Former Palladino’s location on East Passyunk is FINALLY getting a new tenant
The gateway to East Passyunk Avenue is about to get a new guard.
It’s been almost a year since Palladino’s suddenly closed its doors for “renovations”. But come September, the vacant corner location will breathe again.
The new spot is being opened by Joe Gunn, Casey Parker, and Adan Trinidad (the guys that brought us Sancho Pistola’s & Jose Pistola’s) and will be called Pistola’s Del Sur.
Pistola’s Del Sur, aiming for Sept. 1, will occupy the former Palladino’s, which has been empty since July 2016 after that Italian restaurant, owned by Luke Palladino, collapsed in bankruptcy. The restaurant’s pizza ovens will be used for Mexican pizza. The wood-burning grill won’t be used.
Don’t expect a tame look and feel at Pistola’s Del Sur. Parker, who is taking the lead in the concept and its build-out, said the atmosphere will call to mind the Jane’s Addiction album Ritual de lo Habitual – “trippy, sexy, and awesome. Music-driven. Right now, the outside looks like a Nifty Fifty’s.” – Michael Klein, Philly.com
Because we need more Mexican in South Philly. Isn’t Adobe Cafe right across the street??
Not for long???
Adobe is the only restaurant in the neighborhood, as the rest are taquerias. And this apparently would be unique in serving Mexican pizzas. I’m not really sure what that means, but it’s different.
Also, how many Italian restaurants are on the avenue and they do fine. Laurel and Townsend are both French and next to each other and they do fine. All the coffee shops do well.
If it makes good food, then it will be fine. I’m not sure what else the avenue really “needs.” There are a bunch of Italian, some French, a Dutch, an American, a Japanese, and a Mexican restaurant. The variety is just fine.
Two American. I forgot stateside.
I’d like to see more diverse cuisine come to Passyunk too, but there’s definitely a market for this. Cantina is always packed, and there are too few places on the ave to bring a group of friends for good food and drinks. This will be a great addition. Hopefully something unique comes to the old Da Vinci/Genarro’s spot.
Cantina is always packed. It is great for chips and drinks if you can get a seat outside on a nice day, but I think the food is average at best, so a little competition would be nice.
I forgot about Bing BIng being there, too. Their food is delicious, but its a very limited menu, so another chinese place would be great. In addition to the delicious Malaysian food at Sate Kampar, and Indonesian at Ramayana just off the avenue, and Cambodian at Khmer Kitchen at little further off the avenue. We are not really hurting for diversity, you just have to go there.
Try South House on 13th & Shunk. Lots of room for a big group, an interesting menu with fresh specials, a friendly and fun atmosphere. Live music, quizzo.
supposedly, it’s becoming a sports bar. which…it better be a good one.
This is a great addition as Adobe is awful. What EPA needs is more mid-range pub type places and this fits the bill exactly. Both Pistolas locations are excellent. I’d also like to see an upper scale Chinese(Han Dynasty type) and a BBQ place.
BBQ would be a nice addition. I’d be happy with a half decent Chinese takeout place, but an upscale would be nice too.
One of those going not the Genarro’s spot would be great, but I think a BBQ place would also do well as a small sitdown and mostly takeout business, along the lines of P’unk Burger
I was going to say we could use a decent sports bar but BBQ is a great idea too. In my humble opinion there is no shortage of Mexican food in that area.
BBQ? You have Bomb Bomb on Wolf and Nick’s Charcoal Pit on Snyder and Stogie Joes on Passyunk, all are very good most times. For Chinese the best in the neighborhood is Johnny Chang’s on Broad. Pistola’s is a mediocre salty hell hole I hope this new place is better!
Awesome news. Jose and Sancho are great. Consistently good food, amazing beer selections. The mexican pizza will be something to set it apart from the other spots. Adobe is awful and Cantina is always ridiculously crowded so this will be a great alternative.
I think this will fit in real well up the Avenue. I love Mexican food and think both Adobe and Cantina are awful and can’t understand the how Cantina is always so crowded. I agree that a Han Dynasty like Chinese would do well but my dream would be if Michael Solomonov from Zahav would open something up.
R.I.P. Adobe. I won’t miss you and it’s been a long time coming.
That’s unlikely unfortunately since Adobe owns the building, I don’t see them going anywhere for a while.
I think Adobe will be fine. It has a steady group of regulars (including LGBTQ folks and vegans) and it gets a lot of traffic from karaoke. Additionally, it’s one of the only places on the Ave I have noticed is welcoming to the local black community.
Considering most place on the Ave are crowded any time I want to sit at a bar, I don’t think an additional quasi-Mexican/Tex-Mex place will really be a direct competitor. I imagine the new Pistola’s will still focus on a large, curated beer list and comparatively gourmet menu.
People don’t go to Adobe because it’s hip or haute cuisine. I go to Adobe regularly for the staff and the interesting people I meet there. Plus they aren’t too snobby to have Coors Light. Not everyone wants a IIIPA or Balsamic vinegar gose every day.
What Ave places are not welcoming to the Black community? Those are pretty strong words.
Adobe survives because they own the building. The rent on their building would be 8-10k a month minimum. The crowd there is made up of people who think the Cantina is too fancy. Which is a very low bar.
And people who want to do Karaoke
Most of them
We used to go to Adobe because it was closer to our house and better for kids (cheaper, less crowded and pretentious) than Cantina. And almost every time I regretted it. Maybe Pistola’s will at least force Adobe to up their game.
Love Adobe for the great drinks & atmosphere. I think their food is better than Cantina too. Still looking forward to Mexican pizza … room enough for all.
Awesome news. Pistola’s will cement that end of the Avenue. Rival Bros looks like it is finally coming along. Hopefully a competent owner will take over the Genarro’s spot.
Dmitris would be a great fit for the Gennaros space. No greek food on the Ave and they don’t need a liquor license. Should move from their tiny spot in QV.
Greek food is practically next door to Palladinos – green olive. Low key and tasty.
Solid idea too! Greek would be awesome!.
Born the Gennarros spot, but fried chicken coming to a few doors down in the short lived seafood market.
What about some good hummus or falafel on this ave?
Until then I’ll be all about that Mexican pizza.