Pop those corks. Turkish street food pop-up Hamdi — which has been wowing locals for over a a year — just landed a permanent location. Chef Berk Güldal and his partner Katrina Schult will soon take over the former Tarsan i Jane space at 4012 Leary Way NW.
There’s no timeline yet for when the full-fledged operation will open, but Hamdi plans to give a preview in the space soon. Menu items could include Berk’s amazing hand-minced kebabs + whole-roast lamb.
Hamdi will be in good company, because if you’ve been following the local food scene for awhile, you know that there are plenty of other pop-up-to-permanent restaurant success stories, including:
- Blotto | 1830 12th Ave. | Delightfully greasy New York-style pizza
- Cookie’s Country Chicken | 1744 NW Market St. | Perfectly crisped poultry in bone-in, tender + sandwich forms
- Lily’s Salvadorean Restaurant | 2940 SW Avalon Way | Farmers market-born pupusas + fantastic fried plantains
- Musang | 2524 Beacon Ave. S. | Homestyle Filipino food
- Rachel’s Ginger Beer | Various locations | Fizzy local franchise
- Surrell | 2319 E. Madison St. | Wine-focused dinners with PNW-sourced ingredients
Also in the pop-up to permanent vein, former Chophouse Row lunch counter By Tae
has also found a new home — the former Tippe and Drague Alehouse space
in Beacon Hill. Like Hamdi, By Tae’s new spot will likely be one of the most anticipated restaurant debuts of the year.