Soup Kitchen Cafe

2146 E Susquehanna Ave
Philadelphia, PA 19125
(215) 427-1680
Website

I have to admit, I had never even heard of the Soup Kitchen Cafe until I unwittingly drove by it recently. I inquired further and heard good things, so it was high time I gave it a whirl. Don't mind the window cleaning in the photo below, it just shows they keep a neat appearance.

The interior is minimalist, with some art, some couches and a few tables in the back. It's a pretty soothing environment, which counts for a lot, especially when you remember that you are in Kensington.

The temperature was in the mid-eighties, so I decided to skip the soup (I am not a big fan of gazpacho either), but I heard good things about the pulled pork sandwich specifically, so my destiny was set. The beer braised, pulled pork is served with a red cabbage slaw, apple slaw and a jalapeno aioli, which sounded like a winning combination. Thankfully it was.

The pork was juicy, succulent, and had just the right amount of salty porkiness that makes pulled pig so great. The slaw was a nice textural contrast, and although I was warned that it was a bit sloppy, I had no problems devouring this one before the roll became too saturated with meaty goodness. A pleasing feature that is often overlooked, is the fact that the meat was well shredded, and well picked through. It takes a certain amount of effort (or compulsion) to thoroughly scour the meat and remove any strange pieces. They did a bang up job.

The fresh watermelon and mint salad was a nice surprise, and it took me half of the salad to realize what I liked about it so much. It was salted. The addition of some lime juice and salt really made this salad sing. A very refreshing take on the traditional side salad that hit the spot on a warm day.

It's definitely a great neighborhood spot, and I will soon return to give the verdict on the soups. However, at $8.50, this pulled pork is going to be difficult to pass up.

Taco Riendo

1301 N. 5th St
Philadelphia, PA 19122
(215) 235-2294

Taco Riendo is hands-down one of the best places to get Mexican food in Philadelphia. They are authentic without (usually) having to chew through cartilage, and they are reasonably priced to boot. There are a few things to remember when ordering, however. Rule numero uno: Get the elote. This is Mexican corn at it's finest. A nice char on the kernels, ample cheese and cayenne, and a sufficient layer of mayo.

 

Rule numero dos: skip the Al Pastor. Go for the chorizo instead. Or better yet, the choriqueso. Sausage and cheese. Yes. They make an awfully mediocre Al Pastor and an awfully good chorizo. Trust me.

Al Pastor above (go here or Que Chula es Puebla for the best around), and choriqueso below.

Rule numero tres: you might want to skip the tacos, unless you are okay with a minimalist presentation. I have eaten around the menu here, and I have to defer to the enchiladas (mole especially), tostadas and tortas. Burritos are okay, but nothing spectacular. Surprisingly, the shrimp and fish dishes are quite good, and the shrimp tostadas are like a fresh salad on a small order of nachos. A great summer dish that will fill you up without making you too full to drink some beers (they are BYO) with your meal. The shrimp are a bit spicy, and come perfectly cooked, nestled in between refried beans, lettuce, cheese and fresh pico. Definitely one of my favorites on the menu.

Basically, if you are above the best in Mexican (geographically speaking), AKA El Jarocho and Los Gallos (RIP Los Jalapenos), Taco Riendo is one of the better bets. Just be mindful of what you order, and the fact that they don't take cards nor $50 or $100 bills, even if you are vocally irritated and it's 100 degrees out. 

Dmitri's

944 N 2nd St
Philadelphia, PA 19123
(215) 592-4550
Website

One of the worst parts about leaving South Philly is being farther away from what is certainly one of my favorite places to eat in the city. I swear by the 3rd Street Dmitri's (can't stand the one on 22nd), so when I realized there was one now open on 2nd street in Northern Liberties, I figured it was worth a try - at least it is a BOYB, like the original.

There are a couple of things that set it apart from the original. First is the space. There is plenty of room to eat, without being squeezed next to a couple that is literally six inches from your table. There is so much space that there's even OUTDOOR seating. The second is . . . they take cards. Thank God. I love all of the little BYO's in town, but any place that doesn't take a card annoys the hell out of me. Don't get me wrong, I still frequent plenty of cash-only establishments, but having to estimate what my meal will cost, warning everyone joining me for dinner that it's cash only, and occasionally tailoring what I order based on how much cash I have on hand in order to have enough for a good tip, is just plain annoying in this day and age. I mean, I get the economics of it, but it's often a pain in the ass for customers. Third is that they have the same menu as the OG, plus some new items and everything is in the same price range.

What's (one of) the best part(s) about Dmitri's? The unlimited bread and grilled pita basket. The pita is the perfect delivery vessel for the various dips and sauces that come with most items. One difference here is that instead of a lightly seasoned red wine vinegar and oil dip, it is served with a complementary oil and chopped basil version that is far superior. It's like a basic pesto oil, that was ridiculously good with a glass of red wine.

Two other variations on the menu include the Mediterranean sampler, packed with hummus, baba, assorted olives, lentil salad, cucumbers in yogurt sauce, and pickled beets. It's basically what I was already going to order, but served together for a very reasonable $15. I was actually surprised at how plentiful the servings were.

Another new menu variation was the sizzling cheese. How the hell am I NOT going to order that one? I believe it's Haloumi, served with olive oil, and rosemary. Nothing more needed. This cheese is awesome. However it should be noted, that it's served in a slice approximately one half of a brick. It's definitely a good one to order with more than one (or 3) person(s), unless you are a true champion of eating. You can also take the rest to go, I promise it will still be delicious tomorrow, but it will be lacking the caramelized crisp in the crust. The cheese itself is like a brie, crossed with parm, with a sharp hint of salty feta. The rosemary was an aromatic, piny treat, and accented the robust flavor of the cheese nicely. It was a heavy, addictive, perfect base for the light seafood that was still to come.

The shrimp scampi (way better than the Pil Pil) is a must order. An oily, garlicy, smokey sauce accented by lemon and perfectly cooked shrimp is the best of all of the dipping options. I seriously could bath in this sauce. Fresh parsley adds some greens and a squirt of the lemon brings a touch of vibrant acidity to this simple dish.

The original offers scallops, but only as a meal. I have had the escarole and rice, and it's best left to those who are on a diet. I prefer the carb-centric dipping of bread in sauces. And the eating of proteins. The seared scallops are available here on their own, with a slightly sweet, salty and spicy crust. Where else will you get eight scallops for $12? I have often received four for $25 in ordering a scallop dish at nice restaurants. So what's the difference? They are cooked perfectly here.

The chocolate pot came recommended by the server, and upon clarification that they were not serving a hashish fondue, I splurged and ordered some dessert. It was a nice end to the meal, small enough that it wasn't too overwhelming (I had consumed about fifteen whole pitas by this point) and light enough that it didn't sink me like a stone.

The light, sweet chocolate was like pudding for adults; it finished off the meal and the wine quite nicely.

Luckily this Dmitri's has lived up to it's BYO predecessor, and I can safely forgo the wait (and trip) down South.

Guest Post: Rangoon

112 North 9th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 829-8939
Website

On a recent trip to Chinatown for lunch with friends, we decided to revisit one of our favorite authentic Burmese spots (or maybe the only one) for three reasons: speed, affordability and deliciousness.

It's fairly large with romantic lighting that will definitely set the mood. The menu adds to the fancy, with it's damask-esque print and its appendix to the edible offerings, where the last pages celebrate the Burmese culture.

The lunch specials are a steal, and ranging from $6.50 to a whopping $6.75 they provide a wide selection of mild & spicy, vegetarian and non. Each entree is served with choice of salad or soup and steamed rice or fried.

One of our diners was running late, so in that 15 minutes' time, we ordered and inhaled 2 of the appetizers from the standard dinner menu. Their most famous dish, and possibly one of the most delicious, is the Thousand Layer Bread. It's less of a bread and more of a flat, oily doughnut that you rip & dip into one of 3 available sauces. We chose the Curry Potato* option and with the dunk of each piece, the savory curry sauce coats the torn, flaky edges and soaks right in. Such a great dish to share with your friends, tear in and don't be afraid to make a mess.

The second appetizer was the Firecracker Lentil Fritter*, another deliciously fried starter. Basically a falafel ball with some kick and a lot of crunch. It's got a blend of chili spices, onion and mint in the mix and the dipping sauce is tangy with a low viscosity and runs into every nook & cranny. Another great dish for sharing, these crunchy bites with a hot and tender center come fresh out of hot oil.

And finally, to the main course - as though the apps weren't enough! Our friend arrived half way through the Firecrackers and it was time to order. I got the Basil Tofu* with steamed rice and the salad. The salad is your typical iceberg with shredded carrots, a relatively flavorless but crunchy vessel for the sesame dressing. Whole toasted seeds that are swimming in a slightly tangy vinaigrette coat the vegetation nicely, a fresh start (or segue, in my case) to a warm and filling meal.

The basil tofu was just all right - your typical stir-fry in a spicy brown sauce with generic Asian vegetables. It was a fairly light finish to a heavily oily beginning, but it wasn't anything too exotic that you probably haven't already had. But let me reiterate the fact that the price tag is a big seller and when you're talking "bang for your buck" this is it.

*SPICY

One last thing, as though the 2 appetizers and 3 full lunch specials wasn't enough for the 3 of us, dessert was in order. At least it was for one person, who apparently has a hollow leg. This is the Sweet Rice with Coconut Milk and it was "weird, like sweetened condensed milk with a drop of coconut and an abundance of floating tapioca balls." I'll pass.