South Street Gears Up for Banh Mi and Bottles

Sandwiched between a music shop and a Domino's Pizza, at 712-714 South Street, sits a long-vacant space, which, if on track with its projected May opening, will soon house a bottle shop and Vietnamese small-bite restaurant aptly named Banh Mi and Bottles.

Owner Tuan Phung is a first time restaurant owner, but his idea for South Street's coming-to-fruition Vietnamese street food concept is as ambitious as a veteran restaurateur's. Almost half of the restaurant space (a rather large one, at that) will be devoted to refrigerators containing roughly 300 varieties of craft beer, available for take-out or drink-in. The beer list will be food-friendly, meaning lighter lagers and pilsners, but for those who like a heavy-hitting porter with your summer rolls, Phung is promising a whole slew of globetrotting options available for every palate.

The food menu will be designed by Phung's father, who for many years helped run the kitchen behind South Philly Vietnamese gem, Pho Ha. Snacky, sharable items will make up most of B&B's menu, complemented by requisite banh mis, noodle soups, and rolls.

Phung is hoping for an April soft-opening, but keep in mind, the space is still in heavy construction mode. New blood on South Street (east of Broad Street) is always a good sign, and with Serpico and Brauhaus Schmitz as its new neighbors, Banh Mi and Bottles will surely be joining good company.