May 6, 2008
Foodsday Tuesday: Hungry in the Historic District
We've had friends who lived or worked near Old City tell us before that they had trouble finding fast, cheap, non-pizza food in the neighborhood.
Nonsense, we'd say. There are so many restaurants in Old City, surely, there must be a slew of options for a quick lunch on the go. The hungry tourists have to eat something, right?
Well, yes and no. Sure, there's the food court at The Bourse, and about a dozen food carts are scattered between Penn's Landing and Independence Hall. But for the most part, if you're looking for a fifteen minute lunch for under ten bucks (including tax and tip, if applicable), you don't have many options. The area might not be as crowded with law firms and banks as Center City is, but there are still plenty of people who work between Second and Fifth streets, a few blocks north and south of Market, and their options seem to be rather limited.
So we're putting it out to you, readers. Do you live or work in the area? What's your secret to feeding yourself without breaking the bank? Or do you just have to bring in your lunch every day and sigh about your distance from Phillyist lunch favorites like The Pita Pit and Five Guys? Leave us a message and tell us how you sate yourselves!
Image via Flickr user maladjusted.
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Cafe Ole has some great salads and sandwitches for lunch.
Back when I worked for Philadelphia Live Arts Festival and Philly Fringe, I ate in that neighborhood every day.
Despite the fact you ask for, "non-pizza food in the neighborhood," I really need to lead off my list with Gianfranco Pizza Rustica. First, I consider the Rustica family of restaurants to be one of the top 10 traditional pizza purveyors in town. Additionally, their prices at lunch are unbeatable. Try finding a slice of sausage and a slice of artichoke and a fountain drink for $5.50 anywhere else!
While we're at it, I need to mention a cart, too. I don't have a name for this cart, but you can find it west of Independence Mall, in the first block of South 6th St, right by Rolm and Haas. Two Asian gentlemen tend it, spending the early afternoon grilling and serving chicken shish-k-bob. It's cheap and really, really good.
Next, I would recommend Mrs K's Koffee Shop at 325 Chestnut. This traditional diner is inexpensive and good -- and the staff will treat you like family the second time you sit down at the counter.
Nick's Roast Beef at 16 S 2nd St is also quite reasonable and good, if you want traditional Philly fare. (Many tourists would be well served by stopping here for their mandatory Philadelphia cheese steak.)
Everybody knows about Sugar Mom's at 225 Church Street when it comes to hanging out in the evening. It's also open for lunch Wednesday through Sunday, featuring the same simple, well done bar food as they do in the evenings.
Right down the street at 221 is the flagship store for Old City Coffee, offering home-style cafe food items. Menu includes: Asian peanut noodle salad, Breakfast egg sandwich, Green Salad with Local Goat Cheese, Hearty House-Made soups, and Mac and cheese. Nearby, Cafe Ole (at 147 N 3rd St) offers a slightly more diverse menu, featuring several Middle Eastern specialties. Both cafes have comfortable seating areas featuring free wifi for customers.
The sandwiches at Society Hill Hotel are slightly more pricey than the places I've mentioned so far, but well worth the price once in a while. I love the breaded catfish sandwich. If you don't have to go back to work, ask Bob what he has on tap: the local micro brews they carry compliment their lunch menu extremely well.
In roughly the same price range is the lunchtime Indian/Pakistani buffet at Karma (114 Chestnut St). This is very traditional fare -- exactly what you might expect at a lunch buffet in an indian restaurant. Nothing wrong with that, though!