For years before I took over the kitchen at Pitchers Pub in Manayunk, I was known for my food pop-ups. Chicken wings and waffles, mac and cheese, and Australian beef cheesesteaks were some of my specialties. I’d make them in all kinds of restaurants and bars around town. My first pop-up was at Moonshine in Pennsport. After work, I’d hang out up the street at O’Jung’s.

       Listen to the interview edition here:

At the corner of Fernon and Two streets, in the middle of Mummers clubhouses, O’Jung’s has belonged to Holly and Mike Otto Sr. since 2018. They bought the “mom and pop dive bar type of place,” Mike says, from Holly’s parents, who’d been there since 2001. The neighborhood was different then, full of long-time residents.

For a couple of years, Mike and Holly kept things pretty much the same. Then, in 2020, Covid hit. In order to stay open, the Ottos started making food to-go, and people would line up around the corner: third-generation Pennsport families; young professionals who’d just moved into condos.

Once everything opened back up, O’Jung’s stayed with the program. “To this day, we’re still doing a good business with takeout and delivery,” says Mike. “But the indoor and outdoor dining really came a long way.”

I often run into Mike and Holly at 7 in the morning at the Jetro cash-and-carry food wholesaler near the airport. “Early bird gets the worm,” says Mike, who calls himself a “foodie” and creates the weekly specials, in addition to the regular menu, which has all kinds of sliders (filet mignon on a pretzel bun is a favorite) and tacos, wings, salads, fries, fried pickles …

They like to try out new things and keep service the same. Last Christmas, they went all out with the decorations. “People really went crazy over it,” says Mike. A few weeks ago, they added “dirty spicy” Caesar salad martinis to the cocktail menu — and have gained a following for them.

“We grew up in this neighborhood, and we absolutely love this neighborhood: the Mummers and the churches and the neighborhood sports programs. We grew up here, but a lot of people from outside are popping in — a lot of different faces, a lot of families and kids. We love that other people are venturing in, discovering our homemade food and drinks and entertainment — a nice, mom and pop corner spot with good food to eat at a reasonable price.”

MORE FROM BIG RUBE’S PHILLY