From Pop-Up to Brick-and-Mortar, Chef Ange Branca Opens Mod Spuds, a Fast-Casual Loaded Jacket Potato Spot

From Pop-Up to Brick-and-Mortar, Chef Ange Branca Opens Mod Spuds, a Fast-Casual Loaded Jacket Potato Spot

After building a loyal following through a wildly successful pop-up residency, Chef Ange Branca is officially giving Mod Spuds a permanent home on South Street.

The fast-casual loaded jacket potato concept will officially open its first brick-and-mortar location on Friday, May 15, beginning at 11 a.m. at 1424 South Street.

Created by Branca and the team behind Kampar, Mod Spuds takes the classic baked potato and reinvents it with globally inspired flavors ranging from Philly cheesesteaks to Malaysian rendang.

Mod Spuds originally debuted as a limited one-month residency operating two days a week at Comfort & Floyd in December 2025. The concept quickly gained momentum thanks to its creative loaded potato combinations and strong word-of-mouth support.

Due to overwhelming demand, the residency extended into January 2026 — and now the concept is officially returning with a permanent storefront and expanded offerings, including delivery for the first time.

“We saw such an incredible response during the residency, and people kept asking us to keep it going,” said Branca. “Opening a permanent space felt like the natural next step.”

Branca says the concept was inspired by her time studying in Scotland during the 1990s, where jacket potato bars were a staple.

Now, she’s bringing that comfort-food concept to Philadelphia with a menu blending international flavors and local influences.

Opening menu highlights include:

• The Mod Spud — baked beans, chili con carne, scallions
• Philly Spud — Philly cheesesteak and pepper relish
• Nacho Spud — chorizo, pico de gallo, salsa verde
• Malaysian Spud — beef rendang, sambal, cilantro, ulam
• Bollywood Spud — dhall, chicken tikka masala, white sauce
• Happy Jack Spud — BBQ jackfruit, coleslaw, jalapeños

Guests can also create their own custom-loaded potato combinations.

Drinks and Dessert Floats

The beverage menu includes:

• House-made Shirley Temple
• Creamsicle Soda
• Malaysian iced tea
• Root beer floats
• Ice cream float add-ons for any beverage

The restaurant will also feature vegetarian and gluten-free options.

Soon after opening, Mod Spuds plans to launch on Uber Eats, allowing customers to enjoy their loaded potatoes at home.

The format is designed around convenience and customization, something Branca believes fills a unique niche in Philly’s dining scene.