Amid closures, a new Fresno restaurant is opening during coronavirus pandemic. Here’s why
With Fresnans sheltering in place and restaurants forced to do only takeout, small businesses are hurting.
Surely, no one would try to open a new restaurant in the middle of a coronavirus pandemic, right?
Well, actually… one downtown Fresno restaurant plans to open for the first time Friday.
Downtown Deli is expected to open at 10 a.m. Friday at 2621 Fresno St., at the corner of P Street. For takeout and delivery only, of course, per the city of Fresno’s COVID-19 order.
The cafe specializes in sandwiches, hot dogs and healthy options like avocado toast, salads and vegan wraps.
Normally, this would be a story about a new restaurant, its sandwiches and its owner’s faith in downtown. However, at this point readers may be wondering why Downtown Deli would open, given the pandemic situation.
Owner Leon Alchian Jr. explained it’s because he’s “got so much money involved in this thing. I’ve pushed it back three, four weeks at a time. I’ve got to get this open and getting some money coming in.”
“Don’t take this wrong by me opening when everyone is closing,” he added. “I just want to get the word out and for everybody to enjoy a great sandwich.”
The restaurant’s located in a former print shop Alchian is renting which sat empty for a few years. Alchian owns a building on Tulare Street and two businesses inside — Majestic Jewelry & Loan and Majestic Music & More.
He paid over $100,000 to install a kitchen and turn the P street building into a restaurant. It’s the building with the bright yellow “We believe in downtown Fresno” painted on the side.
The restaurant is smack dab in the middle of several downtown institutions, several of which are still operating. That includes Community Regional Medical Center and Fresno Police Department.
The names of dishes on the menu are shout outs to downtown places and people.
For example there the “city hall meatball” — a sandwich with homemade meatballs, marinara sauce and mozzarella cheese.
There’s also the “mayor’s hot pastrami” sandwich, “water tower tuna,” and the “FPD tri-tip.” Since the Amtrak station isn’t far away, there’s a sandwich called “Ham track,” made with Black Forest ham, tomato, Swiss cheese and their house-made deli spread.
Most of the sandwich meat will be smoked in a smoker in the parking lot.
A few shelves will sell local products, like Armenian beef jerky and The Brownie Baker desserts. A deli case will hold sides like macaroni salad.
Bread comes from the Basque French Bakery on Inyo Street downtown.
“We’re trying to keep everything local, downtown, and promote downtown,” said Rick Kopinski, head chef and general manager.
The restaurant is offering takeout, curbside pickup and delivery that Alchian himself will be doing. Its menu is online.
