Growth spurt

Austin's own Chi'Lantro fries up opening date for first downtown restaurant

Chi'Lantro's first downtown restaurant features a calming neutral palette.

Photo courtesy of Jae Kim

After building a food truck empire, successfully appearing on ABC’s Shark Tank, and becoming one of Austin’s most recognizable brands, Chi’Lantro BBQ owner Jae Kim is now coming full circle. On May 15, the Korean barbecue tycoon announced that his long-awaited downtown brick-and-mortar would open two blocks away from where he opened his first trailer in 2010.

Kim says the new downtown outpost at 303 Colorado St. will serve the same menu as the other locations, including rice and noodle bowls, salads, tacos, burritos, and burgers customizable with proteins like spicy pork, soy-glazed or spicy chicken, tofu, or ribeye beef. A variety of chips and dips, fried chicken wings, and the restaurant’s wildly popular kimchi fries round off the menu.

Unlike the previous locations, however, the downtown restaurant will sport a more subdued look. While still keeping its contemporary feel, the shop uses pale woods, black and white accents, and a line art mural.

The design also makes great use of the space’s former occupant Barley Bean’s shelving. Filled with plants and baskets, it adds interest without taking away from the brand’s signature minimalism.

The downtown eatery will be the seventh location for the growing chain, and the sixth brick-and-mortar after opening the Mueller store in September 2018. Those who regularly line up for lunch at the trailer on Congress Avenue will be happy to know that it will remain open.

Planned expansion into the Dallas and Houston markets, which Kim plans to fund with Barbara Corcoran’s $600,000 Shark Tank investment, is still eventually happening. But for now, Chi’Lantro is enjoying a meteoric rise, right where the business first blossomed.

openings

Can I Kick It?

Top Austin brewery kicks off new sports club with volleyball and soccer

Photo by Traverse Photography

Meanwhile Brewing Co. has new reasons to visit.

Even Austinites who don't drink have plenty of reasons to visit Meanwhile Brewing Co., and now there's another for volleyball-lovers. The brewery has set up brand new sand courts, ready for the launch of the new Meanwhile Sports Club. The club will organize both volleyball and soccer games, so there's always someone to play with.

Sand volleyball games will be divided into teams of four or six, with the first games starting the week of January 6, 2025. Soccer teams will be five-on-five, with play beginning the week of February 3.

Teams will be in it to win, but the short "seasons" will avoid triggering commitment issues at just six weeks long. At the end of each season, the club will host a championship game for the chance to win a $200 bar tab.

Soccer field at Meanwhile Brewing Co. Austin The soccer field is right next to Meanwhile's resident food trucks.Photo by Traverse Photography

The brewery recommends that teams sign up together to increase the likelihood that everyone gets a chance to play. The leagues do accept free agents, but availability constraints mean that no one is guaranteed a spot. Multitalented athletes can increase their chances by signing up for both sports, but should choose different days so games don't conflict.

For those who maintain that beer — and not running — is still their favorite part of visiting a brewery, there's always opportunities to spectate. Meanwhile's South Austin grounds are well-stocked with brews, cocktails, and food trucks. Plus, there's almost always an event going on, from flea markets to movie screenings.

Registration for volleyball is open now and closes December 19; registration for soccer opens December 1 and closes January 16. The team fee is $675 for the first two weeks of registration, and increases to $725 later. Meanwhile Brewing is located at 3901 Promontory Point Dr.