Midtown Lunch

This weekend was the 3rd Swedish Historical Museum Meatball Contest. I was thrilled to be back for another year to judge the amateur competitors. The tie for the win was between a a 77 year old man Louis Leonardi and the other, Michael Antinore, a father interested opening a meatball truck (look out Philly!). Runner up went to Swedish home cook Alison Bennett.

As for the professional winners, the crowd chose Dad’s Stuffing as a winner. A great choice, they did well last year and I loved the food I ate there on my trip post contest. The runners up were Mekong River and Antney’s Grub. It is safe to say, both are now on my to-do list.

• Chain Pho Hoa has been replaced be Pho Ta, but most of the menu is staying the same [Eater]
• A dairy from week one of Center City’s Federal Donuts shows everything sold out at 12:30 [Foobooz]
• DiNics is now using rolls from Sarcone’s instead of Carangi [The Insider]
• In Japan, there is a report that 3 men killed and barbequed another man, with curry being their seasoning of choice [Japan Times]

Today Luncher John gets a gourmet truck burger and LOBSTER ROLLS.

Since the SPOT food cart started serving near Drexel’s campus a few months ago, the word on the street (literally) was that it was cooking up some remarkably tasty burgers and other sandwiches. Having heard the rave reviews, I figured it was worth a trip to University City to check out SPOT’s offerings. Needless to say, all the stories were “spot” on.

Despite its bright yellow color, SPOT, can be easy to miss if for no other reason that its physical size. It’s a small cart that really only fits one person (which would be Josh, the proprietor/cook). SPOT is parked near the corner of 33^rd and Arch (with a stint at the Porch at 30^th Street every Wednesday through the end of September), but I walked right by it on the first visit. I should have been clued in immediately by the wonderful aroma of beef and pork on the grill.

Read more »

• Thursday, 7-11pm, 10th and Race: Chinatown Night Market lots of participating restaurants and food trucks cover the streets

• Friday, 6-11pm, 1390 Frankford Ave: Lutheran Settlement House Food Truck Pop Up eat at Little Baby’s, Mini Trini, Tamale Truck with part of proceeds going to support Adult Education and Employment, Domestic Violence, Senior Services, and Homeless Service programming

• Saturday, 12-8pm, 13th and Chestnut: Midtown Village Festival eat, drink, play games
• Sunday, 4-6pm, 1900 Pattison Avenue: Swedish Museum Meatball Contest $8 admission for all the delicious meatballs you can eat, vote for your favorite!

You are going to have to deal with the crappy pictures in exchange for this awesome story of adventure dining. While driving around in North Philly, we saw a sign letting us know that the tiny storefront held “El Rey de Fritura (king of fried things).” Having already had a great experience with another Rey, we poked our heads in. Inside we found out there were no menus and no people who spoke English. It was going to be an interesting meal.

Read more »

American Sardine Bar is a relaxed spot to grab a fun beer. The small menu of soups, sandwiches, and sides is worth exploring. My parents were in town and we need a spot to grab a quick bite. My parents love sardines and are ok with American bars, so we went for. The bar was pretty empty during the day, making it easy for the eat and run to happen.

Read more »