Midtown Lunch

I’m going to begin this post by saying no, I am not an expert on the hoagies of Philadelphia and don’t know that I had ever eaten one before Monday. That was when Dave’s Hoagies opened its doors in the Financial District with a small shop on Cedar St. (btw. William & Pearl).

With no base knowledge, I ordered a hoagie with turkey (the Italian seemed to be the most popular) and nearly all of “the works” and handed over more money than I normally do for meat between two pieces of bread.

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The Indian food options for $10 or less within Downtown Lunch boundaries are often relegated to steam table spots frequented by cab drivers or quick service spots focusing on dishes like kati rolls or dosa. We even have an Indian version of Chipotle!

Sometimes, you want a little more class than can be found at a place with a sneeze guard where your food is served on a styrofoam plate.

A branch of Midtown’s Benares opened on Murray St. (btw. Church & W. Broadway) and they happen to have three lunch specials for $9.95 or $8.95. The cheapest takeout (or delivery) lunch option contains no meat, but they’ll give you enough food that you won’t even miss it.

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Two weeks ago some of the carts in the plaza on Broadway between Liberty and Cedar streets came to park in their usual spots, only to find there was one of the new Citi Bike stations there instead. The Biryani House cart relocated across the plaza, but a few others that park on Liberty St. were left wondering where to go, and asked the Street Vendor Project for help.

It looks like the 99% Vegetarian, A-Pou’s Taste and Luckyim Thai carts have moved to the other side of the building to Nassau St. between Liberty and Cedar. No word on whether this is a temporary or permanent relocation, but at least now you know where to find some of your favorite carts.

We got word last Friday that a new sandwich shop called Dave’s Hoagies is set to open today for lunch on Cedar St. (btw. William & Pearl). Sure enough, when I walked by finishing touches were being put on the small space that’s near some other Downtown Lunch favorites.

Prices are a little higher than what you’re used to for a sandwich, but these are probably fancier than what you’d get from the generic deli. If you love the sandwiches of Philadelphia, this is your spot. Take a look at the menu straight ahead!  Read more »

I wasn’t sure what to think when I got an e-mail from Luncher Rajeev a few weeks ago telling of a new cart called Gangnam Style on Chambers St. (btw. Greenwich & West). I figured it was some young upstarts looking to capitalize on the popularity of a song that will not be mentioned here for fear of it being stuck in all our heads for two hours. It is the second  Korean food option in Downtown Lunch boundaries named for that song.

It turns out a name can be deceiving, and Gangnam Style is not an annoying marketing tool for mediocre food, but churning out some great Korean meats served by a nice couple, at prices that are hard to beat.  Read more »

Have you ever wondered what a pulled pork breakfast sandwich mash up might taste like? Well, you can get pulled pork sandwich on a homemade English muffin at the GoGo Grill cart that’s been parking at Bowling Green. While the sandwich has a couple of flaws, I think you’ll forgive the unconventional bun used here.  Read more »

The section of John St. between Broadway and Nassau St. is continuing to be revived with new places to eat – this time gelato (or yogurt? So confused) and coffee. Gelato ti Amo has opened alongside Go Go Curry and Aroy Dee Thai Kitchen, making this a pretty great stretch of places for cheap eating. I don’t think I’m alone in thinking this is a nice change of pace instead of yet another branch of Red Mango.