By Chefs Kim and Edgar Alvarez
Avenida Restaurant
7402 Germantown Ave., Philly
When Chef Edgar was a kid, his grandmother Christina would whip up lunch every day—for 20.
“Watching her prepare the feast was a sight to behold,” he recalls. “It was like she was conducting an orchestra, making so many dishes all at the same time. I loved being in the kitchen with her and seeing the meal come together.”
At Avenida, the Chef uses the same approach to whip up lunch for his customers. Through September, Avenida’s “Buy 3, Get 1 Free Special” applies to parties of four or more.
Can’t make it into the restaurant for lunch this week? Try these delicious dishes at home.
Grilled Cubano w/ ham, roasted pork, Chihuahua cheese, tangy mustard, and pickles
What you’ll need:
- 1 torta bollio round roll (or Kaiser roll)
- 5 oz. pulled pork (you can buy it at the supermarket, or click here for the recipe
- 2 slices of tavern ham (also can be bought at the supermarket, preferably sliced fresh in the deli)
- 2 oz. Chihuahua cheese (a soft white cow’s-milk cheese of Mexican origin available in braids, balls, or rounds)
- ¼ cup diced red onions
- 1 sliced pickle
- 1 tsp. Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp. canola oil
- 1 T. chopped cilantro
- Juice of ½ lime
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Here’s how:
1. Sauté the red onions in canola oil until golden brown.
2. Add the pulled pork, and sauté for another 2-3 minutes; then deglaze with lime juice. Add the chopped cilantro. Season with salt and pepper.
3. Sauté the ham until golden brown, and place it on one side of the roll.
4. Place the roll in the oven with the cheese on the other side. Heat until the cheese has melted.
5. Remove from oven. Add the pickles and Dijon mustard to the cheese side of the roll.
6. Top with pulled pork. Serve with fresh tortilla chips.
Buen Provecho!
What else is on the lunch menu?
Sopas & Appetizers:
- Black Bean Hummus w/ pickled vegetables and crispy plantain chips, $9
- Fresh Gazpacho, $7
- Black Bean Soup w/ crema, $7
- Crispy Tortilla Chips w/ a heaping of guacamole and dos salsas, $6
Ensaladas:
- Caesar Salad w/ fried capers and masa croutons, $7
- Arugula Salad w/ aged Manchego cheese, tomatoes, and radishes, tossed in a strawberry vinaigrette, $7
- Spinach Salad w/ crispy turkey-bacon, red onions, and queso fresco, tossed in a grilled-pineapple vinaigrette, $9
- Queso Frito w/ roasted tomatoes, roasted peppers, and mixed greens, tossed in a lime vinaigrette, $9
- The Latin Milano w/ shrimp, bacon, tomatoes, cucumbers, celery, and chopped egg, tossed in a creamy, tomato-cilantro dressing, $13
Sandwiches:
- Cemita Poblana w/ chicken cutlet, avocado, queso blanco, onions, and chipotle-pepper mayo, $9.50
- Grilled or Fried Fish Torta w/ remoulade, tomatoes, and shredded cabbage slaw, $10.50
- Carne Mechada (Latin French Dip) w/ braised beef, fennel, radish, onion salsa, and Ancho chili sauce, $9.50
- Grilled Cubano w/ ham, roasted pork, Chihuahua cheese, tangy mustard, and pickles, $9
- Chola Sandwich w/ shredded pork, Tomatillo salsa verde, romaine, carrots, red onions, and queso fresco, $9
- Avenida’s Steak Torta w/ marinated flank steak, tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, roasted peppers, lettuce, and chimichurri mayo, $10
- Rotisserie Chicken Salad Burrito w/ slow-roasted chicken, grapes, mayo, lettuce, tomatoes, and avocado, $9
Make a Reservation, or Call to Order Take-Out: 267-385-6857
Eat-In or Take-Out: Tuesday-Friday, 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Dinner: Tuesday-Sunday, 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., till 9 p.m. on Sunday
Brunch: Sunday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Buy 3, get 1 Free Special applies to lunch items at equal or lesser value. Offer good through September 2011.