Community continues to stick to its name

Community, a new gastropub and artisan hotspot, recently took over the building where Burg’s Hideaway Lounge once stood in Point Breeze. Burgs was a tiny neighborhood spot that served up beers, a small selection of cocktails and a few interesting menu items for both dinner and brunch. Community, however, features a vast menu of not only made-to-order food for dinner, but provisions as well.

Husband and wife team Chef Michael Sultan and his wife Angela Sultan—who also started the popular catering company 33rd Street Hospitality—are behind the new Point Breeze eatery, and sticking to their name, they are offering some special events and even free meals around the holidays to serve those around them, on top of their other fare.

This upcoming Tuesday, Nov. 17, Community, is hosting a “Whiskey and Hot Dogs” dinner featuring Chicago-style hot dogs and whiskey from FEW Distillery in Illinois from 5 to 10 p.m. FEW is under the same parent company as local favorite, Bluecoat Distilling.

According to a release, while representatives from FEW will be on hand to talk about the nuances of the whiskey and host hourly raffles to win prizes, Chef Michael Sultan will be serving up three different Chicago-style hot dogs, which are priced at $8 apiece. Each hot dog will pair with a different whiskey, which will be showcased in cocktails for $10 apiece, or as a “citywide,” each paired with a different beer for $8 apiece.

Philadelphians can choose from three different versions of the hot dog: A Classic Chicago Dog with house-made habanero pickles, mustard blend, tomatoes, onion, and celery salt on a seeded bun (paired with FEW American Whiskey); a Chili Cheese Dog with Texas brisket chili, diced white onion, pepper jack cheese, and lime crema (paired with FEW Cold Cut Bourbon cut with cold brew coffee); and a Bacon-Wrapped Dog with house-made Szechuan peppercorn bacon, fried with ginger slaw, Ssamjang aioli, pickled jalapenos, and sesame seeds (paired with FEW Immortal Rye bourbon cut with oolong tea). All of the meat for the meals this Tuesday come from Nello’s Specialty Meats.

“Mike and I are both whiskey lovers, so we are excited to host our first of hopefully many whiskey events,” said Angie Sultan in a statement. “FEW have been great partners, and the fact that it’s an Illinois-based distillery made the choice of Chicago-style hot dogs a no-brainer for us. Mike had a lot of fun coming up with the pairings, and we plan to host many more fun and interesting events for the neighborhood in the future.”

Additionally, Community also has plans to serve Philadelphians in need around the upcoming holiday as well. On Nov. 25, Community will be providing turkey dinners for Philadelphians with all the trimmings, which will feed two people. The turkey, donated by Indian Ridge Provisions, will also come with stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, mac & cheese, green beans, and a pumpkin pie. All produce will be donated by Giordano Garden Grocery, and this giveaway is on a first-come first-serve basis. Anyone in need can show up at the restaurant to pick up the meal on that date.

“We are always looking for ways to give back to our neighborhood, and we feel lucky to be able to do so, especially around the holidays” said Angie Sultan in a release. “Mike makes a delicious Thanksgiving dinner every year, and we’re excited to share it with our neighbors this year and hopefully for many years to come.”

“I’ve worked with MANNA and I really believe in their mission, so Thanksgiving seemed like a great way for us to team up again,” said Chef Sultan. “One of the major focuses of Community is to work with other local businesses and give back to our community in fun and meaningful ways.”

Community also is still serving their opening menu, which features an array of evening-time options including a dry-aged bacon double cheeseburger, tacos, po’ boys, pot pie, chicken fried rabbit legs, wings, and a variety of sandwiches, salads and different entrees as well. Vegan and vegetarian options will also be available, and guests can also look for a slew of seasonal items to rotate through when the weather gets cold, including; matzoh ball and French onion soups, flatbreads, homemade pastas and prime rib specials. On the sweeter side, desserts will include a French-style cheesecake, plus an assortment of house-made ice creams.

Price-wise the eatery ranges from $12-$15 for sandwiches, and $20 and below for entrees. This definitely helps secure the notion that Community will be a neighborhood spot—those who live in or know the area know that although new housing and rent might be popping up on the expensive side, Point Breeze is still very much a diverse neighborhood with residents who have been there their whole lives, and a stream of young adult and family newcomers.

On the artisanal side, Point Breezers and Philadelphians who wish to head south can pick up Michael’s smoked salmon, house-cured bacon, dry-aged burgers, hand-cut steaks, soups, dressings and hot sauce, as well as Rival Bros. Coffee, farm fresh eggs and a variety of items from Nello’s Specialty Meats and more.

For more information, visit 33rdstreethospitality.com