Midtown Lunch

I wanted to do a little pork taste testing in the North of Kensington area, comparing El Principe, a Dominican restaurant I enjoyed a while back, to Isla Nena, a Puerto Rican spot the next block over. Isla Nena’s slogan “sabor Boricua pa’que tu lo sepas” let us know to expect authentic Puerto Rican food. Two steam tables are on your right when you enter, but there are tables in the back for waiter service. On the menu you will find fried side dishes and meat and seafood entrees.

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Hot dogs are the hotness; last week John had  Texas Tommy and a chili dog at Underdogs. Today, its an equally new hot dog shack in Center City.

You knew it would be Maui Dogs right? This branch of the original Jersey spot opened in the Bellevue’s basement food cart at the end of January, about a month before last Wednesday’s wiener joint, Underdogs.

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We’ve all played the game of imagining our last meal on earth, though we hope the time for such a feast is far far away. Every year however, I plan out my last meal. My last meal before  I am without bread, pasta, and most good carbs for a whole week because of Passover. This year it was easy, I knew my perfect “last meal” had to involve the Philly King of Bread- Sarcone’s.

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• Bridges Burgers Beer and Two Eat Philly both enjoyed Pitruco’s radicchio pizza
• Lunch hours are begining for Square Peg and Nom Nom Ramen [Foobooz]
• Beloved BYO Mercato is also starting lunch service 2 weeks from now [Eater]
• Zahav wins Phoodie’s Easter v Passover prix fix menu battle for the weekend [Phoodie]

It was less the name, and more so the pictures of giant congee bowls that drew me in to Happy Restaurant for lunch. The menu, a one page paper print out, features dim sum-like snacks, all ranging from 50 cents to $4.50. I always enjoy a lunch made up of a few different little things, so I was all about it.

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Hot dogs are the hotness right now. It is time Midtown Lunch Philly starts comparing. We start with John’s look at Underdogs. Next Wednesday, it will be someone else’s wieners.

Compared to other cities and regions, Philadelphia’s hot dog scene has not been too prominent until very recently. Fortunately, several new establishments specializing in hot dogs have sprouted up in different parts of the city. The newest is Underdogs, which opened up in the below street level spot previously occupied by Argan. Since its opening in late February, Underdogs has drawn big lunch crowds eager to try their hot dog offerings. Based on the quality of the food, it does not appear that the crowds will die down any time soon.

The menu at Underdogs is pretty extensive. If you thought you could there were only so many ways to dress up a hot dog, you’re in for a pleasant surprise. There are no less than thirteen hot dog and ten sausage offerings, in addition to twelve different dipping sauces for the French fries. You can choose just a hot dog or sausage offering, but the best values are the combos of a hot dog, fries and drink.

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In the mood for chaat near City Hall, I headed to the basement of the Bellevue only to find that Desi Chaat House had been replaced by Crepe Town. I suppose that is the problem with getting attached to any one place in that food court; the turnover rate is crazy.

The most expensive crepe is $7.25, with most hovering around $6. The calorie counts are posted, should the numbers sway you.

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