Midtown Lunch

• Hai Street is opening another location AND a ramen spot inside Liberty Place this spring [The Insider]
• Vetri is now serving $85 lunches on the first Friday of every month. Who wants to treat me? [The Insider]
• Or for something less pricey, 26 North has started a $20 lunch prix fix [Foobooz
• Loft District workers will now have access to rotating food trucks for lunch Wed-Fri [The Insider]

I was sad to see Marabella Meatball Co shutter on Walnut Street.  I really enjoyed their meatballs, sauces, high quality cheeses, and BYO policy. But the folks from Spice End took over the spot and set up Masala Kitchen with a small menu of kati rolls and rice plates. I love kati rolls and have yet to find the perfect one in Philly.

Read more »

• 22nd and Philly has issues with the construction of Matt & Marie’s hoagies [22nd and Philly]
• Laban likes the chaat and curry bowls at Chaat and Chai [The Inquirer]
• A hard cider and pizza spot is slated for 15th and Locust [Billy Penn]

• Want to taste Bon Appetit’s Dish of the Year? You don’t have to go far- Dizengoff’s hummus took the honor this year [The Insider]
• An Asian food court may be coming to Chinatown! [Meal Ticket]
• Scratch Biscuit’s have reworked their sandwich biscuits, more incentive for me to finally get over there [Foobooz]
• Can someone make me this bulgogi, scallion pancake, quesadilla? [Serious Eats]

• The Night Market dates for this year have been announced! [The Food Trust]
• At Bliss, non alcoholic fruit cocktails are an art form [City Paper]
• 12 local cheesesteak interpretations, including a bunch of spring rolls and [Philly.com]
•  Brian Freedman agrees with us, the broth at Saigon Cuisine is exceptional [Phila Weekly]
• Today is National Grilled Cheese Day, celebrate at Say Cheese, Meltcraft, Fork, or Cafe Fulya or get a $3 Grilled Cheese at Miles Table 

Today Luncher John is getting down with some General Tso’s

For the past few years, the restaurant space at 120 South 15th Street, between Chestnut and Sansom, has had a revolving door of tenants. First, Shank’s Uptown, the Center City expansion of South Philadelphia’s Evelyn and Shank’s sandwich shop, held the space for two years. Next, Enzo’s, a sandwich spot similar to Shank’s, stayed for about a year before closing. The newest tenant is TG Express, a Chinese (Americanized Chinese, that is) lunch establishment. Will it have better luck than its predecessors? The key may be in its combo specials.

Read more »

Readers, we are looking for volunteers for our Tuesday Profile Luncher series. We want you to share your favorite Philly lunch spots! Email me at jamie@midtownlunch.com if you want to give it a try, or if you have a friend to nominate.