Here's what an Asian buffet, hibachi grill, and Italian pizzeria and market have in common
Fast casual Asian establishments have been Steve Zhao’s recent focus. But now the Springfield restaurateur is returning to his roots with a new Asian-American buffet in the works.
Zhao announced plans this week for The Feast Buffet, to open next summer in a newly constructed facility that will attach to the existing building at 3101 S. MacArthur Blvd., originally home to Show-Me's Sports Bar & Grill.
Zhao is the managing partner for MacArthur Boulevard Place LLC, which already has purchased the 1.2-acre vacant lot at 3125 S. MacArthur Blvd., just south of the former Show-Me’s parking lot. The sale of the existing building – which most recently operated as Ocean Crab House – is pending.
The existing building touts just under 4,000 square feet. Zhao said 14,500 square feet will be added with construction expected to begin in October.
Zhao already is involved with two establishments that opened in the past year. A second Hibachi Madness welcomed customers on the city’s north end at 2811 N. Dirksen Parkway in December. The fast-casual establishment’s original location has operated at 4318 Wabash Ave. since 2020.
More: Though closed and building demolition planned, the Sportsman's Lounge brand could live on
And just last month, Zhao opened Bowl Plus at 1745 Wabash Ave. The fast-casual eatery focuses on Japanese-influenced, fresh-made Ramen bowls.
Neither of the establishments is owned by The Feast’s parent company.
Long before the fast-casual concept was coined, Springfield diners associated Zhao with all-you-can-eat buffet spreads. Zhao owned the Hibachi Grill & Supreme Buffet at 2309 S. MacArthur Blvd. He sold his interest in the restaurant in 2018.
Yummi-Yummi owner plans holiday season opening
The former Show-Me’s spot isn’t the only long-shuttered address on the MacArthur/Wabash intersection to announce a new tenant this week.
Yummi-Yummi, a new fast-food hibachi establishment, is moving into the Jerome strip mall at 1501 Wabash Ave. The spot has been vacant since The Barn closed two years ago.
Owner Bin “Andy” Chen said he aims to open Yummi-Yummi by the holiday season.
Diners will be able to see their dishes being made in the open kitchen concept. Dine-in and takeout will be available.
Chen also owns the full-service restaurant Dynasty Asian Cuisine at 105 South Grand Ave. E.
Sapori Pizzeria and Italian Market opens
Vic Lanzotti and Chris Hanken – the faces behind the former Lake Pointe Grill and Pie's the Limit are serving up their latest take on pizza pie.
Sapori Pizzeria and Italian Market has opened in Montvale Junction, specializing in regional takes on the favorite Italian dish.
Sapori – Italian for flavor – has multiple styles of artisan, hand-made pizza, scratch pasta and fresh deli selections.
The deli features hard-to-find meats and cheese, as well as prepared take-and-bake selections. Shelf-stable items range from house-made offerings to curated selections from larger metro areas.
Dine-in is available with plans for drive-through, pick-up, and online orders expected to be added in the future.
Operating hours are posted as 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.
Sapori Pizzeria and Italian Market is at 1941 W. Iles Ave. in the former Keefner's spot.
Lanzotti and Hanken co-own Sapori with Jeff Torricelli.
The opening comes six weeks after the dual closings of Pie’s the Limit at 1710 S. MacArthur Blvd. and Public House 29 in Rochester. Identical closing notices were posted on the websites for both businesses, citing rising food and labor costs among the reasons for shuttering the businesses.
The A La Carte column highlights restaurant openings, closings, renovations, and relocations, as well as personnel changes and business news. Natalie Morris can be reached at (217) 737-7254 or by email at natalie.sjr@gmail.com.
This article originally appeared on State Journal-Register: These restaurant owners have plans for Springfield's dining scene
