Here’s What to Expect When Gu’s Returns to Buford Highway in October

The family behind Krog Street Market (KSM) Sichuan food stall Gu’s Dumplings (née Gu’s Bistro) is returning to Buford Highway to open Gu’s Kitchen in October. The new counter-service restaurant is located in the former Yong He Zhi Jia space next to Pho Bac at Chamblee’s Orient Center and will offer Sichuan-style street food. However, Gu’s Kitchen will only be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

It seems the menu for Gu’s Kitchen is a mix of the food stall and bistro’s greatest hits, with a few new dishes. Owner Yvonne Gu Khan and Chef Gu (her father) are still working out the final details, but say dishes lean more toward street foods like noodles (including handmade,) dumplings, and a couple of combination plates. Gu’s wildly popular chengdu cold noodles, Zhong-style dumplings, and spicy dried eggplant were the first dishes to make the new menu.

Diners order at the counter and food is brought to the table or prepared for takeout.

Gu’s Bistro closed in Doraville (where Good Luck Gourmet now resides) in March 2015. The family opened Gu’s Dumplings later that month at Krog Street Market.

“When we closed Gu’s Bistro, we always wanted to open back up on Buford Highway,” Khan tells Eater Atlanta. “We focused on Krog Street Market after we closed the bistro, but were always looking for the best location for Gu’s Kitchen. This location came up, and we really like it.”

The dining room at Gu’s Kitchen is smaller than the bistro and seats approximately 40 people, according to Khan. This added to the family’s decision to keep the menu tight and to limit the restaurant’s hours to just lunch. Given the small space and the legendary long lines for a seat at Gu’s Bistro, Khan and her parents want to focus on the food and service at Gu’s Kitchen during the first few months before they consider expanding to dinner.

“We’ve always loved Buford Highway. There’s so much variety here and so many different customers. It’s very satisfying for us. We’re excited to be back.”

In addition to Krog Street Market, a new Gu’s Dumplings will open next March at the food hall of Forsyth County mega-development Halycon. Construction on the Halycon Gu’s should begin sometime in January. Gu’s Dumplings had a second location at SunTrust Park. It closed at the end of the Braves’ regular season last year.

4897 Buford Highway NE, Chamblee. guskitchen.com.

• Gu’s Dumplings Is Headed Back to Buford Highway Very Soon [EATL]
• Essential Buford Highway Restaurant Gu’s Bistro Has Shuttered [EATL]
• Opening Alert: Gu’s Dumplings Is Now Serving Inside Krog Street Market [EATL]
• Gu’s Dumplings, Butcher & Brew, More Restaurants in at Forsyth Mega-Development [EATL]