I'm usually skeptical of Asian fusion food and find the concept of it a bit tacky (let me turn off hater mode right now), but I was pleasantly surprised by Chi'lantro! Since this was in the Heights, parking was sparse, but the interior had a clean, modern look and plenty of seating. Since my friends and I came on a Thursday night, there weren't many customers. I appreciate how they let you do half a scoop of rice and half a scoop of Japchae noodles, perfect for indecisive people such as myself... in my bowl, I chose to include the: - K-pop Fried Chicken, which had a subtle, crunchy texture and was coated in the sweet-tasting Gangnam sauce - Grilled Corn - Caramelized Kimchi - Spinach - Carrot - Sesame Seeds - Korean Red Pepper - Magic Sauce and Spicy Ranch on the side (spoiler alert: they weren't that spicy, but still yum!). I'd say the Magic Sauce was creamier + sweeter than the Spicy Ranch. Overall, it was a healthy (in my mind) and filling bowl that lasted me two days. Admittedly, I chose many Korean ingredients during my first visit, so next time I'll try their other toppings, the Kimchi Fries & fried chicken! read more

Chi'Lantro BBQ - Heights - Korean Near Me - Houston, Texas

Korean chipotle? Finally checked this place out for lunch and have been wanting to go for a while. I got their Kimche Fries Wrap with steak and it was super filling, a bit spicy, and tasty. The worker accidentally made too many fries for my wrap and gave me them for free! Overall, good experience - though the toppings for the wraps and bowls didn't look tooo fresh. Also note - there is a parking lot but it was wildly packed. read more

Chi'Lantro BBQ - Heights - Korean Near Me - Houston, Texas

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The bowl is pretty healthy as far as Korean-Mexican fusion goes and I would come back just for the bowl I think. It reminded me of a Chipotle bowl, but with better quality ingredients (for a higher price) and a Korean twist. The inside is pretty new and has modern decor, a good spot for a quick lunch or dinner IMO. read more

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First off the employee Mercedes was AMAZING! She let us try different things since we had so many questions on what each one tasted like, especially the noodles. The noodles are acquired taste . We made our own bowls with the K-pop chicken . It's like a mix of Latin bowls and Korean bowls . The K-pop chicken was hint of spicy and sweet reminded me of "orange chicken". Gender neutral bathrooms Own parking lot for free. read more

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Food flavors were good. Just lacked portions. I was served 2 scoops of the tiny crispy smaller pieces of chicken for my protein and it was put into a small to go container even though it was for dine in. I ordered a combo and my fries didn't come until I was already finished with my bowl. They served in a small brown fry bag. On their ads they seem to be in a bowl so I feel I was under served there as well. It was clean inside at least and the seating was nice. Would go again but will definitely make sure I am properly served my protein and fries read more

This wrap is going to be good, once I add my sauce in it! I did taste the wrap which is dry, because they forgot to add in my spicy ranch. Let me start off by saying this wrap is huge and would easily feed two people.. I put just about everything I thought about putting in it, but Iam missing some of my add on's for my wrap I don't have any service or ambiance comments since it was brought to me from lunch drop read more

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Ordered to-go and truthfully it wasn't worth the price or the wait. I had the K-pop chicken bowl with jasmine rice, kimchi, corn, and carrots. The chicken had a decent flavor but there was barely any chicken in the bowl, I was basically eating fried chicken skin and really dry little pieces of chicken. There was also barely any corn in the bowl, it looked like they just sprinkled it in there. I also ordered cheese fries and those were extremely soggy. It was about $20 for everything and for that price and what it was I'd rather just go to Cava. read more

Chi'Lantro BBQ - Heights - #2 K'Pop Chicken Bowl - Korean Near Me - Houston, Texas

I had a decent experience at Chi'lantro BBQ. The food was ok, but a bit pricy... I got the Korean chicken wings and the original kimchi fries. I think it was about $20 for both, and it was not quite enough food to split between two people. I think it was only about 7 wings.... The food itself was decent. Nice flavor, but seemed to be lacking a little bit of something (maybe a "wow factor"). The kimchi fries were good, crunch and had some nice flavors. Same for the wings, although they could've been a bit more tender. Ambiance was nice. They had a cool interior and some good outdoor seating. Bathroom was clean as well. Our food came out relatively quick & staff was nice Overall, was fun to try but was a bit below expectations read more

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For the price it's a great value I just wish you got more meat and more kimchi for the normal without paying for extra meat. I got the Korean beef bowl. Very tasty. Fresh ingredients and I loved the carrot ginger dressing. read more

Review is for takeout only - great flavor! Both of the bowls, the tofu noodle and Buddha bowl had really fresh ingredients, bold flavor, and interesting sauces (try the carrot-ginger!) While Korean food tends to be more meat-centric, I appreciate the fact that they offer tofu selections for vegetarians and vegans. The online ordering process was also super easy and allowed me to customize essentially every ingredient in every dish. This is a great option if you have dietary restrictions or are a picky eater. While I understand that Chi'lantro is "Korean fusion," I would have liked to see slightly more Korean influence. The kimchi was great, but maybe some more fermented ingredients or different flavor profiles. Overall, I definitely enjoyed my selections and looking forward to visiting again in person! read more

Chi'Lantro BBQ - Heights - Buddha bowl with tofu - Korean Near Me - Houston, Texas

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I was in the area and wanting to try this place for forever so I'm glad I finally stopped ! I placed an order online and was able to grab it and go in less than 20 minutes on a Thursday night. I ordered the k-pop chicken and the kimchi fries with KBBQ steak... the fries were EVERYTHING & more. Kudos to the owners on combining these 2 cuisines and making it work. Definitely stop here and treat your tastebuds. read more

I think I used to go to them when they were a food truck, but it was so long ago that I don't remember. We came here because we were going to get ice cream afterwards as they are conveniently located in the same shopping center. The staff there was really nice and they were very helpful. The food was OK as in there were a lot of toppings and different bowls and the japchae noodles were really good and the rice was well cooked, but the meat was a little dry. They do offer sauce on the side so that helps. They make your fried egg fresh when you order it for the most part as an Asian bowl it's pretty tasty. I just wish the meat was more saucy and tender. read more

Chi'Lantro BBQ - Heights - #1 ChiLantro B'bimbap - Korean Near Me - Houston, Texas

Fun delicious fusion spot. Generous portion sizes, delicious combos you can choose from. Chipotle style where you can pick and choose what you'd like to have read more

Chi'Lantro BBQ - Heights - Korean Near Me - Houston, Texas

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I decided to go Meatless on a Monday. This place was one I had been dying to try anyway. Decided to get the fries because I was craving fries. And they absolutely did not disappoint! A huge portion of fries with all the fixings and I added Tofu. They were delicious I will definitely be back to try more food items very soon. One of the employees called this place a Korean version of Chipotle and I agree. read more

Chi'Lantro BBQ - Heights - The Original Kimchi Fries with Tofu - Korean Near Me - Houston, Texas

I did a DoorDash order here with my friends a couple days ago and the food plus the portion sizes were extremely impressive. I got a make your own bowl with fries, almost all the veggies and KPop chicken and it was delicious. I was so surprised at how much food was in the bowl! My friend got a make your own bowl with fries and kpop chicken as well. She asked for extra and they sure do give you extra! Lastly, my gf ordered the make your own bowl with the glass noodles and tofu and it was chef's kiss. All of us were silent as we ate our food: the true taste to knowing when it's good haha! The order also got to us really quickly and still hot. Really great packaging! read more

The food was okay and I say okay because it may have been my mixture of a bowl. I guess I had higher expectations from it simply being more on the healthy side. The fries were amazing and that is why I give it 4 stars alongside the new guy who started while I was there. He was really great with explaining the tastes and helping us making a selection! I may try it out again. It's similar to chipotle. read more

Everyone is super friendly, it's always clean, very quick service and the japchae noodles are delish!!

This place was once a beloved food truck in Austin for me. Was happy to see them later go onto shark tank and expand to brick and mortar. Chi'Lantro is basically the korean-mexican fusion version of Chipotle. Unfortunately, I feel the pricing for what you get has gotten out of control here. The kimchi fries used to be my favorite - but when you add steak protein it comes in at $14 for a small portion. An average bowl with protein comes in above $13 and the portions are smaller than Chipotle. Food isn't bad, but not worth the price Ordered: Bi Bim Bap, Japchae con Quaso (Avoid this one!), Kimchi Fries w/ Steak Would I Go Out of My Way to Try? No Would I Return? No Ambiance- 7/10 Food Taste- 7/10 Service- 7/10 Value- 5/10 Date Worthy- NA read more

Chi'Lantro BBQ - Heights - Bi Bim Bap - Korean Near Me - Houston, Texas

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I haven't had this since it was a food truck in the Heights. Very friendly staff, insane portion sizes, very clean. 5 stars. I was trying to be healthy getting the bowl but I really wanted the kimchi fries. read more

Chi'Lantro BBQ - Heights - Chi'Lantro B'Bimbap with bbq steak - Korean Near Me - Houston, Texas

I used to live close to the Austin location and it was a staple for me come lunch time. A concept similar to Chipotle, they serve up bowls or Ssam's (a roll in a flour tortilla similar to a burrito) where you choose a base - rice/ noodles/ salad/ fries, and then a protein, and your veggies and/or sauces. Turns out there is one in Houston and not too far from me- woohoo! The layout was similar to the Austin location, and it tasted just like I remembered! I made a custom bowl and had the K'Pop Chicken and B'Bimbap over rice, with a few veggies and the magic sauce. I was surprised that it came out to 20 bucks and some change, definitely more than I used to pay. I understand inflation, but I will say at 20 bucks, I just don't think the portion size makes sense. I usually pay the same at other similar types of places, and have leftovers for the next meal- not so at this place. I was served quick and efficiently and everyone was really helpful at this location, however I'd likely not make this a regular staple in my lunch rotation. read more

Clean and casual restaurant with patio seating. Service staff were friendly and courteous. I had the b'bimbap, and their original kimchi fries. The vegetables were fresh, fried egg was done well, but the meat portion was a little small. The meat was also slightly dry, chewy, and a tad too salty for my liking. As for the kimchi fries, it was loaded with cheese, some kimchi, their magic sauce, and onions. Overall the different ingredients came together well. I get spicy, salty, and crunchy. However, I would prefer a bigger portion of fries. There was too much of the side ingredients but not enough fries to go with. The kimchi could be better too. It didn't have the authentic kimchi taste. A good concept and fusion of food. Worth a try. read more

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I actually really like this place. The food is delicious and packed with flavor. The service is great as well. There is a free parking lot available. The menu has lots of options. My only con for this place is they are really skimpy on the meat servings. They will load your bowl with everything but then half spoon the meat you've selected. read more

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I was not impressed. It's not bad, but it's also not great either. The Korean beef was a little tough for my liking; was expecting it to be juicier. The rest of the ingredients were good: corn, kimchi, cucumber, carrots etc for the bibimbap bowl. The bowl itself starts at like $10 and then adding meat and a drink and I was already at $19 which seemed a bit pricy for what I got. I do like their unique drink options tho! Some fun sodas and lemonades the strawberry limeade was my favorite. I've been to the food truck chilantros back in Austin and I feel like this wasn't really true to what it started as. Maybe that's why my expectations are a little higher and I was just kinda disappointed. read more

Chi'Lantro BBQ - Heights - Bibimbap bowl - Korean Near Me - Houston, Texas

Basically a Korean chipotle. I created my own bowl and got the Kpop chicken as my protein. Very good, would recommend. The vibe was very chill. A good place for a solo lunch/dinner. read more

Chi'Lantro BBQ - Heights - Korean Near Me - Houston, Texas

Today I had the pleasure of attending the soft opening of Chi'lantro which is Houston's first actual location. It's located in the heights and they have their own parking lot which is plentiful for the most part. Because it was a soft opening, the lines were very long (I expected that) but the staff did a phenomenal job of checkin on us while we waited and offering us beverages for hydration. The two drinks that I tried were the basil peach lemonade and the strawberry limeade. Both of them were sooooo delicious but that basil peach lemonade is in a league of its own so i highly recommend you try it if you visit! When it was time for me to order I noticed that the setup is similar to like a chipotle where you can either choose burritos, a pre-selected bowl or build your own. I decided to build my own bowl so I could try a little bit of everything. I got a little brown rice, the noodles, half spicy chicken and half Korean bbq. I also ordered the kimchi fries and I must everything I ate was delicious! If you love Korean bbq, you'll absolutely love this place. Again, the staff was extremely amazing, especially given how busy it was. I can't wait to see how well this business does and I'll definitely be back again! read more

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Nut allergy free establishment - see my photos or their website for allergen information. Also cash-free per the signs on the door. I attended their pre-opening on 04/01. This is the first location in Houston of a popular Austin chain (they have 10 locations in Austin). Popularly touted as the "Asian Chipotle," Chi'lantro lives up to the reputation as a fast casual assembly-line-like meal, very much like Chipotle. I waited about 40 minutes with 30-40 people in front of me. Ordered the K'Pop Chicken Bowl, modified with japchae noodles instead of jasmine rice and with extra onions, kimchi, and fried egg. The servers were also nice enough to let me sample the soy chicken. The portions were very generous and the ingredients layered well to allow each unique flavor to be tasted. The japchae noodles were very flavorful, with a slightly oily feel. The K'Pop Chicken was the best protein I tried with a tangy sauce and crispy bite (I think they said it's new with this grand opening). The soy chicken was a little sweet but strangely drier than the K'Pop Chicken, almost reminding me of food court Japanese chicken. The bibimbap beef was a bit dry as well and a little too salty and saucy for me. The chi'jeu Queso had a pleasant surprise with a lump of avocado in it. The guacamole was nothing too special: standard cilantro and onion and lime mix, but it was good. There were a few misses in service, possibly due to the busy-ness of the opening and ongoing training: 1. My +1 asked for a well done fried egg, and received a runny one - they had a constant line of fried eggs coming out for the grand opening so the request was probably missed. 2. I kept asking for the K'Pop Chicken Bowl per their signature menu, but the servers seemed unaware of how to make it because they kept asking me what ingredients I wanted. I saw some printouts of the signature menus on their side so I assume that training is ongoing. 3. My other +1 ordered queso and chips and was given queso in small to go containers at first until a manager came over and provided a full serving. Nice catch. Overall, though, the flavors were a good representation of Mexican-Korean fusion with a bit too much sauce. At the price point and fast casual environment, I'd definitely come back over Chipotle. Suggested order: K'Pop Chicken Bowl, sub jasmine rice with japchae noodles, add kimchi. Mix the unsweetened iced tea with the basil peach lemonade for an awesome Arnold Palmer. Food: 4/5 Ambience: 4/5 Value: 5/5 read more

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Food was awesome. David and Regina had awesome customer services. Place was really clean!

I've been to this place where it originates in Austin - and it definitely hits a spot - here is no different! This concept is a Mexican/korean fusion where you build your own bowl like chipotle but with great Korean flavors. I got a build your own bowl with japchae, rice, K-pop chicken and beef bulgogi with an assortment of toppings. Everything tastes fresh, yummy, and flavorful. The kimchi fries were also good! Just a bit heavy on the magic sauce. The service was quick and the place was clean and cute! read more

Chi'Lantro BBQ - Heights - The Original Kimchi Fries - Korean Near Me - Houston, Texas

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Didn't quite know what to expect, but was pleasantly surprised! Great flavor, good portions and reasonable prices! Will definitely be going back! read more

Came here for lunch and the food was delicious! David was so friendly and made the experience great! Restaurant is clean and a great place to stop and eat during my day. read more

Good food but pricey at ~$15+/bowl if they're fully loaded. The prices don't include meat, so it adds up. Large portions at least. B'bimbap w/ Korean BBQ steak +$4 - [jasmine or brown rice, black beans, corn, green leaf, lettuce/cabbage, carrot, red cabbage, kimchi, cilantro, onion, sesame seeds, FRIED EGG $1.25, gangnam sauce] - $9.87+4+1.25 = $15.12 total Bf enjoyed his bowl. He couldn't even finish it all. The gangnam sauce was just a tad spicy in a good way. The BBQ steak was surprisingly tender and not chewy or fatty. ------------------------------- Umma's Salad w/ Korean BBQ steak +$4- [green leaf lettuce & cabbage, spinach, carrot, red cabbage, kimchi, pickled veggies (good!), cilantro, onion, sesame seeds, AVOCADO $2, carrot ginger dressing (good!)] - $9.87+4+2 = $15.87 total My bowl was good. I actually got half japchae noodles and half greens. The noodles were really good and soft; I'd definitely get them again. I also couldn't finish my bowl and took it to-go. read more

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It's so nice to see Chi'Lantro BBQ in Houston. I first tried them many years ago in Austin. They started out as a food truck there serving fast-casual, customizable Korean food and later expanded to brick and mortar locations. You may also have seen them on Shark Tank. I stopped by for dinner on a Tuesday and parked in their complimentary lot. Like Chipotle, come to the counter and either choose a pre-selected option or make your own. You can make your own burrito, rice bowl, noodle bowl, and more. I went with a small burrito that I customized to include noodles (rather than rice for the first time in my life), beef, crispy wontons, corn, and their special sauce. And then I also went with their loaded kimchi fries. And then washed it all down with a craft soda. What makes Chi'Lantro stand out, beyond the fresh and clean digs, is the quality of the food you're getting for a quick meal. The meat is tender, well-marinated, and delicious. Really all of the ingredients here are. I like the ability to customize and that it's way better than Chipotle. The Chipotle of Korean food. Definitely check it out, you won't be disappointed. read more

I have had the good fortune to eat here twice, both times using Favor. So while I cannot speak to the ambiance or service, I can say without reservation that the food is excellent. This is one of those cushion places where you didn't know the world needed it until you had it, and now it's unforgettable. I love the Siam wraps, using noodle as the base for a burrito is brilliant. The queso is also excellent and another great infusion of Korean flavor in a traditionally Tex-Mex delivery system. I'm also a big fan of their mint and peace tea. This spot is worth a try and definitely one you will not regret. read more

We appreciate fast casual in this house -- sometimes you want something quick and simple, with a reasonable price tag. The food was pretty good overall. I ordered the B'bimbap bowl with BBQ steak. It was tasty with fresh ingredients. The meat was good although I'd prefer it a bit juicier (but I say that constantly). They did make a major oops while filling our order. They handed my fiancé the bag with our order (2 bowls). When he got home (15 minute drive), we realized that they only included 1 bowl. He had to drive back. Thankfully, they were super apologetic and comped our entire order. This was absolutely the right thing to do given how much time we wasted. I understand that mistakes happen. It's all about how the customer is treated thereafter. I really appreciate them making it right. Overall, a solid choice for fast casual Korean BBQ. read more

It's not the most authentic Korean food by far, but if you're looking for an alternative to chipotle, cava, etc. This is a great choice. Portions are large so I can normally split it into two meals and overall everything tastes pretty decent. Their Magic kimchi sauce is a must have, and its a clean area to eat in as well. Much appreciated with the cleanliness of the restaurant read more

Great food and unique toppings but it took forever. It was slow and they were out of 1/3 of the meat or rice

Healthy Fast Food Really enjoyed the Korean/Latino fusion going on here. Although it was different, it was quite good. My team ordered lunch to-go, and it was quick and easy. The meat was a little to saucy for me, the kimchi was delicious, and I wish the meals would come with less carbs and more protein. Overall, still enjoyed the food. read more

My family and I enjoyed eating at Chi'Lantro BBQ. We came on a Saturday evening, during their dinner rush, and they got everyone's orders done fairly quick. The workers were helpful in getting us through the line, offering us to try samples to help us make the best bowl for us. You can tell they care and are ready to help. The seating space isn't big but it wasn't an issue for us. The bowls started at around $10 and had add-on items for an extra fee such as the proteins, queso, fried egg, avocado, etc. I created my own bowl with half noodles half brown rice, Korean BBQ beef steak (which was super flavorful), some veggies, a fried egg, and topped it off with some magic sauce (tasted like their version of a spicy mayo). The flavors were exciting my taste buds. I liked that they had healthy choices but I gave them 4 stars because the portion for the steak was too small for what you pay (half a scoop extra would've been perfect). With all the add-ons and proteins, the bowls averaged to be $15-$16 each. Overall we enjoyed eating here and would most likely come again when we're in the area! read more

Chi'Lantro BBQ - Heights - Create your own bowl - Korean Near Me - Houston, Texas

I decided to grab lunch here on a Saturday afternoon and was pleasantly impressed. They have a small parking lot in front that's pretty sufficient. It was my first time here so I was a bit indecisive but the staff helped me in picking the most popular items. I decided to custom my bowl with half Japchae & half white rice. The rest of the toppings were all my personal choice. After mixing the bowl, it was pretty delicious! Love their sauce and japchae noodles. Their kimchi fries were decent as well but tbh, it was too much food that we barely touched the fries. Overall, I would give this establishment a 10/10! I would described it as a Cava/Chipotle but with Korean food. Definitely recommend! My only minor issue was that it seemed like their AC wasn't on, because it was awfully hot inside and customers were seen sweating. read more

Chi'Lantro BBQ - Heights - 2 Custom Bowls + Kimchi Fries - Korean Near Me - Houston, Texas

Well, I arrived here by accident, while looking for Milk & Sugar Ice Cream (but at a different location). Reading all the information is fundamental! However, it was dinner time. The picture of their carnitas bowl caught my attention. The restaurant was pretty quiet with customers coming steadily for pickup orders. I placed my order for my carnitas bowl. The order line is cafeteria style. Customers are able to customize their items to their liking. Service was great! The cashier took my bowl to my table as well as got my drink from the soda fountain. My food was delicious!!! Definitely worthy of a return trip. Next time I'll bring in my seat cushion, because the chairs are hard, which my back doesn't like. I do feel with the all gender restrooms, more care needs to be taken to assure the restroom is well maintained. I spent several minutes cleaning beforehand. Outside of this, it was a very nice experience. read more

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