Skip to content
Link copied to clipboard

Vegan pizzeria coming to Rittenhouse from Blackbird’s Mark Mebus

At 20th Street Pizza, replacing a computer-repair shop at 108 S. 20th St., Mebus says he plans a straightforward New York-style slice shop. All vegan, of course.

A slice of garlic butter, violife, peppers, cracked black pepper, red onions, and ranch dressing, served at Blackbird Pizzeria.
A slice of garlic butter, violife, peppers, cracked black pepper, red onions, and ranch dressing, served at Blackbird Pizzeria.Read moreBLACKBIRD PIZZERIA

Mark Mebus — whose vegan sandwiches and pizzas have put Blackbird Pizzeria on the map — says he is close to opening a shop in Rittenhouse.

At 20th Street Pizza, replacing a computer-repair shop at 108 S. 20th St., Mebus says he plans a straightforward New York-style slice shop. All vegan, of course.

He says the pizza will be different from Blackbird's in that there will be a stronger focus on seasonal vegetables. Slices will be squares and triangles. No sandwiches or wings — just a few salads, garlic knots, and vegetable sides.

Blackbird, now operating out of 614 N. Second St. in Northern Liberties, has been around for nearly nine years, when Mebus opened at 507 S. Sixth St., between Lombard and South Streets in the building that from 1896 to 1992 housed Levis Hot Dogs.

But in March, the Sixth Street business was forced to close pending repairs to the building's crumbling facade. Workers will need many more months to shore it up.

An opening date for 20th Street has not been set.