Midtown Lunch

This weekend was the 4th Annual Meatball Matchup at the American Swedish Histpril Museum. I judged the amaetuer competitors along with Hawk Krall and was reminded of a review he wrote a while back about the sandwiches made at the tiny El Soto Deli & Grocery.

El Soto was even smaller than I imagined, just a few shelved stocked with things like jalepeno chips, tropical jello flavors, and mole starter kits plus a counter to pay at one end and a counter to order from their selections of sandwiches at the other end.

While they don’t make their own stuff here- the deli meat is mostly Dietz & Watson, they do have great options for sandwich accompaniments and were flexible enough to let me create me own.

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Previous Meatball Match Up Winner

• A sweet guide to bbq styles around the country [Serious Eats]
• Philly seems to be the place for crazy pb&j [Zagat]
• Rick Bayless is opening a mexican spot in UCity [The Daily Pennsylvanian]
• UCity is also getting a Federal Donuts (so is NoLibs) [The Insider]
• What to know what to do this weekend? The Meatball Competition and Midtown Village Festival are both Sunday

Over 2 years ago, I visited Kavei Express and was really blown away by their fried Cambodian dumplings. When I returned to try more, I saw that the menu is completely different. Then I found out that new owners took over a few months ago and will soon be changing the name of the restaurant to Angkor Thom.  The new menu is much more expansive and comes with helpful English translations.

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This Sunday (10/6) from 4-6pm,the American Swedish Historic Museum will hold their 4th Annual Great Meatball Match Up. Local amateurs and professionals will compete for their respective prizes. I will be there to help judge the amateurs again. Admission is a mere $8 for adults, $6 for seniors and students, $4 for kids 4-12 years old. Previous winners include Dad’s Stuffing and Pastificio. Besides Italian, past years have also included Swedish, Cuban, and Asian style meatballs. With the quality and quantity of meatballs, I promise you will get your money’s worth.

Let me know if you make it!

Shifty’s Tacos opened recently in Brewerytown with a small menu of tacos and a few sides. Order at the counter and you can sit at the tables inside or outside at a sort of wooden bar you can stand at (and bring your pet). Tacos (3 per order) range from $5 to $8 dollars.

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Photo Courtesy of Nick’s via The Insider

• Rybrew on Girard provides a “reliably good sandwich” [Phila Weekly]
• Laotian sausages at Vientiane Cafe look divine [Penn Appetit]
• So does this bacon cheesecake at Nick’s Roast Beef [The Insider]
• Thrillist has decided on its favorite 8 food trucks in the city [Thrillist]

I don’t really love that they named their restaurant Soup Kitchen Cafe.  To me, this name for-profit cafe it seems to be making light of the locations that provide desperately needed food to hungry people who can’t afford it. I get that soup is a big draw here, but you could incorporate “soup” in to your name so many other creative ways right?

• Souper Duper Cafe
• Souperior Kitchen
• Soupbliminal Cooking and Friends

I am going assume that was not their intention at all, and let it slide, especially since I was really happy with my lunch there. The owner seems like a nice guy. And its a good thing that Soup Kitchen Cafe is bringing comfort food to a developing part of Philly.

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