Midtown Lunch

It’s been a crazy week, guys!  Yesterday was the Mt. Airy Street Fare, something I have been working on for the past few months. We saw a crowd of about 15,000 folks who ate from any of the 50 food trucks. Along the way, I got to sample from many of these food trucks. What a rough job.

Some highlights:

Potato and cheese pierogies and stuffed cabbage from Mommom’s.  Fish tacos from Just Jackie’s. Cheesesteak on a pretzel roll from Pbon’s. Not to mention all the sweets: layered strawberry champagne cake from Wonderland’s, pineapple basil pops from Mompops,  pumpkin chocolate chip cupcakes from Sweetbox, and burnt sugar apple ice cream from Weckerly’s

Time to detox.

As we try to do at Philly Lunch, some 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 Anuj of Mt. Airy USA, who is obviously hoping ya’ll come out to Mt. Airy for the Street Fare Thursday night!

Name: Anuj

Age: 40

Occupation: Non-profit executive/attorney

Where in Philly do you Work?: Mt. Airy

Favorite Kind of Food: Almost any kind of hole-in-the wall ethnic restaurant, though nothing beats a slow-cooked smoked bbq!

Least Favorite Kind of Food: tripe flavored ice cream

Favorite Place(s) to Eat Lunch in Philly: Dim Sum at Chinatown’s Ocean City (234 N 9th St) – one of the best Dim Sums in the city, but just be prepared for a long nap after lunch/brunch. Sang Kee and Salumeria in Reading Terminal (12th & Filbert).

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Lunchers: this Thursday, September 18th from 6-10:30pm is the Mt. Airy Street Fare. The evening with over 50 food trucks and local restaurants along Germantown Avenue. I have been working with Mt. Airy USA to put the festivities together and I would love to see you there. I have also been learning about Mt. Airy and its diverse food scene. Today, I want to share a lunch from one of the local restaurants that will be participating in Street Fare. 

Jyoti Indian Bistro is a family run restaurant  on Germantown Avenue. Every day, you can get a platter made up of a meat/chicken dish, a vegetarian dish, rice, roti, and a side salad for $8.50 (or 2 veg for $7.50). There are rotating specials along with some guaranteed staples like sag paneer and butter chicken. There are a few seats inside though it is predominately a take out spot.

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 Photo Courtesy of Zagat

• Its here, Tuk Tuk Real, the Thai/Mexican fusion spot has opened on South Street [The Insider]
• So has Bareburger, replacing 5 guys [Meal Ticket]
• Capogiro is doing pizza now [Zagat]
• A peak at what goes on under Reading Terminal [Philly.com]

Although there are countless little Mexican places below Washington Avenue, I never get sick of them and always look forward to trying the new kid on the block. This time it was El Sabor Poblano on Federal, which could not look less special if it tried.

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When South Street’s high-quality grab and go spot, The Quick Fixx, opened, Luncher John stopped by and was impressed with the gnocchi and flatbread. I have been staying away from the heaviness of pasta for most of the summer. As the unbearable heat has passed, I had a craving for something a little more rich.

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• I am kind of sad to hear that Sansom Kebob House is moving more south, it was a nice option for Center City lunch [The Insider]
• If I were in town this weekend, I DEFINITELY would be trying some bugs at Greenfest [Foobooz]
• The wursts look nice and crispy at Bierstube [Philly Lunch Hour]