Our Story

Southern Spin on Korean Fried Chicken

It all began in 2017 when husband and wife Tommy Nguyen and Grace Chi opened Cross Street with their best friend and flavor master, Wilson To. Together, they offer a new take on traditional Korean fried chicken by marrying it with classic southern spices. The best of both worlds!

Native to Convoy, San Diego, they wanted to give back to their community and create a place for locals to come by after work and enjoy themselves. A place with great food, great vibes, and great service.

Before they opened, Tommy left the corporate world to pursue his travels with Grace for some flavor inspiration. They went to Thailand, Vietnam, Japan, and Korea. Every corner they turned, they’d see Chimaek–fried chicken and beer paired together–a classic combination in Korea.

They’ve brought that inspiration back with them to San Diego. And taking extensive restaurant experience from Grace and her family, they are pairing crispy Korean fried chicken–fried twice and tossed hot in 13 unique flavors–with San Diego’s best craft beers.

Cross Street was recognized by USA Today as one of the Top 20 Best Fried Chicken Spots in America, and has received many awards such as Best Wings and Best Fried Chicken Sandwich in San Diego. Be sure to check out their recent feature on the Food Network show, Food Paradise, in the video above!