Union Taco

712 W Girard Ave
Philadelphia, PA 19123
(267) 455-0445
Website

I read somewhere (FB) that a new spot was opening at 7th and Girard and for their inaugural lunch, they were handing out free tacos. Now, this is a long way from my office in Center City, but when I read that, "Attendees get two tacos on the house," (thank you Michael Klein) AND that "Opening torta and taco options include Pork Carnitas with Pomegranate, Spinach and Barbeque Sauce; Sliced Kobe Beef with Figs and Housemade Tres Queso; Flash Fried Mahi-Mahi with Soy Ginger, Carrot Slaw and Cabbage; Grilled Seasonal Vegetables with Huitlacoche; Pork Cheeks with Pickled Tomatillo Salsa and Pork Jus; and Pulled Chicken with Chile Relish," I COULDN'T RESIST THE TREK.

UGH. So there I was. All the way up in no man's land, expecting to get two mouthwateringly described tacos from a joint whose logo is more like that of a tattoo parlor than an eatery. And so we entered.

There were a bunch of people there and when I got to the counter, they took my name, not my order. If you don't already recognize it, this is Tiffin's old pizza shop. I was a big fan of the Tiffin pizzas, but I guess they closed up shop. Now, if you know something I don't know about Tiffin, Etc. do share...

5 minutes later, my name was called and I got ONE taco. One chicken taco, which I guess had chile relish and some crema. Now, the reason you see two here is because I convinced a coworker to make the destination lunch trip with me - we both had high hopes.

Alas, we were thoroughly let down. Bland and slopped together with old iceberg and a random smattering of other chopped bits, it was not very memorable. Mind you, this was three weeks ago, but my notes remind me of the vividly disappointing memory well enough.

Maybe they've improved, maybe their food is better than it was on opening day, we all know how that goes, but the false advertising is what really let me down the most. The sweet painting was no consolation.

If you make a public claim, you'd better stand by your word. It is this failure to fulfill their announcement and their delivery of one (well two in this case) flavorless taco that leaves Union Tacos at the lowest end of my list of recommendations.

Milkcrate Cafe

400 E Girard Ave
Philadelphia, PA 19125
(267) 909-8348
Website

Brunch is just so overrated. All I ever really want is a quick and cheap breakfast, in sandwich form. Enter my favorite neighborhood coffee spot, Milkcrate Cafe. I've been eating here regularly since their opening in 2009 and the quality is consistent every time.

Everything on their menu is cleverly named, they put a spin on each item with food & band mash-ups like the "A Tribe Called Quesadilla" and the "Ike & Tina Tuna." In addition to being a full service breakfast & lunch cafe, it also doubles as a record shop. You can head downstairs and peruse the collection of new & used vinyl at your leisure.

But me, I'm only ever there for the food. They serve La Colombe coffee and their bakery items come from Le Bus - they also do a customer card system, buy 10 drinks, get one free - so be sure to sign up for that.

My two absolute favorite menu items are the "Bagella Fitzgerald" and the "Notorious E.G.G." seen above, respectively.

The Bagella is fresh and delicious every time, piled high with cream cheese, avocado, tomato, cucumbers and S&P. I don't know how the ingredients don't slip and slide right out the side, but everything's made with such care, the stack almost always stays put. Talk about a refreshing (and [mostly] healthy) breakfast.

Of course, with anything healthy, I must balance it out with some over-indulgence. Bring on the Notorious.

First, you choose your sandwich vessel: bagel, wrap, bread or English muffin. I skip right along to the croissant for an extra $1.50 - it's completely worth it. Next you add your cheese: American. Then add tomato ($.50). Then add bacon ($1.00). They'll provide the 2 eggs cooked omelette-style. Ask, also, for a dash of hot sauce & ketchup plus S&P.

Eggy, cheesy, bacon-y, buttery perfection. I do believe the croissant is the only way to go here. It ends up costing you around $6, but it will be some of the best breakfast bucks you've ever spent on a croissandwich.

The staff are friendly and the coffee is always good. Stop in and see for yourself.

Pizzeria Beddia

115 E Girard Ave
Philadelphia, PA 19125

For the NKOTB (for those of you too young to know: New Kid On The Block) in the Philly (Fisthtown) pizza scene, Joe Beddia's new spot is small and non-descript, but the pizza speaks for itself.

As it was the soft opening during our visit, there was some help in the kitchen from Scott Schroder, of American Sardine Bar/South Philly Taproom fame.

The space itself is beautiful, with white subway tile and exposed brick.

Most everything is sourced locally, and the small menu reflects the quality over quantity approach that wins every time.

The hand shredded Old Gold Aged Cheese lends a bit of bite to the creamy mozzarella.

It is (at least in theory) a BYO restaurant, so some cheap domestics were brought and shared with the staff. There is only one table - standing only - so you either need to be lucky, or have previously fed the owner delicious BBQ *ahem* to eat-in at the restaurant.

The crust is absolute perfection. Thin, crisp and chewy, it's the ideal vessel for the zippy sauce and flavorful cheese. See a plain pizza above and below.

Not to mention the finishing drizzle of EVOO.

The salame and pickled chili pizza below was amazing. The bright vinegar bite of the chilies blended with a bit of heat to balance out the rich sausage. A great combo to say the least.

The (surprising?) favorite of the night was the final pie, with mushrooms and caramelized onions. The mushrooms were phenomenal, rich, earthy, flavor-packed, and a nice complement to the salty-sweet onions, creating a perfect matchup.

This older couple could not stop talking about the pizza. It was charming.

I can't say enough good things about Beddia. It's going to be a landmark institution, like Taconelli's, only closer and better.