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 it’s Michael, program specialist who wishes he worked Downtown, across the street from an all you can eat yellow curry buffet.

Name: Michael

Age: 28

Occupation: Program Specialist at Jewish Big Brothers Big Sisters of LA

Where in L.A. do you Work?: Mid-Wilshire (near San Vincente) or Glendale

Favorite Kind of Food: Thai Food, hands down. I visit a new Thai restaurant every week. I order the meal every time: Yellow Curry with Tufo over white rice. The same thing everywhere is my way to compare who is the best. I rarely will visit the same Thai restaurant twice. A close second is french fries. Village Idiot (7383 Melrose Avenue) has the best fries in town. My mouth is just watery thinking about them.

Least Favorite Kind of Food: Anything with pork. Can’t do it.

Favorite Place(s) to Eat Lunch: Sushi & Kushi IMAI (8300 Wilshire Boulevard). Their lunch specials happen to be one of the best in town. I always get the Spicy Tuna Bowl. So much food for $7.95. Its impossible to go back to work on an empty stomach. The newest place I have visited is Mixt Greens (5757 Wilshire Boulevard). Full of taste and options. Choose from their pre-determined salads or create your own. They have at least 30 different ingredients you can have in your salad. The salad dressings are full of flavor and great for dipping your bread into. Can’t go wrong. It’s great place for a vegetarian option.

“Go-To” Lunch Place You and Your Coworkers Eat at Too Often? I am not a chain kinda of guy but I do enjoy Trimana. There are three locations within walking distance of my office and they each have a different menu. On your first visit there let them know and you might walk around with a bottle of hot sauce.

The farthest place you’ll drive for lunch on a normal day? When I work in Glendale which is about once every two weeks, I will drive to Yaki’s the Original Teriyaki Bowl in Burbank (904 West Alameda Avenue). They have the BEST hamburgers in town. Hands down the best burger, its has to do with their sauce. Every time I make it to Glendale, I visit Yaki’s. The prices are very reasonable but bring cash.

If you could work anywhere (just because of the lunch) where would it be and why? Downtown. Grand Central Market is my favorite part of LA. The food there is great and fresh. While waiting for your food you can buy your produce. And the best part of the market is that you can eat at a counter. Sitting at a counter is so much more enjoyable than at a table. LA’s downtown is not like other large cities but I love the vibe and want to be a part of it.

Is there anything you’d like to ask the Midtown Lunch readers in L.A.? I grew up in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Is there any REAL frozen custard in town?

I’m completely against salads (aka Mixt Greens), don’t know about custard, and I’m pretty sure I’ve ever ordered “yellow curry” at a Thai restaurant- but you’ve gotta expand your horizons! I’d start with the khao soi at Spicy BBQ in Thai Town. It’s kind of yellow’ish, and kind of like a curry. (And you can get it with chicken.) You can thank me later. Got a yellow curry or frozen custard recommendation for Justin? Put it 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.