Texas, Korean BBQ Joint To Open In Ridgewood

RIDGEWOOD, NJ — A hotspot for barbecue and Korean cuisine will open its second location in Ridgewood. Kimchi Smoke Fatcho Shack excepts to open mid-June at 2 Godwin Ave.

Chef and Owner Robert Austin Cho first opened Kimchi Smoke Barbecue in Westwood. The acclaimed restaurant has received several honors, including northjersey.com's "Best of Bergen" for Korean restaurants in 2020. The restaurant was also a finalist in the best barbecue category, while its Austin Cho contended for hte county's best signature sandwich.

Cho was slated to open his second restaurant in Bergenfield in spring 2020, but the pandemic changed those plans. The focus shifted to keeping the Westwood restaurant open, but Cho now feels ready to run a second eatery.

“The pandemic helped me focus my menu and operations," Cho said, "and now I feel like is the right time to open a second location.”

Fatcho Shack will offer pastrami, along with their Bad as Texas brisket, Korean BBQ ribs and NYC XXX Bacon (pork belly).

The restaurant will primarily provide takeout, delivery and catering, as it will only have 16 seats.