SUNDAY NEWS: Southern Junction to add lunch - but kolaches are already back

*Beef rib pastrami style has joined Sunday menu at Southern Junction*

Buffalo barbecue hotspot Southern Junction plans to start offering lunch this summer, with the addition of a pie shop and takeout barbecue counter.

The new retail space, in a storefront next to the restaurant formerly used as office space, has most of the construction done, said owner Ryan Fernandez.

“We’re down to just installing equipment and putting on paint and all that good stuff, and building out the little storefront,” he said. “Hopefully we can start serving lunch in July.”

*Barbacurry, kielbasa, char siu pork kolaches are back at Southern Junction on Sundays*

The lunch menu will be different, more like the original Chandler Street menu, Fernandez said. “Bowls, sandwiches, more Indian, leaning to the Texish side of things,” he said.

There will also be an assortment of pies, available whole or by the slice, he said. Plans include sliced smoked ham from Always Something Farm and other deli-style meat.

One Chandler Street favorite has already made its way back to the menu: kolaches. The Czech savory pastries are hugely popular in Texas. Pushed off the menu for three years after moving from Chandler Street, while Southern Junction found its feet, kolaches are back.

*Storefront on right with white blinds is becoming pie shop and lunch hub for Southern Junction*

Recent flavors included barbacurry, kielbasa, and char sui pork. They’re only available on Sundays with the brunch menu at present.

Another often-requested barbecue fetish item returning to the Southern Junction menu on Sundays is the pastrami-style beef ribs. These behemoths weigh 24 ounces or more, and come straight-up or on a cheeky little breakfast sandwich bun.

Three years after making the jump to Connecticut Street, Fernandez said, “I think we’re going to show people what we can do.”

*Detroit-style pies are a Buffalo Deep Dish specialty*

REVIEW: As the Sabres’ drought-breaking playoff run continues, Buffalo Deep Dish is helping make a table at Buffalo Brewing Co. one of the most sought-after game time perches in Buffalo. Fans circle the wagons and trade beverages while waiting an hour or two for Detroit-style and deep dish Buffalo pies that complete the feast-day table. (This review, promised last month, was held so I could do better reporting. For patrons, later this week. )

*RIP, Winfield’s Pub, and Kiki’s warm potato salad*

DEAR DEPARTED RESTAURANTS: News includes obituaries as well as birth announcements, unfortunately. Here’s some of the restaurants that have ceased operations.

Winfield’s Pub has closed. A GoFundMe invites donations to support the Daulton family, who operated one of the area’s finest tavern-restaurants for 13 years.

La Divina Tacos closed its International House location.

Dulce Hogar’s expansion to Amherst has ended, with the closing of its El Denny’s location at Eggert and Niagara Falls Blvd. Dulce Hogar is still serving its Colombian menu at its original North Tonawanda location.

Kenmore Tortuga will not reopen, though the Sanborn location is going strong.

ASK THE CRITIC:

Q: I was considering trying a recipe I found online for kibdah, sauteed sheep or lamb’s liver. It’s marinated with spices and then sauteed in a skillet with onions and peppers. I have most of the spices, but where can I get sheep or lamb liver, preferably halal?

Josh K., Buffalo

A: One place you should definitely check out is Zubaidah Supermarket, 171 Walden Ave., an international grocery with lots of halal options. Its butcher counter carries an extensive selection of halal meat, including goat liver.

More reading from Michael Chelus of Nittany Epicurean: