Providence, October 9, 2025
News Summary
Chef Jordan Rubin, renowned for his Portland restaurant Crispy Gài, plans to expand to Providence, marking his first venture outside Maine. With a focus on Thai fried chicken and Bangkok street food, Rubin’s restaurant has become a local favorite. The expansion aligns with Providence’s growing culinary reputation, and Rubin’s history in the city, having worked at local establishments, makes this move meaningful. The new location is expected to open by spring 2026, showcasing a strong commitment to the Providence food scene and community.
Providence — Chef Jordan Rubin, known for his Portland-based restaurant Crispy Gài, is seeking to expand to Providence, marking his first venture outside Maine.
Key developments
Rubin has a long history in Providence, having worked at several local restaurants, including Red Stripe and LJ’s BBQ, before moving to Boston. Crispy Gài specializes in Thai fried chicken and Bangkok street food and began as a pop-up in late 2020 before establishing a permanent location in mid-2021. The restaurant has gained popularity for its unique offerings and was co-founded with chef Cyle Reynolds, who previously worked in Thailand and at Michelin-starred Canvas.
Last month, Rubin was named a Food & Wine Best New Chef and was a James Beard semifinalist for Best Chef: Northeast. Rubin and his team hope to open a new location in Providence by spring 2026. Reynolds is planning to relocate to Providence and will bring Victor Toj, who has experience at local restaurants Oberlin and Durk’s BBQ, to be the opening sous chef.
Why Providence
The expansion to Providence resonates with Rubin, who describes the city as having an exciting culinary atmosphere, reminiscent of Portland’s food scene a decade ago. The decision to expand comes as Providence’s food scene has gained national recognition, with several chefs earning accolades from the James Beard Awards. Rubin emphasized the strong sense of community among Providence chefs and the opportunity for culinary innovation in the city.
What to expect next
The team is in planning stages for the Providence location and is targeting an opening window of spring 2026. Reynolds’ planned relocation and the intended role for Victor Toj as opening sous chef are part of staffing steps being taken ahead of the new location launch. The move will mark Rubin’s first restaurant outside Maine and represents a strategic entry into a city that Rubin views as ready for more experimentation and growth in its restaurant scene.
Background on Crispy Gài and team
Crispy Gài started as a pop-up in late 2020 and transitioned to a permanent spot in mid-2021 in Portland. The menu centers on Thai fried chicken and Bangkok street food, and the restaurant built its reputation through that niche and through collaborative partnership between Rubin and Reynolds. Reynolds’ experience includes time working in Thailand and at the Michelin-starred restaurant Canvas, while Victor Toj brings local Providence-area experience from Oberlin and Durk’s BBQ.
Rubin’s roots in Providence date back to earlier roles at Red Stripe and LJ’s BBQ prior to his move to Boston; those local ties factor into the decision to expand to the city. As Providence has gained national attention for its growing culinary scene, the planned expansion aligns with broader momentum in the city’s restaurant community.
FAQ
Q: What is happening?
A: Chef Jordan Rubin, known for his Portland-based restaurant Crispy Gài, is seeking to expand to Providence, marking his first venture outside Maine.
Q: What is Rubin’s connection to Providence?
A: Rubin has a long history in Providence, having worked at several local restaurants, including Red Stripe and LJ’s BBQ, before moving to Boston.
Q: What does Crispy Gài serve and how did it start?
A: Crispy Gài specializes in Thai fried chicken and Bangkok street food and began as a pop-up in late 2020 before establishing a permanent location in mid-2021.
Q: Who co-founded Crispy Gài and what are their backgrounds?
A: The restaurant has gained popularity for its unique offerings and was co-founded with chef Cyle Reynolds, who previously worked in Thailand and at Michelin-starred Canvas.
Q: Has Rubin received any recent recognition?
A: Last month, Rubin was named a Food & Wine Best New Chef and was a James Beard semifinalist for Best Chef: Northeast.
Q: When does the team hope to open in Providence?
A: Rubin and his team hope to open a new location in Providence by spring 2026.
Q: Who will staff the Providence location?
A: Reynolds is planning to relocate to Providence and will bring Victor Toj, who has experience at local restaurants Oberlin and Durk’s BBQ, to be the opening sous chef.
Q: Why is Providence an attractive location?
A: The decision to expand comes as Providence’s food scene has gained national recognition, with several chefs earning accolades from the James Beard Awards.
Q: What does Rubin say about Providence’s culinary environment?
A: Rubin emphasized the strong sense of community among Providence chefs and the opportunity for culinary innovation in the city.
Quick reference table
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Lead subject | Chef Jordan Rubin, known for his Portland-based restaurant Crispy Gài, is seeking to expand to Providence, marking his first venture outside Maine. |
| Local ties | Rubin has a long history in Providence, having worked at several local restaurants, including Red Stripe and LJ’s BBQ, before moving to Boston. |
| Restaurant origin | Crispy Gài specializes in Thai fried chicken and Bangkok street food and began as a pop-up in late 2020 before establishing a permanent location in mid-2021. |
| Co-founder | The restaurant has gained popularity for its unique offerings and was co-founded with chef Cyle Reynolds, who previously worked in Thailand and at Michelin-starred Canvas. |
| Awards and recognition | Last month, Rubin was named a Food & Wine Best New Chef and was a James Beard semifinalist for Best Chef: Northeast. |
| Planned opening | Rubin and his team hope to open a new location in Providence by spring 2026. |
| Staffing | Reynolds is planning to relocate to Providence and will bring Victor Toj, who has experience at local restaurants Oberlin and Durk’s BBQ, to be the opening sous chef. |
| Local context | The decision to expand comes as Providence’s food scene has gained national recognition, with several chefs earning accolades from the James Beard Awards. |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
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Additional Resources
- The Boston Globe: Portland’s Crispy Gài Restaurant Expanding to Providence, RI
- Patch: New Seafood Restaurant Opening in Providence
- Providence Journal: Babas Original New York System and Other Cafe Closings
- Eater: Providence Restaurant to Involve Michelin-Starred Chef from Los Angeles
- Rhode Island Monthly: Providence Restaurant Offers a Wagyu Flight
- Wikipedia: Providence, Rhode Island
- Google Search: Restaurant Scene Providence
- Google Scholar: Culinary Scene Providence
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Providence
- Google News: Providence Restaurants
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