Midtown Lunch

As is customary at Philly Lunch, every Tuesday we turn over the site to a different lunch’er for his or her recommendations for the best lunch in Philadelphia. This week it’s Brian, one of the awesome servers working at a  Jose Garces restaurant.

Name: Brian

Age: 35

Occupation: Server

Where in Philly do you Work?: Garces Restaurant Group (Distrito and Chifa)

Favorite Kind of Food: Fried Food. I am also generally into anything with fried or poached eggs on top. That is a huge selling point.

Least Favorite Kind of Food: Grilled Cheese (don’t get me started)

Favorite Place(s) to Eat Lunch in Philly: Mama’s Vegetarian (18 South 20th Street) I love the Mama’s Meal Falafel Sandwich w/ Fries and Soda. It is simple but always delicious. I used to live at Tria. (18th and Sansom Streets). I am particualrly find of the Prosciutto and Fig Panino, the Tuscan White Bean Spread and the Blue Cheese and Pear Butter Bruschetta. I really like the Passionberry Iced Tea as well. Paesano’s (152 W. Girard and 901 Christian Street). The Gustaio, which is the greatest sandwich ever invented. I have also just fallen for the Fried Lasagna sandwich with the fried egg and mozzarella. I need to go back to the South Philly location to try the burger.

“Go-To” Lunch Place You and Your Coworkers Eat at Too Often? Paesano’s . I have personally been 60 times. I think I work with two types of people. People who have been to Paesano’s and people who are sick of me talking about it. I also spend way to much time with my co-workers at Silk City for brunch.

If you could work anywhere (just because of the lunch) where would it be and why? I guess it would be a tie between Tokyo and Oaxaca. Street food being my main draw. I would eat lots Yakatori and junk food in Japan. I really think people have no idea how delicious the sweets are there. I would probably look for an apartment above the Tamale stand in the Zocalo in Oaxaca. I gained six pounds in each country.

Is there anything you’d like to ask the Philly Lunch readers? Will one of you please open a Soul Food restaurant in Northern Liberties? I have a craving I can’t shake. by the time I get any of it home it is cold.

Does Honey’s Sit n Eat count? I have heard great things about it.

If you would like to be next week’s Profiled Philly Lunch’er (or know somebody you’d like to nominate), email me at jamie@midtownlunch.com.