{"id":868975,"date":"2026-06-15T13:43:15","date_gmt":"2026-06-15T13:43:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/868975\/"},"modified":"2026-06-15T13:43:15","modified_gmt":"2026-06-15T13:43:15","slug":"genghis-grill-returns-to-san-antonio-6-months-after-closing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/868975\/","title":{"rendered":"Genghis Grill returns to San Antonio 6 months after closing"},"content":{"rendered":"

Six months after closing its last San Antonio location, Mongolian barbecue chain Genghis Grill<\/a> is stirring back to life. Local franchisee Jeff Macaitis has received the brand with a new outpost in the Embassy Oaks Shopping Center at 226 W. Bitters Rd.<\/p>\n

When the Genghis Grill at 1903 N. Loop 1604 closed<\/a> in December 2025, it seemed like the franchise was pulling out of San Antonio entirely. The restaurant shuttered without warning, and the company did not issue a statement. But in March, the Instagram profile<\/a> run by the Macaitis family began teasing a rebirth.<\/p>\n

Dallas entrepreneur Jeff Sinell founded Genghis Grill in 1998 when he took over the site of an existing stir-fry restaurant. At the time, Mongolian barbecue spots were trendy, combining an all-you-can-eat experience with Japanese steakhouse showmanship.<\/p>\n

Sinell\u2019s chief innovation was charging by the bowl. Guests would fill an oversized bowl with proteins, noodles, vegetables, and sauces, which were then cooked on a large circular flat-top grill. With a lower price than its AYCE contemporaries, the concept soon became popular for lunch and quick dinners.<\/p>\n

At one time, the chain had almost 100 nationwide locations. That number has been drastically reduced in recent years, with the website now listing only 13 storefronts, mostly in Texas.<\/p>\n

Since acquiring Genghis Grill in 2023, Illinois-based Craveworthy Brands has made moves to revitalize the chain. Former Jimmy John\u2019s CEO Gregg Majewski instituted a variety of changes, including faster cooking times and smaller restaurant footprints.<\/p>\n

Although the build-your-own bowl format still exists, Genghis Grill\u2019s menu is a far cry from the original format. Guests can order from a variety of chef-created bowls, many of which \u2014 like jambalaya fried rice and bacon ranch quesadillas \u2014 have nothing to do with Mongolian barbecue.<\/p>\n

“When you look at things with a new set of eyes, and take the time to figure out what’s truly necessary in a brand, and you don’t have any sacred cows you’re worried about because you’re new, it’s a lot easier to find new things than you think,\u201d Majewski told trade site Franchise Times<\/a>.<\/p>\n