Special Guests

Jahri was surprised when her mom suggested a cheesesteak. “That’s a little heavy for first thing in the morning,” she said.  It was 12:30pm in Reading Terminal Market and instead she opted for a bagel with lox, cream cheese, and tomato. “It’s kinda burnt, but good,” she said as she took the second bite. Over-toasted crumbs and seeds collected on the flimsy metal table.  She likes everything bagels, “They have the most flavor out of all the savory bagels.”

Half a sandwich later her dad, Scott, came back to the table with a cheesesteak from Spataro’s. “I found the place with the longest line,” he said, unwrapping the over foot-long sandwich. “Did you get cheese whiz?” Jahri asked. “I did get cheese whiz, on the recommendation of the cash register,” he said. “It’s mushroom, hot peppers, and cheese whiz.” Jahri leaned over for a bite. “That is not good compared to the famous ones,” she said.

Jahri and her mom, dad, and family friend Linda (“family by choice,” Linda said) were in town last weekend for a wedding. They drove over from Ann Arbor, Michigan on Friday. I asked about the near 12-hour trip.

“Good,” 

“Wasn’t bad,” 

“Awful,”

“A little challenging,” they said over each other.  It rained, they were a bit rushed, and unclear on directions to the restaurant where they were meeting family and friends. They stayed in an Airbnb rental on Letitia Street in Old City. On Saturday afternoon before the ceremony, they hit Reading Terminal for lunch.

Kelly and Linda came back with a Styrofoam takeout box and a pastry bag. They had Pakistani lamb, greens, stewed veggies and rice from Nanee’s Kitchen, plus two samosas; one traditional, one Philly Cheesesteak. “A little greasy, but very good,” Kelly said.

At home in Ann Arbor, Kelly has her own body work business. She packs her lunch almost everyday, usually quinoa, vegetables and greens with an ayurvedic paste for dressing. “I cook it in the morning, and pack it in a thermos that doesn’t ever keep it warm enough,” she said.

Scott has worked for UMTRI (University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute) for 25 years as an industrial engineer. He typically eats lunch at Bush’s grocery store. Maybe chicken salad, a croissant sandwich, or stroganoff from the hot bar, “Just because it’s convenient,” he said.

Jahri is a junior at the University of Michigan, studying biopsychology, cognition and neuroscience. For lunch? “Ummm, I eat a lot of pizza rolls…” She avoids packing a lunch if she can, “Because that means I have to get up earlier.”  Jahri also works at Pizza Bob’s, famous for the Chipati; a salad of lettuce, peppers, tomatoes, mushrooms, cheese, and secret-recipe sauce (“sweet, tangy, and savory all at the same time,”) stuffed into a puffed-up pizza crust pocket. “You cut a slit, take the plate you made the salad on and fold it like a taco,” Jahri said, miming the process over the table. Then you carefully slide the salad into the small opening. It takes a few tries to get it right.

“Mom, can I have some money for ice cream?” A few minutes later, Jahri returned with a scoop of Pralines & Cream from Bassett’s Ice Cream. “Have you had a bite? I want to know if it’s worth the calories,” Linda said, leaning across the table with interest.

Linda works mostly from home as a therapist. “In the morning I just have my puffed rice and some almond milk so by lunch I’m ready for some real food,” she said, looking at me earnestly through her large wire-framed glasses. That means a fried egg, two pieces of toast, some walnuts, maybe half a banana, and kombucha to drink.

“Wow, a fried egg sandwich!” Scott said.

“No, an over easy egg on toast,” she corrected. And lately, “One piece of chocolate about this thin,” she said, making a tiny gap between her thumb and index finger. She also goes to Barnes and Noble most afternoons for a post-lunch chai.

They ate pretty well during their weekend trip to Philly. First stop Friday evening was White Dog Cafe in West Philly. Good food, but pricey, and the service was a bit spotty. They raved about Dmitri’s Mediterranean food on south 3^rd street. “We showed up at their door with 12 people,” Kelly said. The tiny place accommodated them at separate tables. They shared salad, feta and olives, and the seafood combo platter. “Very loud, but worth it,” Linda said.

If a Philadelphian happened to be in Ann Arbor around lunchtime, where should he/she eat? Pizza Bob’s for a Chipati, of course. Also Washtenaw Dairy for ice cream and “The best donuts you have ever tasted,” according to Kelly. She also recommends Katoi for incredibly fresh Thai fusion. Zingerman’s Deli is a classic, along with Fleetwood Diner and Jefferson Market.  

"Well," Scott stretched, "I gotta get a nap in before the ceremony." Jahri got up slowly, Linda adjusted her fanny pack, Kelly packed up the leftovers and they wove their way out of the bustling market.

The full story: Jahri, Kelly and Scott are the first people I’ve interviewed for this blog who are not strangers.

Sunday morning I was browsing for apples and eggs at my favorite farmer’s market in the city (Headhouse on 2^nd between Lombard and Pine). I looked up to see my college roommate’s parents walking towards me. Oh, Kelly and Scott at the farmer’s market, of course! My brain said, remembering the last time I saw them at the market in Ann Arbor. But then I processed it fully…Hold on, but I’m in PHILLY!

Yet another coincidence. I had no idea that they were in town, and we happened to be in the exact same place at the perfect moment Sunday morning. Of course I had to have lunch with them, and couldn’t resist the opportunity to do an interview. It was wonderful to connect with them and have a little Michigan back in my life for a moment.