Koy, a Chinese and sushi restaurant, opened last fall following Pho Thaison, which opened in 2009. The city’s first Asian restaurant, Hays City Donuts, is switching to fried chicken. (Photo by Jen Biundo)
by JENNIFER BIUNDO
Not so long ago, restaurant choices in Kyle were pretty limited – Tex-Mex, Tex-Mex and more Tex-Mex, along with a couple of fast food joints thrown in for good measure.
But recently, Kyle’s explosive population growth has started to attract a smattering of restaurants inspired by cuisines outside of North America. In the last two years, two Asian chain restaurants have landed in Kyle, with another on the way.
Koy, Pho Thiason and the slated Panda Express restaurants all occupy the relatively new retail space near HEB, Target and Seton Hospital, created by the extension of FM 1626 to Interstate 35. Unlike many upscale Asian eateries in Austin, Kyle’s orient-inspired fare focuses on lower price points in strip mall settings.
Pho Thaison, a Vietnamese restaurant with five locations in the greater Austin area, set up shop in the Kyle Marketplace center in 2009. The eatery specializes in Pho, a spicy Asian noodle soup garnished with bean sprouts, cilantro, basil and lime. An extensive menu also offers bubble tea, sushi and dishes from other Asian nations beyond Vietnam, along with a full bar.
Last fall, Koy Restaurant opened its doors in the Seton development, just across the interstate from Pho Thaison. The small chain also includes a Marble Falls location. Koy offers two primary themes: sushi and Chinese food.
For the third year in a row, 2011 will see the addition of yet another Asian restaurant. Panda Express, the nation’s largest Asian fast food restaurant, is scheduled to start construction this month on Kyle Center Drive in the Target development, with a slated opening date of July 7.
“We recognize that Kyle, Texas is a growth engine in the region,” said Regional Real Estate Manager Jamie Green. “Panda Express is excited to be part of this community. The synergy created by the new homes, shopping centers and hospital in the area brings many new possibilities.”
The 2,448-square-foot store would bring 15 to 20 jobs to the area, said company spokesperson Thien Ho. There are more than 1,300 Panda Express franchises across the county, many of them in shopping mall food courts.
Amidst the new construction, Kyle is actually losing one Asian eatery. Hays City Donuts, a small independent restaurant on Burleson Road operated by Cambodian immigrants, is swapping out its Chinese and Thai menu for fried chicken later this month.
The restaurant will keep its namesake donut offerings.
Buda currently has no Asian restaurants within city limits.
