Original Pantry Cafe

Recommends

Lydia M.

Joined 1 year ago

old. now this place is old in a good way. food service is nothing special, but the original pantry makes you feel comfortable.

Recommends

Richardy

Joined 2 years ago

Best breakfast in town. I'm glad the Hahn's cleaned it up a little, becasue the pantry is an LA staple. Soul food doesn't even begin to describe the love that they have for traditional American breakfasts. By traditional, I mean HUGE!!! The staff is caring, attentive, and happy. You can tell that each waiter loves being a part of this historical treasure. I can't think of anything bad to say about them other than you better be ready to wait for a table. When you are there, you are in their house, so be polite.

Doesn't Recommend

mirkaltern

Joined 4 years ago

Surreal experience, in a bad way. We were a party of 10 last night, a busy St. Patrick's day. Without even greeting us, a waiter came to us to tell us to move to the other side of the line as we were blocking the entrance. He told us it is clearly stated in the front door which is the entrance and which is the exit. We waited for around 20 mins, then a grumpy waiter asked us how many we were and settled down a table for 10, but never called us, we seated ourselves (despite the first waiter telling us the second one would tell us 'what time you are allowed to sit'). We sat for another 20 minutes, waiting for our menus... the grumpy waiter came to take the order, but we had no idea there are no menus, he was pissed and pointed to the board. Left for another 10 minutes. He came back, asked one of my friends what was she ordering, she wasn't sure, so he turned around and told us "when she's ready, I'll be back" another 20 minutes... I honestly ordered whatever I saw: a hamburger and a coffee. They brought me a tasteless beef patty in between two slices of sandwich bread, not even a bun. It was totally gross! I never got my coffee. And yes, you guess right: he charged the coffee! Bottomline: avoid this stinky place, it's not worth it at all.

Recommends

CSMobileUser

Joined 5 years ago

Really good Really good. Great NY steak, incredible hamburger, great apple pie,I'm a local, but if not it would be worth the trip.

Doesn't Recommend

pels

Joined 4 years ago

the pantry has changed. My wife and I have been going to the pantry for over 20 years and the portions at breakfast were hefty. Not any more. The thick bacon got thin, potatoe servings are 1/2 of what they used to be and they use small (no longer jumbo) eggs. The bargain is gone and people will catch on.

Doesn't Recommend

siamak

Joined 4 years ago

Nauseatingly Bad. After having heard so much about this place I went there today. Waited in line for 45 minutes. While waiting thought to myself "hey it must be good if there is a line." Boy was I wrong. First it was very difficult to read the menus on the wall because of the table position. Yup, they got no menus other than the faded chalk writings on the wall. I tried the so called country fried steak. My friend got the eggs, french toast, and sausage. I find it hard to come up with a word to properly describe the nauseating material served to us. Nothing was edible. Not even the peas which were stale and overcooked. Other than the horrible horrible food it took us 30 minutes to finally convince someone to give us the check so that we could leave the dive. DON'T GO, DON'T GO, DON'T GO. .

Recommends

Contributor

Joined 10 years ago

Old-school diner with steak, chops, all-day-eggs and a side of L.A. history.. In Short
The decor is straight out of a noir novel--bleak lighting, Formica tables, turn-of-the-century photos of downtown, and a high-security cashier's cage. Busy at every hour, ancient waiters cater to an endless stream of ravenous nightcrawlers and lunching City Hall suits. Full steak dinners with a squirt of the cafe's signature sauce--plus all the fixings--are bargain-priced. Hearty breakfasts of omelettes, ham and buckwheat pancakes are also legendary.

Recommends

catandjim

Joined 6 years ago

the breakfasts are overrated but the steak is not. this is not a restaurant where everything on the menu is good, however if you are looking for an authentic melt-in-your-mouth steak, this is the place. and the atmosphere is certainly of a style that may not appeal to all, but i find it charming and nostalgic with the gruff and elderly waiters, the formica tables and the lack of pretense. stick to steak and potatoes and you won't be disappointed.

Doesn't Recommend

bluecattgirl

Joined 8 years ago

After all the hype about this place over the years, we expected.....something, like good food!. We wouldn't recommend this place to anybody. After years of hearing what a good place this is to eat, we finally got a chance to try it. What a disappointment! We both ordered breakfasts, and both were lacking a key ingredient in any good food. Flavor! Save yourself the trip and if you must eat at a "diner" go down the street to Denny's! Save yourself from the overpriced, blah-no flavor food!

Doesn't Recommend

VicoG2

Joined 5 years ago

NOT GOOD !. I waited 45 minutes to get in to a busy restaraunt. The inside was gross, and the worst part the food was disgusting!! I can eat from weird catering trucks, I ate grasshopers when i took a trip to the pyramids, but this food was beyond nasty. It just was not good. the waiter was in a hurry, the food was not done well. I know its busy but man. it was nasty. i had a stomach ache for a while. dont go there do not go there. it is a shame some people say it's a gem in downtown and that it is la history, it's just nasty. I'm from L.A and I'd rather go to a taco stand for an authentic L.A experience!