The team behind the popular pop-up dinner series Duncan St. Dinners is opening a sandwich shop in Millvale… but don’t worry, they still plan to continue their monthly dinner series.
The shop, located on 543 North Ave in Millvale, will be a grab-and-go sandwich delicatessen. It is currently under construction, and plans to open at the end of August, or early September 2018.
The menu will be simple and seasonal, featuring four rotating sandwiches with one vegan option. There will also be a refrigerator where customers can pick up homemade sauces, soups, proteins, ice cream, and even fresh produce. Additionally, the shop will offer a special meal-deal where customers can get a sandwich, side, and homemade soda for $15.
Duncan St. Dinners began in March of 2015 when Chefs Kendyl Ryan, Dan Rodriguez and bartender Joe Bacharach started serving five-course, fine-dining meals out of their home on Duncan Street in Lawrenceville.
Each dinner is kept an intimate 12-person cap, which encourages guests to mingle and bond during the meal. The meals are loosely based around a theme and showcase meticulously planned courses, plating, and ingredients designed by Chefs Dan and Kendyl. Each course is thoughtfully paired with wine, beer, or a house cocktail.
“I don’t think we will ever not want to do them, they are so fun,” says Ryan of the dinners. “It’s just a rare thing to get to directly talk and interact with people while they eat your food.”
While there is no plan to slow down the popup dinners, the Duncan St Dinner team is eager to embark on the latest chapter of their business: the Duncan Street Sandwich Shop. The shop will a more accessible extension of the food usually served at the Duncan St Dinners.
“We’re going to be convert things we have done before,” says Rodriguez. “We’ll be taking some flavor profiles we’ve done before and make them less fine-dining.”
Guests can expect sandwiches like the “‘Everything’ Pork,” with roasted pork, everything seasoning, pickled red onion jam, boursin, cucumber, fried onions, as well as the “Roasted Mushroom,” with roasted garlic, caramelized onion, mushroom jus (vegan). All sandwiches served on the customer’s choice of house focaccia, or house potato roll.
Though sandwich-centric, the shop will also offer fun sides and desserts. Sides include white beans, snap peas, and charred pepper slaw. Guests can also expect homemade fruit roll-ups, agua fresca, and special Rice Krispie treats with flavors like “Mexican Hot Chocolate” and “Orange Blossom and Coriander.” While each Duncan St Dinner has a particular theme, the “theme” of the Duncan Street Sandwich Shop is fresh and seasonal.
“Our plan is to keep it fresh, homemade, and un-intimidating,” says Rodriguez.
The interior of the shop has a long counter where guests can order and pickup their food. The inside has limited seating, but there a large, dog-friendly patio behind the building where guests are welcome to hang out and enjoy their food.
Once open, Ryan Rodriguez plan to start hosting the Duncan St Dinner series in the back room of the sandwich shop. They also accept catering orders, and are toying with the idea of weekly, pre-prepared meals for pickup. The patio space will be available for private events and dinners.
“We are coming into this space with an open mind,” says Ryan. “We have an idea to start, but it can change. We are going to evolve with the space. We’ll see what people are wanting and try to fill that void. ”
For opening hours, the Duncan Street Sandwich Shop plans to be open from 10:30 A.M. until 6:00 or 7:00 P.M., Tuesday – Sunday. More information can be found online.
Duncan Street Sandwich Shop (543 North Ave)
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