Vanderpump Rules stars Ariana Madix and Katie Maloney are finally opening their long-awaited sandwich shop, Something About Her, on Wednesday, May 22 at 649 North Robertson Boulevard, just around the corner from Lisa Vanderpump’s Sur, where the longtime friends and now business partners met. The pair originally announced plans for the West Hollywood restaurant in 2022 and have been working toward opening it since. Over the years the restaurant experienced a series of delays to its opening due to permit issues
Madix and Maloney have both been part of the long-running reality show about the inner lives and drama of the staff of Sur, and other Lisa Vanderpump properties, since it premiered in 2013. They are slated to continue being cast members even with this new business venture. While Madix and Maloney both worked as Sur for years, with Madix as a bartender and Maloney as a server, neither are currently employed there
Madix’s love life was a major plotline in season 10 of Vanderpump Rules when a scandal rocked the fanbase. The ensuing “Scandoval”revealed that Madix’s longtime romantic partner, Tom Sandoval, had been cheating on her with another cast member. Though the Scandoval has subsided some, the spike in interest is sure to carry over to Madix’s new business. What better way to support than through some sandwiches?
Here’s everything to know in advance of Something About Her’s opening:
On Lisa Vanderpump’s involvement
Bravo reports that Lisa Vanderpump will not be an investor in Something About Her, instead opting to act strictly as a mentor to the duo. Vanderpump revealed the news in the March 8 episode of Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen, going on to say that she was “never planning on investing.” According to Life & Style, the former partner of Vanderpump Rules star Lala Kent, film producer Randall Emmett, was set to invest $200,000 in the business before the two split. In 2022, Tom Schwartz and Tom Sandoval were asked if the investment was moving forward after the split on an episode of Watch What Happens Live, to which Schwartz said that he didn’t think so. Emmett was the subject of a 2022 Los Angeles Times investigation that detailed allegations of abuse and offering acting work in exchange for sexual favors. In 2023 he was also the subject of The Randall Scandal, a Hulu documentary detailing the aforementioned allegations.
On cocktails
Given Madix’s strong bartending background, it would make sense that cocktails will be served at the sandwich shop but that isn’t the case. The Sun reported that Madix and Maloney were issued a liquor license on February 26, 2024. Bravo reports that Madix and Maloney plan to sell beer, wine, and wine-based cocktails at the shop.
On the chef
Bravo initally reported that chef Penny Davidi was involved in the development and opening of Something About Her. Davidi has appeared on Vanderpump Rules as a culinary consultant at the now-closed Pump Lounge and West Hollywood bar, TomTom. However, a more recent update from Bravo now details that Davidi is no longer involved in Something About Her after Maloney shared the news on the podcast, Popping Off with Teddi Mellencamp and Emily Simpson. “We’re not working with Penny any longer,” Maloney said on the April 18, 2024 episode. Yahoo reports that since the separation, a legal battle has ensued between Davidi, Maloney, and Madix after Davidi alleged that she was slated to be a partner in the business, but instead was offered a salary plus 10 percent of the profits at Something About Her. Davidi alleges that she owns the trademark of the business, reports Bravo. Eater has reviewed the trademark filing and can confirm that the application filed on August 14, 2023 includes Davidi’s name as a signatory. There has been no news on who will replace Davidi as the chef at Something About Her.
On the menu
Details on the menu at Something About Her have been kept mainly under wraps, but Bravo reports that in addition to sandwiches, baked goods like croissants, muffins, and cookies will also be served. Expect at least turkey, egg salad, and spicy Italian cold cut sandwiches. Wine, beer, and tea will also be available but no coffee. For those looking for a java kick, Alana’s Coffee Roasters is right next door and Verve is around the corner.
On the space
Vulture reports that Jon Hutman, a production designer known for movies like It’s Complicated and Heathers, was tapped to design Something About Her. In the interview, he describes the space as “feminine” and having a “Frenchy feeling.” In a video for Bravo, Maloney and Madix take viewers inside the cafe showing off the final decorations. The interior leans kitschy European cafe with dark sage green trellises on the wall and brass accents through. Maloney says that she wanted the shop to feel like, “main character energy in a rom-com.”
On competition
Something About Her is entering a busy market with West Hollywood home to a bevy of sandwich shops including Ggiata, Ghost Sando Shop, and Super Rad Sub Shop. On an episode of the Call Her Daddy podcast with Madix, host Alex Cooper says that there’s no good sandwiches in LA (which is untrue), before going on to name Fat Sal’s and Uncle Paulie’s. Cooper and Madix also point out that those shops are more masculine, while Something About Her will not be.
Something About Her is set to open on May 22 at 640 N. Robertson Boulevard, West Hollywood, CA 90046.