Four Ideas for a Quick Center City Lunch (and One Bonus Donut)

Desperate to get out of the office some days or anxious to start holiday shopping over the weekend? Here are a few ideas for lunch in Center City to fill you up with something quick.

Sushi Burritos

When Hai Street Kitchen opened this past spring, Philly was hard core buzzing about the crazy new "sushi burrito" place. I thought, ummm isn't that an awful lot of raw fish at once? I'm here to clear up that Hai Street a) does not exactly serve gigantic sushi rolls but that is what they look like, b) isn't the same at High Street on Market - can't tell you how many people have confused them - and c) is a good little spot to swing in for lunch.

Make your own nori (seaweed) wrap, rice bowl or salad bowl, or choose a signature item. Among the fresh, all-natural ingredients are yellowfin tuna and tataki salmon, but you can also opt for shrimp tempura, chicken, steak or pork and then add in all sorts of Japanese sauces, veggies and crunchy stuff like roasted peanuts or fried shallots. We tried the three Signature wraps seen below. Didn't quite live up to all the initial hype but  the Hai Street Chicken and The Crunch were good enough that I'd order them again. Each is $8-10, similar in price to your average Center City sandwich. Worth a stop in to try something new and a lot lighter on the stomach than a traditional burrito.

Signature wraps: The Crunch (shrimp tempura, spicy mayo, romaine, cucumber, mango and asparagus); Slammin' Salmon (tataki salmon, spicy gochujang sauce, romaine, cucumber, mango, red onion); and Chicken Katsu (lightly fried chicken, black pepper teriyaki sauce, red onion, red cabbage, green papaya salad)

Boneless Ribs and Tacos at RTM

If you're closer to Reading Terminal Market, two spots we tried lately are The Rib Stand and the newly refurbished 12th Street Cantina.

Run by the Pennsylvania Dutch, The Rib Stand is all the way in the northwest corner at RTM and only open Wednesday-Saturday. Grab a rack of ribs or the boneless rib sandwich you see here with a side of macaroni n' cheese. For a simple, well-stuffed and juicy bite you can't go wrong with the Rib Stand sandwich. Skip adding cheese when they ask, you don't need it.

For those in the mood for Mexican, you can make just about any taco, burrito, enchilada or tostada you want at 12th Street Cantina. But I wouldn't say it's the spot for for taco purists. While delicious, fresh and enormous, my steak and shredded beef tacos were more like the Americanized version. I guess that also depends on what I choose to put on top... also grab plenty of napkins because they can get messy!

Left: boneless rib sandwich and macaroni & cheese from the Rib Stand. Above: Giant steak and ground beef tacos from 12th Street Cantina. Both are in Reading Terminal Market.

 

Falafel Pita

A mere $7 gets you one of the best falafel sandwiches in Philadelphia from Mama's Vegetarian on 20th Street between Market and Chestnut.

The Middle Eastern shop stuffs their pitas with creamy hummus, tomatoes, cucumbers, cabbage and five soft falafel balls. Ask for the spicy sauce and call it day. Those looking for a lighter lunch can order the small version for $4, one of the better deals around.


Last but not least, don't forget to pick up a perfect pumpkin spiced latte doughnut from Federal Donuts on your way back to the office or home while they're still on the fall menu. They are just as fantastic as you'd expect. Fruit not included. 

 

What We're Eating: Beiler's Donuts

If you walked through Reading Terminal Market recently and saw a lone female patron with a box of six doughnuts, a spork in one hand and camera in the other, that was me. I had to promise a lot of bystanders that I wasn't going to eat them all.

With a random weekday off from work, I was on a mission to try Beiler's Donuts. It opened just over a year ago, filling the doughnut stand void in Reading Terminal and expanding the Pennnsylvania Dutch family's corner operation full of breads, pies, salads and pickles.

And what a delicious mission it was, as in a suddenly-competitive doughnut town, Beiler's is right up there with Federal Donuts, Frangelli's and others in my book.

First tip: don't be scared off by the line. It almost always wraps around the corner stall near the 12th & Arch entrance but moves very quickly. You can watch the entire doughnut-making process from your spot in line as you get hungrier by the second. See photos below for some of that experience; they really are made right in front you.

Second tip: Order a lot. At 90 cents each or $4.95 for a half dozen, it's absolutely worth trying more than one!

But that begs the question: If you were going in for a half dozen doughnuts, among a counter of at least 30 different varieties, what would you choose? I had to go with a classic glazed, a chocolate with sprinkles (my childhood go-to) and a Boston creme. I couldn't pass up Beiler's most famous warm apple fritter, then added in an apple harvest and a salted caramel.

Warm apple fritter. A must-try.

Salted caramel perfection.

The outcome: The apple fritter is worth every rave review - so fluffy and warm with blended in apple flavor and a hint of glaze on top. Eat it first while it's still warm. The salted caramel is equally mind-blowing, with a heavenly white creme filling, caramel icing and added sprinkled salt. You can tell they are both handmade and fresh out of the oven.

Grilled Cheese Gets Fancy at Meltkraft in Reading Terminal Market

A long-time staple sandwich for kids across America, the ever-dependable grilled cheese has been taken up a notch by sandwich entrepreneurs lately, as us grown-ups search for a more sophisticated grilled cheese experience.

Last year, the cheese gods at Valley Shepherd Creamery launched Meltkraft in Reading Terminal Market, where you can find creations that would make any foodie salivate.

Some highlights include the Somerset (cured ham, 12-18 month gruyere, pickles and mustard), the Brielle (brie, cranberry chutney, caramelized onions and pine nuts on brioche) and the Melter Skelter (raclette, picked green tomatoes, jalapenos, BBQ chips and watercress).

It was the Valley Thunder, however, a grilled cheese stuffed with brisket, cheddar and baked mac & cheese, that piqued my taste buds most.

The year-aged cheddar was flavorful and cooked to a nice gooey consistency in a panini-like grill, and the brisket was nice and moist. The bread was tasty albeit a tad overcooked on the edges, a common occurrence with many grilled cheeses.

Overall, though, the Valley Thunder didn’t quite match the sky-high expectations I had for a sandwich that sounds like heaven. It was a solid grilled cheese, but not amazing.


Three subtle changes would help perfect Meltkraft's Valley Thunder:

1. Spread the brisket and cheese more evenly. The outer inch of the bread didn’t have any bite of brisket and, in some cases, no cheese either. Spreading the ingredients evenly is a reasonable ask if you’re trying to make the upper echelon of Sandwich Quest and charging $8.75.

2. Bake or even fry the mac & cheese to a crisp. I was hoping the crispy part of the mac & cheese (you know, like from edges of the pan??) would shine through, but that slightly burnt sensation, and even more importantly the texture, was nonexistent.

3. Add a condiment to boost the flavor. I’m thinking some caramelized onions and/or a horseradish aioli would have done the trick for the Valley Thunder.

My best endorsement for Meltkraft is that I want to go back with Kristy to try some of the other options. It's another great place to try in Reading Terminal Market, which keeps turning out some of the best sandwiches in Philadelphia.

Has anyone else been to Meltkraft?

Inside the Valley Thunder, not as much or evenly-spread filling as I'd hop

Slideshow: Reading Terminal Market is Philadelphia's Hub for History and Food

Reading Terminal Market is one of our favorite places to eat in Philadelphia. It's been the centerpiece of Philadelphia's food community since opening in 1892, now with more than 100,000 people passing through each week.

We've written several posts on 22nd & Philly about what to eat in Reading Terminal Market and recently published a slideshow on Chowzter.com. Check it out for the quick history of Philly's most famous market as well as some of Reading Terminals' best sandwiches, desserts, produce stands and festivals.

Thanks Chowzter for giving Philadelphia and Reading Terminal Market a spot on the international food stage! Check out the site for other food recommendations in 100+ cities around the world.

Salumeria Kicks Off Hoagie Quest In Style

The bar has been set for Hoagie Quest.

The Italian Hoagie at Salumeria in Reading Terminal Market is as good as any I've ever had.

Just how good was it?

It was so good that I wrapped up half and took it with me on vacation in the Poconos just so my dad could try a bite. And it traveled just fine.

The roll had the perfect soft inside / firm outside blend that did not result in hoagie jaw, an infliction that I hope doesn't become too common on Hoagie Quest.


Salumeria doubles as a cheese and meat shop (a good trick when looking for a good hoagie). The result is a hoagie packed with capicola, mortadella, salami and prosciutto. The provolone is sharp, but not overpowering.

Readers suggested ordering it with house dressing. Thankfully I listened. The dressing is the real kicker of the hoagie even though I normally prefer only oil. You must order it with the dressing.

Hoagie Quest is on folks! Stay tuned.

If you have a suggestion, leave a comment. You can email or tweet us pics of your own favorites too. We'll be sure to share them.

Podcast with Craig Rogers, Founder of Border Springs Farm

If you read our last post on Border Springs Farm, you know we’re big fans of their lamb sandwiches.

Our curiosity was piqued to find out more about the people behind this great new addition to Reading Terminal Market. What started as a phone interview meant for a short Q&A with founder Craig Rogers turned into 22nd & Philly’s first ever podcast.

Craig's passion for lamb, his farm and Philly shine through. You’ll gain a greater appreciation for Reading Terminal and learn some interesting tidbits including:

1. Why the Border Springs t-shirt has the tagline "more than a great rack"
2. How Border Springs is aiming to educate Americans on the heritage of lamb
3. Which local market is a carnival for the senses
4. How to cook lamb with three simple ingredients
5. The best part of the lamb to eat
6. Craig’s favorite Border Springs sandwich and why
7. The event that is the most awesome potluck of food and drink ever assembled in a sheep pasture
8. What it means to get called up the major leagues of food markets

Enjoy and please let us know what you think.

Border Springs Farm: The Baa-st New Sandwich in Philadelphia

You can buy from the meat counter, too

The next great sandwich place in Philadelphia has arrived.

Border Springs Farm in Reading Terminal Market has reignited the chase for the top spot on Sandwich Quest. Their lamb sandwiches are simply put → awesome.

How good? Well, we started with one sandwich each and subsequently ordered a third to split (really for me to eat) because the first two were so good but writing about only two just didn't seem right. In the end, the Root Beer BBQ, "Name That Sandwich" and Pulled Lamb Shoulder are all worth getting. Like, now.

Note: The "Name that Sandwich" is really a gyro, but since Olympia Gyros is RTM's exclusive gyro provider, it can't be called as such. For now, Border Springs is open to other suggestions. 

Lamb shoulder with piri piri sauce

The Best Cheesesteak in Reading Terminal Market

Is the best cheesesteak in Reading Terminal Market not really a cheesesteak, or even a sandwich? It is if you ask me.

Regular on the left, chicken cheesesteak on the right.

The cheesesteak-stuffed pretzel from Pennsylvania dutch vendor Miller’s Twist is one of my favorite bites in all of Reading Terminal Market and something you have to try at least once. The cheesesteak devil on my shoulder tells me to get one on every visit to RTM, even if I've already had another sandwich.

Combing two of Philadelphia's most popular foods, the salted, buttery soft pretzel is pulled directly out of the oven and filled with a hearty serving of steak and cheese. Served all warm n' gooey, it is like heaven on earth. And at $4.50, it's a good deal, too. Miller's Twist also stuffs its homemade pretzels with chicken cheesesteak, sausage and broccoli rabe, ham and cheese, and hot dogs.

Pennsylvania Dutch Sandwiches in Reading Terminal Market

The Grill at Smucker’s and Dienner’s Bar-B-Q Chicken, are two Pennsylvania Dutch stands serving sandwiches in Reading Terminal Market.

You can’t miss Smucker’s, as it is right up the alley from DiNic’s Roast Pork and the main seating area. I was drawn to Smucker's after seeing the sign at left claiming it to be the "home of the tender pot roast beef sandwich." Did it live up to it’s own hype?

Sandwich Quest Stops at Hershel's and Original Turkey

Two long-time favorite sandwich stands in Reading Terminal Market are Hershel's East Side Deli and The Original Turkey, located next to each other, smack in the middle of the market and near the endless line at DiNic's Roast Pork.

You're gonna need a BIG bite to tackle Hershel's reuben

Hershel’s is an authentic Jewish deli counter that dishes out NYC-sized corned beef and pastrami sandwiches at a frenetic pace. My favorite is the corned beef reuben packed between slices of toasted rye, kraut and melted swiss cheese. The pastrami sandwich is killer too. You can't go wrong with directing RTM newbies to either sandwich.

Hershel's currently has the edge over Schlesinger’s as my favorite Jewish Deli in Philadelphia (still need to get to Famous 4th St.). Any other favorites?


The Stuffin' Cranberry at The Original Turkey has been on my hit list for several years after a foodie friend mentioned it as a favorite back when we started Sandwich Quest.

It’s a classic Thanksgiving leftover sandwich with hand carved turkey, homemade stuffing and cranberry sauce. I was expecting a bit more from this sandwich since one of my favorite parts about Thanksgiving is my own leftover turkey sandwich creations. I would recommend trying it, but ask for a side of gravy to make it heartier. Be thankful that this American classic is available all year round.

Stuffin' Cranberry from The Original Turkey

Sandwiches at Reading Terminal Market

Over the next several weeks, we’re going to write about some sandwiches in Reading Terminal Market, my go-to spot for Sandwich Quest and one of our overall favorite places to eat in the city.

Because the in RTM options can be overwhelming, it's easy to just pick the popular spots and neglect others. Therefore, this series will spotlight some lesser known stands, some old favorites and what we think is the next great sandwich stand in Philadelphia.

Stay tuned for the first two reviews tomorrow.

In case you missed our previous blog posts about sandwiches at Reading Terminal Market, check out our review of DiNic's Roast Pork and the Train Wreck Po Boy from Beck’s Cajun Café.

RTM Sandwich Quest Posts:

1. Hershel's and Original Turkey
2. Pennsylvania Dutch Sandwiches
3. The Best Cheesesteak in Reading Terminal
4. Border Springs Farm
5. Salumeria

Train Wreck Po Boy from Beck's

Meatball sandwich from DiNic's

Classic DiNic's roast pork, half with broccoli rabe, half with long hots

Sandwich Quest: Beck’s Cajun Café

Beck’s Cajun Café caught my attention for Sandwich Quest after the Train Wreck Po Boy won a Best of Philly award in the best sandwiches in Reading Terminal Market category. That was in 2011 and I tried the sandwich a few weeks after, but never wrote about it.

Why? No good reason. Just another place that we never got around to writing about.

This happens more frequently than we’d like so be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter or even our new “live” page for instant updates on the great food we eat.

Back to the Train Wreck. I was reminded of the awesomeness this sandwich packs during recent stop in Reading Terminal. You can also get it at the new-ish Beck's location in 30th Street Station. It’s quite simply one of the best sandwiches of Sandwich Quest.

The “train wreck” of chopped steak, salami and spicy andouille sausage makes the po boy a true Philly + Creole sensation. The meat is combined with Beck’s creole mayo and (what I think is) American cheese melted into a creamy deliciousness. The kick of the creole andouille and mayo with the traditional steak is an excellent combo.

At $7.95, the Train Wreck Po Boy is average-priced for a sandwich in Center City these days, and definitely worth it. The pictures tell the rest of the story.

Happy eating!

C'mon... how GOOD does this look?

(Update: This post was updated 2/11/13 to correct the price of the sandwich)

Throwdown: Can Philadelphia Stand Up to San Francisco?

Let’s get ready to rumble! Ok, San Francisco. No doubt you’re a top destination for foodies and world travelers. But you know what? Philadelphia is just as awesome.

We just spent a week in the shadows of the Golden Gate and couldn’t help but compare San Francisco’s hotspots to Philly at every turn. Who won? Here’s the 22nd & Philly take between some of the sites/restaurants we visited in SF and their Philly counterparts.

For the full photo recap, see our Facebook or Google+ albums, and check back for future posts with more advice on visiting San Francisco and Napa/Sonoma.

Ding Ding. Here we go.

Round One: Reading Terminal Market vs Ferry Building Marketplace

Sandwich Quest: DiNic's Roast Pork

Despite countless visits to Reading Terminal Market, endless recommendations from others in Philly, and all the publicity from national shows such as Man v. Food, we'd never had the legendary Italian roast pork sandwich from DiNic's. This gaping hole in sandwich eating made DiNic's a must-stop on our Sandwich Quest.

A few weeks ago my dad and I finally fulfilled this obligation and trekked down to DiNic's. The roast pork lived up to all the hype, period!

Between the two of us we had a roast pork with broccoli rabe and one with hot peppers. The pork was perfect with just the right amount of juice. We both agreed that the secret is the freshly shaved sharp provolone, a must order with any sandwich at DiNic's. You can't go wrong with any sandwich there, although in my view the hot pepper sandwich had the slight advantage over the broccoli rabe.

We debated about waiting in line for a third sandwich, likely the best testament to the awesomeness of DiNic's. In a rare family occurrence, we decided against, but only because the line was too long and we needed to get to a Phillies game. We are itching to go back to try a roast beef or brisket sandwich.

Hopefully DiNic's new expanded space in Reading Terminal cuts down on the wait, but not the quality!

Some pictures below.