Midtown Lunch

Happy St. Patty’s Day people! Stuck at the office? At least your lunch can be festive. Just try not to fill up on beer. Philly has great options for corned beef sandwiches, here are just a few…

Pictured above is one of Philly’s deli version, from the Kibitz Room (1521 Locust btw 15th and 16th). A corned beef sandwich is one of the sandwiches offered for Kibitz Room’s weekday under $10 lunch special. Their sliced corned beef has the right combo of leanness and fattiness. The special includes a drink and fries and access to their amazing pickle bar.

Hershel’s in Reading Terminal is known for having outrageously good corned beef, as is Famous 4th St Deli (38 S 19th St and 700 S 4th St).

Yesterday’s luncher Alex highly recommended the corned beef at Pikkles Plus (1808 Market).

Maybe you want a beer with that corned beef? For a quick and super cheap though not as tasty version, Doc Watson’s Pub (216 11th @ Locust St) is currently running a $5 corned beef sandwich.

The small sandwich, on wheat bread, was too fatty for me, but will suffice in a rush.

McGillin’s (1310 Drury St btw 13th and Broad St) could be a better bet, with the just under $6 sandwich they offer and the satisfaction that comes from dining where Philadelphians have gotten drunk for 150 years.

For a modern interpretation, newly opened Delicatssen makes a “Jubano” with corned beef, turkey on challah panini. They also offer a regular corned beef sandwich.

Is it Shepherd’s Pie you crave? The Bards (2013 Walnut St) offers a delicious one, though it falls just over the $10 mark. The shepherd’s pie at Fergie’s Pub (1214 Sansom St) on the other hand, is under $9.

Even for the vegetarian, an option exists! The Swift Half Pub (1001 N 2nd St) serves a vegetarian shepherd’s pie ($12). Additionally, this week the pub has $3 St. Patty’s Day bar snack specials, including bangers in a blanket and traditional Irish Boxty (I had to look that one up, boxty are Irish potato cakes).

Does anyone have any other St. Patrick’s Day lunch ideas?

THE + (What somebody who likes this place would say)

• Delicious corned beef sandwich

THE – (What somebody who doesn’t like this place would say)

• Not traditionally irish

Kibitz Room, 1521 Locust St (@ 15th St), 215-735-7305

THE + (What somebody who likes this place would say)

• Super cheap sandwich
• Good beer selection

THE – (What somebody who doesn’t like this place would say)

• Not the best quality of corned beef

Doc Watson’s Pub, 216 S 11th St (@ Locust St), 215-922-3427