Midtown Lunch

As is customary at Philly Lunch, every Tuesday 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 John, a lawyer who loves brisket and hates Big Macs.

Name: John E.

Age: 37

Occupation: Attorney

Where in Philly do you Work?: Law firm at One Liberty Place, 17th and Market

Favorite Kind of Food: Barbecue – in particular, beef brisket and ribs. I tell my vegetarian friends that if something will make them switch back to meat, it’s good barbecue.

Least Favorite Kind of Food: Mega chain fast food and restaurants. There are too many great places around town to eat to settle for Subway, Wendy’s, Ruby Tuesday’s and Applebees.

Favorite Place(s) to Eat Lunch in Philly: Roast pork sandwich from John’s Roast Pork (14 E. Snyder Ave.), everything from Paesano’s (1017 S. 9th St.), small falafel and side of latkes from Mama’s Vegetarian (18 S. 20th St.), platter from Christo’s Falafel cart (Southeast corner of 20th and Market St.).

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As is customary at Philly Lunch, every Tuesday 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 Lou, who will eat anything that won’t kill him. Respect.

Name: Lou

Age: 27

Occupation: Social Media Coordinator (starting Dec. 5)

Where in Philly do you Work?: University of the Arts, Broad & Pine

Favorite Kind of Food: A medium rare hamburger with bleu cheese  and caramelized onion

Least Favorite Kind of Food: Peanuts and almonds. They make me feel all die-y because of allergies. I’ll eat anything else.

Favorite Place(s) to Eat Lunch in Philly: Vic Sushi (2035 Sansom St.) for the unbeatable 3-roll combo. Pure Fare (119 S 21st St.), with their pre-made sandwiches and Blue Bottle pour over coffee; I always end up with a dessert as well. The Classic meatball sandwich at Jake’s Sandwich Board (122 S 12th St.) is pretty killer, but anything’s good for their $5 build your own sandwich days. And of course, you can’t go wrong rolling the dice and hitting up Love Park for the lunch trucks!
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As is customary at Philly Lunch, every Tuesday 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 Lee who is looking for our dessert recommendations.

Name: Lee

Age: 29

Occupation: IT Service Manager

Where in Philly do you Work?: 16th and Race

Favorite Kind of Food: Sushi, anything braised, cheese, charcuterie and anything spicy. A little hot sauce never hurt anyone.

Least Favorite Kind of Food: Beets, fennel and overcooked steak (medium rare is perfect)

Favorite Place(s) to Eat Lunch in Philly: I love Trans Lunch truck at 15th and Race. $3.75 for perfect pork and mixed vegetable in a garlic sauce over brown rice. Being so close to the Comcast center at 17th and JFK I see a lot of trips to Percy Street BBQ in my future for their brisket sandwich and a side of collard greens. If you get there before 11:45 (the line is too long at noon) there is no brunch like stuffed french toast or eggs benedict at Sabrina’s Cafe 1804 Callowhill Street.
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As is customary at Philly Lunch, every Tuesday 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 Steven, a carnivore and bbq enthusiast.

Name: Steven

Age: 58

Occupation: Professional Trainer

Where in Philly do you Work?: I work by contract most recently in the Market East and Old City areas.

Favorite Kind of Food: I’m definitely a carnivore and my favorite quote is- “If we aren’t supposed to eat animals, then why are they made out of meat?”

Least Favorite Kind of Food: Lima beans, liver or OMG a lima bean liver casserole!

Favorite Place(s) to Eat Lunch in Philly: I like to vary my lunches by both nationality and sophistication. Wedge & Fig in Olde City for their amazing paninis. The “Jawn” is to die for. I love Chinatown’s Nan Zhou Hand Drawn Noodle House for their beef brisket soup with hand-drawn noodles. If I want to splurge I go to Davio’s. Let’s not forget Distrito in University City. They have an extremely creative lunch menu.
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As is customary at Philly Lunch, every Tuesday 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 Sara, who isn’t afraid of carbs.

Name: Sara

Age: 30

Occupation: in the health care field

Where in Philly do you Work?: 16th and JFK

Favorite Kind of Food: mostly carb loaded food… pasta, tacos, sandwiches.

Least Favorite Kind of Food: not a big fan of foods on the sweet side

Favorite Place(s) to Eat Lunch in Philly: For a quick lunch in Philly, you can’t beat truck food like Angelo’s cheese steak on 16th and chestnut or the King of Falafel. It’s an economical and delicious option. Also, DiBruno Brothers in the Comcast building is a solid alternative to truck food
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As is customary at Philly Lunch, every Tuesday 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 Melissa, who isn’t  afraid of ordering off the kids menu.

Name: Melissa

Age: 24

Occupation: Receptionist at a real estate company, and blogger at Yum Marks the Spot

Where in Philly do you Work?: Rittenhouse Square

Favorite Kind of Food: Sushi, pasta, oysters, cereal, Vietnamese, breakfast sandwiches, and all dairy products. (I’m looking at you, cheese and ice cream!)

Least Favorite Kind of Food: Raw chickpeas, bleh. And Dr. Pepper.

Favorite Place(s) to Eat Lunch in Philly: I’m completely obsessed with the falafel at Mama’s Vegetarian (18 S 20th St). I’ll fight anyone that doesn’t think it’s the best falafel in the city. I also love Vic’s (2035 Sansom St). Their three roll special is unbeatable in taste and freshness for reasonably priced sushi. Thai Singha House to Go is also great (106 S 20th St). You can get two different dishes from their freshly-filled steam tables for $6. Can’t forget my old standby, LeBus (129 S 18th St). ALL of their sandwiches are awesome, as well as their vegetarian chili and cucumber dill soup. And if I’m feeling fancy, I’ll stop at Yogorino (233 S 20th St), and get a lil treat before I head back to work.
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As is customary at Philly Lunch, every Tuesday 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 Alethia from Philly Homegrown, who likes to dine on local pork.

Name: Alethia

Age: 33

Occupation: Director of Philly Homegrown

Where in Philly do you Work?: Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation

Favorite Kind of Food: anything with pork – and preferably local, sustainably raised heritage breed pork (even more specific – from Wyebrook Farms near Downingtown, PA)

Least Favorite Kind of Food: Anything with broccoli in it

Favorite Place(s) to Eat Lunch in Philly: Pumpkin Market, Wedge and Fig and Fried Chicken Thursdays at Meme.
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