Midtown Lunch

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.

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As we like to do at Midtown Lunch Philly, on 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 Jack, a youngster who makes his own jam. 

Name: Jack

Age: 19

Occupation: Undergrad at UPenn. Research assistant to an archaeologist who teaches at UVA. Back home in Charlottesville, VA I work as a waiter and as an assistant to an all-local, artisanal jam-maker.

Where in Philly do you Work?: University City

Favorite Kind of Food: If I didn’t say mac n’ cheese I’d be lying

Least Favorite Kind of Food: Anything mayo-heavy, especially tuna salad.

Favorite Place(s) to Eat Lunch in Philly: Honest Tom’s Tacos (261 S 44th St.): Sweet potato burrito. Sang Kee Noodle House (3549 Chestnut St.): Lemongrass chicken noodle soup. Yue Kee Chinese Food Truck (38th between Walnut and Locust): Ma Paul Tofu. Koch’s Deli (4309 Locust): Jewish Hoagie

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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 Rich from Del Friscos- hey, restaurant people have to eat too! 

Name: Rich

Age: 47

Occupation: General Manager

Where in Philly do you Work?: Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steakhouse

Favorite Kind of Food: Italian

Least Favorite Kind of Food: Fast Food

Favorite Place(s) to Eat Lunch in Philly: Paradiso on E Passyunk for the wild boar ragout

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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 DJ, a college guy with a taste for tacos. 

Name: DJ

Age: 19

Occupation: student at University of Pennsylvania majoring in biochemistry and biology, minoring in Spanish; I research part-time in Dr. Todd Ridky’s lab at Penn investigating melanoma

Where in Philly do you Work?: In my room mostly; I do research at the Clinical Research Building next to HOP

Favorite Kind of Food: German sausage & aged gouda cheese

Least Favorite Kind of Food: baked beans

Favorite Place(s) to Eat Lunch in Philly: Nan Zhou Hand Drawn Noodle House at 1022 Race Street; brisket noodle soup with hot sauce. Tacos Don Memo on 38th & Walnut; burrito with horchata drink. Federal Donuts at 1219 2nd St.; French toast donut.

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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 Chelsea, a student with tastes beyond a student budget. 

Name: Chelsea

Age: 20

Occupation: Student

Where in Philly do you Work?: University City

Favorite Kind of Food: pumpkins, hummus, chilean sea bass, lamb chops, scallops (I’m an expensive date)

Least Favorite Kind of Food: I awkwardly enough hate salt and rice (unless it surrounds my sushi)

Favorite Place(s) to Eat Lunch in Philly:Buddakhan (325 Chestnut St) has an incredible lunch deal–$15 kobe beef sliders and $15 bento boxes; Barbuzzo (110 S 13th St) also has a great deal on a $13 seasonal mediterranean antipasti plate, which is composed of interesting spins on seasonal produce and always includes delicious toasted homemade bread topped with extra virgin olive oil; Magic Carpet (multiple locations) chili is always a solid go-to

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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 Jill Weber, owner of Jet Wine Bar and Rex 1516. 

Name: Jill

Age: 41

Occupation: Archaeologist and Restaurateur

Where in Philly do you Work?: My restaurants Jet Wine Bar and Rex 1516 are on South St. West and I do a lot of work from home in Fitler Square

Favorite Kind of Food: Salty – especially if it is salty and fatty! I grew up on Lake Michigan in a German/Polish town and my favorite meal ever is fresh-smoked chubs, fried potatoes, stewed tomatoes, rye bread, and a lemon bar.

Least Favorite Kind of Food: White – especially white dairy. Or dairy that is sweetened.

Favorite Place(s) to Eat Lunch in Philly: the Reuben at Sandy’s Lunch, Banh Mi at Rotisseur,  any and all of Jet Wine Bar’s soups

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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 Kylie, a PR director who lunches in Old City.

Name: Kylie

Age: 29

Occupation: PR Director

Where in Philly do you Work?: Neff Associates in Old City

Favorite Kind of Food: Reigning from Australia, I am used to a lot of Asian influenced meals. Thai, Vietnamese, and Malaysian foods really do it for me.

Also, anything with avocado. Grilled avocado, salt , pepper and little lemon juice is the perfect lunch accompaniment.

Least Favorite Kind of Food: Anything with mayonnaise on or in it. WTF America? Gross.

Favorite Place(s) to Eat Lunch in Philly:

Fork etc – Butternut Squash soup with a side of brussels sprouts
Generic Food Truck on 3rd & Chestnut – lamb gyro platter w/ extra tzatziki
Cafe Ole - the European grilled cheese
European Republic – the wrap, frites, and drink deal for $7
Khyber Pass Pub – Smoked Brisket and pinto bean chili

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