Midtown is getting a new kind of heat. Nick Bognar, the chef behind Indo, Sado and Pavilion, is rolling out Khao Soi Cowboy, a Northern Thai-centered restaurant and Southeast Asian dive bar that aims to swap white-tablecloth precision for walk-in buzz and late-night slurping. The spot is set to serve all-day lunch and dinner, plus cocktails, noodles into the night and to-go meals at a more accessible price point than his tasting-menu rooms, with a clear mission: loud, lively and ready to party.
Where And When
Khao Soi Cowboy is set to move into 3224 Locust St. in Midtown, with a projected debut in spring 2027, as reported by Sauce Magazine. Plans call for an all-day operation that runs through lunch and dinner and keeps the kitchen going late into the evening, with cocktails and takeout in the mix and walk-ins strongly encouraged. Indo veteran Mark Silva, who has been with that restaurant since day one, will run the back of house as chef de cuisine.
Menu And Roots
Bognar traces the heart of Khao Soi Cowboy back to his grandmother, Kun Yai, and to childhood memories of khao soi that helped steer the concept’s direction. "I always wanted to open a more casual concept," Bognar said in a statement, as reported by Sauce Magazine. The menu will build on the khao soi services and pop-ups that have appeared at Indo and stretch into playful small plates, including items described in prior coverage such as a sai oua corn dog, along with expanded protein options for the signature curry noodle.
From Tasting Menus To Dive-Bar Energy
Bognar has made his name on intricate tasting menus and tightly edited small plates at Indo, Sado and Pavilion. He was named a James Beard Award finalist this spring, according to First Alert 4, while critics have praised Indo for its refined blend of Thai and Japanese technique, per The Infatuation. Khao Soi Cowboy is poised to widen that audience with a rowdier aesthetic and a price tag that is intentionally lower than his more formal dining rooms.
What Comes Next
Sauce Magazine pegged the opening for spring 2027 but noted that a firm launch date is not yet on the books. Given Bognar’s pattern of testing khao soi through specials and pop-ups, it would not be surprising to see previews or limited-service nights before the full rollout. We will update this space as Khao Soi Cowboy releases details on service, hours and reservations.
