Tremont’s Culinary Scene Grows with Paper Tiger

This past summer, Crust Pizza in Tremont closed its doors after 13 years, with five at its original location and eight in the building that it shared with Visible Voice Books, which also recently closed ahead of its impending debut in its new home in Ohio City.

Hangry Brands announced that it has taken possession of the former Crust space and will open a contemporary “American-Chinese” restaurant called Paper Tiger on Professor Ave. The new restaurant will occupy the main floor and spacious rear patio only, leaving the upper Visible Voice space untouched (for now).

“We were honored to open STEAK in Tremont and it just underscored to me and my company how important of a culinary neighborhood it is,” says Hangry Brands CEO Jason Beudert. “When the opportunity came with respect to the Crust and Visible Voice building, we knew that it would make a great home for Paper Tiger.”

Beudert says that he aims to do for Chinese cuisine what he did with the steakhouse genre at STEAK in the same neighborhood.

“Most Americans grew up on take-out Chinese food,” he says. “We want to continue that tradition and make it fun, make it cool, and make it delicious. We want to bring it into a full-service setting where you can enjoy great cocktails.”

The traditional Chinese zodiac placemat will transformed into a beverage menu with 12 different animal-themed cocktails. In place of the tubs of free popcorn served at STEAK, there will be bowls of complimentary shrimp chips. Illuminated Chinese dragons will hang from the rafters and dozens of other creative design elements will combine to create a fun, family-friendly dining experience.

“It’s that feel of being immersed in an experience,” adds Beudert. “At Hangry, we love creating experiences. When you come into Paper Tiger, you will be transported and immersed in an unbelievable American-Chinese restaurant experience.”

In addition to time-honored staples like wonton soup, chicken lo mein, Bang Bang shrimp, beef and broccoli, and Kung Pao pork, there will be creative twists such as egg roll queso dip, pepperoni rangoon, bao tacos and guacamame dip made with avocado and edamame.

“It’s been exciting to be a part of the menu innovation for Paper Tiger and to be able to work alongside our amazing chefs and help instill some of my family’s culinary heritage and recipes,” says Hangry Brands partner Xiao Lin.

Beudert says that there are plans to add a take-out window on the side of the building that can easily be accessed from the exterior.

Paper Tiger is slated to open in spring.

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