Chi’Lantro BBQ, the nationally-recognized Korean BBQ Inspired® restaurant featured on Shark Tank, Food Network and Food & Wine will open its 11th location and first outside of Austin in the Houston Heights on Monday, April 3, 2023. The award-winning fast casual concept will be located at The Heights Forum development at 1324 N. Shepherd Dr. Houston, Texas 77008.
Prior to the April 3rd Grand Opening, Chi’Lantro will host two exclusive "Friends and Family" events on Friday, March 31, 5pm-8pm and Saturday, April 1, 12pm-3pm. During this time the restaurant will offer complimentary food to Houston-area neighbors who make reservations via EventBrite while also encouraging donations to the local MD Anderson Pediatric Cancer Fund for NF2 patients.
"I'm motivated to give back to a cause that means so much to me, I'm doing it for my sister who passed away due to NF2. We are looking forward to celebrating our opening while supporting a good cause," says Jae Kim, Founder & CEO.
The menu will feature all the Chi’Lantro BBQ favorites including the signature The Original Kimchi Fries™ that are served over 200,000 times a year consisting of fries topped with caramelized kimchi, shredded cheese, onion, cilantro, Magic Sauce, Siracha, sesame seeds and your choice of Korean BBQ. Other menu items are the Curated Bowls which are customizable rice bowls, salads, and Ssäms (Korean word for wrap), K'Pop Chicken, Chi'Jeu Queso, and homemade Agua Frescas.
“In 2015 we scaled back to focus on the brick & mortar expansion in Austin and I am thrilled that after almost a decade we are returning to the city where my journey in Texas began. Houston holds a special place in my heart and I am excited at the opportunity to rekindle my connection with this diverse and culinary-focused community,” said Kim.
In 2010, Kim pursued his dream of running a Korean Mexican fusion food truck by maxing out his credit cards and emptying out his savings. Six years later, he appeared on Shark Tank and struck a deal, leading to the widespread popularity of his signature dish, The Original Kimchi Fries. As of 2023, Chi’Lantro BBQ has expanded to 11 brick-and-mortar locations and a thriving catering business. The Houston Heights establishment marks the first Chi’Lantro restaurant in the Bayou City, with plans to open additional stores in Houston later this year.
Chi’Lantro BBQ will be open daily from 10:30 a.m.-10:00 p.m. For more information on Chi’Lantro BBQ, please visit chilantrobbq.com/ or follow Chi’Lantro on Facebook at @ChilantroBBQ or Instagram at @chilantro.
About Chi’Lantro BBQ
Chi'Lantro BBQ is a restaurant and catering company based in Austin, Texas, that specializes in creating diverse and approachable Korean BBQ-inspired dishes. The name "Chi'Lantro" is a blend of "kimchi" and "cilantro", and the menu features signature items like The Original Kimchi Fries™, Ssäms (Korean wraps), and rice and noodle bowls with fresh vegetables and homemade sauces. The establishment has won numerous awards for its food and commitment to quality.