I grew up in Columbus, Ohio, a City that’s known for its chain restaurants. In fact, Columbus may be the birth place of the most chain restaurants. I even grew up with a red-headed Wendy whose Dad, Dave Thomas, started the eponymous food chain.
In high school I worked at two chains; Ponderosa Steak House, where I rotated the salad bar and Friendly’s, where I was a grill cook.
Formulaic food can be tasty if it’s prepared exactly according to the manual but it’s usually a little pricey and what’s good about it is bad about it, it’s predictable and rarely spicy or served hot!
Philadelphia is a bottomless pit of exciting, inexpensive eateries to discover. I love how you can eat on the cheap and there’s always a new place to try. Anyone who knows me knows I love to stuff my face and for me it’s often all about the food.
Penang on 10th in between Arch and Race Streets in the heart of Philadelphia’s China Town is one of my favorites. It’s Malaysian. The dishes are delectable and the combination of Asian and Indian flavors is over-the-top fabulous. My husband and I had lunch there last Friday. For $28.30, including the tip, we enjoyed Roti Toleur, ($5.50,) which we always order. It’s a “traditional Indian pancake with egg and onion served with curry chicken dipping sauce.” We also had Spicy Crispy Squid ($9.50,) tentacles in chef’s special sauce – which is sort of black and gooey sweet and sour coating – and, Chow Kueh Teow ($7.50,) Malaysian Stir Fry Flat Rice Noodle with Shrimp, Bean Sprouts and Eggs. Everything is served fresh and piping hot.
For years Penang only took cash, but now you can pay with a Credit Card. Unfortunately, our waiter wouldn’t let me take his picture! We were so stuffed after lunch we had to waddle over to the Philadelphia Museum of Art Craft Show at the Convention Center. There’s no better food base to put down before the Show, any Show. – Lisa Simon
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