This week from the archive: the wonderful Zach Brooks. Zach grew up in Miami eating Tuesday and Thursday dinners out with his dad after his parents split up, rotating through the food court at Dadeland Mall, a Chinese restaurant called Hua Xing, and the one Korean restaurant in downtown Miami that turned out to be serving Korean Chinese food. His dad made him try kimchi at eight years old by telling him it was the worst thing he'd ever eat and that was exactly why he should try it. It worked.

Zach went on to start Midtown Lunch, the food blog that made the case that Midtown Manhattan was not the food desert everyone assumed it was, and that turns 20 years old this month. He also runs Smorgasburg LA, the beloved Sunday food market in downtown LA, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary. He has been there every Sunday since it opened. 

This conversation covers a lot of ground. Growing up as an insufferable oldest child. Marrying his college girlfriend. Quitting his radio job the day after a brief conversation with his wife about maybe quitting his radio job. Being the parent on call while his wife dominates in her legal career. Traveling the world with three kids and surviving it. And so much more.

Full show notes with alll the links: muthalife.substack.com

Instagram: @mutha.life @midtownlunchla

Produced by: Mutha Life

Music by: Ronen Landa