Midtown Lunch

Ol’ Boys Soul Food Restaurant opened in the summer of 2013 in an area that looks a little neglected- I say this because we parked next to an abandoned house whose first floor was covered in garbage. I can’t say I have done too much dining around the 60th and Locust area. But that might change now. Obviously from the name, I knew to expect soul food and to probably not expect a salad.  I also couldn’t not think about the beloved, and very violent Korean movie that Spike Lee remade last year (see the original, please).

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A few years ago I loved my sandwiches and sides at Plenty on E. Passyunk. I was all for the opening of its 2nd location at 16th and Spruce. Its 2 floor space gets pretty busy at peak hours, so you might had to plan on a take out order. The menu has the same coffee bar, breakfast, sandwich and salad configuration as the Passyunk spot. Though the ownership changed a year after my visit and the sides are no longer on the menu, the two sandwiches I loved are still there. But I wanted to try some new things.

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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.

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I am a big pig and have eaten hundreds of exciting lunches this past year. I am both grossed out and proud of myself when looking back at all the damage. I wrangled up my favorites of 2013 to share.

January started the year off strong, with peirogi’s from Donna’s smokey bar, Caribbean platters from Little Delicious, tom yom beef jerky from Ratchada, and the gooey mac and cheese brisket sandwich from MeltKraft.

In February, the Uzbeki meal from Samarkand was pretty legendary.

Taco truck, Taco El Rodeo was a pleasant surprise in April.

Pennsylvania 6 did the fancy business lunch right for me in May. Less fancy, but still satisfying: Poi Dog cart’s fried chicken and Campo’s monster of a meat sandwich called “The Stockyard”. Plus, this month brought the opening of Sizzling Woks (called Xi’an Famous Foods then), which meant slippery, spicy liang pi noodles in my mouth.

In June, I was obsessing over the lamb tacos at Border Springs Farm.

The meatball sandwich at Corner Foodery and the beef sandwich at Pura Vida were stand outs. Slightly more upscale, I loved the grilled pastrami and mac and cheese at Twisted Tail.

The meaty torta from American Sardine Bar and meaty burrito bowl from Animo  provided tasty protein in August.

September is beautiful in Philly. Perfect for a picnic provided by Talula’s Daily. I was also overjoyed to find pupusas at Tamalex. I also ate a large amount of pork from Freddy and Tony’s.

The sandwiches at El Soto and cheesy tacos from Quetzally satiated Mexican cravings for October. I was also in love with the bread from High Street and much of the Cambodian snacks at Kavei Express.

Rounding out the year; in the past 2 months I was impressed by the dim sum at Wokano, the Godfather sandwich from Cosmis, and the soup dumplings from I-Green.

I think its time for a salad. Please keep your fingers crossed that I fit in to my New Year’s Eve dress tonight. So- What were your favorite lunches this year?

The Twisted Tail is located close enough to South Street you would think it would have been infected by it. Luckily, this “Southern inspired Bourbon house” is a nice escape from tourists and wayward teens. I was invited to try their lunch menu, available Monday through Friday, though many of the lunch items can be found on the regular menu.

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Though I have to work all weekend, I am trying to get in the Independence Day spirit by thinking about my favorite all-American lunches.

1. Hot Dogs– Hot Diggity is the obvious choice here, though a pastrami topped knish dog from Hershel’s does our country proud.
2. Burgers– Grace Tavern for a classic burger, Good Dog for a local favorite, PYT if you want to get crazy. 
3. Pie- Newbie Magpie is a good bet. But the best part is the filling right? Get just the good stuff at AJ’s
4. BBQ– Blue Belly and Percy Street come out on top on my list. (Fette Sau, new and popular, did not do it for me) 
5. Ice Cream- Foam Floaterie, Little Baby’s, and I am especially proud that Capogiro gives Italian gelato a run for its money. 
6. Beer– Khyber Pass Pub and American Sardine Bar have a great selection and prices. But nothing beats the weekly special at Locust Rendezvous. 

Or, just say screw it and go to Chinatown. 

What are your American favorites?

Every once in a while I have a meal without thinking about writing about it. Such was the case when I ordered a cheesy snack at Abner’s after catching a film at the International House. I didn’t think I would find anything even a little special there. Thank goodness I snapped a “just in case” picture.

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