Clifton's Cafeteria

04/12/07

An LA tradition

by ejergens at Citysearch

Ok so the food is ok. Sometimes you go to a place just because it has style or just because it has character. This is one of those places. This is an old historical downtown institution that you really should try just for the fun of it. There are plenty of things to choose from, somethings are better than others but you really aren't going to find this kind of atmosphere and this kind of American fare anyplace else downtown. I head down to the fashion district and drop in Cliftons for a salad and a sandwich or soup and just feel the LA vibe. I love this city, and I really love places like this, there should be more! The decor is AWESOME!!

• Pros: Choices, vibe, atmosphere

01/21/07

Good food, good people

by me_hollywood at Citysearch

Naysayers can go get your Papa John's. This place is awesome. There's a dignity to this place that takes years to earn. If you don't like it here, you don't get it. Good food. Genuine people. Excellent pies. Huge portions of decency.

• Pros: Great location, ambience, food
• Cons: Not gourmet (but not supposed to be)

Wilderness-themed cafeteria serves up home-style fare with Disney-esque flare in the heart of downtown L.A.

by Contributor at Citysearch

In Short
Inspired by the Santa Cruz Mountains' famous Brookdale Lodge, this multi-level cafeteria is festooned with woodland decor--columns disguised as trees, a 20-foot waterfall, faux flora and fauna, lumberjack art and even a wilderness chapel. Over 100 comfort-food classics are featured every day, including hand-carved roast turkey and brisket, ham steaks with Delmonico potatoes, baked macaroni and cheese, and various salads, soups, vegetables and sandwiches. Desserts range from Jell-O and pudding concoctions to fruit pies and custard cakes.

12/05/06

Worst place ever!

by sirbig88 at Citysearch

Nasty nasty nasty! so gross. over 100 items but cant find a single thing to eat because everything looks so disgusting. you couldn't pay me to eat here.

• Cons: everything about it

10/08/06

Cliftons careteria

by anointed at Citysearch

I ate there because I saw that it was on the news as one of the hot spots in LA.

And it was the best etc etc etc. Guess What they lied!!!! That place is very distasteful.

It feels like your in a prison when your eating, When your getting your food it's just like the movies. The person giving the food is over the counter with an ice cream scoop.

that place uummm!!... WAIT I'm TRYING TO FIND THE WORD.. OKAY I FOUND IT!

S@#$!!!! DON'T GO Honestly if your hungery and in the area eat a snickers for the time being.

I don't want to reinact my High school days in a caferteria. Feel me!

• Pros: ambience
• Cons: service??

08/27/06

If you live in L.A.& never been to a TRUE old style cafeteria check it out!!!

by alcaro at Citysearch

I HAVE eaten their food My dad used to get a great deal here (ssshh!) on roast beef and mashed potatoes whenever we had a wedding and yes everyone liked it. But you, you are the sentimental type; of course you go here for the food, but it's not because it's incredible or trend-setting and or even down-home cooking, whatever that is. It's for the atmosphere and the feeling that youve stepped into a time warp back to the 1940s or 50s. Suddenly, youre Shirley MacLaine in the old flick "The Apartment" waiting for Naomi Stevens to quickly sneak you a big baked potato with all the fixings and the rest of your three course lunch through the salad compartment slot. If youre an L.A. tourist and into seeing a real living, breathing, venue of old Americana you need to go here once.

• Pros: Cafeteria, Ambience like no other.
• Cons: It's in a sketchy Neighborhood, but that's so L.A.

01/14/03

Cafateria eating LA style

by diegodlg at Citysearch

Look it's a cafeteria so don't expect the food to make your taste buds water, but the food is good. Not unforgettable, just good enough to satisfy your hunger and not make you wish you went somewhere else.

That said, you have to visit Clifton's for the atmosphere and decor. Faux logs, rocks, streams, waterfalls and woodland animals make up the first and second floors. The third floor looks like it once had an Asian theme and is now clinging to past glories. They have live music at lunch. Walk down the stairs to the bathroom and check out photos of Clifton's Cafeterias past. Thankfully this one survived.

Whether you are looking for something that seems like it is from a different era, or a place that looks like a movie set, Clifton's is LA and a place where everyone should eat at least once.

07/13/02

Variety-Galore

by workingaddie at Citysearch

Every visit is a great experience. There is a great variety of food, from appetizers to salads, to main courses, to dessert. Prices are more than reasonable and the food is delicious. To top it off, service here is always friendly.