Midtown Lunch

My last University City taco trip at Coup de Taco was a great success, so I headed back to that area for more. An ML Philly reader praised Taco Don Memo as the best Mexican food around. Unlike Coup de Taco, Tacos Don Memo’s fare is all traditional, no Thai or Indian flavors here. The small truck serves only 4 dishes:  burritos ($6), tacos ($2), tortas($6), and tostadas ($3).

I tried the steak torta and each of the 4 taco options- steak, chicken, carnitas (roasted pork), and al pastor (pork with pineapples).  Don Memo’s Mexican food made me feel a lot less jealous about Zach’s taco fest in L.A.

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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 Erik, a tamale seeking Italian with a thing for sushi.

Name: Erik

Age: 32

Occupation: Sales

Where in Philly do you Work?: Landmark Legal Solutions @ One Penn

Favorite Kind of Food: I’m Italian so I grew up eating a lot of pasta but I swear I was Asian in a former life. I love anything with rice, especially sushi. I also love spicy food, the hotter the better!

Least Favorite Kind of Food: Anything from a chain restaurant. I think that there are so many great places to eat in the city that you don’t need to hit up a chain. Stop being lazy and support your local businesses!! And that’s my rant for the day.

Favorite Place(s) to Eat Lunch in Philly: When I want some good tacos, I skip Taco Bell and go right to Hot Tamales (1805 JFK). They make everything fresh daily for the same prices at TB. Any chicken cutlet sandwich from Shanks Original (150 S. 15th) is great, I recommend the Italiano. Sharp provolone and garlicky greens, what a combination! When I’m in the mood for a good deli sandwich I go to Pastrami & Things (24 S. 18th). They have big portions and good sides. I keep it simple with a half a pastrami sandwich (how original at a place called Pastrami) on rye with spicy mustard and swiss. Misora (1511 Chestnut) has good lunch box specials. They give a variety of food and most are priced under $8. I prefer the chicken yakitori and beef negimaki. When I have the time, and the space in my stomach, I head to Aki Japanese Fusion and Saki Bar @ 1210 Walnut. They have all-you-can-eat sushi! I’ll say it again, all-you-can-eat sushi! This isn’t premade sushi in a case, it’s made to order and it’s good. It’s a little pricy for lunch at $24 but if you have a sushi fix it’s well worth it. The best burger I have had in a long time, maybe ever, is at Union Trust (717 Chestnut). Leave it to a steakhouse to give you a Kobe beef burger and fries for $7.17. I’m not sure how long the special will be running so I’m going to take advantage of it at least once a week. I already feel my cholesterol starting to climb. I have yet to read anyone recommend a dessert and I know there are people reading this right now that have a sweet tooth. The absolute best cupcake that has ever hit my taste buds is located at Philadelphia Cupcake on the corner of 12th and Chestnut.

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Photo Courtesy of The Burger Baroness at Frieswiththatshake

• Do you have any contributions to this list of worst restaurant names? [Serious Eats]
• Checking out the shareable deep dish pizza at Trading Co. [Meal Ticket]
• Meal Ticket snaps some pictures of newly opened Delicatessen [Meal Ticket]
• The salty,eggy pork roll sammy at Standard Tap [Frieswiththatshake]
• If you need confirmation that there is no reason to eat a McDonalds Snackwrap [A Hamburger Today]
• A look at grilled cheeses around town [Metro Philly]

While loving my lunch at Sakura earlier this week, I made a little video of my method of eating xiao long bao. Check it out after the jump…

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I was so intrigued by the tip from Luncher Scott, that I ran over to Chops as fast as I could to see if this deal was real. And there it was in big letters for every passerby to see: 10oz kobe beef burger for $6.

The Washington Square West location of Chops opened last month; it is a classic steakhouse with some random sushi specials. Accordingly, most menu items are fairly pricey.

The restaurant is spacious and regal, with tables and comfy booths. Many seats were empty around prime lunch time; I assume the place is just getting into its groove.

The service is super super attentive, the staff seemed very insistent that everything be perfect for us.

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