smoked Chinese Char Siu Ribs or Pimento Cheese Wontons will one day become staples of the Southern food scene. People are more open than ever to trying global flavors, and it’s truly exciting to be part of that culinary evolution.

We’re also thrilled about what’s coming next. We have invited local Latin musicians to play on select summer Fridays in our whimsical and floral patio!  For an intimate hands-on experience, we are doing chef-led Ceviche Sessions where guests experience and learn how we make our ceviche and enjoy a chef’s special menu.  Also, Chef Arnaldo is developing a sister concept to Tio Lucho’s called Hermanita (Spanish for “Little Sister”), which will focus on Pollo a la Brasa — grilled whole, half, or quartered chicken served with Parrillera and Aji Verde sauces. The menu will include fresh salads, Peruvian rice and beans, Chef A’s special mac & cheese, and other low-key, comforting dishes that are perfect for everyday meals. We’ve had a few successful pop-ups at Tio Lucho’s already, and we’re excited to expand to Wild Heaven Brewery in June. We’ll also be offering Hermanita via DoorDash and Uber Eats.

And finally, Sweet Auburn BBQ and Gezzo’s are back on the festival scene! After taking a break during COVID, we’re ready to party again. Look for us at music festivals, sports tournaments, and concerts throughout the summer and fall. We’ll be serving up new Asian Smokehouse dishes like our Chinese Meat & Three — smoked char siu pork with smashed garlic cucumbers and bok choy over jasmine rice — and a special family recipe from my Aunt Nancy: Smoked Beef Brisket Rendang, served over jasmine rice with fresh herbs and pickled summer vegetables. Look for our fresh Coconut Curry Rice Bowls, West Coast Burritos, and Grilled Tacos from Gezzo’s!  You’ll be able to find us dishing these out from our food truck or straight off the smoker!  We are also hosting ongoing Monthly Mahjong nights at Sweet Auburn BBQ.  These super fun events are a tribute to our parents (and my) favorite pastime, and it’s a great way to bring our community together over BBQ and games!

Opening a restaurant is always challenging. When I first started, I knew little about lease negotiation, site selection, or branding. The key challenge has been learning how to ensure our restaurants thrive while managing time effectively and deciding when to delegate tasks.

Each new location brings its own hurdles, requiring precise decision-making as time becomes more valuable. I’ve learned from past mistakes and strive to remain humble and curious, asking for help when needed. I’m grateful for my talented team, who excel in many areas, allowing me to lead effectively.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I would take them to North Georgia for a few days. There is nothing better during the summer in Georgia than spending a hot, sunny day on Lake Rabun or Lake Burton. The water is clear and cool, and the air is refreshing.

Since I love to cook, I would visit the Dekalb Farmers Market, Grant Park Farmers Market, or Freedom Park Farmers Market to pick up some summer vegetables, cheeses, and meats before heading North. I would use these to make simple salads, sandwiches, and spreads. I’d also stop by Madeira Park to grab a bottle of wine and Collette Bakery for pastries and bread.

Downtown Clayton is adorable and a great place to shop or grab a drink or ice cream. I’d take them tubing in Helen down a lazy river. On the way back from the lake, I’d pop into a casual place on Buford Highway that doesn’t mind lake attire, like Nam Phuong or Kamayan, and later visit my friend Chef Andy’s restaurant, Xian Gourmet House, for some fantastic hand-pulled noodles.

Back in Atlanta, I would take them to the Atlanta Botanical Gardens to enjoy their beautiful rotating exhibits. My dog, Tater, would join us for a relaxing hike along the Chattahoochee River at Sweetwater Park. I would also check out any of SCAD Show’s rotating exhibits featuring talented emerging artists.

I’d call my friend Celesta from House of Mahjong to help organize a game night at home. I would invite Skye Estroff of Skye’s the Limit, Stephanie Smith of Two Sided Southern, and Erica Thomas of Eating with Erica to join us. These women embody Southern hospitality and would effortlessly ensure my guests have a great time! They are experts on what’s trending, fun, and delicious in Atlanta.
Any friend of mine would love talking about food and having fun with these ladies!

Later in the week, I would take them to see a music show at the Variety Playhouse or Eddie’s Attic because I love the smaller venues and their intimate vibe. You can see talented performers there before they make it big! For dinner, I would take my friends to any of my favorite restaurants, of course, but I would also treat them to an amazing Middle Eastern meal at Delbar or Rumi’s Kitchen. For late-night fun, I’d take them to the Rocky Horror Picture Show experience at the Plaza Theatre or to the Clermont Lounge for well, you know!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I love what organizations such as the WPO (Women’s Presidents Organization) is doing. I’ve been a member for 5 years and we meet monthly. I am also a member of the James Beard Foundation’s WEL program. The women there share restaurant specific ideas and exchange resources to help lift each other. It’s really great! These groups provide a safe place for female leaders to co-exist, support and confide in each other. Let’s be clear, it’s lonely at the top. And even lonelier when the top is only 20% women. I would love to see more resources like this for women. Having a good support system builds confidence and strengthens female leaders to continue to do their work. I’ve met some very smart women through the group and I often lean on them to work shop through a complex issue I am having at the restaurants. These are women who have experienced similar challenges, so there is a think tank and rich network of resources that I often tap into for help.

Website: https://www.sweetauburnbbq.com/; https://www.tioluchos.com/; https://www.gezzos.com/; https://www.lazybettyatl.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hsuperfoodie/