Aug. 10, 2018

Chislic fans, the wait is over.

Urban Chislic plans to open Thursday at 85th Street and Minnesota Avenue.

The restaurant was founded by Erik Christensen, Chad Knutson, Hong Phrommany and Jon Steckler. It started several years ago primarily as a catering business.

The new space was finished by Christensen’s business, Trademark Homes, and designed to have an urban look.

“You’re supposed to feel like you’re walking into an alley,” said, Phrommany, who’s also the restaurant’s operator.

Design features include manhole covers, a window that resembles a food truck, booths on a curve and a ladder used as a light fixture.

“We’ve put so much thought into the business,” Phrommany said. “It’s paying off now with everything we’ve decided to do with the store.”

The two-page menu features one side entirely for chislic, with lamb, beef, chicken or pork and options for sauces and rubs.

“To us, chislic is a cooking concept not a particular dish,” Phrommany said. “It’s cube meat that’s flash fried with the highest premium oil on the market.”

Other items include chislic nachos, pork wontons, flash-fried cheese curds, smashed burgers, chicken sandwiches and entree salads. Small bits of chislic also are an option in the sandwiches. For something sweet, there’s deep-fried cookie dough and a bacon-bit chislic sundae.

The space is designed for viewing sports too, with 16 televisions and a 12-foot projector.

The bar includes beer, wine and wine-based cocktails.

“We’re excited to roll those out, and we want to be known for the coldest beer in town,” Phrommany said. “We want to great lengths to make sure our beer coolers and lines are the highest quality.”

Hours will be 10:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 10:30 a.m. to 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday if the bar is still crowded. The kitchen will close at 10 p.m.