PROFILE: Philly Luncher “Gabrielle”

Though we have been lacking volunteers lately, on certain Tuesdays 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 Gabrielle, who works in art and also for Philly Phoodie

Name: Gabrielle

Age: 31

Occupation: Gallery Manager (and photographer/editor for PhillyPhoodie.com)

Where in Philly do you Work?: The Galleries at Moore College of Art & Design (20th & The Parkway) / Philly Phoodie (everywhere)

Favorite Kind of Food: Korean Food – mostly Yue Kae Jang, but I also love everything else that’s Korean.

Least Favorite Kind of Food: I recently tasted a chicken heart that a friend prepared with a drizzle of balsamic, served on a cracker, and I hated it. That is the most memorable thing that I’ve disliked in a while – I mostly only eat things I like. Scratch that! I HATE PHO. We did a review of Pho Ha for Philly Phoodie (PP) in November, after forgetting how bad it actually is, and that’s when I realized it’s actually the worst thing ever.

Favorite Place(s) to Eat Lunch in Philly: I’d have to say that the best quick-and-dirty lunch in my working ‘hood is definitely Mama’s (18 South 20th Street). It’s fast, cheap & (the falafel is) out of control! But seriously, it’s some of the best falafel in the city and at $3.50 for a small sandwich ($6 for the whole) served on half of a fresh pita in under 20 minutes, it’s filling but not at all heavy. When I’m feeling like I have more time and more room in my belly, I’ll hit Giwa (1608 Sansom Street) for a bowl of my favorite soul-soothing Yue Kae Jang (hot & spicy Korean vegetable-beef stew) and some classic kimchi.

I’m going to be honest and let you know that I pack my lunch, like every day, and when I do eat out, it’s usually some place new to get material for the blog, so I’m always on the prowl.

“Go-To” Lunch Place You and Your Coworkers Eat at Too Often? Cherry Street Tavern (129 N 22nd Street) is hands-down, the best lunch spot to hit again and again with co-workers. The roast beef with sharp provolone can’t be beat and the atmosphere screams “have one beer with lunch, your boss will never know!” There’s a small group of us here at Moore that have turned it into a seasonal practice, they set up a table in the back room for 8-12 of us and the one hour break always runs into 1.5, but they treat us like family so what’s the hurry?

Place you discovered thanks to Philly Lunch (if any) I hate to say it, but there aren’t any! I spend so much time doing leg-work on my own for PP that no stone is left unturned, but I keep reading in hopes that one will be… [Ed. Note: there has to be something! What about places outside CC i.e. El Fogon or Shish Kebab Palace]

If you could work anywhere (just because of the lunch) where would it be and why? Is it too passé to say Philadelphia? I love it here because we’re surrounded by so many great establishments in such a concentrated area, with such culinary diversity. I wouldn’t change that for anything.

Is there anything you’d like to ask the Philly Lunch readers?
Are there any little lunch gems in the Logan Square/Art Museum area that haven’t been duly recognized – old or new?

Interested in sending in a lunch profile? Know someone with good taste worthy of a nomination? Email me at jamie@midtownlunch.com 

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