After completely overhauling the 2,400-square-foot space that was once home to Gio Taco, Brandon Katz is opening Obon Sushi + Bar + Ramen on Thursday afternoon.
Katz and his business partner Andre Joffroy completely overhauled the space at 350 E. Congress St. to the tune of $280,000, Katz said,
“If you had ever been in Gio Taco before, you won’t recognize it,” he said of the work, which has been ongoing since last April.
Gio Taco, owned by Metzger Family Restaurants, closed in early March after it was locked out by landlord Jim Campbell for failing to meet its lease obligations. Campbell said at the time the owners had fallen behind in the monthly rent and the two sides could not come to an agreement on how to resolve the issue.
Obon becomes downtown’s only sushi restaurant after On A Roll closed in early July. It had been serving sushi at 63 E. Congress St. for seven years.
Obon also is the only restaurant in the downtown entertainment district to serve ramen, although the menu is limited to three ramen offerings.
This is the 26th restaurant that Katz has helped open in a career that included Ra Sushi based out of Scottsdale. He and Joffroy own Sol Hospitality, whose restaurants include Goodness, 2502 N. Campbell Ave., and Nox Kitchen + Cocktails, 6370 N. Campbell Ave.
Obon will open at 4 p.m. Thursday. Hours this weekend will be from 4 p.m. to midnight Thursday and Sunday and until 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday. Regular hours — 11 a.m. to midnight weekdays and 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Friday and Saturdays — begin Monday.
