“Living in Philly” interview series where realtor Cherise Wynne (“Agent Lady”) highlights interesting people & organizations in the civic, real estate, restaurant and lifestyle space that help first time home buyers navigate our great city of Philadelphia.
Restaurant Owner at Herban Quality Eats
Agent Lady: When people ask that famous question “what do you do”, how do you typically answer?
Kalefe: I run a new restaurant called Herban Quality Eats that reimagines healthy dining with delicious, chef-inspired meals that everyone can enjoy. We have a seasonal menu with customizable plates, craft sandwiches, and organic salads all cooked from scratch. We focus on using 100% nutritious ingredients, while sourcing local and organic.
Agent Lady: What does Herban do, what neighborhood(s) does it provide products/services in, and what do you find special about those Philly areas?
Kalefe: We’re located at 36th & Market in University City, where we have been open for about a year. Our location is in an office corridor that didn’t have a lot of food options, is near Drexel and Penn, and is undergoing tremendous development to create more density in the next 2-4 years.
Agent Lady: How do you believe Herban is making Philadelphia better?
Kalefe: Our goal is to make healthy eating exciting and approachable, so that Philadelphians can find it easier to eat nutritious meals and live a healthier lifestyle. A lot of times healthy eating is a chore, or is really hard to do when you’re not at home.
We donate food weekly to soup kitchens, pay above-average wages, and strive to create a respectable and rewarding work environment for our team. This year we plan to increase our community involvement with monthly fundraising drives, when we’ll donate a percentage of our sales to local nutrition & education nonprofits.
Agent Lady: If you had to choose between a Philly cheesesteak or a Philly pretzel, which would you choose?
Kalefe: Definitely cheesesteak. And after talking about all of this healthy food, I’ll say with a twist! Lean grass-fed beef, preservative free whole grain bread, real cheddar cheese, peppers & onions. Not sure if there’s a steak place that serves it that way, but Herban’s braised steak sandwich is similar. It’s all about clean ingredients for me, and a pretzel doesn’t have as much flavor or nutrition.
Agent Lady: What’s the biggest misconception people have about your industry or type of organization?
Kalefe: That people will come to your restaurant just because the food is good. Convenient location and great hospitality are as important, and sometimes more important, than the food.
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Agent Lady: What is the nerdiest thing you do in your spare time?
Kalefe: I’d have to say looking at maps. I love spending time on Google Maps learning about spaces and places, and I used to do the same with encyclopedias when I was younger: places in Philly I have and haven’t been to, cities in other states I’d like to visit someday, the geography of some far-off mountain range. I love a good map.
Agent Lady: What is your favorite word?
Kalefe: “IF”. My mom says that ‘if’ is the biggest word in the English language. With ‘if’, anything is possible.
Agent Lady: If you had to pick another career what would it be?
Kalefe: I have a few: real estate developer, attorney, or teacher. I’d still like to be at least one of those in the future.
Agent Lady: For anyone looking to buy their first home in Philly or move to the Philly area, what do you have to say to them?
Kalefe: Spend a lot of time learning about the neighborhoods you are considering. Walk around at day and night, and write down what’s important for you in a location to help focus: proximity to work, access to public transportation, local schools, nearby amenities, parking, etc. There are a lot of good spots to live in Philly, and it’s good to learn about some places that everybody isn’t always talking about… This is when a good map can be really useful.
Agent Lady: If someone wanted to learn more about you or PlanPhilly, where could they go?
Kalefe: www.herbanqualityeats.com, and come check us out at 36th & Market. Open M-F, and we also deliver & cater.
I’m a huge fan of Kalefe, so thanks again to him and Herban for helping to attract, retain, and empower citizens of Philadelphia. If this article inspired you, please support Kalefe’s business and spread the word to all of the people in your network. If you never want to miss another interview we also hope you signed up for the newsletter. Until next time, stay awesome!
About Agent Lady: Cherise Wynne is a leading real estate agent in Philadelphia, helping home buyers and sellers navigate the City of Brotherly Love, with a special focus on first time home buyers. To chat about getting started with your first time home buying experience, click here.
