Eating-out Rotation
We fall into a routine of eating at the same places and ordering the same food all the time.
For example, here is a list of Philadelphia eateries that we have frequented for years along with my favorite item on the menu:
El Azteca II– Mexican Chicken Soup
South Street Souvlaki– Beets with Skoradalia
Vietnam Restaurant– Lemon Grass Chicken Soup and some kind of Bun
The Indian Buffet (New Delhi)– Chicken Tikka Masala
Magic Carpet Food Truck (outside Meyerson Hall)– Magic Meatball Sandwich (veg)
Rami’s Food Truck (38th and Locust)– Lentil Platter
Bob’s Diner– The Eye-opener (2 eggs, corned-beef hash, hash browns, toast, coffee)
Chun Hing (over near the Pathmark on Monument Road)– String Beans with Garlic Sauce; Mr. Kaplan’s Chicken (sesame chicken)
Recently, we have added a Mexican restaurant in Mt. Airy to our list (Mi Puebla). The food is just okay, but it’s comfortable to hang out there with a little one, and Lilia enjoys the Rice and Beans (as long as I remember to ask for it without cheese). And we have started having breakfast at The Set Table right here in our own neighborhood, which is a very nice place to have a breakfast. Or attend a poetry reading.
This weekend, we tried two new food places that will enter our eating-out rotation.
Syrenka, in Port Richmond. I first heard about this Polish restaurant years and years ago– Robin Williams visited there in 1998, and I don’t know if that’s when I first heard of it, or if it was in the review I linked to (from 2001). We were put-off by the unfriendly employee– I think Joe was ready to leave, but honestly, the food smelled so good, I was not walking out the door. The food was definitely worth putting up with the frown. I only regret I did not try galumpkis. I forgot that they are actually called Golabki in Polish, and didn’t recognize it on the menu. I had a roast pork meal that was delcious. We will definitely go back for the stuffed cabbage. For dessert, we stopped at Julia Cafe and enjoyed apple cake and coffee. They also serve meals, so we will have to try that out sometime.
Lee How Fook. After years of going to Vietnam Restaurant right next door, we finally tried Lee How Fook. It was recommended to me only 8 years ago. The food was very good. I got a Lilia-friendly meal (she mostly ate rice anyway). Joe tried the Oyster Hot Pot because we were lucky enough to sit next to the framed food reviews that recommended it. I don’t eat Oysters, so I can’t say if it was good or not, but he and Papa seemed to like it. Papa ordered a pork dish that was excellent.
So, what are your favorite Philadelphia restaurants?
Tags: eating out
January 17th, 2008 at 1:38 pm
You’ve listed three of my favorite Asian eateries. The staff at Chun Hing knows my dad by name (and by voice when he calls in his orders!) We also love Chaaba Thai, though I’d only bring Sam there for lunch.
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