What Is Così, And Is It Still Open For Sandwiches, Salads, And Catering?

Così is a counter-service restaurant known for warm hearth-baked flatbread, sandwiches, salads and soups. Yes, it is open, with restaurants across the Northeast and Chicag See the original Così in Paris  and a catering operation that serves offices and events in a dozen cities.

If you searched for a Così near you, here is what Così is, where to find it, and what to expect from the flatbread on every visit and every catering order.

What Is Così, and Where Did It Come From?

Così serves flatbread sandwiches, salads, soups and breakfast, plus catering for offices and events. The story starts in Paris, and the bread is still the reason people come back.

Where Is the Original Così?

The original Così is still open at 54 Rue de Seine in Saint-Germain-des-Prés, Paris, where Drew Harre opened it in 1989. More than 35 years on, it holds a 4.5-star rating from over 1,400 Google reviews, and the draw is still one thing: ultra-thin flatbread baked to order in a wood-fired oven, split open and filled with fresh ingredients. See the original Così in Paris.

A few Americans who ate there almost daily brought the idea home and opened the first U.S. Così in New York in 1996. They learned the bread from the Paris original, and the flatbread you get in the U.S. today comes from that same generations-old recipe, baked in open-flame stone-hearth ovens.

What Kind of Place Is Così Today?

Così is fast casual. You order at the counter or online, and the food comes out quickly. Most people treat it as a lunch stop, but the same kitchens handle breakfast, dinner and a steady run of office catering orders.

Here is how the Paris original and Così in the U.S. line up:

Where Is Così Located?

Così restaurants are in New York City, Boston, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington DC, Hartford and Chicago. Catering reaches further, with dedicated service in NYC, Jersey City, Boston, Philadelphia, King of Prussia, Baltimore, Washington DC, Hartford, New Haven, Southington, Chicago and Columbus, Ohio.

Each city gets the same bread from the same recipe. A team in Midtown Manhattan, a law office in Center City Philadelphia and a conference room in downtown Chicago all open a Così catering box to the same warm flatbread. Use the location finder for restaurant hours and directions, or pick your city on the catering ordering page.

What Makes Così Worth Ordering?

Four things carry the menu.

Why Does the Hearth-Baked Flatbread Matter?

Così menuEverything starts with the bread. It comes warm and crackly from the oven, with a little olive oil and salt in the crust, the same way it has in Paris since 1989. It is the base for every sandwich and the side for every soup and salad. We bake it throughout the day, so whether you walk into a Così in Boston or open a catering tray in a DC office, the flatbread is fresh.

What Are Sandwiches and Salads Like?

The menu leans Italian. One sandwich pairs prosciutto and capicola with fontina and fig jam. There is a spicy chipotle chicken melt and a hotter take on the spicy buffalo chicken. Salads stay crisp and simple so the bread does the talking. See the full Così menu.

How Does Così Catering Work?

Catering is a core part of what we do. We run office catering for team lunches, meetings and events, with boxed lunches, sandwich platters, salads and soups built around the flatbread. Place group orders online, request a quote, or call 866-580-2674. Regular orderers earn back on every order through the catering rewards program.

Can You Order Without Visiting a Store?

Yes. Online ordering covers pickup, delivery and catering through our site and the Così app. The rewards program and eGift cards live there too.

How Do You Find and Order Così?

Four steps cover it:

1. Check your city. Use the location finder on getcosi.com, or pick your city on the catering ordering page.
2. Build your order. Pick sandwiches, salads, or a catering package.
3. Set the time and note any dietary needs. Check the allergen sheet linked on our site first.
4. Check out through the official site or app, and keep your confirmation.

Final Thoughts

So, is Così still open? Yes. The original is still baking in Paris, and the U.S. restaurants and catering kitchens bake the same flatbread recipe every day in New York, Boston, Philadelphia, Baltimore, DC, Hartford and Chicago.

Check which location or catering area covers you, then order. You can find a location or call 866-580-2674 for catering. Questions about an order? Contact us.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Così bread?

It is a thin, crackly flatbread baked from a generations-old recipe in open-flame hearth ovens. The recipe comes from the original Così in Paris. It forms the base of the sandwiches and comes alongside soups and salads.

Is the original Così still open in Paris?

Yes. The original Così has served flatbread sandwiches at 54 Rue de Seine in Saint-Germain-des-Prés since 1989, and it is still open today with a 4.5-star Google rating.

How long do people usually stay at Così?

There is no official number. Così is a counter-service stop, so most people treat it as a lunch break, not a long sit-down meal. For a specific location, check the typical visit length on its Google listing.

What kind of restaurant is Così?

It is a counter-service restaurant with locations in several Northeast cities and Chicago, plus a catering business that serves offices and events. The menu centers on flatbread, salads and soups.

Does Così deliver?

Yes. Pickup and delivery run through our ordering site, and catering has its own portal. Delivery depends on your address, so confirm at checkout.

Can you franchise or license Così?

Our site lists a menu licensing program and catering licensing. Start with the Partnerships and Catering Licensing pages in the site menu.