South Philly Smokhaus to open inside Bok building

More barbecue and a retail butcher counter are on their way to South Philadelphia.

South Philly Smökhaus will trade its pop-up status for a real home next spring. Pitmaster Eric Daelhousen, partnering with Robert Passio of the Reading Terminal Market stall Giunta's Prime, will open a barbecue restaurant and butcher counter in the former auto-body shop of the Bok Building at 1901 S. Ninth St. The public entrance will be on the south side of the former vo-tech school, on Dudley Street near Eighth. The butcher counter selling organic and locally sourced meats, will be called Passio's Prime.

Daelhousen, who grew up cooking on a Weber kettle, started experimenting heavily with barbecue about six years ago after renovating a South Philadelphia rowhouse. Eventually, his brisket, pulled pork, and chickens were a hit among his friends — including Passio, from whom he buys his meats. "I brought him a pound of brisket one time and he said we should do something," Daelhousen said.

Delhousen has been catering weddings, events, and doing pop-ups all around Philadelphia, at such spots as the Aquinas Center, Bok Bar, pop-ups at The Dutch, Brewery ARS, and Inspired Brews Fermentary.

When the restaurant opens, Daelhousen will relinquish his accounting and finance job at Aramark.

Daelhousen and Passio plan to maintain the space's industrial look. The restaurant will offer traditional counter service: Walk up, pay, and sit down.