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 Josh, author and playwright of No Reservations.

Name: Josh

Age: 42

Occupation: Macho survival dude and all around cool guy (also author of the Worst-Case Scenario Survial handbook series, and most recetly, playwright-No Reservations)

Where in Philly do you Work?: Penn/University City

Favorite Kind of Food: Japanese

Least Favorite Kind of Food: Anything I didn’t kill myself. Also, beets.

Favorite Place(s) to Eat Lunch in Philly:  When I’m not wrestling alligators or fighting off sharks, I tend to swing by Mama’s Falafel and Honeygrow. I also stopped by Agno at 21st and Chestnut two weeks ago and really liked it: the wild-caught local hummus was great. And quinoa builds muscle mass.

Read more »

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 Penny,  who works at Eviama Spa in Center City.  

Name: Penny

Age: Three score +

Occupation: spa therapist – licensed skin care and massage; Reiki master

Where in Philly do you Work?: Eviama Life Green Spa & Boutique

Favorite Kind of Food: Healthy, fresh, local

Least Favorite Kind of Food: Burgers, sorry!

Favorite Place(s) to Eat Lunch in Philly:  The absolutely most amazing dine-in lunch with relaxing atmosphere and exotic aromas is Indieblue. I recommend either the seafood or vegetarian thali, which is a combination of exquisite little dishes. Every flavor is exceptional, and the accompaniments are excellent. Nan that melts in your mouth! I also can’t get enough of Green Eggs Cafe – all skillets are yummy, food hits the spot with consistent quality, and the specials are always inventive (and they just opened for dinner at the Midtown location). For a lovely salmon plate (solomos) with braised kale and fennel that makes your mouth water, get thee to Opa! El Vez has a wonderful crab omelet for Sunday brunch – get some guacamole first but be sure to save room for main course! Fergies Pub runs the gamut – if you have vegan leanings and a brisket lover in tow, make everybody happy. Vegan Cheesesteak! Brisket Chili! More beer and mussels!!

Read more »

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 Donal, looking for places where you can have your lunch and drink it too.  

Name: Donal
Age: 46

Occupation: Restauranteur

Where in Philly do you Work?: Old City (Serrano and Tin Angel)

Favorite Kind of Food: Game & Poultry

Least Favorite Kind of Food: Overly Earthy Vegetables

Favorite Place(s) to Eat Lunch in Philly: The eponymous Paesano at Paesano’s. Burger at The Capital Grille.
Read more »

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 Kory, a PR maven with a sweet tooth. 

Name:  Kory

Age: 40

Occupation: public relations

Where in Philly do you Work?: Aversa
PR located on East Passyunk Avenue (and 12th)

Favorite Kind of Food: Desserts and comfort food. Usually always dessert before main course, too! :)

Least Favorite Kind of Food: Mushrooms, fish and exotic meats.

Favorite Place(s) to Eat Lunch in Philly: I love Philadelphia’s neighborhoods and have favorites in each of them. In Old City, I love Nick’s Roast Beef (16 S 2nd St) for a classic roast beef and horseradish sandwich, in Center City I can’t stay away from Schlesinger’s and their pickle bar (1521 Locust St), in Rittenhouse I love hitting Devil’s Alley (1907 Chestnut St) for my favorite Turkey Cubana, in Northern Liberties I am partial to PYT (1050 N Hancock St) for late lunches on weekends, and in South Philly I love Fuel (1917 E Passyunk Ave) for a healthy treat.

Read more »

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 Justin, who loves the ladies as much as he loves noodles. And yes, he is single and ready to mingle, as long as you can use chopsticks- any takers? 

Name: Justin

Age: 27

Occupation: Attorney

Where in Philly do you Work?: Penn Center

Favorite Kind of Food: Noodle soup

Least Favorite Kind of Food: Meh, not sure if I have a least favorite. Not a big mustard, horse radish, wasabi fan.

Favorite Place(s) to Eat Lunch in Philly: I’ve been eating mad salads nowadays–gotta keep my business tightttttttt. I’m a big fan of honeygrow salads. Also, the Duane Morris building has a cafeteria catered by Stephen Starr. They have a solid salad station–under 10 bucks for a salad with salmon. If I indulge, I hit up a chicken and rice cart or some noodle soup in Chinatown or elsewhere. (Lan Zhou, Hiro, any and all Pho places)

Read more »

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.

Read more »

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

Read more »