Midtown Lunch

Wokano on Washington Ave serves dim sum every day. The exterior is not too inviting, but inside it has the standard dim sum joint look; you know, gaudy chandeliers and big round tables.  Like most dim sum places, the stream of goodies dies down after lunch time, but at Wokano you can order from a one page menu of dim sum option, ensuring a fresh and hot product. Just know that they do run out of things.

I have certain standard for dim sum, so I had to find out: Woka-no or Woka-yes? I’m sorry, that’s likely the worst pun I have ever done.

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Two weeks ago, Dream Mexican Grill opened on Walnut Street where the San Samosa Indian buffet had reigned for at least as long as I’ve been in Philly. Not much has been done  with the interior so far and the outdoor seating won’t be useful for many months. Dream is open daily for lunch and dinner with a Mexican and Caribbean menu. For lunch, you can order a la carte or choose 3  (an entree plus two out of the soup, salad, dessert choices) for $9.99

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Today, Luncher John is telling us about a spot he dines at often

For over ten years, I’ve made countless visits to Square on Square, a Chinese restaurant located in the heart of Center City at 19th and Chestnut. While there are plenty of Chinese spots downtown, Square on Square has stood out for its upscale-yet-casual ambience and excellent food. Both business lunch goers as well as Center City shoppers have been filling Square on Square during lunch for years, and with good reason.

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I don’t really eat fast food. I didn’t grow up eating it; there were way better thing to eat in Queens. During law school I went to Wendy’s about 4 times when I was starving and at the library at midnight. Sometimes advertising works, as was the case when I passed Popeyes and saw the ad for chicken waffle tenders; chicken tenders, in a waffle batter. I couldn’t stop myself from trying it.

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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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I found myself stuck in Liberty Place due to rain and needing something to eat. After surveying chains of the food court, I realized that Cafe Spice, still seemed like the best option.

I enjoyed their greasy Indian appetizers and chicken tikka 3 years ago (wow, time flies) and was happy to see it still sticking around Liberty Place.

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I was at Quizzo last week and a question came up about a food court in Old City with the same name as the stock exchange in Paris. My team looked at me, assuming my knowledge of local eating spots would get us the right answer. Instead, I had no clue. How embarrassing. But, that was how I learned that The Bourse is a thing.

Located between on the block between Market and Chestnut, with entrances on 5th and 4th street,  The Bourse has candy stores, tourist shops, and a few places to grab food. Although I may not have known about it, the tourists certainly seem to, as there were many groups of small, sweaty children with name tags guided by chaperones in jean shorts.

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