As the culinary world starts to open back up following its coronavirus-induced slumber, a new to-go lunch spot from the owners of a 2nd Street butcher will emerge tomorrow not far from the Newark Avenue Pedestrian Plaza.
Downtowner, located at 9 Erie Street, is slated to open later today for the first time. The concept comes from the owners of Darke Pines, a sustainable butcher shop opened by Will and Erica Messmer back in 2018.
Darke Pines aims to use the entire animal in their products, or as much of it as possible. They source their meats from small local farms and carry grass-fed, hormone- and antibiotic-free beef and lamb, pastured pork, and free-range poultry.
That ethos will be coming to Downtowner and get put to use in their sandwiches, soups, salads, and treats. The shop has been teasing items from their menu on their Instagram (@darkepines_downtowner) in advance of opening that include a Nana’s Chicken Salad with romaine on a croissant from Balthazar’s Bakery and a top round roast beef with braised shallots and horseradish cream served on sourdough bread.
For drinks, Downtowner will feature assorted flavors of Wild Kombucha, teas from Icaro Yerba Maté, Ugly Drinks sparkling water, and nitro cold brew from Thread Coffee.
A sign outside the soon-to-open storefront says they will offer online ordering soon, but for now, the store will be open on Fridays and Saturdays from 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
