Sal Pappalito, owner of The Sit Down Café & Sushi Bar at 1312 E. 53rd Street, has created a fun marketing idea for sharp-eyed Hyde Park residents. Pappalito plans to randomly place $10 Sit Down Café & Sushi Bar gift cards clipped to restaurant menus in different places around the neighborhood – he’s thinking about leaving them in grocery stores, on park benches, and on the University of Chicago campus. He’ll place about 8-10 of the branded gift cards around Hyde Park every month or so. He’s tried this once and none of the gift cards have been redeemed, but Pappalito is hoping one of his surprise gifts will bring in a new customer or be a special treat for a current customer.
The Sit Down Café & Sushi Bar has been open since 2008 and has a full menu of appetizers; soups, salads, and sandwiches; pizza; and an extensive selection for sushi lovers. They serve wine, beer, and sake, and offer drink specials on Monday-Thursday, with $3 beers, ½ off bottles of wine, ½ off sake bottle, and BOGO ½ off glasses of wine. Gluten-free diners may choose from a range of options including bruschetta and sandwiches on gluten-free bread, and pizzas with gluten-free crusts. If you’re having a party or feeding a large crowd, The Sit Down Café & Sushi Bar offers small and large catering platters with appetizers, salads, sandwiches, sushi, and dessert. University of Chicago students receive a 20% discount when dining in the restaurant when they show a current school ID (excludes alcohol).
