538 N. 4th St., formerly Patterson’s Paradise, a self-proclaimed health food restaurant (mainly because they were vegetarian) which occupied the space since 1994, will soon contain a new restaurant spot. The space, which is definitely not the most noticeable retail space in town, is on 4th St., just north of Spring Garden St., right between CVS and Rite Aid. It’s been vacant since 2004, when Patterson’s burned down.

Looking south

According to the zoning application, the new business will be an eat-in and take-out establishment with no booze. Two apartments are proposed for the space above, though they may not be built out right away, according to this thread on Philadelphia Speaks.

Under construction

The restaurant will be called Philly Cheesesteak Co., and you can probably guess what kind of stuff they’ll be serving up.  Burgers, pizza, sandwiches, salads and, of course, cheesesteaks will fill the menu at the new spot, which will be operated by duo David and Michael Frank.  Word has it they will strive to make the experience a bit more upscale than you would expect from a cheesesteak joint, so we’ll be interested to see exactly what they have planned.

Although there have been a few delays with progress and there may very well be more (in Philly?! No way!), they’re hoping to open by the first week of April. Until then, it shouldn’t be tough to satisfy our cheesesteak cravings at any of the hundreds of places in town that already serve ’em up. We’ll somehow find a way.

–Kaitlin Bostwick