Middle Child is a lunch and brunch spot on 11th Street that has built a devoted following on the strength of its sandwiches — substantial, creative combinations built on good bread with fillings that go well beyond the standard deli repertoire. The Reuben Intervention (corned beef, Russian dressing, Swiss, sauerkraut, but improved) and the Tuna Melt are regular fixtures; the specials rotate and are worth whatever they happen to be.
The space is small and the lunch rush is real — weekends generate queues that start before the doors open. The best strategy is to arrive at opening or go on a weekday. The coffee is good, the atmosphere is warm and unpretentious, and the energy of the place reflects the neighborhood it serves: Washington Square West, the dense, walkable area between Rittenhouse and South Street that contains some of Philadelphia's best residential blocks. Middle Child does not take reservations, which is fine because the food is fast and the wait, when there is one, moves quickly.