Midtown Lunch

Today, recently Profiled Luncher Rachel checks out a new food truck in UCity.

At Penn, people think they are food cart experts. You constantly overhear conversations about “my regular order at Bui’s, or how “Obviously the people at Magic Carpet  know me.” That being said, new food carts on campus are no small deal, especially this one. When I heard that Marrakesh, a restaurant previously a little further west than I’d probably venture, gave up its storefront for a food cart closer to campus, I could not wait to be one of the first to try it. People who knew the place raved, and people who though they new food carts (me included) got very excited.

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I headed out with the plan of getting soup and falafel at Maoz. But the only soup they have was lentil, and that wasn’t what I was in the mood for. So I kind of ambled down Walnut Street and serendipitously found Pita Uno.

N.Y. Deli never made it and the spot next to NYPD pizza was vacant for a while. About 2 weeks ago Pita Uno let the light back in with Israeli home cooking.  After my meal, I noticed the Meal Ticket report giving more of the scoop on this place and the plans for a 2nd location in Manayunk.

The menu is small and the shawarma spit wasn’t ready yet. But the Israeli owner is really friendly and I was able to try the rest of his wares, and I got to satiate my soup craving!

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Over the summer I got to see the sights and taste the foods of Israel. When a friend from my trip came to visit, I had to pick a place that would allow us to reminisce about our time there. Philly has a fair amount places to enjoy falafel, but after hearing from so many sources that Mamma’s Vegetarian was the absolute best in town, it was the perfect reason to visit.

It was a good sign when we were greeted just how we would be in an Israeli falafel place, with a sample ball of falafel shoved in our faces.

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I recently snuck away from the sweaty Philly streets to the equally sweaty streets of Israel. In between taking in the amazing ancient sites, I did some eating. And there were more than a few lunches that Philly should take note of.

1. Street Food

First off, the street food scene is as real as it gets. At the base of the Druze town of Daliat Harmel is a market for locals with clothing, random household appliances, dvds, and lots of olives. Sharing the tarped outdoor space  is a group of friendly women making fresh laffa bread stuffed with different vegetables.

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Sansom Kebob House has been on my list of places to dine for a while now. The sun was unforgiving and I needed somewhere to sit down and escape. Too hot for outdoor seating, there was no reason not to head down to Sansom Street’s subterranean Afghani restaurant. Maybe Afghani food is not the first thing that comes to mind to refresh you on a hot day, but my yogurt topped appetizer was just the right start.

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This week Profiled Luncher Lauren is dining on Lebanese flatbreads called Manakeesh.

After hearing great things about Manakeesh, some friends and I used one of Philly’s few sunny days to walk to the Lebanese eatery. The space is located at 45th & Walnut and its beautiful interior, with exposed brick and artwork, really sets it apart from the rest of the neighborhood. It was my first time having Lebanese food and the staff was happy to help us make our selections. They explained that the restaurant’s namesake refers to folded Lebanese flatbreads with a crispy, doughy crust. Though there are often long lines on the weekends, we went on a Monday and were able to enjoy a leisurely lunch with great service.

For five people, our entire order was only $32 and we got to try a little of everything.

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Does the newish Mediterranean spot in the Liberty Place Food Court make anyone else immediately think of teen movie star Zac Efron? Unfortunately Zaffron offers less singing. Fortunately, it also offers less hair.

You can order from Zaffron’s signature menu of wraps, salads, or over rice “entrees” or you can choose your own and take advantage of the add ins bar. You can pick one of the main ingredients, including chicken, beef, falafel, and  shawarma, to be a part of your meal.  Mary had reported enjoying the falafel and the add ins bar. I came back since you all asked for pictures, and to try the shawarma

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