Denver-based Korean barbecue coming to Wilson

Dae Gee, a Denver-based Korean barbecue restaurant, is making Wilson its first franchise on the East Coast.

The restaurant, pronounced “dwae-jee,” is named after the Korean word for pig — hence the slogan “pig out.” The menu features beef short ribs, sliced pork belly, chicken and more prepared in a bowl, hot stone pot or inside lettuce to form a wrap.

The business will take over the former Golden Corral restaurant building at 3101 Raleigh Road Parkway. After Golden Corral closed, the building was outfitted to become Isahana, a Japanese steakhouse. Isahana never opened after it was announced in 2021.

Spokesman Michael Misetic said the building being mostly outfitted for an Asian restaurant served to Dae Gee’s benefit.

“They scooped it up,” Misetic said. “At 8,100 square feet, this restaurant will be the biggest in the brand’s reach. Construction should begin within the next two to three weeks. We’re planning on opening in the third quarter (of 2024). Interior buildup needs to be done. Most of the work needed is already there. Dae Gee’s work has already been done. It just needs to be partially built out.”

Misetic said franchisees Anthony Ngoc Vu and Minh Mai have never owned a restaurant but know what it’s like to run a businesses through operating nail salons.

“When looking for a franchise brand to bring to Wilson, Dae Gee was the only concept that really stood out to us,” Ngoc Vu said through a news release. “We’re eager to bring a different flavor, variety and overall dining experience to Wilson and give our customers a chance to fill up, indulge in eccentric flavors and experience diverse dishes.”

Misetic said the new owners were very particular about what kind of food they wanted to serve.

“Our first-time restaurateurs wanted to do Korean barbecue,” Misetic said. “They’re actually Vietnamese. You see a big Korean influence in the West with K-Pop and “Squid Game.” They’re looking to bring that concept, that influence to a small town like Wilson.”

Dae Gee is a growing brand, expanding all across the country. Misetic said the company opened its first international restaurant in Mexico earlier this year. He said the brand is looking to open five to 10 new restaurants annually. Misetic said while this location was not the first development agreement on the East Coast, it will be the first to open on this side of the Mississippi River. Misetic said an appearance on Guy Fieri’s “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives” on Food Network catapulted the brand to relevancy in the franchise space.

“We’re one of the newer franchises out there,” Misetic said. “You know, it’s not every day Guy says your brand is off the hook. We must be doing something right.”

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