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 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).

“Go-To” Lunch Place You and Your Coworkers Eat at Too Often? There are slim pickings near my office in NJ, but once in awhile you can find me snacking on grilled cheese at the Marlton Diner or buying grapefruits in bulk at Whole Foods.

Place you discovered thanks to Philly Lunch (if any) Mexico on the Square. It opened right after I moved out that neighborhood, and I wasn’t sure if it was the real deal or not. Thanks to Midtown Lunch Philly, it’s next on my hit list.

If you could work anywhere (just because of the lunch) where would it be and why? I’m torn between keeping it real in Philly or going out on a limb in Wellfleet, Mass. In Washington Square West we have Marabella Meatball, Garces Trading Co, Minar Palace, Zavino and others within a short walk, so I’m sure I could find anything I’m hungry for within a few-block radius. OR I could eat all the fresh seafood my heart desires in Wellfleet as well as the best wrap sandwiches in the world at the Box Lunch.

Is there anything you’d like to ask the Philly Lunch readers? Where is the best vodka sauce in this town?

If you would like to be next week’s Profiled Philly Lunch’er (or know somebody you’d like to nominate), email me at jamie@midtownlunch.com