Lunch near Loews Hotel (12th & Market), but not at Reading Terminal?

[ftarazu]

Any ideas for a good lunch spot close to the Loews Hotel in downtown Philly (across from the Marriott, on the corner of 12th & Market) that isn't in Reading Terminal?

[ftarazu]

Thanks for all the useful suggestions. Barbuzzo isn't open for lunch and Zavino sounded like it would be crowded, so I ended up going to Dim Sum Garden, which as mentioned is a complete hole in the wall dive next to the Chinatown-to-NYC bus place.

It was still crowded at 1PM (what appeared to be lagely a young Asian/non-Asian student cliental), but I managed to grab a seat (and then had to move to make room for a larger group). Service was quick and efficient. I went with the "pork juicy buns" (xiao long bao/soup dumplings) and scallion pancakes. Inexpensive and tasty, although the soup dumplings were a bit dried out and chewy on top and as they cooled they stuck to the paper and tended to rip open when picked up with chopsticks.

As to whether they are the best in Philly, I don't know, since they are the only ones I've had here. They are better than many I've had, but certainly not anywhere near the heights that this dish can reach at places like Din Tai Fung.

[urbanfabric]

was this on a weekend? that's the only reason I can think that Barbuzzo wouldn't have been open.

[bonappetite]

Strange, I walked by barbuzzo yesterday and it was packed at lunch time, they were open, maybe it's new?

[barryg]

Pretty sure they've been doing weekday lunch for months.

[ftarazu]

Yes, apparently they do do lunch.

I foolishly only looked at the hours listed on their Yelp page, which says they open at 5PM, rather than their actual website (easier to find on a smart phone).

[discndav]

I've been to Dim Sum Garden twice during lunch hours and thought the service slow was both times. Slow to take the order and slow to get the check. The noodles are quite good though.

[barryg]

If on a Thursday Fri or Saturday, Kanella at 10th & Spruce.

[bluehensfan]

Another hole in the wall (literally) is Bubby's Brisket which never gets much mention on North 15th St across from Love Park.

[kasiav]

not fancy, but directly across from the marriott on 12th next to the bus station is Dim Sum Garden - a true hole in the wall but the best soup dumplings i've had in philly (pork or pork and crab juicy buns). I also recommend the spiced beef noodle (dry, not soup style). inexpensive but super flavorful lunch.

[Hungryin theBurbs]

Lots of options. You could head into Chinatown, where there are a number of choices. I'd probably go the other way to Barbuzzo, just about 2 blocks away.

[bluehensfan]

Zavino on 13th and Sansom has great pizza.