Midtown Lunch

Walking down 13th Street, you might notice the flashing LED sign of the Halal Express Cart. The cart owners came from NYC less than 2 months ago bringing their street feed to Center City. After getting good feedback from Luncher Mary, I stopped by.

Combo plates are the way to go. Lamb, chicken, falafel, shrimp, and fish are available until they close at 6pm or until they run out. I had the lamb and fish over rice for $6. The platter comes with some lettuce and tomato. And if you say yes, a squirt of white sauce and hot sauce. You should say yes. The lamb was in small pieces rather than the strips I prefer, but they had a nice grilled flavor.

The fish (tilapia) was what really stood out.  The quality of fish from a street cart could be questionable. But the meaty fillet (what she order? fish fillet?) did not taste the slightest bit funky.  And I really liked the spicy tomato marinade.

Underneath, the brown-yellow rice was not bland, but I talked to the cart guys and they hinted that if there was enough interest, they could serve biryani like the famous carts in NYC. So I suggest ordering that fish while making a biryani plea. Thanks.

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

• Awesome cart fish, real deal white and hot sauce

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

• I am way too scared to eat fish from a cart

Halal Gyro Express, 13th Street by Sansom St