Spencer Fox
East Village, Manhattan
A few weeks back we had the pleasure of sharing a mezcal marg and meal with Spencer Fox, Yellow Rose server and Charly Bliss guitarist. Spenser ordered up the highlights, the Lonestar Beer Queso, the chicory salad with CORN BREAD CROUTONS, and Beef Barbacoa Tacos. The Corn Bread stole the show though, made to order in a cast iron skillet, topped with scallions, and filled with poppyseeds. It was sweet, savory, and will live rent free in our heads for the rest of time. Go enjoy a perfect margarita alone side some delicious Tex-Mex cuisine. And if you see him…let Spencer do the ordering for you.
Full name, age, where are you from?
Spencer Fox, 29 years old and I grew up in Brooklyn.
What is your title and where do you work?
I'm a server at Yellow Rose in the East Village.
Was food a big part of your upbringing?
It will come as no surprise to anyone who has seen an old photograph of me that food was a big deal, perhaps to a fault. Although it led to many formative years marred by elastic waistbands and swimming with my shirt on, food was and is a huge source of joy.
Home cooked meals were plentiful and having grown up in the city, there were a ton of amazing restaurants in the rotation — Wo Hop, H & H, Patsy’s, Sammy’s Noodle Shop, Balthazar, Carnegie Deli just to name a few.
What are your earliest memories of dining out?
I have a very distinct memory of sneaking a McDonald’s cheeseburger into a fancy vegan restaurant on the Upper East Side when I was maybe like six-years-old.
If you could give a piece of advice to someone who wanted to pursue your career, what would it be?
Be personable! All anyone wants is to have fun with the folks they work with. Sure, there is the whole work ethic thing…which is important…but I’d posit that being a bright presence will benefit you far greater in the long term.
What do you think working in this industry has taught you?
The virtue in bringing patience to a stressful situation.
What's your favorite dish/drink on the menu?
Barbacoa tacos, chicory salad and this great shrub cocktail called the “shift drink” all come to mind, but the Monday night situation is on another level. They swap the standard dinner menu out for fare that has the same energy but is slightly elevated—small plates, interesting game like quail and boar, martinis, etc…So so so good.
What is your favorite place to go out and eat at and what are you ordering?
Ugly Baby in Carroll Gardens is my favorite restaurant in the world. They recently changed the entire menu which has been relatively heartbreaking but the new stuff is pretty nuts. Highlights from the last time I was there— spicy frog legs, pork tails in tom yum, and durian over sticky rice.
Honorable mention to Court Street Grocers, particularly the clean turkey paired with a celery soda.
You’re on a desert island, what are the 5 kitchen items you need to run your business?
Four other people who actually know how to run a business and a hot plate.
