News Summary
Chef Jordan Rubin, known for his culinary excellence in Maine, is set to open a new location of his popular fried chicken and Thai street food restaurant, Crispy Gài, in Providence. This expansion marks his first venture beyond Maine, highlighting his connection to Providence’s vibrant culinary scene. With plans to open by spring 2026, Rubin aims to cultivate a community of enthusiastic chefs and enhance the city’s growing food landscape.
Providence, Rhode Island – Chef Jordan Rubin is set to open a new location of his acclaimed fried chicken and Thai street food restaurant, Crispy Gài, in Providence by spring 2026. This marks Rubin’s first expansion beyond Maine, where his culinary journey began.
Rubin, who is the chef-owner of Mr. Tuna, a sushi restaurant in Portland, Maine, is recognized for transforming a hot dog cart into a beloved dining establishment. Last month, he was named a Food & Wine Best New Chef for his dedication to sustainable seafood practices at Mr. Tuna, further solidifying his reputation in the culinary world. Earlier this year, he was also a semifinalist for the prestigious James Beard Best Chef: Northeast award.
Crispy Gài first emerged in late 2020 as a pop-up restaurant specializing in Thai fried chicken and Bangkok street dishes. Due to its immediate popularity, a permanent location was established in mid-2021. Chef Cyle Reynolds, who collaborates with Rubin at Crispy Gài, brings experience from fine dining restaurants in Thailand, enhancing the authenticity of the menu.
Rubin’s Connection to Providence
Rubin has significant ties to Providence, having worked at various restaurants including Red Stripe and Ten Prime Steak & Sushi. His long-term residence in the city during his 20s has fostered a personal connection and enthusiasm for its vibrant culinary scene. The city is currently gaining national recognition for its food landscape, drawing comparisons to Portland, Maine, a decade earlier.
Expansion Plans
With the intent to locate suitable venues in Providence, Rubin aims for a spring 2026 opening. Chef Cyle Reynolds has indicated he is willing to relocate to oversee the new establishment, and he plans to hire Victor Toj, a former chef at Oberlin and Durk’s BBQ in Providence, as his opening sous chef. This expansion allows Rubin to focus on a restaurant model that can be more easily replicated compared to Mr. Tuna, which requires maintaining specific seafood connections in Portland.
Community and Culinary Scene
The upcoming opening of Crispy Gài in Providence is part of a broader trend where Portland-based restaurants are branching out into new regions. Rubin’s goal is to nurture a strong community of enthusiastic chefs in Providence, which has recently emerged as a dynamic culinary hub. The city’s food scene is seen as ripe for growth and offers an exciting opportunity for innovation and new dining experiences.
As Providence continues to attract attention in the culinary world, the upcoming Crispy Gài location is expected to add to the exciting developments already occurring in the city. With Rubin’s expanded focus on this new venture, the future for both his team and the food scene in Rhode Island looks promising.
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Additional Resources
- Portland Food Map: Crispy Gài in Providence
- Boston Globe: Crispy Gài Restaurant in Providence
- Providence Journal: Rising Star Awards
- Business Insider: Best Fried Chicken in Every State
- Boston Globe: Boston Restaurants Fall Openings 2025
- Wikipedia: Chef
- Google Search: Providence culinary scene
- Google Scholar: James Beard Best Chef
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Restaurant
- Google News: Providence food scene
Author: STAFF HERE PROVIDENCE WRITER
The PROVIDENCE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREProvidence.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Providence, Providence County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as WaterFire, Rhode Island International Film Festival, and Rhode Island Comic Con. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce and Providence Warwick Convention & Visitors Bureau, plus leading businesses in finance and manufacturing that power the local economy such as Citizens Financial Group and Textron. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Rhode Island's dynamic landscape.
