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Underdogs: An idea that Center City wiener fans can relish

Restaurant veteran Robert Amar is behind a subterranean hot dog and sausage shop.

This is not the wurst thing that could happen to Center City:

Robert Amar, who helped create and run Fare in Fairmount, is setting up a hot dog/sausage shop called Underdogs in the lower-level storefront - get it? - at 132 S. 17th St., which until recently was Argan Moroccan Cuisine.

Amar says Underdogs will showcase "the best of what this town has to offer." That is, Czerw's Kielbasy, Fiorella Bros. sausage, Martin's bacon - served with great-tasting toppings on Vallari's rolls.

His goal is to package a good-size dog, fries and drink for $6 or $7 - though specialty dogs will cost more. He'll theme daily specials: Monday will be vegetarian. Tuesday will be rabbit. Wednesday will be fish. Thursday will be duck. Friday will be game.

Underdogs will open at 9 a.m. daily and will keep late-late hours (till 4 a.m.) on weekends.

Amar, a veteran of such estabs as Buddakan, Tangerine, and Fleming's in Radnor, says he will maintain his Fare ties and is aiming at a March 1-ish opening.

Meanwhile, Jose Garces insists that Frohmans Wursthaus - his beer-and-brats establishment - is still listed as "spring" for the former Letto Deli at 13th and Chancellor Streets.

And I'll have more soon on the revival of the hundred-year-old Levis hot dog brand.