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Fire With This Smoke?
Posted by Foobooz on April 27th, 2009
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When we were tipped off by an anonymous source last week that Stephen Starr was interested in turning the former Cosi location at 2nd and Lombard into a pizza spot we were incredulous. Starr? South Street? Pizza?
But then a few more tipsters contacted us saying a deal was ready to sign. When a well-placed Starrling didn’t flat out deny the story we wondered if there could be something bigger than just a kernel of truth to this rumor.
We’re currently awaiting word back from Starr’s representatives but we want to know what you think: is Starr’s version of a “recession special” a pizza place?
Update: The Insider has the name as Pizza Select. [The Insider]
Stella Pizza
215 Lombard St, Philadelphia, PA
Related Tags: Pizza, Pizza Select, South-Street, Stella Pizza, Stephen Starr
April 27th, 2009 at 2:53 pm
Sounds interesting. I know I will definitely give it a try. But how is Starr going to make his pizza place stand-out? How will he compete with standby excellent places like Lorenzo’s or Tacconelli’s? Will the price per slice be typical Starr?
April 27th, 2009 at 3:02 pm
I’ve been to tacconelli’s once. it’s not hard to compete with a difficult to get into out of the way place. lorenzo’s is okay, but not as good as nearby pietro’s. I can see him bringing ny pizza to philly though, unless he’s talking neapolitan pizza which would also be welcome.
April 27th, 2009 at 3:16 pm
watch out for the special Starr Fried Calamari pizza…
heck i’d give it a try
April 27th, 2009 at 3:34 pm
how about tomato pies like DeLorenzo’s stephen?
April 27th, 2009 at 3:52 pm
This will not compete with Lorenzo’s and Tacconelli’s. This sounds like Mix on Chestnut Street, or Pietro’s–a casual sit down pizza place with a liquor license.
It’s not a bad idea; they aren’t that many decent “pop in” casual places to sit and drink on South Street. Add the sidewalk seating it actually sounds pretty good.
April 27th, 2009 at 4:02 pm
I suspect his version is closer to Osteria than Lorenzo’s.
April 27th, 2009 at 4:06 pm
We need something like Otto in NYC!
April 27th, 2009 at 4:09 pm
Ditto El Tuerto! Otto in Philly would be amazing!
April 27th, 2009 at 4:26 pm
sounds great. Tacconellis is inaccessible and Lorenzo’s is too greasy these days. I recently tried Gianfranco’s in south philly and thought it would be great for a good pizza like that in a sit down spot like cosi. Mmmm I think there’s a big market for this.
April 27th, 2009 at 6:55 pm
i feel like really good pizza is kind of an artisan product, which imho, has not been stephen starr’s particular strong suit to date. if he gets a liquor licence and does everything else right (make it feel like a hip east village italian joint), it could certainly be a big success, but i think there are probably easier battles out there…
when does starr’s shake shack open? that will be a good test of his ability to focus on a singular food product…
April 27th, 2009 at 7:55 pm
The burger shack is open, haven’t checked it out yet, though…
April 27th, 2009 at 8:33 pm
It’s sorta open… it’s kind of shitty and temporary with a limited menu. I’d wait until the real one opens but they haven’t started building it yet…