Midtown Lunch

As is customary on Midtown Lunch, every Tuesday we’ll profile a random reader to get their recommendations for the best spots to lunch near their work. This week I’m excited to welcome Pat, not just because she runs the very excellent food blog Eating L.A. but also because she works in the same building I worked in when I was at Indie 103 (during my first stint in L.A. 5 years ago.) It was long before the food truck explosion on Miracle Mile, but I can totally relate to having way too many lunches at the Baja Fresh across the street…

Name: Pat

Age: Let’s just say I’m a longtime Angeleno.

Occupation: Editor at Variety and food blogger at EatingLA.com

Where in L.A. do you Work?: Variety, Miracle Mile

Favorite Kind of Food: Thai or any Asian cuisine

Least Favorite Kind of Food: Hot dogs, dessert

Favorite Place(s) to Eat Lunch: Fresh mozzarella or meatloaf sandwich from Black Dog Coffee (5657 Wilshire, nr Hauser), the vegan BLT from Cafe Flourish (5406 Wilshire, nr. Cloverdale), the Grilled Cheese Truck, and the pork banh mi from the EatPhamish truck (Weds & Thursdays at 5900 Wilshire, nr. Ogden).

“Go-To” Lunch Place You and Your Coworkers Eat at Too Often? Baja Fresh, unfortunately. For fast food, it’s not that bad. I’m looking forward to trying Mixt Greens when it opens (Feb 23rd at 5757 Wilshire), because we need salads in this area.

The farthest place you’ll drive for lunch on a normal day? The choices within walking
distance are generally poor, other than the above. I’ll drive a mile or two to Loteria Grill and Moishe’s at Farmer’s Market (3rd & Fairfax), or Umami Burger and Sake House Miro on La Brea. Golden State (426 Fairfax) is tempting, but it makes me want to drink beer with lunch.

If you could work anywhere (just because of the lunch) where would it be and why? Bangkok or Singapore, for all the street food. I worked in Paris and lunch was long and expensive, although the government subsidizes workday lunches for citizens..

Is there anything you’d like to ask the Midtown Lunch readers in L.A.? What’s the best neighborhood in L.A. for lunch choices?

I’ve been wondering the same thing myself! Right now I feel like I’m going to be spending a lot of time Downtown… but there’s also North Hollywood/Burbank area, your area, and the Westside. What do you guys think? Where are the major lunch’ing areas in L.A.? (Put them in the comments…) And as always, if you would like to be next week’s Profiled: L.A. Lunch’er (or know somebody you’d like to nominate), email me- zach@midtownlunch.com.