Slingers of London’s Finest Reuben Sandwich Plot Careful Expansion

Mark Ogus and Owen Barratt — the owners of London’s New York City-style “Jewish comfort food” restaurant Monty’s Deli — have said that they will expand into London food courts and hope to open a more luxury version of the brand in the West End this year.

The plans, which chef Barratt discussed with MCA, following last summer’s crowdfunding successes, are two-fold: like the brand’s second and third sites, in the Kitchens at Old Spitalfields, and Market Halls in Victoria, respectively, there are additional quick-service outlets planned, as well as a “premium” restaurant with marble counters, smoked fish, and champagne. The original branch sits somewhere in the middle, a deli-by-day, and restaurant-by-night.

Following the opening of two Market Halls sites, in Fulham and Victoria, last year, the ambitious owners of that innovative food court model will open the “flagship” site on Oxford Street in the centre of the city this spring. Monty’s have not said whether that would be the location for another food court opening. Barratt did tell MCA that the original expansion plan involved opening delis with retail (not restaurant nor alcohol) licenses, but instead have found success (and presumably see less risk) in the concession-within-market model.

Monty’s, named after owner Ogus’ grandfather, was founded in 2013 and has grown from a one-day-a-week stall on Maltby Street market in Bermondsey to a business with three outlets and a staff nearing 30. The salt beef and reuben sandwiches, and homemade chicken soup, are among the most celebrated in the city, increasing its exposure in 2017 when the duo opened the restaurant site on Hoxton Street, following a Kickstarter campaign.

Eater has contacted Monty’s for further details on when and where the new sites will open.

More soon.