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 Peter, a Kabletown product manager who seems to love just about every food except cilantro.

Name: Peter

Age: 30

Occupation: Product Manger for Kabletown

Where in Philly do you Work?: 17th & JFK

Favorite Kind of Food: I pay homage to my Cantonese upbringing and adhere to the rule that “any animal whose back faces the sun can be eaten” but practically speaking I tend to find myself gravitating to the “tan” food group; mac & cheese, sausages, prime rib, pineapples, burritos, doughnuts, lamb on rice, fried chicken, curry, dumplings, hash-browns, cookies, ramen, bananas, waffles, tastykakes, beer, whiskey, etc. I also have an unholy love of cold beverages with thick/bizarre textures like slurpees, water ice, shakes (shamrock shakes rule!), bubble tea, smoothies… But my desert island foods would be Wawa green tea iced-tea and wonton noodles with roast duck from Ting Wong

Least Favorite Kind of Food: My arch nemesis is cilantro – but I love Pho… I live a conflicted life like that…

Favorite Place(s) to Eat Lunch in Philly: I’m a big fan of lunch trucks (I’m a firm believer of building your immune system by subjecting it to as much abuse as possible and yes I acknowledge lunch trucks do not have running water to wash those hands.) The halal cart between JFK and Market on 16th fulfills my street-meat need. You can’t go wrong with falafel from Christo’s at 20th and Market or King of Falalfel at 16th and JFK. Gyros from the carts on 15th between Market and Chestnut will hit the spot in a pinch. Chinatown is a quick walk when its sunny and I can make a lunch out of some Chinese pastries from Bread Top House or KC Pastry’s. When I can take a long lunch I have been known to make the trek down to south street to indulge in a Philly Taco or on days when I have no shame hit up Philly Flavors for a water ice lunch. I’m known for being a late luncher at work so I will actually hit up happy hours for lunch and my favorite is going to Devon Seafood Grill for their 50 cent oysters. But as someone who just got married I have to admit the lunches my wife packs for me are now my favorite (Hi Hon!)

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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 Brian, one of the awesome servers working at a  Jose Garces restaurant.

Name: Brian

Age: 35

Occupation: Server

Where in Philly do you Work?: Garces Restaurant Group (Distrito and Chifa)

Favorite Kind of Food: Fried Food. I am also generally into anything with fried or poached eggs on top. That is a huge selling point.

Least Favorite Kind of Food: Grilled Cheese (don’t get me started)

Favorite Place(s) to Eat Lunch in Philly: Mama’s Vegetarian (18 South 20th Street) I love the Mama’s Meal Falafel Sandwich w/ Fries and Soda. It is simple but always delicious. I used to live at Tria. (18th and Sansom Streets). I am particualrly find of the Prosciutto and Fig Panino, the Tuscan White Bean Spread and the Blue Cheese and Pear Butter Bruschetta. I really like the Passionberry Iced Tea as well. Paesano’s (152 W. Girard and 901 Christian Street). The Gustaio, which is the greatest sandwich ever invented. I have also just fallen for the Fried Lasagna sandwich with the fried egg and mozzarella. I need to go back to the South Philly location to try the burger.

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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 Susan, a lover of meat, starches, and pumpkin pie, just don’t ask her to join you at the salad bar.

Name: Susan

Age: 27

Occupation: Financial Analyst (aka Spreadsheet Wizard)

Where in Philly do you Work?: 13th and Market

Favorite Kind of Food: 1. I don’t think I’ve ever met a potato I didn’t love, 2. Indian food made by my mother, 3. Gelato, 4. Animal products and by-products, 5. Butter, 6. Fresh tacos with cilantro, 7. pumpkin pie, 8. steamed dumplings

Least Favorite Kind of Food: I don’t really like salads. On a side note, people who order salads as their meal basically each time they go out to eat really annoy me – probably because I am jealous of their will power and abs, but mostly because they are missing out on a world of exciting eating. Also, celery makes me gag and I never get slices of tomato on my sandwiches.

Favorite Place(s) to Eat Lunch in Philly: If I’m in the mood for a quick burger and fries, I walk past the Wendy’s and go to Five Guys Burgers and Fries (on Chestnut between 15th and 16th). For some yummy ethnic cuisine close to Rittenhouse, I like Almaz Cafe (140 S. 20th Street). If you like lentils, order their Misir (but they also have regular cafe fare for the less brave).  If I crave soup, I run over to Grocery at 13th and Chestnut. Most of what they carry is overpriced and their staff is not particularly warm, but their soups run you about the same amount you would pay anywhere else, and they often have interesting options, like posole. The hommus with meat over at Sahara Grill (1334 Walnut) is delicious, along with their kabob sandwiches. And if you’re close to Chinatown, I would suggest stopping by Ray’s Café (141 N. 9th Street) and ordering the dumpling sampler. They’re also pretty popular for their beverages.

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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 Alex, a healthy public affairs manager who hates cake.

Name: Alexandra

Age: 26

Occupation: Public Affairs Manager

Where in Philly do you Work?: Comcast Center, 18th & JFK

Favorite Kind of Food: Tons of veggies, especially beets, carrots and cucumbers. I also love fish, cheese, bread and steak.

Least Favorite Kind of Food: I don’t like any kind of cake.

Favorite Place(s) to Eat Lunch in Philly: Ralph’s Cafe (43rd Floor of the Comcast Center- it’s a cafeteria but it has the some of the best views in the city), Matyson, Butcher & Singer (1500 Walnut St.), Pikkles Plus (1801 Market Street).

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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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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 Kara, who loves her Philly cheesesteaks but has no problems chomping down on… what is that? Scorpion on a stick? Damn girl, I am impressed.

Name: Kara

Age: 25

Occupation: Grad Student

Where in Philly do you Work?: Drexel University

Favorite Kind of Food: Buffalo chicken cheesesteaks and sushi (not necessarily together, but in that case, anything unagi makes a good dessert).

Least Favorite Kind of Food: German/Eastern European food tastes like shnitz.

Favorite Place(s) to Eat Lunch in Philly: I get my cheesesteaks from Gusto (240 S. 22nd St.) and my sushi from Vic’s (2035 Sansom), although the tuna bruschetta at Umai Umai (533 N. 22nd St.) will make you say “Umai umai umai!”. My favorite place in Chinatown is Vietnam (221 N. 11th St.), and not just because of the flaming volcano lover’s drink for two. I also love Bridgid’s (726 N. 24th St.) for their filet roquefort, duck, and beer. The curry at Chew Man Chu (400 S. Broad St) is delicious (but beware of the overly enthusiastic wait staff). I am also in constant search of fried calamari that is better than that of Rx (4443 Spruce), but it remains the gold standard (and has held this title for over 7 years).

Drexel’s lunch carts have always been there for me when I just need a good-old fashioned turkey-egg-and-cheese (extra cheese). My favorite cart is Sue’s (Ludlow st.), but Mai’s has good Chinese food (grilled pork chop).

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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 Matt, a consultant with a passion for burgers.

Name: Matt

Age: 24

Occupation: Consultant

Where in Philly do you Work?: Center City, 18th & Arch

Favorite Kind of Food: This is like asking a father to choose which of his children he loves the most. Sure, he’s got a favorite, but he can’t bring himself to admit it publically. Besides, it’s close enough that on any given day Chicken Tikka Masala could overtake Spicy Tuna Roll with an A+ on a math test.

My stomach is perpetually jealous of Noah’s Ark, as I’ve never met an animal that wasn’t delicious. I love culture-specific cuisine, especially Asian and European, and the more authentic the better. I’m blissful at Tony Luke’s and Le Bec Fin alike. But my true passion has to be burgers, which I love to irrational extremes. I’m on a mission to eat, rank and review every burger in the city. I lay awake at night, wondering if there’s a better burger out there and defying the notion that I should be content with a personal favorite without testing every candidate (I’m tracking my results at www.awesomeopolis.com/burgermap).

Least Favorite Kind of Food: In general, I can’t stand food that tries too hard and restaurants that over-reach. I don’t care what I’m eating, as long as it’s done well. I’d rather eat a Shank’s chicken cutlet sandwich or a Hershel’s pastrami on pumpernickel than the filet mignon at a kitschy tourist trap or foie gras from a Denny’s. I’ll take the best of any category over mediocre execution in an allegedly “better” category any day of the week.

Specifically, my least favorite food in town is the last burger I had at the Applebee’s on 15th Street—its mere existence is an open declaration of war against food itself.

Favorite Place(s) to Eat Lunch in Philly:
Chung King Garden (915 Arch St): Water Boiled Fish; Green Pepper Chicken. This place has the best and most authentic Szechuan cuisine I’ve ever had.
Varga Bar (10th and Spruce): Kobe Beef Burger; Truffle Mac and Cheese. Best new gastropub in Philly, and they do a good brunch too (which is half-lunch, right?).
Shank’s Original (120 S. 15th St): Any of the chicken cutlet sandwiches, which are rightfully considered among the best in the country.
4th Street Deli (38 S. 19th St): Pastrami Cheesesteak; Challah French Toast; any sandwich. Forget the possibility of leaving hungry; come close to finishing a zaftig-sized sandwich here and you’ll be lucky to retain the ability to walk erect.
Reading Terminal Market (12th and Filbert): Follow your nose. This place is inspirational, and no, I’m not using that word too liberally.
Mama’s Vegetarian (18 S. 20th St): Falafel. Best lunch for a kosher/vegan; freshest fries in town.
DiBruno Brothers (Various locations): They make my favorite sandwiches to eat while working, but try not to go at around 11:50AM (that’s when I like to sneak in early to beat the line).

I could go on for quite a while, but I would consider any of these places at the top of their particular categories.

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