Chicken Heaven
CHICKEN HEAVEN
Temple U campus on Montgomery, west of 13th
There's a huge menu at this unimposing truck, which made us expect nothing would be very special. If they're serving breakfasts from 7 a.m. on, and offer dozens of lunch items (most centering on chicken), how could they focus enough on single item to make it stand out?
Happily, our expectations were wrong. Turned out that the Fronghetta Chicken Panini ($6.50), was marvelously crafted and packed with fresh ingredients. On a chilly March afternoon, it warmed us right up.
The sandwich starts with "specially marinated" breast meat, and adds fresh mozzarella, tomatoes, mayo and fresh basil. Good touch with the basil. It's packed between two slices of focaccia bread and toasted just to the point where you get charred grill marks.
Wonderful sandwich. Expect to wait on line, because the purveyor of Chicken Heaven is clearly not of the mind to rush his handiwork. But the wait is worth it.
Score: 85/100