Zach Brooks, founder of one of the most successful food blogs in the world, left New York on Saturday, January 30. Since Zach will no doubt make fun of me for every remotely poetic word in this post, I’ll keep this shoutout on point.

Zach is a man who cuts through bullshit without getting his hands dirty. Zach made his success by giving voice to a community of eaters rather than work on his own shadow. Zach is a down-to-earth dude whose first conversation with me involved a debate on whether or not it’s appropriate to use the word “retard” (we were both on the same side) and whose most recent conversation with me involved heavy usage of Panda Express.

Zach’s also been kind enough to show me around Midtown over the past year, sharing meals here and there and introducing me to the gems of his world (which, at times, is also my world).

During one of his farewell lunches in Midtown, Zach took me to the Jamaican Dutchy on 51st at 7th, where he said his goodbyes to cart owner O’Neill and bestowed upon me the wonder of stewed peas (beef, pigs’ tails and beans stewed to a delicious, goopy mess over rice). On the side we tried O’Neill’s new Dutchy Dog (nothing to brag about, except for the inclusion of a tasty red sauce in the key of chili) and bread fruit (fried wedges of a starchy, yuca-like plant that do best dipped in curry or stew). If you don’t have time to click through to Zach’s original writeup of stewed peas: They are great, and you can order them from the Jamaican Dutchy on Thursdays.

Best wishes to Mr. Midtown, whose site now includes Downtown New York and Philadelphia on its beat, and a hearty “keep on keepin’ on” to all of the Midtown Lunchers who will continue keeping tabs on counter and cart intelligence on their turf in Manhattan. And to Los Angeles: Prepare to be served!

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This entry was posted on Monday, February 1st, 2010 at 9:57 am and is filed under Los Angeles, New York.