What to Expect (and How to Order) at Christo’s Falafel

With the recent demise (though a positive one for the proprietors) of Far From Home Cafe, I’m looking for a new favorite food truck/cart in Center City to fill the void.  First up among the contenders: Christo’s Falafel cart.

To describe Christo’s as just a food cart or  falafel vendor does no justice to the entire experience.  Located on the northeast corner of 20th and Market, Christo’s is sometimes there and sometimes not there during weekday lunch.  Its proprietor, Gus, doesn’t exactly post on Twitter (if he knew what it was) what his appearance schedule is.  The first thing you’ll notice about the cart is the massive line that forms when it does show.  Actually, let me take that back.  The first observation you’ll have is the irresistable aroma from the charcoal grill billowing towards Market Street.  I’m not sure if it was intentional or not, but because the 20th and Market Street corridor is extremely windy, even on hot summer days, the cart’s placement on the corner is perfect for catching the downwind breeze towards Market Street pedestrians.  If it was, the guy is a genius.  On each of my visits, there would be passers-by who would ask the folks in line about the cart and what was being served.

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Some Beers Are Best Served Less Than Cold

Currently, my favorite beers to drink are India pale ales and stouts.  Both types bring tend tohave more taste and flavor that other beers.  In particular, many stouts have that rich, creamy chocolate flavor and are just more satisfying than plain lagers or pilsners.  Certain stouts I’ve enjoyed at bars include Lancaster Milk Stout, Founders KBS and Left Hand Milk Stout.

So it’s been some surprise that when I’ve had some stouts, including many of the same ones I’ve previously enjoyed, at home, I have not always enjoyed them as much.  At first, I thought that I was just not properly remembering the amount of enjoyment I had while drinking the beers at bars.  Then, I figured it out: the temperature.

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Selling Beer in Grocery Stores

Last week, I was on holiday in rural West Virginia.  On a grocery shopping trip, at a relatively small chain store named Shop ‘n Save, I stopped to check out the beer selection.  Readily available at this small grocery store in the middle of nowhere were terrific beers such as Great Lakes Edmund Fitzgerald Porter, Flying Dog Doggie Style Pale Ale and Saranac. 

In most states, the sight of good craft beer in a grocery store would be welcome but not exactly earth shattering.  For Pennsylvania residents, however, the mere thought of good beer being available in grocery stores would be cause for a major celebration.  Pennsylvania has one of the most restrictive and limiting set of laws when it comes to availability of alcohol.  While there are some avenues that allow grocery stores to sell beer if there is a cafe or restaurant at site, most grocery stores do not sell beer.  The vast majority of Pennsylvania beers are sold in beer distributors or from delis and bars. 

Now is the time for Pennsylvania to emerge from the dark ages and permit the widespread sale of beers in stores.  Consumers would benefit from increased choices and selection, and grocer stores would benefit from the sales.  The only ones who wouldn’t be in favor of it would be beer distributors who have had a monopoly for far too long.