Updated: Saison's Joshua Skenes Puts Casual Concept, Fat Noodle, on Hold

Update: Dec. 17, 11 a.m. Another representative from the Skenes-Fleischman contingent reached out today to clarify that the project is technically "not on hold" and that they are "working on some exciting, interesting things."  That's all the additional intel that could be shared at the moment. Stay tuned for updates in the coming weeks and months.

It's been over a year since Saison chef Joshua Skenes announced plans for a fast-casual Chinese noodle bar, Fat Noodle, and there's been nary an update on the project's progress. Now, the project's public relations representative reaches out to say that the project is on hold, though there are no further details about why things aren't moving forward.

Skenes and partner Adam Fleischman (founder of Umami Burger) envisioned a concept based around hand-pulled noodles, with an accessible menu of items priced at $10 and under. The duo had even found the space for their first restaurant, which was designed for scalability and rapid expansion, at the corner of 2nd Street and Mission Street (previously the home of Henry's Cafeteria). However, since it was acquired last fall the space has sat empty, with no sign of construction whatsoever. The liquor license is still pending under the Fat Noodle LLC, though it looks like they won't be using it anytime soon.

In the meantime, Skenes has another project that is still in the works: the sushi pop-up-turned-restaurant collaboration with chef Jiro Lin. As Eater reported in May, Skenes and Lin have been looking for a small space in SOMA or the Financial District, to house a bar and omakase counter for Lin's premium sushi offerings. And, now that Fat Noodle doesn't seem to be happening, the right space may have emerged in the form of Fat Noodle's intended location.