Feeding Frenzy

Restaurants opening, closing and pending

by Drew Lazor

>> NOW SEATING

June 18 marked the debut of Everyday Gourmet, a new takeout-focused spot in the space that housed Andro's Gourmet Foods (reopening soon at 21st and Pine). All sorts of affordable soups, sandwiches and salads are available, and there's also the option of ordering full-on meals to feed the family/freeloading roommates for under $10 a head. Bite This: The cycling dinner menu features entrée choices like espresso-rubbed flank stank and root beer-glazed pork chops.

It's no secret that Northern Libertarians are quite sensitive about what moves into their 'hood. (Poor Rita's dude.) But I defy you to find someone who's angry about this 30-seat new-concept Cacia's. Tomato pie is and always will be the thing, but this location features café-style seating for the breakfast, lunch and dinner crowd. Bite This: Daily specials include meatballs, eggplant parm and chicken cutlets.

UPenn alums Brett Weinheimer and Alex Moser will open Jimmy John's, a rapidly expanding sandwich outfit out of Illinois, the week of July 9. Known for lightning-quick delivery, JJ's bakes all its bread and slices all its meats on location. Though the franchise boasts around 500 locations nationwide, this'll be the first metro-area store in the Northeast. Bite This: Salami, capicola, smoked ham, turkey, roast beef, provolone, lettuce, tomato, onion, mayo and Italian dressing = the J.J. Gargantuan. I know ... I know.

Paperwork's not done yet, but Joe Poon says he's working on purchasing the dilapidated space that once housed Griffin Café (230 Market St.) to open a restaurant. Don't expect anything for at least six months. >> Greg Russell, head chef at Zocalo (3600 Lancaster Ave., 215-895-0139) recently rolled out an updated menu that reflects the traditions of his wife Mary's hometown of Moralia, Mexico � highlights include chile rellenos and the Molcajete Azteca, grilled cactus, chicken, steak or shrimp served in a lava rock bowl with onion, cheese, roasted tomato and a charred jalapeño sauce. Russell's currently working out a deal to purchase the restaurant outright.