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Buff’s Corner sold
04/01/2012 2:36 PM by John M
I’ve heard from a number of reliable sources that Buff’s Corner, the re-imagined version of the much critiqued Buffington & Wine’s Pies, Fries and Franks, has been sold. Word is that the location will remain a pizza restaurant, and that the new owner has a background in baking.
Dear New Owners,
Please either a) make really really good pizza or b) do something completely different. There is a lot of good pizza close to CH. Thanks.
just went by there and saw the door open, closed sign up and three guys hanging out inside drinking (not necessarily beer, couldn’t tell).
Sorry to hear this as their pizza had actually gotten quite a bit better the last few months. I’d echo the poster above though that the new owner should give some serious thought to alternative concepts or try to broaden their offerings at least. Pizza is well covered in the area so unless they have something unique to offer, it might be better used for a different type of food.
Would love to see:
A. A bakery
B. A cheap mid-scale pasta place
C. Seafood restaurant that has good cheap basic seafood
I would also love to see a place with a really good salad bar by the pound, like what they have at Ellwood Thompson.
I would looovvvee to see a petting zoo with some unicorns and a mid-price sushi place with a soup bar or some cheap barbacoa featuring exotic animals like alligator and giraffe.
MMMM barbecued unicorn.
#6 Maybe the animals will chop you up and sell you piece by piece, cheap. Really enjoyed your contribution to the dialog; thought it was quite humorous yet empty and vapid…
All Bark – you are hilarious. I heard a rumor from someone who spoke to a Buff’s employee that the new owner is doing Italian (and maybe Greek). If that’s true, then maybe pasta is a possibility. I’d love our own version of a Mamma zu.
This place is old news. I’m waiting on Proper Pies to open. And don’t worry, none of the things you are requesting are going to happen. It never works that way.
…and yes I know Proper Pies does not refer to pizza.
@9 – that’s exactly what I was hoping for. A good pasta meal for somwhere around a $8-15 pricetag. Nothing crazy, just a place to get decent pasta dishes.
Something similar to 8 1/2 in The Fan??
Vietnamese please! Pho Friday’s on the hill…mmmhmm!
I would really love a good sandwich shop.
I’d personally love to see a Thai Diner 3 come to Church Hill – in this location or somewhere else on the Hill.
How about something Asian in Church Hill ?
Buff’s Corner always kind of baffled me, it just didn’t seem to understand what it was supposed to be, or if it did, it didn’t make it clear to those walking by. Whatever goes in there needs a strong vision, its a good location, shame to waste it on something that has no identity.
I just wish someplace would open up with outdoor seating.
Nadine, I recommend Str8 Outta Philly and House of Homemade for your sandwich needs. Both establishments have awesome sandwich/sub options. The Hill Cafe and Patrick Henry also have tasty sandwich options.
I would definitely appreciate a Vietnamese, Thai, or Japanese restaurant.
this establishement could have been so much more, worst pizza in town, we need something that can compete with the daily drinklers at the hill cafe
I just realized the date of this post. John, are you pulling our legs?
Asian might be tough to pull off given that this location doesn’t have a proper kitchen in place, nor the space to fit one. That said, even if not here I’d love to see that also
Worst pizza in town, considering it was cooked in an unvented toaster oven.
Human Honey Badger, Patrick Henry Pub & Restaurant has a great patio space in the back, and delicious food.
Magneto, I don’t think this post is a prank. I tried to visit Buff’s on two occasions last week and both times it was closed.
Are we all putting in our bids for this place? I have a couple suggestions. The skewered unicorn sounds delicious!
I’m wondering if it’s the guy that started Sub Rosa wood fired bread … I heard he was opening a place in CH, but not sure where it’s supposed to be.
@Alex–We were discussing last night that it would be a very good sign of things to come if the new owners begin some serious kitchen reno. Right now, they’ve not set up for much. A deli might be an easier transition, given what’s in there now.
Bring Olio, former European Market, to the Hill.
@John Vetrovec – yes!!!
The “sub rosa guy” is setting up on the corner across from the Roosevelt, last I heard…where the hair salon used to be. The windows are papered up right now.
there is nowhere to go and relax in Church Hill for a quiet wine, comfortable/relaxing/quiet atmoshere and high class food. Pizza, Subs, pub fried food are everywhere. Some market analysis, thought and approriate capital outlay could attract outsiders and set a new standard.It will not take much to surpass the poor/boozey quality,,, that is the Hill Cafe.
How about a deli/wine bar?
So far not many Vietnamese places have lasted outside of the core asian area around Broad/Horsepen in the West End. Opening up all the way in Church Hill would be big leap. I don’t think the pho place in the fan did well.
The Pho place in The Fan was a joke…not authentic at all.
I think a store such as Strawberry Market would be great or a high-end restaurant. However, there doesn’t seem to be enough kitchen space for a real full service restaurant. We need a more upscale market than anything + serves hot such as Strawberry Mkt.
a place with some more vegetarian options would be nice too.
What is so hard about this corner? A deli, with sandwiches to order and cold salads. Roast beef on rye, potato salad and a pickle. That’s a winner!!
There are restrictions on what kind of equipment can be used in a commercial kitchen without a hoodvent – basically no open flames, no real stove or oven. I do not know if this location is restricted on getting one installed, or if the cost kept Buff’s from getting one.
A good deli, yes, please and thank you. Quality salad bar variety and maybe some fresh breads and desserts; maybe a hot soup selection in cooler months. Going further out on a limb; donor kabab. Mmmmmmm, kabab.
I’m really happy to hear this actually. I was very excited to have them open but not a great experience. Hopefully the new owners will really liven it up and offer tastier options.
We HAVE a great sandwich place, it’s House of Homemade- have you tried the Green Hill or Regency. Serious deliciousness w/ vegan and veg options. For those of you hoping for Asian cuisine I have the inside scoop that a very reputable Thai restaurant is opening a location on the Hill w/in the next year. That being said, how about great sushi or Indian?
Seriously! House of Homemade and Str8 Outta Philly cover CH’s sandwich and sub needs! Both are awesome establishments!
Melissa, can you share any other details on the Thai you heard about? As far as sushi, SumoSan just down the hill is pretty decent.
A good Indian restaurant anywhere outside the west end would be awesome though. I don’t think this is the location for that though. This space can either hold a proper kitchen or dining space, probably not both. Indian takeout would be a tough sell.
We want a tv show tfeatures robots fighting dragons and alien monsters but mirrors our daily life.
JD said: “View 2 days ago Nadine, I recommend Str8 Outta Philly and House of Homemade for your sandwich needs. Both establishments have awesome sandwich/sub options. The Hill Cafe and Patrick Henry also have tasty sandwich options. ”
I am not into tofu, saffron, curry, whole grain new age foods. Give me old fashioned traditional sandwiches and then I may visit.
To those of you who want a bakery, I know someone who has tried to rent property in CH to open a bakery, has the equipment to do it but the owners of the buildings are not cooperative. One owner of the property would not let her bring in an electrician or plumber to give an estimate of the cost to fix all the electrical and plumbing problems and bring the property up to code. Another owner tried to steer her closer to Venable street cuz she is black (but can bake her butt off)-apparently the owners don’t know that steering is illegal. The buildings she wanted to lease is on 27th and Marshall. She has tried to lease 3 of the buildings.
@JujuBee–The guy who was to open sub-rosa bought the buidling across the street from the Roosevelt. I have heard but have not confirmed that he is now seeking money to buy equipment. He partnered with the Lamplighter folks for them to do the coffee and he provide the bread. Yet he wanted Lamlighter to put up $30,000 for his buildout. Not sure if Lamplighter is still in it, but it is sure taking him forever to get into business. I say this because my friend who tried to rent that space to open her bakery was told by the owners of the building that the SubRosa guy had put a contract on it to purchase it. She tried to talk with the SubRosa guy about partnering but he was not interested.
Lydia,
We could use that bakery. Has your friend tried any of the storefronts in front of the Market? They might be good locations also since all the commercial landlords here seem to not have their shit together. That is a real shame to hear and I hope she gets something.
I had dinner next to Noel from Lamplighter the other night at Nate’s Taco Truck (2nd act) in Carytown (amazing by the way..how about good Mexican on the Hill) and she confirmed that the bakery IS happening across from Roosevelt and Lamplighter will be providing the beans while training the guy how to run the espresso machine. It’s really in the works. She also said that Lamplighter was originally suppose to be a Church Hill coffee spot, but that they struggled with licensing/contractors/permits, etc., red tape “bs”… @Alex, I don’t think I can speak too much about the Thai restaurant yet, at least I can’t divulge until I talk to our friends who own the current location and he gives the ok. I will hint that it’s mother location is in Carytown.
@Eric–if you’re looking for “old fashioned sandwiches” look no further than Str8 out of Philly, which does (extremely good) cheesesteaks and subs.
As far as the future of Buff’s Corner, which I never visited despite it being almost directly across the street from me, I know its facilities are limited so there’s only so much that can be done. It won’t be (shouldn’t be?) any sort of deli/sandwich place since SooP is literally right behind it. And I wonder if part of the sale included the ABC license? Only time will tell (and I’m sure people will still complain no matter what it turns out to be, LOL).
how about a decent coffee shop? captain buzzy’s, which is run by the owner of what was formerly buff’s, makes terrible coffee and food. i can’t decide which place was worse– buff’s or buzzy’s. i’d be glad to see both go! i cannot believe how expensive and unsatisfying their food is/was.
(buzzy’s re-roasts costco coffee fyi!)
ps: an amazing bakery is coming in to the corner spot on 25th and jefferson very soon. sit tight!
@ Lydia #50 which three buildings at 27th and Marshall St. did your friend try to rent. Sandra Murray owns one of the corners…322 N. 27th (she is black), Lessie Hembrick owns 401 N. 27th, and he is black. Four Hundred Two is not quite finished yet, but I thought there was a bakery at 325 N.27th Street?
@ sarah #55, ouch someone at Buzzy’s must have really made you mad. I don’t think you are going to find much support in the community for getting rid of Buzzy’s, they seem pretty popular to me. I have enjoyed all of the food I’ve had there and everyone has been super nice to me. I’ll admit I do not care for their coffee, tastes burnt to me, but then again I am not the best judge on that as I think gas-station coffee in a styrafoam cup beats anything else I’ve ever had at starbucks, panaera, etc.