A War Is Brewing Over A New Georgetown Deli: Report

WASHINGTON, DC — When Call Your Mother opened near Howard University last year, it was immediately popular and named as one of the 16 best new restaurants in America by Eater. But now that the fledgling restaurant is trying to open a second location in Georgetown, D.C. Councilmember Jack Evans is determined to stop it, and a zoning board is scheduled to make a ruling next week.

DCist reports that Evans has written a letter to city zoning officials asking them to block the Call Your Mother location at 3428 O Street NW because it would bring crowds to the exclusive neighborhood, as well as rats.

The Advisory Neighborhood Commission has already approved the new Georgetown location, but Call Your Mother wants permission from the Board of Zoning Adjustment to allow a prepared food shop in a location that is designated for retail. The zoning board is getting ready to make a ruling on Dec. 4, according to The Hoya.

Evans' letter claims that the shop would result in long lines blocking sidewalks, traffic congestion, and trash that would attract rats. However, Call Your Mother's co-owner told DCist that that's not the case with their current location, and therefore there's no reason to think that would be an issue with the new location.

If Evans fails to block the new location, it likely would open sometime in December.

Call Your Mother, from the same people behind D.C.'s Timber Pizza Co., cooks bagels in a wood-fired oven and offer creations such as The Efron (white fish salad, bacon, seasonal greens, and sesame) and The Rihanna-Flex (cream cheese, smoked salmon, cucumbers, tomatoes, onions, and capers). They also have pizza on a bagel and sandwiches served cheesesteak-style, or you can create your own bagel.

"Jeff Zients, a DC native, has always had a dream to open a Jewish deli," their website states, describing the concept. "When he approached me and my very non-Jewish, Argentinian Chef, Daniela, about making his dream a reality, we knew it couldn't be your traditional Jewish deli. So whether you're Jewish, Jew-ish or nothing in between, Call Your Mother is a deli where anyone can enjoy some of our favorite food traditions....with a twist."