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PaperMill Fresh Asian Kitchen will open its first brick-and-mortar location at Franklin's Table.

Credit: Kylie Cooper

PaperMill Fresh Asian Kitchen will open at Franklin’s Table Food Hall at 3401 Walnut St. in March, replacing The Juice Merchant.

PaperMill is a food truck that specializes in fresh Asian foods such as their signature "Spurrito," a spring roll burrito wrapped in rice paper and stuffed with protein and vegetables. PaperMill's first brick-and-mortar location will be in Franklin’s Table, PaperMill owner Alex Sherack said.

The food truck frequents the corner of 33rd and Market streets, The Porch at 2949 Market St., and Pennovation Works at 34th Street and Grays Ferry Avenue, according to a press release from Penn Facilities and Real Estate Services. Sherack said these locations currently make the truck more popular among Drexel University students than Penn students. 

PaperMill hopes to open on March 2 but may open later in the month due to setbacks from construction, Sherack said. He added that the food truck will continue to operate after the opening.

Sherack added that PaperMill's relationship with Pennovation Works and previous experience catering to the Graduate and Professional Student Assembly has made them familiar with the Penn community.

"We can't wait to share this with people in the local community every single day," Sherack said.

Credit: Kylie Cooper

PaperMill, known for fresh spring roll burritos called "Spurritos," will replace The Juice Merchant.

The menu also features Banh-Mi hoagies, "Spurritos" that can be turned into "made-to-order" bowls, as well as options for customers who are gluten-free, vegan, and vegetarian, according to the PaperMill website.

"Our food is inspired by the vibrant flavors of Southeast Asia, the Korean flavors I know growing up with my mother's cooking, and a touch of influence from Aussie beach culture," Sherack told FRES.

Some of PaperMill's most popular items are their Korean style beef "Spurrito," green curry bowl with chicken, and sesame garlic tofu "Spurrito," according to FRES.

"PaperMill is one of the area's most popular food trucks with a true fan following in Philly, and we are excited that they are bringing their unique brand of fresh, healthy Asian fusion cuisine to Franklin's Table for more of the community to experience," Penn's Executive Director of Real Estate Ed Datz told FRES.

College first-year Grace Choi said that although she has never heard of PaperMill, she is excited to try their menu.

“I think because I’m Asian, I have a preference towards Asian food and also it being healthy,” Choi said. “I think that it would be a good food option, especially at college.”

PaperMill will replace The Juice Merchant, which closed in September 2019. College junior and frequent Franklin’s Table customer Micah Gill said he had only been to The Juice Merchant once and is not upset by its departure.

PaperMill started as a farmers' market stall on the beaches of Sydney, Australia before Sherack moved to Philadelphia to open a food truck and join the mobile vending scene in 2017.

"Having the privilege of opening a storefront in a prime location like Franklin's Table is truly a dream come true," Sherack told FRES.

Franklin’s Table opened in March 2018 after fast-food stalls offered at the Moravian Food Court were replaced with more expensive storefronts. Other restaurants in Franklin’s Table include Dizengoff, DK Sushi, Goldie, KQ Burger, and Pitruco Pizza.