Midtown Lunch

As is customary on Midtown Lunch, every Tuesday we profile a random reader to get their recommendations for the best spots to lunch near their work. This week it’s Doah, a law student who wants to brainstorm ways to get the Famous Halal Cart from NYC to come to Los Angeles.

Name: Doah

Age: 27

Occupation: Law student and recreational food-blogger

Where in L.A. do you Work?: Little Tokyo and Pasadena

Favorite Kind of Food: I hate this question mainly ’cause it’s impossible to give a straight and simple answer… but in a nutshell: Korean, Mexican (but not really Korean-Mexican), Japanese, Mediterranean, and Thai (in that order).

Least Favorite Kind of Food: Anything overly sweet, raw onions, and egg yolk w/ an exception for excellent Eggs Benedict.

Favorite Place(s) to Eat Lunch: Little Tokyo/ DTLA: Chirashi bowl from Sushi Gen (422 E 2nd St); ramen and shredded pork bowl from Daikokuya (327 E 1st St ); carne asada tacos from Tacos Tumbras a Tomas (in Grand Central Market). Pasadena: “The Sandwich” from Roma Italian Deli (918 N Lake Ave); beef & lamb kebabs from Mediterranean Cafe (273 Shoppers Ln); and the Angus Burger from Green Street Tavern (69 W Green St).

“Go-To” Lunch Place You and Your Coworkers Eat at Too Often? I’m all about trying out new places, so I don’t really have a “goto” spot, but I did go to Starry Kitchen (350 S. Grand) three times one week. Hm, no wonder they call them crab “crack” cakes.

Place you discovered thanks to Midtown Lunch? Starry Kitchen and WOW Bento (still need to try the latter out).

The farthest place you’ll drive for lunch on a normal day? Depends on how hungry I am. I’ve driven from LA to San Diego to curb a pollo asada fries and shrimp taco craving. On a weekday, I’ve driven to Din Tai Fung to try their popular xiao long bao. As a general standard, if the food (and wine) is worth it, I’ll be there – rain or shine.

Dream job location (anywhere in the world), purely for lunch purposes, and why? Probably Spain. I love the idea of having leisurely lunches, sampling different small plates, and then taking a nap.

Anything you’d like to ask the Midtown Lunch readers? So, how are we going to get the famous 53rd & 6th halal cart in NYC to come out to LA?

My kingdom to the person who makes that happen! Want to be next week’s Profiled: L.A. Lunch’er (or know somebody you’d want to nominate), email me- zach@midtownlunch.com.