New York emcee Despot is putting his underground-rap money to best possible use: Helping his friends open a Jewish delicatessen in Brooklyn. The restaurant, Frankel’s, is an homage to classic Jewish delis of the Upper West Side of Manhattan; think Barney Greengrass for New Brooklyn.
Frankel’s has been getting a lot of press in the last couple weeks (including a shout out from Flo Fab in the New York Times), but Despot took to Instagram today to tell the world that he’s been a part of the process and co-owns the pastrami palace. His caption made it very clear that this is not an April Fools’ joke:
I’m opening a Jewish deli with some of my friends tomorrow. You may be familiar with some of them. It’s called Frankel’s. I haven’t said much about it. Now I am. It’s at 631 Manhattan Ave in Greenpoint. The food is Jewlicious. Come hang out with me there tomorrow and forever. This is not an April fools joke. I forgot that was today. You’re an April fools joke.
Despot’s business partners, Zach and Alex Frankel, aren’t playing around, either. Grub Street reports that they’ve hired Ashley Berman, a Food Network kitchen veteran, as executive chef. Berman’s got sandwiches for days, from white fish to pastrami, as well bagels and lox that look like they’d give Russ & Daughters a run for their money (we’ll have to do a full taste-test to substantiate such claims, of course).
And to confirm their NYC bonafides, they’ve also got a “Recession special”—two hot dogs and a can of soda for $7. Not quite Gray’s Papaya prices, but we’ll take it. Also of note: It looks like another New York rapper, El-P, is also involved:
As Despot notes, Frankel’s opens tomorrow at 631 Manhattan Avenue in Greenpoint. Go see for yourself if you think Despot made a good investment. From the looks of the Instagram post, his underground-rap money is stacking high—shout out to the suicide doors on the i8, homie.
[via Instagram/@despotroast]