The space near the intersection of West Main and South Meadow streets came available earlier this year when Branch & Vine closed. (Mike Platania photo)
The Fan is getting its second new cheesesteak spot this year.
Bad As Philly, which launched its first location in Colonial Heights three years ago, is preparing to open at 2001 ½ W. Main St.
The fast-casual spot is replacing Branch & Vine, a cafe and market that closed in recent months. Branch & Vine had been in the space since 2017, when it was spun off as a rebranded version of another longtime sandwich shop, Olio.
Mohamed Salama first opened Bad As Philly in 2021 at 652 Boulevard in Colonial Heights, serving more than a dozen types of subs as well as burgers, wings and sides like Philly cheesesteak egg rolls. Salama said he came up with the eatery’s name by envisioning how he wanted customers to react to the restaurant’s large, savory portions.
“I wanted the customer to tell me, ‘Man, that’s not just a Philly. That’s a bad-ass Philly,” Salama said.
“So I said, ‘Why not just call it that?’ I knew that name was going to make a lot of people not happy. I played with the words a little bit and hoped I wouldn’t get in trouble.”
In addition to classic Philly cheesesteaks made with steak, cheese, onions and mayo on a toasted roll, Bad As Philly’s menu includes variations that include shrimp, peppers, lamb and more. Salama said one popular version is the 777 Philly that has both steak and chicken. Most subs on its menu are priced between $10 and $13.
A native of Egypt, Salama said he’d been thinking about expanding north into Richmond since he opened in Colonial Heights, with a particular eye on the area near VCU and its students.
“Richmond was always in my mind. I wanted to be in the city and around more traffic, more population,” he said.
Salama is leasing the space, and was represented by Sperity Real Estate Ventures’ Veronica Wiles in lease negotiations. He said he’s working on renovating and cleaning the space with hopes to have it ready sometime in December, adding that it’ll likely only be open for carry-out initially.
Bad As Philly will follow Stanley’s, another Philly-themed restaurant that opened earlier this year in the former Robin Inn space on the northwestern side of the Fan.
The space near the intersection of West Main and South Meadow streets came available earlier this year when Branch & Vine closed. (Mike Platania photo)
The Fan is getting its second new cheesesteak spot this year.
Bad As Philly, which launched its first location in Colonial Heights three years ago, is preparing to open at 2001 ½ W. Main St.
The fast-casual spot is replacing Branch & Vine, a cafe and market that closed in recent months. Branch & Vine had been in the space since 2017, when it was spun off as a rebranded version of another longtime sandwich shop, Olio.
Mohamed Salama first opened Bad As Philly in 2021 at 652 Boulevard in Colonial Heights, serving more than a dozen types of subs as well as burgers, wings and sides like Philly cheesesteak egg rolls. Salama said he came up with the eatery’s name by envisioning how he wanted customers to react to the restaurant’s large, savory portions.
“I wanted the customer to tell me, ‘Man, that’s not just a Philly. That’s a bad-ass Philly,” Salama said.
“So I said, ‘Why not just call it that?’ I knew that name was going to make a lot of people not happy. I played with the words a little bit and hoped I wouldn’t get in trouble.”
In addition to classic Philly cheesesteaks made with steak, cheese, onions and mayo on a toasted roll, Bad As Philly’s menu includes variations that include shrimp, peppers, lamb and more. Salama said one popular version is the 777 Philly that has both steak and chicken. Most subs on its menu are priced between $10 and $13.
A native of Egypt, Salama said he’d been thinking about expanding north into Richmond since he opened in Colonial Heights, with a particular eye on the area near VCU and its students.
“Richmond was always in my mind. I wanted to be in the city and around more traffic, more population,” he said.
Salama is leasing the space, and was represented by Sperity Real Estate Ventures’ Veronica Wiles in lease negotiations. He said he’s working on renovating and cleaning the space with hopes to have it ready sometime in December, adding that it’ll likely only be open for carry-out initially.
Bad As Philly will follow Stanley’s, another Philly-themed restaurant that opened earlier this year in the former Robin Inn space on the northwestern side of the Fan.
I love it! As a New York/ New Jersey guy (as opposed to a South Jersey/Philly type) we think there’s little on the planet that can be as Bad As Philly. I hope he’s got a Cheeze-Wiz option for those sandwiches. Can’t wait to try it out!
I hope it’s good. We have a lot of meh cheesesteaks in town. Sadly I’d include Stanleys, which I had high hopes for
Mayo!!!!!!????? As a born and raised South Philly guy, I can’t even begin to post what want because it would be deleted. Buddy you don’t have a clue!!!!