PROFILE: L.A. Lunch’er “Sara”

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 Sara, a singer who will practically go anywhere for a decent lunch.

Name: Sara

Age: 28

Occupation: Singer/Educator

Where in L.A. do you Work?: I actually work all over, driving around town for teaching and singing/recording gigs. Which is great for eating because I get everywhere from Manhattan Beach to Pasadena and Encino every week, thus making my lunch options much more diverse.

Favorite Kind of Food: Thai

Least Favorite Kind of Food: Can’t think of one, but I’ve been staying away from things that are entirely fried as of late.

Favorite Place(s) to Eat Lunch: La Cevichera (3809 W Pico Blvd, Mid-City). I order the Guatamalan Ceviche, or ceviche “Chapin”. Sunshine Restaurant (Thai). I order the Larb Gai, or chicken larb, green curry, pad woon sen, pad see ew, soups, and anything with the word “hurricane” in the title. Make sure to get their coconut tapioca desserts, too. My favorite place in the world! I LOVE Fisherman’s Outlet (529 South Central Ave., Downtown). I don’t have a favorite, mostly I just walk up and order something off the fresh specials menu. I love their butter garlic sauce, but the cajun is a favorite, too. Oh, and their fried shrimp/fish? Amazing. I also like Mama’s Hot Tamales a LOT (2122 West Seventh Street, Downtown). In fact, the Langer’s pastrami and tamales at Mama’s are a great way to eat one for lunch and save the other for dinner, all in one stop. For BBQ lunch under $10, I like JNJ Burger shack (5754 W Adams Blvd, Culver City). Pretty much the cheapest in the city, if not as good as JR’s or Phillip’s. To order: The 3 rib plate. It’s under $10.

For sandwiches, there are really only 4 places to go: I LOVE to get the Italian sub or the meatball one at Porta Via when I’m teaching in Pasadena (1 W California Blvd). And of course, the best sandwich in LA goes to Doughboys (8136 W 3rd St) for their French Dip (order it like it comes with the addition on the fontina cheese). Then there’s Bay Cities when I’m on the Westside. Everything there is good. Lastly, there’s the Larchmont Village Wine, Spirits, and Cheese shop (223 N Larchmont Blvd). They make some surprisingly yummy sandwiches, if not stuffed and dripping with ingredients, like the first three shops.

“Go-To” Lunch Place You and Your Coworkers Eat at Too Often? Saladang (363 S Fair Oaks Ave, Pasadena.) It’s Thai, and it’s across the street from the school where I teach.

The farthest place you’ll drive for lunch on a normal day? I’ll drive about 45 minutes for good food. Usually that means from my place in Mid-Wilshire to Din Tai Fung or some place in San Gabriel. I say 45 minutes, but last summer I took a trip around the world, so, I guess I could say I’d go as far as Cambodia if the food’s good.

If you could work anywhere (just because of the lunch) where would it be and why? Chiang Mai

Is there anything you’d like to ask the Midtown Lunch readers in L.A.? What are a few of the weirdest things you’ve ever eaten? To answer my own question: Armadillo (in Guatemala), Fried tarantula (in Cambodia), Chapulines (Fried Mexican crickets) in Los Angeles, and Bull penis (Los Angeles). To see more of the food I review restaurants at http://leib.yelp.com

Talk about your ultimate backfires. This was supposed to inspire you to eat more *delicious* food, not *healthy* food! You should check out Lunch’er Kat. She has some really good recs for your area (and also loves Sham!) And for the rest of you… if you’d like to be next week’s Profiled: L.A. Lunch’er (or know somebody you’d want to nominate), email me- zach@midtownlunch.com.

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