Midtown Lunch

While I sometimes drink questionable amounts of beer at Drinker’s, I have yet to venture in to Devil’s Alley next door. Today, Luncher John lets us know we should be trying their wings. 

It’s a fact: Center City does not have a plethora of places west of Broad Street serving good barbecue. Perhaps the best such option is Devil’s Alley. Located just a couple blocks north of Rittenhouse Square at 19th and Chestnut, Devil’s Alley may seem like a typical bar and grill with a varied menu and beer selection. What separates Devil’s Alley from the rest is how well it executes its barbecue dishes.

Even though its building is somewhat narrow, Devil’s Alley certainly maximizes its space. It has two floors with outdoor seating during good weather. Glass doors on both floors can also open up on warmer days (they will be here, though its hard to remember that this week), making it appear more spacious. The limited space is evident in the bar area, where there’s not really much room for people to stand between the bar and staircase.

Read more »

Though I love Wegman’s and the shore, I am not normally a Jersey advocate, especially not for a lunch excursion- no offense to anyone, I just always get lost and confused in the state of New Jersey. But, I am here to sing a different tune after my meal at Amy’s Omlette House, a sort of mega diner.  There are 3 locations, all in NJ, the one I visited is in Cherry Hill.

The fact that I was transported to Amy’s in a car with butt warming capabilities helped ease me in to the idea of Jersey dining.  And then I saw the menu; it’s many many pages long with over 200 types of omelettes plus a completely separate menu for ice cream. And our waiter was an adorable awkward college boy home for winter break. These factors helped me forget what state I was in.

Read more »

 Photo Courtesy of Thrillist

• A “Cajun Asian” restaurant is opening in the Piazza   [Eater]
• A list of the most decadent local foods of 2013 includes more than one plate from PYT, obviously  [Thrillist]
• While I was enjoying fried chicken this week from Resurrection,  the Nashville style hot chicken at Fat Ham was getting some attention [Foobooz]
• You can vote on Philly’s best cheesesteak [Zagat]

I hate feeling like an idiot when there is a food I hear all the good things about and it takes me forever to get after it. Such was the case with the twice fried chicken from Resurrection Ale House. As it was taken off the menu for a bit, its scarcity only intensified its cult status. But it is now available daily for lunch and dinner.

Beyond the chicken, Resurrection does the ubiquitous good beer and gastropub food thing that makes me proud to be a Philly resident. Located all the way west, on Gray’s Ferry, it has a cozy, neighborhood bar feel.

Read more »