Ratha Chaupoly tells us he was inundated with texts, e-mails, and phone calls after word broke that Kampuchea would close, and now he finally has something to tell everyone. By Saturday, he’ll reopen the space as Bun & Co., a “sandwich bar and grill” inspired (much like Michael Psilakis’s Gus & Gabriel) by his 5-year-old son Tristan. “Every time my son and I have lunch or a light snack, we’re always using hot dog buns. We put pretty much everything in there— meatballs, hot dogs, shrimp rolls … ” So he’s had the guys from Parisi Bakery create hot-dog buns that contain a hint of honey and sugar, and at Hot Dog & Co. he’ll stuff them with not only the aforementioned ingredients, but also liver and tongue, fried scrod, ginger-barbecue pulled pork, and more. Customers will have their choice of toppings, all made in-house: cole slaw, sauerkraut, rum bacon and chives, and seasonal relishes made from eggplant, cucumber, or bell peppers. “I’m all about toppings,” Chaupoly says. “What makes most sandwiches extra better is putting extra things on it.”
The buns are priced between $4 and $7.25, so if you’re hungry you’ll probably want to grab two of them, or go for a daily special (baby-back ribs, salmon, and baby fried rice, etc.). After the front room opens this week, the back room will open for beer and simple cocktails in about two or three weeks. Hours will be from noon till midnight most days, and till 2 a.m. Thursday through Saturday. You can shoot an e-mail to bun.co.les@gmail.com to receive a code good for a 50 percent discount.
Bun & Co. Sandwich Bar & Grill, 78 Rivington St., at Allen St.; 212-253-8441
