Midtown Lunch

It was Glatt Delights’  shady handwritten sign that intrigued me. The kosher restaurant formally known as Maccabeam is serving the same type of Israeli style meat platters, sandwiches, and vegetables as its predecessor. (In fact the menus still say Maccabeam on them) According to the chef Shaqil, Glatt Delight is the only place in Philly to get fresh baked laffa (think thick, chewy pita); behind the counter you can peek at the special laffa oven. Table service is available, or you can do what I did and get an order to go.

[Edit: As a reader points out, Zahav in Old City bakes up laffa as well]

A lunch special consisting of an entree and soup is offered, but it is a few dollars over the $10 mark, I instead went with the shwarma in laffa.

Glatt’s shwarma is actually made from turkey; I was nervous about they meat being dry since turkey has a tendency to do that but it wasn’t excessively dry. The pieces of meat were small with some char on them that I liked. Glatt also did a good job at spicing the salty meat with tons of herbs. At no point though, was I blown away by the turkey.

Inside was stuffed with tahini, tomato, cucumber, and a cabbage slaw. The laffa bread was not as impressive as I hoped; it clearly was not just baked. I have to give them the benefit of the doubt though, I arrived just as they were opening for lunch and they may not have set up the oven yet. Though I enjoyed the sandwich and it was fairly large, I don’t feel the $9 price tag is completely justified for what you get. If a side dish was thrown in there for variety, I would be happier.

All sandwiches can be put in pita bread for $1 less, but I imagine that when fresh, the laffa is worth it.

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

• Glatt kosher food is not the easiest to find
• Laffa bread is even harder to find

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

• A bit on the pricey side
• The hand written side and slightly disheveled interior could scare off potential lunchers
• Closed early on Friday and on Saturdays (which could also be a positive for those who want to eat at a completely Kosher establishment)

Glatt Delight, 128 S 12th St (@ Sansom St), 215-922-5922