Adam Richman, eat your heart out.
Zunzi’s award-winning Conquistador — which the Travel Channel host last year named one of the best three sandwiches in the entire nation — is set to go on sale as late as 2 a.m. in July, when Savannah’s most popular takeout spot opens its new, second location in the former Isaac’s on Drayton, between Bay and Bryan streets downtown.
Late hours? Check. Zunzi’s 2 will be open till 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday nights, with new Sunday hours from 11 a.m.-11 p.m.
Full bar? Check. The new spot will serve beer, wine and liquor.
Al fresco dining? Check — with a twist. While the original Zunzi’s puts folks under umbrellas on the sidewalk, Z2 will have a full rooftop patio.
And live entertainment? Check, check, check.
“We can finally do live music,” says co-owner Johnny DeBeer. “We’re gonna have a little stage — it’ll be more like acoustic sets.
“We’re gonna try to promote as much local music as we can, though we can’t pay. The musicians can play for their food and drinks; we’re probably one of the only spots in town where that’s really appealing, yeah?”
Z2 will dwarf the original takeout spot in size — 2,500 square feet of dining room vs. 300. In addition to music, booze and late-night hours, the new spot will offer sit-down as well as takeout dining. But what about the famous menu that’s had everyone in the Hostess City drooling for years?
“We’re gonna keep the same menu, no changes,” DeBeer promises. “We’ll have the full bar, full liquor and full menu till 10 o’clock Thursday-Saturday. Then from 10-on Friday and Saturday, we’re gonna have Godfathers, Conquistadors and falafel” — three of Zunzi’s most popular entrees.
The original location at 108 E. York St. will remain in operation even after Zunzi’s 2 officially opens its doors.
“We’re gonna try maybe around July 1, end of June,” DeBeer says of the new venture. “It’s all about organization — we have the right people in the kitchen, and that’s key — and running it right.”
And the buzz — that’s already taken care of. When Zunzi’s recently posted a brief note about the move on the restaurant’s website, more than 44,000 people clicked on it, DeBeer said.
ZUNZI’S
108 E. York St.
912-443-9555
zunzis.com