A Vegan Pizza Shop Is Opening in Rittenhouse

Philly lost one of its original vegan mainstays when Blackbird Pizzeria in Queen Village was forced to close earlier this year for building repairs. But there’s good news: Not only did Mark Mebus open a second Blackbird in Northern Liberties, he also has a Rittenhouse pizzeria in the works, reports Philly.com. The new pizza shop, simply named 20th Street Pizza, is going into 108 S. 20th Street. If all goes according to plan, it will open this fall.

The address, on 20th just south of Chestnut, is surrounded by eateries, including Shake Shack, Jose Garces’ Village Whiskey, gelateria Capogiro, Hawaiian restaurant Poi Dog, and Roman pizzeria Rione. Vegan sandwich shop Wiz Kid is just a block away.

Mebus, who opened the first Blackbird in 2010, tells Philly.com the Rittenhouse pizzeria will serve more pies with seasonal veggies than Blackbird. And unlike the other location, there won’t be sandwiches or vegan cheesesteaks.

The historic building housing the original at 507 S. 6th Street, which dates back to the late 1800s, likely won’t be able to re-open for a while, if at all.

In other vegan pizza news, Matthew Kenney is opening his first Philly restaurant sometime next year.

• Building Up Philly’s Vegan Scene — A History of Blackbird Pizzeria and Grindcore House
• Vegan pizzeria coming to Rittenhouse from Blackbird’s Mark Mebus [Philly.com]
• Blackbird Pizzeria Is Coming to Northern Liberties