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 Jeff a sandwich lover who just moved offices from Venice to Downtown.

Name: Jeff

Age: 26

Occupation: Director of Fundraising for Falling Whistles

Where in L.A. do you Work?: Venice up until two weeks ago. Now Traction Ave. Downtown.

Favorite Kind of Food: Sandwiches! All kinds and I use the term loosely.

Least Favorite Kind of Food: Poorly cooked / prepared cafeteria food, especially overcooked pot roast or bad chicken pot pie. Purveyors of bad chicken pot pie should be jailed

Favorite Place(s) to Eat Lunch: The meat loaf sandwich at Bay Cities Deli (order meat loaf in the hot area and have them put it on bread with mashed potatoes), the Lambwich at Venice Beach Wines (529 Rose Ave), the Cheeseburger with a side of Lay’s from Hinano (15 Washington Blvd), any burger at 26 Beach (3100 Washington Blvd), a large soft pretzel and a draft Erdinger at On the Waterfront Cafe (205 Ocean Front Walk), and if I am feeling very ambitious, the fried catfish, hushpuppies and collard greens at Aunt Kizzy’s Backporch (523 Washington Blvd, Marina Del Rey). And I have a recommendation for your Cheap Chinese Buffet Challenge: you must try Tasty Goody on Lincoln in Venice. It is south of Rose (715 Lincoln Blvd). I have only been there twice and can’t really handle it at lunch (I use it for a dinner gut bomb.) But I would be curious to get your take on it. I won’t spoil it with anything else. I mean the name is Tasty Goody. What more do you really need to know?

“Go-To” Lunch Place You and Your Coworkers Eat at Too Often? Bay Cities. It was too close and has too many great options.

The farthest place you’ll drive for lunch on a normal day? Larchmont to hit up Larchmont Wine and Cheese (or Larchmont Village Wine, Spirits, and Cheese if you prefer… 223 N Larchmont Blvd). Number 4 with extra spread, chips, cured black olives and cornichons. Done deal.

If you could work anywhere (just because of the lunch) where would it be and why? Going to have to go with Hong Kong on this one. I know it’s not a sandwich haven, but the sheer variety of quality options is an eaters dream. I might even find time to work.

Is there anything you’d like to ask the Midtown Lunch readers in L.A.? I need under the radar sandwich spots downtown. I have already hit up Mendocino Farms, Phillipe’s, and Cole’s far too often.

Got a sandwich rec for Jeff?  Put it in the comments. And, as always, if you want to be next week’s Profiled: L.A. Lunch’er (or know somebody you’d like to nominate), email me- zach@midtownlunch.com.