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

"Opening its first Austin location at Plaza Saltillo (901 East 5th Street) in 2020, Gyu-Kaku is a global Japanese barbecue chain focused on yakiniku—grilled meat—where diners use a charcoal grill embedded in their table to cook various meats and vegetables and then dip them in tare, a thick, sweet Japanese soy sauce. The chain is known for its “smokeless roaster” grills that draw smoke away from the table. Meats are offered a la carte or as part of “courses,” including 21-day-aged Angus skirt steaks, kalbi short ribs, pork belly, garlic shoyu chicken, shrimp, onions, and an offal option of large beef intestines, alongside assorted marinades and toppings. There are also ready-made dishes such as ramen, noodles, rices, soups, salads, and appetizers like tofu, dumplings, and chicken wings, plus a beverage lineup of draft and bottled Japanese beers, sake, shochu, cocktails, wine, straight whiskeys, and non-alcoholic options. The restaurant name means “horn of the bull,” the chain has over 700 locations worldwide (including Dallas and Houston), plans additional Austin sites, and the Plaza Saltillo location is courtesy of Matthews Real Estate Investment Services." - Nadia Chaudhury