Ensemble coming to Bethesda from owner of Ted's Bulletin, Federalist Pig

The great mystery of the future of the former South Street Steaks building at 4856 Cordell Avenue in downtown Bethesda may have been solved. Permits have never listed the name of the business filling the space. Construction work has been shielded not just by paper over the windows, but more recently, by plywood boards. While no public announcement has been made, from what I have learned, the future tenant is a new concept from the owner of Ted's Bulletin and Federalist Pig called Ensemble.

Ensemble will feature some items from both of those restaurants on its menu of American cuisine.  It will also offer a sandwich and other fried entrees from one of owner Steve Salis' concepts that is yet to debut in the District, Honeymoon Chicken. There will be burgers, salads, and breakfast items, as well, on a menu that touches on many culinary regions of the country.

The building in September

In a building more suited to takeout and delivery than to large numbers of indoor diners, Ensemble could in some ways function as a ghost kitchen for several Salis brands in Bethesda. This sounds like it could be a very smart move at a time when delivery is king, and when governments can order all restaurants to close their dining rooms at any moment. Salis knows success, as before he acquired brands like Ted's and Kramerbooks, he was also a co-founder of the very popular &pizza chain.

South Street Steaks returns as food truck in Bethesda

There's some good news for long-patient fans of South Street Steaks in Bethesda. Although their bricks-and-mortar location on Cordell Avenue fell victim to a car crashing into it, they have now launched a food truck. Their website and social media have not yet advertised their location(s) or hours, but the truck has been spotted by the Bethesda Community Store at 8804 Old Georgetown Road. That's just north of Suburban Hospital. Until they start advertising, that's just a tip I can pass along to cheesesteak aficionados.

The food truck would seem ideal to reach one of their largest fan bases, people who took advantage of their late hours, now a rarity among restaurants in downtown Bethesda since the Montgomery County Council tanked the nighttime economy with their disastrous "Nighttime Economy Task Force" initiative. If this were eight or nine years ago, South Street Steaks would have been able to park their truck near the few remaining bars in the Woodmont Triangle, and do some big business.

But Councilmember Hans Riemer also managed to destroy the food truck industry in Montgomery County, along with nightlife. No longer allowed to park on public roadways, 96% of trucks went out of business or fled back into the District. So unless a generous property owner will allow them to operate on private property (such as the Bethesda Community Store lot), they would not be allowed to operate in downtown Bethesda. What a County! No one knows how to stifle free enterprise, business, and entrepreneurs like the Montgomery County Council.

Heckuva job, Brownie!

South Street Steaks building now available for lease

Things were looking up for the return of South Street Steaks on Cordell Avenue in recent weeks. After structural repairs were completed on the building that was hit by a car last summer, the cheesesteak restaurant's awning was reattached to the facade. Still, all was silent on the South Street Steaks social media pages. Yesterday, for lease signs appeared on the front and side of the restaurant, suggesting that South Street has decided not to reopen at this location.

South Street Steaks signage goes back up in Bethesda

It looks like South Street Steaks may well be returning to business soon on Cordell Avenue. As structural and other repairs to the building wrap up after it was struck by a car last summer, the restaurant's trademark awning has been reinstalled.

South Street Steaks repairs nearing completion

Once getting a permit from Montgomery County, the contractor repairing the South Street Steaks building on Cordell Avenue has made short work of things. The restaurant has been closed for months after a car struck the building in 2018.

Work appears to be complete on the load-bearing exterior wall that was hit by the vehicle. Workers could be seen on the roof during the day on Wednesday, and external support beams were removed from the building. The project is scheduled for completion this month.

South Street Steaks has construction permit

Montgomery County has issued a permit for the building repair work that needs to be done at South Street Steaks on Cordell Avenue in Bethesda. The restaurant has been closed since it was struck by a car earlier this year. A stop work order had been issued recently by the County in the midst of repairs; this permit was apparently the issue. However, work had not resumed immediately when I went by.

Montgomery County orders construction to halt at South Street Steaks

A Montgomery County code inspector issued a Stop Work order for South Street Steaks on Cordell Avenue. The order posted at the restaurant does not indicate the precise violation, but makes reference to building permits. Workers were trying to repair an exterior wall damaged by a vehicle earlier this year.

Repairs continue at South Street Steaks (Photos)

A construction crew continues to repair the South Street Steaks building on Cordell Avenue, which has been closed for months after a car struck its exterior wall for the second time this decade. They have removed the outer brick facade from the wall in the affected area, and are rebuilding that portion of the wall.

South Street Steaks update

Work continued inside South Street Steaks on Cordell Avenue yesterday. Last evening, crime scene-style tape was across the front of the building. At the same time, the "OPEN" sign was lit, though the restaurant was obviously not open. It has been closed for several months since it was hit by a car. Workers are repairing structural damage to the building this week.

Repairs underway at South Street Steaks building

A construction team is now working inside the South Street Steaks building on Cordell Avenue. The restaurant has been closed since it was struck by a car earlier this year. Many around the Woodmont Triangle are hoping the cheesesteak shop can return to the space soon.

South Street Steaks papered over in Bethesda

Paper has been put up over the windows at South Street Steaks on Cordell Avenue. The restaurant has been closed since June 25, when it was condemned by a Montgomery County inspector for structural damage, after a car struck the side of the building.

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This is the second time this decade the restaurant has closed after a car ran into it. They managed to reopen the first time. Rumors at this time remain pessimistic about its survival. I had also heard that the owners would have to have received a successful insurance claim to be able to repair the damage. Stay tuned. In the meantime, try the cheesesteak at Peter's Carry-Out on Wisconsin Avenue...

South Street Steaks shut down by Montgomery County after "accident"

South Street Steaks is closed due to an "accident," according to a sign in the window. The restaurant has been closed since June 25 at 7:22 PM, according to a condemnation sign posted by the Montgomery County Department of Permitting Services, which has declared the building "UNSAFE" for occupancy.

Strangely, in 2011, the cheesesteak restaurant was also condemned, after it was struck by a vehicle. Even more strangely, the restaurant is not saying anything about the "accident" that caused the closure - or even that they are closed - on any of their social media accounts or website.

NEW LUNCH SPECIAL AT SOUTH STREET STEAKS

There's a new lunch special at South Street Steaks on Cordell Avenue. From 11-3 PM Monday-Friday, you can get a Buffalo Chicken hoagie for $7.99 with housemade potato chips (or with fries for an extra $1). The sandwich was voted one of the DC area's Best Cheap Eats by Washingtonian Magazine.

South Street Steaks

4856 Cordell Avenue