Midtown Lunch

This week Profiled Luncher Lauren checks out a whole bunch of the burger options for half price at Copabanana. (Hint: Call now and make your reservation for lunch today)

Located at 40th & Spruce, Copa Banana serves standard bar fare with a Mexican and Caribbean focus. Though the dive-like atmosphere scares off some, Copa has become one of my guilty pleasures. One friend is constantly making fun of me for “my Copa obsession,” but I explain to him that it’s all about managing your expectations. You can’t go into Copa expecting a Village Whiskey burger, but if you expect good, greasy bar food, then that’s what you’re going to get. I’m a fan of Copa’s fajitas, nachos, and margaritas, but I didn’t realize until recently that their burgers are half price on Wednesdays from 11:30 AM – 4:30 PM. Apparently, I’m the only person in University City who didn’t know because the restaurant has been packed each time I’ve gone. Even if you’re going for a quick lunch, I would suggest calling ahead to make a reservation.

Read more »

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 Elizabeth, a pescatarian living in CC, working in Jerz.

Name: Elizabeth

Age: late 20’s

Occupation: Graphic Designer

Where in Philly do you Work?: bustling Marlton, NJ, but living in CC

Favorite Kind of Food: Vegetarian (well, pescetarian) delights of all kinds. Mussels from Monk’s (16th & Spruce), the ceviche at Twenty Manning (261 S. 20th St), Huevos Rancheros at The Royal Tavern (Passyunk & Carpenter), Matar Paneer from Lovash (South St at American St) or Tiffin (7th & Girard). I like broccoli, tomatoes, Greek yogurt, tuna sandwiches, Pistachio pizza at Stella (2nd & Lombard), mozzarella, guacamole, citrus fruits, the grilled octopus at Barbuzzo (110 S. 13th St). I love anything crunchy, crispy, nutty or topped with caramel.

Least Favorite Kind of Food: Ham Loaf is reason #1 stopped eating meat.

Favorite Place(s) to Eat Lunch in Philly: When I’m at home my go-to spots are Philly Chutney Company (16th & Sansom) for the #25 Chutney Wrap, Famous 4th Street (4th & Bainbridge) for bagels and hamantashen, the vegetarian torta at Las Bugambilias (2nd & South), a slice of Yukon pizza at Blackbird (6th & Lombard), sushi at Izumi (Passyunk & Tasker), Khyber Pass Pub (2nd and Chestnut) for the vegan fried chicken po-boy, and I love being close enough to pop in for a coffee and a baked good at Bodhi Coffee (2nd just south of Pine) or Cafe Fulya (2nd & Monroe).
Read more »

Last week, I had a really disturbing Chinatown dining experience.  Though several commenters called me out on being a wuss, I was semi-traumatized, I have issues with hair… They say that when you fall off the horse, you should get right back on. So with that in mind, I marched myself back to Chinatown to have another meal.

Chinatown Restaurant, on the corner of 10th and Arch,  is one that I would never ever have gone into, it looks completely generic. But  a trusted friend advised me that there were some dishes of interest, so I figured I had nothing to lose. As long as nothing was hairy.

Two menus are available at Chinatown restaurant, one with American-Chinese staples and the other with more authentic fare. Ask for both.

Read more »

• PYT is claiming it is turning into an empanada restaurant, nice try [Phoodie]
• Sloppily enjoyable chicken parm pizza at Isabella [Slice]
• Jay’s Deli has been on my radar, looking at this chicken salad makes me even more interested [Serious Eats]
• 1518 Bar & Grill has opened on Sansom with several sandwiches under $10 on the lunch menu [Foobooz]
• Tacos Mi Pueblito Truck has large veggie tortas [Mac&Cheese]

I heard that Marabella was serving Turkey meatballs this week, a special not on the regular menu. I had enjoyed the cheese covered beef and pork meatballs there, and I am curious to see how the turkey meatballs were since I have had much experienced with them being often dried out. Alas when I got there, they were out. But I was still hungry. I had never tried the chicken or veggie meatballs, and I had recently read good things about them. I also found out on this trip that you can do combo sandwiches, why did I not think of that before. I ordered the traditional with 2 chicken and 2 veggie balls ($8.50).

Read more »

A while back some ladies were selling sticky rice and congee outside of Ming River Side Walk House, they were delicious but I wanted to check out the actual restaurant. Inside, Ming River has a small menu with an emphasis on soups.

My meal went from good, to edible, to scary. Ladies and gentleman this story is not for the faint of heart. I have eaten at my share of dives and places of questionable practices, but I have never really dealt with grossly unappetizing food like this. I’ll start you off easy, but be warned there will be a twist of M. Night Shyamalan proportions.

Read more »

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 Mackie, who is our first luncher to report no least favorite foods!

Name: Mackie

Age: 24

Occupation: Law student by day, food blogger by night

Where in Philly do you Work?: West Philly

Favorite Kind of Food: Anything spicy

Least Favorite Kind of Food: None!

Favorite Place(s) to Eat Lunch in Philly: Tacos Don Memo truck for carne asada, chicken, and pork carnitas tacos, and then a stop at the Sugar Philly truck for milk and honey macarons for dessert (both at 38th and Sansom); Koreana for dol sot bibimbap (at 3801 Chestnut St.); Han Dynasty for dry pepper chicken, cumin lamb, and green beans with minced pork (108 Chestnut St.).

Read more »