Midtown Lunch

My intention was to pick up some groceries at the Italian Market, but I didn’t see a single thing that tempted me. I kept walking down Washington Ave. A brightly painted truck came in to view and I remembered hearing about an elusive (no website, no twitter!) newer South Philly taco truck. Tacos El Rodeo Mobil Food Catering Truck does tacos, tortas, burritos, quesodillas, and sincronizadas with whatever filings they have that day. These might include chorizo, tripe, or even cabeza.  Tacos are $2, so I got 5 (sin cabeza).

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Strolling around Old City, looking for something hearty, I saw a sign advertising “Mom’s Homemade Lasagna” in front of Old City Pizza. I had never been to this place before and it was pretty crowded inside.

Besides pizza, sandwiches, and appetizers, the menu has a few specialty items, including some Greek Food. I was tempted by the spanikopita, but I looked at it behind the counter and the lasagna seemed more of a full meal.

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In 2013 the Graduate Hospital area gained 2 new crepe spots; Cafe L’Aube this winter and So Crepe last week.  I went to both in one afternoon for today’s CREPE OFF.

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Judging the Shucking Competition a few years ago

• Food trucks are back at the Porch!
• Tickets are going fast for East Passyunk Flavors of the Avenue
• Some tips on dining at Cheu Noodle Bar [Foobooz]
• This Saturday is the Oyster House Annual Shucking Competition [Phoodie]

Since the end of Passover, I have been eating as much bread products as possible. Panini’s in Old City is a pretty much all-carb establishment. The lunch menu is a long list of sandwich, wraps, and panini combos. Exactly what I wanted.

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Today Luncher John is getting down with some General Tso’s

For the past few years, the restaurant space at 120 South 15th Street, between Chestnut and Sansom, has had a revolving door of tenants. First, Shank’s Uptown, the Center City expansion of South Philadelphia’s Evelyn and Shank’s sandwich shop, held the space for two years. Next, Enzo’s, a sandwich spot similar to Shank’s, stayed for about a year before closing. The newest tenant is TG Express, a Chinese (Americanized Chinese, that is) lunch establishment. Will it have better luck than its predecessors? The key may be in its combo specials.

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As we like to do at Midtown Lunch Philly, on 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 Jack, a youngster who makes his own jam. 

Name: Jack

Age: 19

Occupation: Undergrad at UPenn. Research assistant to an archaeologist who teaches at UVA. Back home in Charlottesville, VA I work as a waiter and as an assistant to an all-local, artisanal jam-maker.

Where in Philly do you Work?: University City

Favorite Kind of Food: If I didn’t say mac n’ cheese I’d be lying

Least Favorite Kind of Food: Anything mayo-heavy, especially tuna salad.

Favorite Place(s) to Eat Lunch in Philly: Honest Tom’s Tacos (261 S 44th St.): Sweet potato burrito. Sang Kee Noodle House (3549 Chestnut St.): Lemongrass chicken noodle soup. Yue Kee Chinese Food Truck (38th between Walnut and Locust): Ma Paul Tofu. Koch’s Deli (4309 Locust): Jewish Hoagie

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