Great DJs can take two disparate musical tracks from different genres and find a way to combine them into one seamless groove. Great chefs can do the same thing with cuisine. So it makes perfect sense that DJs and chefs Tatsu Aikawa (Tokyo born, Austin raised) and native Austinite Takuya “Tako” Matsumoto would find harmony blending Japanese food and Central Texas barbecue. Following the success of their two Ramen Tatsu-Ya restaurants, the chefs created an izakaya smokehouse that serves hybrid dishes like ramen with brisket, crunchy octopus balls with beef chili, and fried tofu “hot pocketz” that squeeze together brisket and cheese. You can tell the chefs are having as much fun as the diners at this eclectic and playful spot.