Ready for a lunch that punches above its weight class Every plate at Middle Child feels familiar yet flips expectations in the most satisfying way. Locals swear the flavors hit different, and that buzz is hard to ignore when the line nudges the door. If you are chasing inventive comfort with serious deli swagger, this is where the cravings end and the fun begins.
The Italian American Remix
This plate reimagines the neighborhood Italian hoagie as a balanced, sit down spread. You get ribbons of soppressata, mortadella, and capicola alongside sharp provolone, pepperoncini, and a swipe of Calabrian chili mayo. It is punchy, salty, and bright.
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Crisp iceberg and shaved onion add snap, while a drizzle of red wine vinaigrette keeps things zippy. Thick sesame toast on the side is perfect for scooping bites or building a mini bite sized stack. You control every ratio, every crunch.
What makes it sing is restraint and heat in equal measure. Nothing overwhelms, and yet every forkful lands. It is the classic you remember, tuned for today and totally Philadelphian.
Breakfast For Lunch Plate
Sometimes breakfast wants a noon comeback, and this plate nails it. Soft scrambled eggs ride beside shatter crisp hash browns, both supported by thick toast that drinks butter like it is a hobby. A spoon of herby ricotta cools the edges.
There is a small salad with lemony snap to keep everything from leaning heavy. You drizzle hot sauce, breathe, then take a bite that is creamy, crunchy, and tangy at once. It is comfort without slowdown.
What you taste is diner soul with deli discipline. Portions are generous, seasoning is smart, and timing is everything. It turns a simple craving into a ritual that makes weekday lunch feel a little like Saturday morning.
Turkey Club Deluxe Plate
This is the club you actually want to sit with. Thick carved turkey joins smoky bacon, juicy tomato, and crisp lettuce, anchored by tangy mayo that behaves more like a dressing. Each piece is arranged for mix and match bites.
House pickles bring bite, and a handful of salty chips keeps the rhythm snappy. Toast soldiers stand ready for stacking, so you decide the perfect sandwich geometry. It is interactive and fun.
The secret is moisture management and texture control. Nothing sogs, nothing dries out, and every bite remains bright. It is a lunch plate that feels classic, tastes modern, and finishes clean so you can bounce back to the day.
Green Goddess Chicken Crunch
A golden chicken cutlet meets a cool, herby green goddess that makes the whole thing hum. Shaved cucumbers, dill, and parsley push freshness forward, while lemon wedges add a pop you will chase. The crunch echoes in the room.
Toasted bread on the side helps you build crunchy little open faced bites. A dusting of chili and flaky salt ties the textures together. Nothing feels heavy because the dressing keeps cutting through.
This is the plate that proves balance beats excess. You get comfort, you get zip, and you get control over every bite. It is slam dunk satisfying without the post lunch nap.
Matzo Ball Soup and Side Plate
When the weather turns or the week just feels loud, this duo speaks softly. A buoyant matzo ball sits in golden broth dotted with carrots, celery, and dill. Each spoonful tastes like a deep breath.
On the side, toasted rye and a little schmaltz meet a tangle of pickled vegetables. You can dunk, layer, or nibble between sips. It is soothing without slipping into bland.
The seasoning is clean and precise, letting the dill and chicken sing. You leave warmed up, not weighed down. It is exactly the reset button you want in a busy Center City day.
The Tuna Fancy
Olive oil packed tuna gets the grown up treatment here. There is caper pop, lemon zest perfume, and just enough celery to keep the fork moving. It is bright, briny, and elegantly simple.
Crusty bread lets you scoop generous mounds or build neat little toasts. A tiny side salad cleans the palate and keeps the plate lively. No mayo bomb, just silk and snap.
What stands out is how confidently it stays minimal. Every element earns its place, and the seasoning is dialed. It is the kind of lunch that feels European and completely at home in Philly.
Veggie Italian Rainbow
Meat free does not mean joy free, and this plate proves it in color. Marinated peppers, roasted eggplant, and artichokes mingle with sharp provolone and basil pesto. It is savory, sweet, and herb bright.
Ciabatta on the side invites stacking vegetables into juicy towers. A fennel salad brings anise crunch and citrus. Every bite offers different textures that play nicely together.
What you get is a deli counter daydream turned practical lunch. It is hearty but not heavy, messy in the best way, and totally satisfying. You will not miss a thing, except maybe a second plate.
Roast Beef Au Jus Dip Kit
Here comes a hands on classic that drips in the right ways. Thin sliced roast beef sits rosy and tender, ready for a dunk in rich au jus. Horseradish cream snaps everything awake.
Caramelized onions ride shotgun for sweet depth, and toasted roll halves stand by for building. You can go big or create mini dips, one after another. It feels like a tiny ritual at the table.
The balance of fat, heat, and salt is locked in. Nothing overpowers, and the jus tastes clean and beefy. It is the plate you dream about on a cold walk down 11th Street.
Lox and Schmear Lunch Spread
This spread takes brunch energy and drops it squarely at lunch. Silky lox, whipped scallion schmear, and capers lay the foundation. Tomato, cucumber, and onion add crisp refreshment with every bite.
A toasted bagel brings chew and warmth, ready for the stack. Squeeze lemon, add pepper, and chase that perfect ratio from bite to bite. You will find your groove quickly.
It is familiar, but the details keep it special. The fish tastes clean, the schmear is airy, and the veg crunches loud. A plate that feels like a sunny window no matter the weather outside.
Spicy Caesar Chicken Plate
Think of this as a Caesar with swagger. Crisp romaine, shaved parm, and anchovy breadcrumbs set the scene, then crispy chicken and a chili kissed dressing steal it. The heat glows, not burns.
Buttered toast soldiers provide a buttery counterpoint and some scoopable structure. Squeeze lemon to brighten the edges and keep things lively. Every forkful is crunchy, creamy, and electric.
It respects the classic while giving you more to chew. You leave satisfied, not sluggish. It is one of those plates you start recommending before you even finish your last bite.
Eggplant Parm-ish Plate
All the cozy notes of eggplant parm without a deep fry hangover. Roasted eggplant gets smoky and tender, then meets bright crushed tomatoes and mozzarella puddles. Basil lifts the whole thing.
Crispy breadcrumbs add that necessary crunch, and garlic bread handles the scooping. It is saucy, stretchy, and surprisingly light. You can keep eating without tapping out.
What shines is the tomato flavor and the restraint. It is classic comfort refocused for daytime. A plate that gives you Sunday dinner vibes during a quick lunch break.
The Spicy Nicky Tribute
This nod to a beloved Philly flavor profile comes with swagger. Roasted turkey pairs with sharp provolone, bitter greens, and a tangle of hot peppers that bring a righteous burn. Garlic aioli cools the heat just enough.
Sesame bread on the side keeps structure tight. You can go open faced or fold and chomp. Either way, that pepper zip keeps you chasing the next bite.
It feels local, loud, and completely craveable. The kind of plate that starts a conversation at the table. You will remember the finish long after the last crumb disappears.
Mushroom French Dip Plate
All the drama of a French dip, made plant forward. A mix of seared mushrooms brings deep savor, joined by sweet onions and melted Swiss. The vegetarian jus tastes woodsy and rich.
Toasted baguette slices wait patiently for dipping. Each dunk softens the edges without collapse. You get steam, aroma, and that satisfying chew.
It is proof that umami does not need beef to feel full and indulgent. The thyme and onion notes linger in the best way. A plate that turns skeptics into believers, one dunk at a time.
Chopped Salad Deli Situation
When crunch is the craving, this is the move. Crisp lettuce, chickpeas, provolone cubes, and bite size salami pieces get tossed with an oregano vinaigrette that sparkles. Pickled peppers punctuate the bowl.
On the side, warm garlic knots make it a meal. You can dunk them or build little salad topped bites. Every forkful pops and snaps.
The flavors feel deli classic, but the balance keeps it modern. Nothing wilts or fades as you eat. It is satisfying, colorful, and exactly what a hurried lunch hour needs.
Tomato Soup and Grilled Cheese Upgrade
A childhood duo given grown up focus. The tomato soup is creamy without feeling heavy, brightened with a basil oil swirl and a peppery finish. Each spoonful tastes like summer tomatoes, even in winter.
The grilled cheese brings multiple cheeses for pull and tang, with caramelized edges that crunch. A pickle spear clears the runway between bites. Dip, bite, repeat.
It is cozy, fast, and engineered for maximum satisfaction. You walk out warm, content, and ready for the rest of the day. Sometimes simple is exactly what hits different.
Dessert For The Table: Cookie and Milk Sitch
Save a little room, because this closer sticks the landing. A still warm cookie with melty chocolate and flaky salt hits the table smelling like pure nostalgia. The center stays soft while the edges crackle.
A chilled glass of milk is there for dunking, because why fight joy. One bite turns into three without a second thought. It is the treat that makes lunch feel celebratory.
Sharing is encouraged, but no judgment if you do not. The portion is generous, the sweetness balanced, and the finish clean. A simple dessert that keeps the mood high all afternoon.
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