Formosa Street Food and Bar (formerly Unwind Cafe)

[Pete]

New delicatessen coming to the Tower Theater

Add another interesting tenant to the growing list at the Tower Theater, as construction is set to start on a new deli.

Eric Fossett has signed a lease for 2,000 square feet just west of the main entrance to the the historic theater for his restaurant, Scottie's Deli.

Also soon to open on the ground floor of the building is the Bunker Club bar, the newest project of Ian and Hailey McDermid who helm the wildly popular Pump Bar. And also coming soon will be Urbun, a fast-casual restaurant featuring Korean Korean buns from the owners of Chae Restaurant.

Fossett grew up around his family's sandwich shops in Northern California and said that experience created a passion for high-quality, homemade food.

Scottie's will make everything from scratch, including brining their own corned beef, smoking their own pastrami and curing their own bacon.

Soups, pickles, and sauerkraut will also be made from scratch, with nothing prepackaged.

In addition to the large space, there are plans for 4-5 tables on the sidewalk along NW 23rd.

Beer and wine will be served and hours to start will be Monday through Thursday 10AM to 11PM, Friday and Saturday 10AM to 3AM and Sunday 10AM to 4PM. Breakfast and weekend brunch are likely to be added in the future.

The hours on the weekends are designed to attract the late-night crowds attracted to the growing Uptown nightlife.

Fossett told OKCTalk that while Scottie's will feature all the deli classics like Reubens and smoked turkey breast, several creative and unique sandwiches and items will also be featured.

There will also be daily specials for take-home meals for 2 or 4 people, such as meatloaf or roasted chicken with sides.

Catering will be offered along with hand-crafted market specialties such as pickled goods, mustards and salad dressings.

Scottie's Deli should open this spring.

http://scottiesdeliokc.com/

[HangryHippo]

Awesome! I think he's trying to take on quite a lot, so I hope it's successful.

[shadfar]

This is great! loving this area!

[soonerguru]

this sounds exciting. Hopefully they don't get too cute with the execution. I've learned to temper my enthusiasm when any proprietor in OKC says they're opening a delicatessen. If someone can pull off a legit pastrami sandwich -- without adding bizarre ingredients or Chipotle mayo -- I'll be pleased.

[ctchandler]

this sounds exciting. Hopefully they don't get too cute with the execution. I've learned to temper my enthusiasm when any proprietor in OKC says they're opening a delicatessen. If someone can pull off a legit pastrami sandwich -- without adding bizarre ingredients or Chipotle mayo -- I'll be pleased.

Soonerguru,
Have you been to Slaughter's Hall? They make their own pastrami, and by the way, if you don't want chipotle mayo, tell them to hold it. I always have mine "dry" because I just want good rye, pastrami, and Swiss cheese. Toppings/dressings are fine if you like them, I don't.
C. T.

[soonerguru]

Soonerguru,
Have you been to Slaughter's Hall? They make their own pastrami, and by the way, if you don't want chipotle mayo, tell them to hold it. I always have mine "dry" because I just want good rye, pastrami, and Swiss cheese. Toppings/dressings are fine if you like them, I don't.
C. T.

Yes, it is solid but not at all authentic in any meaningful way. Great for the neighborhood but not really a destination for me. When I went I asked for mustard on mine, they said THEY DIDN'T HAVE MUSTARD.

For someone who has eaten at Katz's numerous times and great delis all over Brooklyn and Manhattan, that isn't going to cut it. Kamp's really isn't very good either, to be honest, but it's always full, which says a lot about the ability of someone to come in and make a killing -- if they do it right.

[TheTravellers]

Yes, it is solid but not at all authentic in any meaningful way. Great for the neighborhood but not really a destination for me. When I went I asked for mustard on mine, they said THEY DIDN'T HAVE MUSTARD. ...

A sandwich shop not having mustard is pretty much flat-out stupid, so I checked, and their menu lists "spicy mustard" on a few of their sandwiches, so they do have *some* kind of mustard. BTW, agree that Kamp's is not that good, had a few of their items, not impressed. Sorry, back to Scottie's, just had to say something about the mustard...

[soonerguru]

A sandwich shop not having mustard is pretty much flat-out stupid, so I checked, and their menu lists "spicy mustard" on a few of their sandwiches, so they do have *some* kind of mustard. BTW, agree that Kamp's is not that good, had a few of their items, not impressed. Sorry, back to Scottie's, just had to say something about the mustard...

Haha. Maybe they have added the "spicy mustard" since that visit. Good move.

[soonermike81]

I would love if this can be like some of the Jewish delicatessens around the country! Can someone point me to anywhere in the metro that I can get a corned beef and pastrami sandwich with a bowl of matzo ball soup?

[sooner88]

I would love if this can be like some of the Jewish delicatessens around the country! Can someone point me to anywhere in the metro that I can get a corned beef and pastrami sandwich with a bowl of matzo ball soup?

ND Foods should cover the sandwich, I'm not sure about the soup... I think they have a daily special.

[Uptowner]

ND Foods should cover the sandwich, I'm not sure about the soup... I think they have a daily special.

It's not a rip on ND but this is all the nope! Boar's head cold cuts heated up on brown bread is NOT a replacement for the delicatessen experience.

[soonerguru]

I would love if this can be like some of the Jewish delicatessens around the country! Can someone point me to anywhere in the metro that I can get a corned beef and pastrami sandwich with a bowl of matzo ball soup?

If memory serves, there's a decent one in Tulsa. That's all I got so far. Let's see what Scottie's has in store.

[Paseofreak]

^^^^ +1000

[soonerguru]

It's not a rip on ND but this is all the nope! Boar's head cold cuts heated up on brown bread is NOT a replacement for the delicatessen experience.

Precisely this. And while I like ND Foods, the fact it is even brought into this conversation confirms how lacking the options are in OKC for quality deli fare.

[Pete]

When I interviewed the proprietor of Scotties he specifically mentioned that there are few places in town that don't use pre-packed Boar's Head and other products and that's precisely what he does not want to do.

[Pete]

They have started work:

[Pete]

Coming along.

[LFordD40]

Anybody know when this is opening? I've seen some pictures on social media that looks like they might be having some some sort of soft opening.

[Pete]

They had a soft opening tonight and hope to open in a couple of weeks, pending final permits.

Didn't get a chance to sample the food but people raved about the pastrami, which is pretty much the measure of any deli.

Love the feel of the place and hope OKC has finally found a traditional, quality deli.

[DickTracy]

Is this the same Scottie's that was in Nichols Hills plaza back in the late 90's and early 2000's

[Pete]

Is this the same Scottie's that was in Nichols Hills plaza back in the late 90's and early 2000's

No, no relation. This is a first time place for the operator Eric.

[ctchandler]

Do they make their own pastrami. That's one of the things I like from Slaughter's Hall. It's really good and obviously fresh. It has a strong after taste but it's worth it. I'm looking forward to Scottie's.
C. T.

[Pete]

Do they make their own pastrami. That's one of the things I like from Slaughter's Hall. It's really good and obviously fresh. It has a strong after taste but it's worth it. I'm looking forward to Scottie's.
C. T.

Yes, they make their own pastrami and pretty much everything they serve will be made from scratch.

[LFordD40]

I'm pretty excited for this to open...I never was a big fan of pastrami or corned beef etc. growing up in Oklahoma until I had some on a trip to NYC and realized how good it could be.

[cinnamonjock]

OKC is finally getting some places open late that aren't bars