Midtown Lunch

While biking around looking for lunch I saw Sandy’s, a very nondescript corner diner with one plain sign announcing they serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner. This is the kind of place that will either grind out a whole lot of nothingspecials, or maybe, just maybe, there could be something special.

A list of daily specials drew me in with the fish grinder. But wait a minute- is that mousaka* on the menu? With a friendly Greek man to make it for me?

*I am using Sandy’s spelling of the dish, though some use the  “moussaka” spelling

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Photo Courtesy of @TommyUp via Twitter via Phoodie

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What is the deal with the Bellevue Food Court? Is it worth checking out? Is it overpriced garbage or might there be some hidden gems? I had to find out. I bravely entered the Bellevue and made my way down the escalator having no idea where I would end up.  Then I saw Yunique Noodle House and I was back in my comfort zone. They have a mostly Korean menu, but they serve both Pho (Vietnamese soup) and Ramen (Japanese soup)…  this could be a bad sign or something great.

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The list of peanut butter sandwiches posted outside drew me into Cafe Loftus. More a coffee shop than anything, but it also fills in that peanut butter sandwich niche. I was hoping for sweet-ish bread and pillowy peanut butter with fresh add-ins. It didn’t quite meet my expectations, but it is at least another vegetarian lunch option and an easy thing to grab with your expensive machiatto.

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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 Zoe, a counselor who loves cheese and sandwiches- I am with you there, girl!

Name: Zoe

Age: 29

Occupation: High School Counselor (and newbie blogger with Row Home Eats)

Where in Philly do you Work?: 22nd & Arch

Favorite Kind of Food: Cuisines–probably Italian and Vietnamese. Food items (i.e. my death row meal) are baked macaroni and cheese, Uncle Tomy’s curly cheese fries, cheesesteak hoagies from Tony Luke’s, fettucini alfredo, Wawa hoagies and lobster tail. I would be very, very full. I’m also, apparently, a fan of cheese.

Least Favorite Kind of Food: Bananas and raisins.

Favorite Place(s) to Eat Lunch in Philly: Brisket sandwich with cheese and rabe from DiNic’s in the Reading Terminal. I used to be a vegetarian and they would make veggie sandwiches for me with cheese, roasted peppers and greens. I slowly transitioned to eating meat with their roast beef and brisket sandwiches. Now I’m a full-fledged omnivore and there’s absolutely nothing I like better than this sandwich, with extra gravy. YUM! They put a lot of care into their food preparation and truly value the process as well as the end result. And if you go when they’re not too busy (which has become increasingly difficult,) your sandwich comes with a side of conversation from one of the owners or a guy sitting next to you at the counter.

Because the Reading Terminal is a little too far from work, I usually get the turkey diablo with pickles from Primo Hoagies when I’m in the mood for a sandwich. The sliced turkey breast is paired with peppery cheese and a secret spice blend, which are all balanced nicely by the crunch of the pickles and the chewy seeded roll. Besides, I feel kind of racy ordering something called the “diablo.”

I also enjoy Vietnam Restaurant, although I do not get to lunch there as often as I would like. Their vermicelli dishes are outstanding and service is quick and friendly. I always try to order something different when I go, but their vermicelli is so darn good that it’s hard to veer away. At least I’ll switch up the topping from grilled chicken to steak to squid, depending on the day. I’ll usually add an order of vegetarian summer rolls because I’m piggy like that. At least they’re not fried!

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