A second Famous 4th Street Deli
Russ Cowan says he's signed a lease for a spot on 19th Street.
How about a second Famous 4th Street Deli?
Russ Cowan, who took over the Queen Village landmark four years ago, tells me that he's signed a lease for 38 S. 19th St., which has been occupied for a short while by Ashoka Palace (an Indian restaurant) and before that Bootsie's.
"I have no idea," said Ashoka owner Kinder Singh, who said his restaurant was still open.
Cowan says he expects to get the keys at the end of the month and hopes to open in July. The menu will be identical to that served at Fourth and Bainbridge.
This spot will be Cowan's 19th restaurant opening over the years.
The Brooklyn-born deli man got on the local radar with the Kibitz Room in Cherry Hill. Shortly before he bought David Auspitz out of Famous, Cowan opened Kibitz in the City at Seventh and Chestnut. Cowan sold that unit. He also sold the Kibitz Room to former manager Neil Parish.
The corned beef will be plentiful in Center City. Parish, meanwhile, is readying a Kibitz Room of his own at 1521 Locust St.