The wheels come off
Deli-on-wheels parks popular pastrami at new Central Austin brick-and-mortar
After a brief hiatus, pastrami purveyors Otherside Deli is rolling back onto the scene. On November 13, owners Conor Mack and Derrick Smith announced that the brick-and-mortar version of the popular food truck is now open at 1104 West 34th St. in the former home of Delaware Sub Shop.
The deli-on-wheels first introduced itself to Austin in November 2017 as the resident truck at campus-area bar Back Lot. It quickly drew acclaim for its pastrami sandwiches (both meaty and vegan) and its Outer Limits fries, a beastly concoction with pastrami, Swiss cheese, sauerkraut, Russian dressing, and pickles.
In early October, Mack and Smith announced plans for the storefront. Mack tells CultureMap that the original plan was to keep the truck running until the new spot opened, but the team decided not to the renew the permit so they could focus on construction. The truck has been closed for the last two weeks.
Along with the food truck went the fries. Mack says the fries were a casualty of the tight kitchen space and will replaced with latkes, although he is considering creating an Outer Limits version of those. The rest of the offerings, however, have been carried over to the shop near Seton Medical Center.
The idea was to create a “classic deli made for the neighborhood,” says Mack, noting that many of the offerings from Delaware Sub Shop were added to Otherside’s menu including include more salad choices; classic turkey, ham, and Italian sandwiches; and warm subs like cheesesteak and meatball parm.
Otherside will also be expanding into breakfast, adding sandwiches on Kaiser rolls and bagels from Wholy Bagel. A partnership with Flat Track Coffee will provide the morning buzz.
Although the shop currently only offers nonalcoholic drinks like Dr. Brown’s cream sodas and juices, a beer and wine permit is in the works. (The location came with a back patio ideal for after-work drinks.)
Currently, Otherside is operating with limited soft opening hours to allow Mack and Smith to add the finishing touches. In the next two to three weeks, hours will expand to 8 am-8 pm, although Mack says that may change as the business matures.
For now, it is operating with a limited menu with new items introduced each day. Although there is no solid date, Mack says its likely he will introduce breakfast next week.