Doner And Company
While the streets are awash with gyro (figuratively speaking, the literal would be some sort of mad fever dream of mine), their Teutonic cousin is far less well represented locally. To my mind, there are maybe only one or two other spots in the valley that outright attempt to recreate the German grab and go.
Enter stage right, this newest concept for the blossoming Central 9th neighborhood. Housed right next door to Ramen Ichizu, the restaurant opened barely days ago. Owned and operated by Talita Wiener-Osman and Christin Brodmeyer-Ashton (Austrian and German expats, respectively), the business aims to be your next lieblingsplatz. If you’re German happens to be as weak as mine, that’s a happy place by the way.
Through the door, there’s definitely a happy welcome – a duo of rotating meat spits feature prominently in the open prep kitchen, lamb/beef and chicken respectively, which can be enjoyed via the Im Brot (sandwich style pocket of sorts, pictured top), Dürüm (wrap), Box (döner in a box with fries, or Bowl (döner bowl with brown rice). Falafel or grilled halloumi is also available for non-meat eaters. From there, the menu fans out all across Eastern Europe and the Baltics; there’s spicy Austrian sausage. Wiener schnitzel and Croatian-style cevapi.
I’d expect most to gravitate towards the traditional Im Brot sandwich, which is a sort of cross between a pita and a panini. A thin bread, with a crisped finish, with just a little fluff inside. The chap behind the counter told us Vosen’s is making the bread for the restaurant.
Always Peru
If you live in Sandy and the likes of Arroz Chaufa or Lomo Saltado get you all hot under the collar, there’s a new Peruvian option in town for you. Housed in the former El Gallo Loco space (I think), the restaurant is about a month old and possesses a perfect 5.0 / 5.0 roster of glowing reviews over on Google.
Billy Bob Joe Chuck’s
Now operating out of the Cruz’s Saloon on Highland Drive. Chef Billy Moschella (Betony Traveling Café) is behind this one. The specialty sandwich shop opens Tuesday – Saturday, 11.00 a.m. – 3.00 p.m. A concise menu offers homesick Bostonians a taste of the East Coast – selections include the likes of the Roast Beef “Three-Way”.
Borikén Sol
The latest to join the lineup within the SLC location of Square Kitchen. Borikén Sol is a family-owned Puerto Rican option in the food hall, founded by mother and son, Nydia Peña Rivera and Estevan Reyes Peña. The duo hail from Santurce, PR, and crank out dishes such as carne guisado and mofongitos.
Epic Brewing
Not a new opening per se, but certainly a new update worthy of note. It’s been a month now since Epic Brewing on State has rolled out a whole new back room. Just walk back past the brewing equipment and you’re in for a pleasant surprise. The space includes its own new bar and counter seating, plenty of indoor seats, and a decent sized, shaded East side patio. I’d share a pic, but the space was already plenty populated by patrons when I stopped by…