Fire, Flavor, and Fun: How Chi Tung’s Hibachi Experience Drove Buzz in Evergreen Park

Introduction

When Chi Tung, Evergreen Park’s premier Asian restaurant, wanted to spotlight its vibrant Hibachi dining experience, the mission was clear. They didn’t just want to fill seats—they wanted to turn their made-from-scratch dishes, lively chefs, and festive atmosphere into scroll-stopping moments that would drive excitement, holiday bookings, and loyal customers.

Standard promotions wouldn’t cut it. Chi Tung needed a strategy that would capture the energy of their hibachi experience and translate it into real-world momentum.

The Opportunity

Chi Tung has been a beloved staple on Chicago’s Southside since 1987, but the goal was to re-energize local awareness while positioning its Hibachi dining as a must-experience event, especially during the busy fall season leading into the holidays.

In a market where many Asian restaurants blend together, Chi Tung needed to highlight what makes them unique: a warm, immersive atmosphere, live Hibachi performances, and dishes made fresh from scratch.

Chi Tung partnered with Relish to transform its Hibachi dining into a shareable, captivating experience that would resonate with local audiences, drive immediate traffic, and boost holiday bookings.

The Strategy

Relish knew that showcasing Chi Tung’s Hibachi experience meant more than just food shots—it meant capturing the energy, fun, and community spirit that makes their Hibachi dining unforgettable.

The campaign focused on four key moves:

• Partner with local voices: Relish activated Chicago creators who love authentic food, local gems, and experiences worth sharing.
• Create moments worth sharing: Influencers captured the excitement of live Hibachi flames, the elegant decor, and first bites of Chi Tung’s made-from-scratch dishes.
• Drive holiday bookings: Content included calls-to-action encouraging followers to book Chi Tung for holiday parties and catering needs.
• Handle the details: Relish managed creator outreach, scheduling, and content rollout to align with peak fall traffic and pre-holiday buzz.

The goal was simple: turn Chi Tung’s Hibachi dining into a local must-do, driving traffic and holiday bookings while reinforcing Chi Tung’s reputation for quality and experience.

The Results

The Chi Tung Hibachi campaign delivered strong, measurable results:

• 16 creator posts across Instagram and TikTok showcasing the Hibachi experience
• 34,711 local views, expanding visibility in Evergreen Park and Southside Chicago
• 2,413 engagements, including likes, comments, shares, and saves
• 6.95% engagement rate, exceeding industry benchmarks for restaurant campaigns

The campaign increased awareness of Chi Tung’s Hibachi dining and drove immediate interest, with multiple creators reporting high follower engagement and direct messages asking about reservations and holiday bookings.

Chi Tung solidified its position as the go-to Asian restaurant in Evergreen Park while reinforcing the fun, community-driven spirit of its Hibachi dining.

Why It Matters

In a competitive market, visibility alone is not enough. It’s about creating real experiences that translate to real customers and long-term loyalty.

With Relish, brands like Chi Tung turn everyday dining into cultural moments that generate excitement, bookings, and repeat visits.

By combining authentic, creator-led storytelling with strategic rollout, Relish helps restaurants transform their offerings into experiences that drive momentum in the real world.

Ready to turn your next campaign into a real-world success story?