Midtown Lunch

Though we have been lacking volunteers lately, on certain Tuesdays 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 Gabrielle, who works in art and also for Philly Phoodie. 

Name: Gabrielle

Age: 31

Occupation: Gallery Manager (and photographer/editor for PhillyPhoodie.com)

Where in Philly do you Work?: The Galleries at Moore College of Art & Design (20th & The Parkway) / Philly Phoodie (everywhere)

Favorite Kind of Food: Korean Food – mostly Yue Kae Jang, but I also love everything else that’s Korean.

Least Favorite Kind of Food: I recently tasted a chicken heart that a friend prepared with a drizzle of balsamic, served on a cracker, and I hated it. That is the most memorable thing that I’ve disliked in a while – I mostly only eat things I like. Scratch that! I HATE PHO. We did a review of Pho Ha for Philly Phoodie (PP) in November, after forgetting how bad it actually is, and that’s when I realized it’s actually the worst thing ever.

Favorite Place(s) to Eat Lunch in Philly: I’d have to say that the best quick-and-dirty lunch in my working ‘hood is definitely Mama’s (18 South 20th Street). It’s fast, cheap & (the falafel is) out of control! But seriously, it’s some of the best falafel in the city and at $3.50 for a small sandwich ($6 for the whole) served on half of a fresh pita in under 20 minutes, it’s filling but not at all heavy. When I’m feeling like I have more time and more room in my belly, I’ll hit Giwa (1608 Sansom Street) for a bowl of my favorite soul-soothing Yue Kae Jang (hot & spicy Korean vegetable-beef stew) and some classic kimchi.

I’m going to be honest and let you know that I pack my lunch, like every day, and when I do eat out, it’s usually some place new to get material for the blog, so I’m always on the prowl.

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I walked down Chestnut Street, crossing my fingers that  the new roti spot was open. Unfortunately, construction is still in process and I had to keep walking. I stopped in to try some of Wajoe’s Korean food as a consolation.

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Photo Courtesy of Thrillist

• Eater’s list of top fries includes Nick’s and Hot Diggity [Eater]
• And Thrillist’s grilled cheese list mentions Say Cheese and MeltKraft [Thrillist]
• Fresh donuts are now available at AJ’s in Reading Terminal [The Insider]
• Today at Pure Fare you can get a preview of  Agno Grill’s food, opening this spring [Foobooz]

Sowe is a lovable neighborhood restaurant in Graduate Hospital. It is built for all occasions and cravings, they have lunch, brunch, dinner, happy hour, meat, vegan food, outdoor seating, and ice cream for dogs. Earlier this month, the chef updated the menu. I stopped for a leisurely lunch in the sun.

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At this point, I have pretty much tried all the food establishments inside Reading Terminal. I love the Terminal, I go as often as I can and usually leave with more produce than I can comfortably carry. I realized there was a place I hadn’t eaten at, Dienner’s BBQ Chicken. I will blame the location for that- they are practically hidden away on the wall next to Dutch Eating Place.

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This year it is going to be Saturday, June 8th, at Penn Treaty Park. The Vendy Awards are a food truck competition benefiting The Food Trust. It should be a great day. Who do you want to see there?

Seeking a fast and semi health lunch in the Italian Market, I popped in to Alzaytouna, a 2 year old Mediterranean restaurant. The menu, as one might expect, is full of kebabs and falafel.

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