Devotees of Korea-based BonChon Chicken (which came in second in the Wing Wars throwdown we held back in March) have been known to drive miles to crack into those impossibly crunchy, never-too-greasy poultry pieces. For a lot of us, however, that trek is about to get shorter.

We got word today from Thomas An, co-owner with Paul Choi of BonChon’s Centreville location, that he has a new spot in the works at the Shops at Pershing (2201 North Pershing Drive) in Arlington.

Opening in the summer of 2013, the restaurant will seat about

100 people with additional outdoor seating. An has tapped local firm GrizForm—the team behind Estadio, Cava, and Proof, among others—to

design the space. He didn’t have a lot of details to share about the design, which is still in the planning phase, but promises “exciting stuff.”

Offerings at

BonChon franchises—there are locations on both US coasts and in

Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Korea—vary from

spot to spot, and An says his new restaurant will have an expanded menu

of small plates. But the focus will remain where it belongs: on the

chicken. In addition, the new BonChon will have 10 draft beers

including some Asian brews. “Our hours will be essentially the same as

Centreville but extended in the evenings,” says An.

Get Our “Brunches This Weekend” Newsletter The best breakfasts and brunches to try every weekend, plus our most popular food stories of the week. Or, see all of our newsletters. By signing up, you agree to our terms