Japanese Barbecue Chain Gyu-Kaku Opens Austin Restaurant | Eater Austin

"A global Japanese barbecue chain that opened its first Austin location at Plaza Saltillo (901 East Fifth Street) focuses on yakiniku (Japanese for “grilled meat”), where diners cook their own meats at the table using “smokeless roaster” grills that pull smoke away from seating. The current service is limited dine-in only due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with reservations required and no takeout yet; other Texas locations offer takeout and delivery via Uber Eats, so a to-go program may arrive later. The limited-but-substantial menu includes barbecue meats such as short ribs, beef steaks, pork belly, chicken, shrimp and vegetables, along with bibimbap, noodles, dumplings and chicken wings, plus sharable packages from two-person happy hour sets to a Yakiniku for four. Daily hours start at 5 p.m. with final seatings at 9:30 p.m., and safety measures include socially distanced seating, limited party sizes, temperature checks at entry and required masks. The brand’s name means “horn of the bull” in Japanese, it has roughly 700 locations worldwide with plans for more Austin openings, and it shares Plaza Saltillo with neighbors like Whole Foods, Dolce Neve, JuiceLand and Snooze." - Nadia Chaudhury