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Monday, July 5, 2010

Aloha, Roy's

Philadelphia's outpost of Roy's, the Hawaiian-fusion chain backed by Outback, closed over the weekend, management confirmed this morning. (I wrote about the buzz last week, as Roy's staffers were spotted job-hunting.)

The Roy's space, on the corner of 15th and Sansom Streets, will be dark, pending a new concept operated by Ed Doherty, who runs Union Trust steakhouse at 717 Chestnut St.

Developer Joe Grasso has an interest in Union Trust, and owns the building at 124 S. 15th St. with his brother, David.

Doherty told me that he takes control Tuesday. They're planning to enlarge the bar and make it a focal point, alongside a raw bar. He said food would be simple. No name yet. The timeline is for an early 2011 opening.
Posted by Michael Klein @ 11:37 AM  Permalink | File Under: TableTalk | 18 comments
18
Comments   
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 2:45 PM, 07/05/2010
    couldn't happen to a more deserving chain--losers!!!
    — banana
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 7:54 PM, 07/05/2010
    LOL---Add me to the list of Suburbanites who will no longer be dining in the city limits---And as such, NOT supporting the thugs, the union dopes, the over taxation, and the general air of entitlement stupidity...
    — will_wonders_never_cease
  • Comment removed.
  • Comment removed.
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 10:33 PM, 07/05/2010
    The city just keeps getting better... new micro-pubs, steak houses, and wine bars. Great places like in "Kraftwork" in Fishtown, "Lucky 13" in South Philly and "Osteria" in (gulp!) North Philly! Stephen Starr is opening new restaurants, and hosting "pop ups" (temporary places) on Washington Square. ...and the city is vibrant every Saturday night. All while you losers keep eating at Applebees in the suburbs and worrying about flash mobs. Enjoy!
    — NickEeee
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 7:37 AM, 07/06/2010
    Exactly Nick...loser suburbanites in their cookie-cutter houses "dining out" at the strip mall, do us all a favor and don't come into the city.
    — kyle19125
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 9:01 AM, 07/06/2010
    Anyone who thinks that Philly is dying like Detroit obviously hasn't been downtown in 20 years. That's fine. As Nick said, I hear Applebees has some great poppers, and you can save a few pennies in taxes by eating there! Bon appetit!
    — JGT
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 10:16 AM, 07/06/2010
    Ed Dorherty! Why do people keep letting this hack do anything? Maybe it will be as terrible as Union Trust or as mediocre as the water works.
    — That_Guy
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  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 11:31 AM, 07/06/2010
    Add me to the list of young professionals choosing to make the city my home, choosing to invest my money in our cities growing restaurant scene, and avoiding chains that export their profits to other parts of the country. Most importantly, add me to the list of people who choose not to live in fear, and understand that the city is the heart of the region, and without jobs in the city the suburbs would just be backwater farmland.
    — Pelti
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 11:38 AM, 07/06/2010
    It's an odd thing. I never could afford to eat there, and most of their menu I can't eat. So why was I getting menus on my email and in my post box?
    — joycefoxfeld
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 12:08 PM, 07/06/2010
    Golden throw-up corral, I hope not! Loved Roy's and I hope they open again in Philly. Mizz Lou, Olive Garden's right down the street.
    — cmellon0716
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  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 12:45 PM, 07/06/2010
    MizzLou if you want to patron an African American establishment you should try Malenge Cafe in Haddonfield, Chef/Owner Joe Brown makes the best Shrimp and Grits, and also has Jazz on the patio every Friday night.
    — cmellon0716
  • Comment removed.


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About Michael Klein
Michael Klein, the editor/producer of philly.com/Food, writes about the local restaurant scene in his Inquirer column "Table Talk." Have a question? Email it! See his Inquirer work here.
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