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 we’re excited to welcome Hadley Tomicki, Grub Street Editor and westside lunching expert.

Name: Hadley

Age: 34

Occupation: Editor, Grub Street L.A.; Co-Founder, L.A. Taco

Where in L.A. do you Work?: Penmar, Venice

Favorite Kind of Food: Japanese, Mexican

Least Favorite Kind of Food: Fast food

Favorite Place(s) to Eat Lunch: The tuna poke and sixty-cent sodas at Murakai (12121 W Pico Blvd) are my current obsession. I love the San Biagio sandwich at Centanni (1700 Lincoln Blvd) and the tortas from El Super Taco (11300 W Pico Blvd). Shrimp tacos at Mariscos Chente (4532 S Centinela Ave) and La Playita (3306 Lincoln Blvd). Rellenos at Fiesta Brava (423 Rose Ave). Avocado sandwich and shrimp and mango quesadillas at Windward Farms (105 Windward Ave). Mole negro at Juquila (11619 Santa Monica Blvd). When it’s not so hot, I like to battle with the crab noodles at Poom Thai (2204 Lincoln Blvd). And if I’m not feeling like too much of a porker, I may walk to Baby Blues (444 Lincoln Blvd) or Uncle Darrow’s (2560 S Lincoln Blvd) or drive to Aunt Kizzy’s (523 Washington Blvd), the seaside’s extended family of soul food. And also, the Clevelander sandwich at Shoop’s (2400 Main St).

The “goto” lunch place you and your co-workers eat at too often? Lunch used to be the best time to get some eating done in this town, but with work, anything beyond a couple of eggs and a glass of Kefir is a luxury these days. When I do see the light of day, my standbys are shoyu ramen at Santouka, the tandoori chicken lunch special at Hurry Curry (12825 Venice Blvd) with a strawberry lassi, and memelas from Saby’s (12900 Venice Blvd).

Places you’ve discovered thanks to Midtown Lunch? The merguez sandwich at Venice Beach Wines. You pushed me to finally go try Poke-Poke, which I’d been eyeing but hadn’t been until I saw your story. And you got me even more pumped up for Ramen Yamadaya. Also, I want to try the bento box at Sushi Central you just wrote about.

The farthest place you’ll drive for lunch on a normal day? I have a good friend in Pico-Union I used to live with and anytime she wants the fried yucca and pupusas at Flor Blanca (1705 W Pico Boulevard), I’m there. And I’ll visit El Parian (1528 W Pico Blvd) every now and again on weekends for birria. I used to work in Cypress Park and I never miss a chance to hit up the ceviche and potato tacos at El Atacor. I also need frequent maintenance visits to La Abeja and Huarache Azteca.

Dream job location (anywhere in the world), purely for lunch purposes, and why? Tokyo

Anything you’d like to ask the Midtown Lunch readers? Feel free to send any raw fish recommendations my way!

Have you been to Sushi Karen, on Washington just West of Overland? That’s my go-to sushi spot in the neighborhood. Won’t blow you away, and the menu is bare bones. But really good quality for the price if you like straightforward sushi (their sushi dinner and sushi lunch are both very good deals.) Got a recommendation for Hadley? 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 want to nominate), email me- zach@midtownlunch.com.