Paper is up on the windows of Urbun. Opening "Spring '17" per Chae's IG. So excited about this place.

Talked to Daniel Chae yesterday and he said they are aiming for early April.

I can eat very spicy food, and typically order as hot as they can make it at Thai places, etc.... So ordered their bulgogi extra spicy tonight. Hands down the spiciest food I've ever had. When I asked our waitress what they used, she said capsaicin extract and "Death Dump" which was a fermented chili paste they make in house. If there are any other chiliheads out there give it a try, but it was the first dish I've not been able to finish.

We ate lunch there the other day. Service was great and the food was excellent. Kim chi eggrolls were fantastic. The loud rap type music coming from the kitchen/bar area was a little off putting and out of place but food and service made up for it. Will go again.

Ate lunch there a few weeks back as well. Holy cow it is good. Convincing the family to go again soon. 10/10 for me.

Just saw that Chae is closing at the end of the month with some of the popular items coming to Ur/Bun and brunch at All about Cha. This is another place for me, similar to Guernsey, that I liked a lot but it fell off the radar with all the other restaurants opening nearby.

Bummer. Another place where the location seemed to be a bit of a stretch. Also I won't lie; I didn't go often myself because of the oddly (excruciatingly) loud interior. And I go to a number of loud places and overlook it, so it is probably a combination of that AND the just-beyond-my-bubble location. The food and service were fantastic on the times that I went. Hopefully it won't be the end of new concepts for Daniel. Ur/Bun is killing as far as I can tell.

I have a very hard time believing they're closing due to a lack of business (haven't read their reasoning on why they're closing). They always seem to be doing a brisk business whenever I go, which is a decent amount. Not always easy to get a reservation on the weekends and I even went for lunch at like 1:00 pm the middle of last week and there were probably 8-10 full tables and multiple people picking up to-go orders. Very sad to hear this as we rode our bikes there for dinner quite often.

Here is what Chae posted on Facebook.

It sounds like Daniel Chae -- the proprietor -- just has too many things going on to continue to oversee a full-scale restaurant.

***************

Chae
37 mins ·
It’s a good day to announce that CHAE will be closing at the end of April. I’m 35 today, and as I reflect on where I’ve been and where I’m going, I’m humbled and shocked by how much CHAE impacted not only OKC’s food scene, but also our side of 23rd street. Even this month, we won 405 Magazine’s Best Asian Restaurant, won OpenTable’s Diner’s Choice award, and ranked 5th in Yelp’s top ten OKC restaurants. And we’re still fully booked out every weekend. This decision, in other words, comes at a high note.

I love CHAE. I also love UR/BUN and All About Cha (Nichols Hills). And if we’ve ever met at any one of my restaurants, I most likely asked for your name and your story. It’s because I love connecting with my guests, many of whom continued on to become my closest friends. Genuine service with real connection has always been our strength. But at this point, I’m stretched thin: one full-service restaurant demands a whole lot more than two half-service restaurants. And it’s why I’m shifting focus and resources to my half-service, fast-casual concepts.

CHAE’s small plates and a few other strong items are going to UR/BUN. UR/BUN’s one-year birthday is coming up in May, and it’s about to start off with a bang. Follow @urbuneats for more info!

CHAE’s brunch is going to All About Cha (Nichols Hills). Western Ave is about to get hit with some of the most delicious breakfast items in town. Follow @allaboutchaokc!

In closing, I have an important note: be nice to servers. I can’t tell you how many times I hear guests just straight up be disrespectful to my team. Something on the menu not available tonight? It’s not the server’s fault. Temperature on the food off? It’s not the server’s fault. Someone made something special for you before and you can’t have it tonight? It’s not the server’s fault. Be nice!

As for me, I’m not going anywhere. In fact, you’ll be seeing a lot more of me at my other joints. I also have a personal announcement to make that’ll come in due time. Stay tuned. And forever, GUNBAE!

Just talked to Daniel...

He is now looking to sell that property, so really good purchase opportunity for someone.

Sad news, but I'm glad to hear its not due to a lack of business. At least Urbun will still be around for those pork buns.

Any chance Chae's oxtail soup makes the move? Because that stuff is delicious!

I'm heartbroken. I love the place.

One of my favorite restaurants in the city. Their brunch menu that they recently added was exceptional. Very, very bummed about this.

Huge bummer, I really hope something cool goes into that location but wouldn't be surprised if turns into another chain or just sits empty like the Big Lots right behind it that's been vacant for years. Definitely the coolest restaurant on the west end of the NW 23rd st corridor, everything turns into chains after Chae.

Sad to see Chae close, but that certainly was a bizarre rant at the end of his post. We just didn't go too often - probably mostly because I just don't do Korean food - but one time we called around 8:15 to see if they could hold us a table, and the person who answered the phone made it a point to tell us they were closing at 9. So we said no thanks, we'll go somewhere we won't feel forced out at closing time.

Sad to see Chae close, but that certainly was a bizarre rant at the end of his post. We just didn't go too often - probably mostly because I just don't do Korean food - but one time we called around 8:15 to see if they could hold us a table, and the person who answered the phone made it a point to tell us they were closing at 9. So we said no thanks, we'll go somewhere we won't feel forced out at closing time.

That is a thing that is often difficult to get across to service industry staff, speaking as someone in the industry. People (employees) are tired, they want to go home, they smell of food, likely have had some rude customers, the prospect of significant tip money is well past, whatever. They see that announced closing time and in their mind it becomes a hard cutoff. As a manager it's important to communicate clearly that if someone walks in before closing we're going to do everything in our power to serve them just as if they'd walked in right after opening time. It's tough, and it can make employees feel less valued. But I think it is important to serve fully up until advertised closings as much as possible, and be courteous as you break down the kitchen and bar or whatever as they finish, even if they go past a bit.

That said, someone who knowingly walks in five or ten minutes before closing time and expects a full sit-down service that might last an hour or more is a bit of a toolbag.

Daniel Chae just announced he has filed to run for OK County Treasurer.

https://danielychae.nationbuilder.com/

Wow. That's quite the other opportunity. He's got my vote.

Thought I saw a "For Sale" or "For Lease" sign in front a few weeks ago when we went by, and now it's gone, so I'm guessing the building has changed hands.

That is correct. JJWRE, LLC paid $450,000 for the property in August. JJWRE, LLC is registered to William Jordan Winteroth who appears to have ties to Republic Gatropub.

That is correct. JJWRE, LLC paid $450,000 for the property in August. JJWRE, LLC is registered to William Jordan Winteroth who appears to have ties to Republic Gatropub.

Great news!

Jordan Winteroth used to be the GM at Republic in Classen Curve but is no longer with Good Egg.

Going to be Social Deck + Dining and opening in December per their IG.

Social Deck + Dining, Social Capital (new park restaurant), Social Order Dining Collective (Jones & Fuzzys parent co.). I think I know what the new hot word in dining is.

They posted on Instagram last night that the All About Cha location on western will change into Chae cafe and eatery. It says dishes from chae's breakfast line-up.

They posted on Instagram last night that the All About Cha location on western will change into Chae cafe and eatery. It says dishes from chae's breakfast line-up.

I noticed the sign change today. I wonder if they are just changing names or what. I believe they have had the breakfast/brunch items at that location for a while now.

Basically, Daniel Chae is severing ties with All About Cha, so this location will be his alone and All About Cha will continue on elsewhere.

Basically, Daniel Chae is severing ties with All About Cha, so this location will be his alone and All About Cha will continue on elsewhere.
Did he win his election?

Did he win his election?

It isn't until November. County Treasurer.

It isn't until November. County Treasurer.
Whoops! Thanks, Pete.

I gotta say that I love Ur/bun (sp?)! I always stop in when my wife and I are headed home after going downtown or anywhere remotely close to 23rd. We also enjoyed going to this All About Cha, probably because Chae knows how to operate a business. I am glad to see his own concept here as it is fairly close to my employer.

I created a new thread for Social Dining + Deck that is taking over the old Chae spot:

http://www.okctalk.com/showthread.php?t=44632&p=1051793

Per Greg Horton and reposted by Rachel Cope.

"Rachel Cope's 84 Hospitality Group has signed a lease for 7300 N. Western -- the old Chae space -- for a brand new, yet-to-be-announced concept. It will be 84's first upscale dining concept, and it's slated for a fall '24 opening. Architecture and interior design work is being handled by Chris Pardo Design: Elemental Architecture, known for his boutique hospitality designs throughout the U.S. Cope said, "It’s really focused on slowing down and getting to focus on the finer points of service, food, and atmosphere that we don’t often get to employ in our fast-casual spots. Everything is governed by the idea of 'intentional.'" The name and focus will be announced in the next few weeks. Luxiere Western Avenue"

^

Chris Pardo is the designer behind all the Arrive Hotels. Very high-style stuff.

^

Chris Pardo is the designer behind all the Arrive Hotels. Very high-style stuff.

I just realized this might be the wrong thread to post this considering the location is on Western and not the old 23rd Spot. I am sure you will be able to fix that. Thanks Pete.

Chris Pardo is on location this week, and work is starting at the new Higher-end restaurant by 84 Hospitality.

18852 18853 18854

Pardo's design sense is pretty great.

Looking forward to how this turns out.