It was announced today that a new Austin-based concept, General Tso’Boy, a restaurant serving classic American Chinese flavors on French style po’boy sandwich, will open its doors on Tuesday, June 21. Inspired by owners Jessica and Gary Wu’s heritage, General Tso’Boy will offer modern Chinese sandwiches, serving their childhood favorite dishes on po’boy bread using local sustainable ingredients whenever possible.
General Tso’Boy will fill a gap in the Austin market for those looking for fresh American Chinese fare in sandwich form served in a fun and friendly fast-casual environment. “As we are both first generation Chinese American, we share a passion for the traditions of American Chinese dishes and decided to combine those favorite flavors with fresh po’boy bread from Easy Tiger,” comments co-owner Jessica. “The result is a marriage of savory, spicy, and sweet flavors sandwiched in between the soft crunch of French bread.”
Originally from Dallas, Jessica has her master’s degree in hospitality management from Cornell University and has worked for celebrated hospitality industry entities like Union Square Hospitality Group, Jean Georges, and Eater New York. Gary grew up in upstate New York where he cut his teeth on Asian cuisine as a young child, learning, living, and working alongside his family in their Chinese restaurant. After meeting and marrying in New York City, the Wus started planning and developing the idea of General Tso’Boy in 2014. The concept launched as a flea market pop-up in New York City and its popularity (featured in Grubstreet and Gothamist) gave rise to Jessica and Gary’s fast casual restaurant to open in Austin in 2016.
“We are thrilled to open our brick and mortar in Austin and share our passion for American Chinese food with the community,” Gary says. “We take pride in sourcing local ingredients whenever possible, while supporting likeminded small businesses like Easy Tiger.”
The opening menu will feature sandwiches served on fresh baked bread from Easy Tiger with combinations like: General Tso’s Chicken (battered all-natural chicken thigh, sweet and savory General Tso’s sauce), Black Pepper Beef (shredded Black Angus beef, black pepper sauce), Char Siu Pulled Pork (shredded pork, Chinese-style barbecue sauce), Honey Walnut Shrimp (battered wild caught Texas Gulf shrimp, sweet mayonnaise, candied walnuts), and Mapo Tofu (battered tofu steak, spicy chili sauce, Szechuan peppercorns). Each sandwich combination can be served as a salad. Sides include Crinkle Cut Fries (choice of plain or spicy Szechuan), Seasonal Vegetables (wok-seared with garlic), Chinese Sesame Salad (shredded romaine, Napa cabbage, carrots, crispy noodles, sesame seeds, sesame dressing), Cheeseburger Spring Rolls (crispy spring roll filled with beef, onions, American cheese). Sweets feature Homemade Soft Serve (weekly rotating flavors made with dairy from Mill-King Creamery). Natural Maine Root Sodas and draft and bottled beer are also available.
