The Original Pantry Cafe image

The Original Pantry Cafe

Restaurant Cafe Breakfast restaurant Hamburger restaurant Diner Lunch restaurant Asador Dessert restaurant Down home cooking restaurant

One of the Most Reviewed Breakfast restaurants in Los Angeles


Address

877 S Figueroa St, Los Angeles, CA 90017, United States

Website

pantrycafe.restaurant

Contact

+1 213-972-9279

Price rating

$$ $$

Rating on Google Maps

4.50 (7.8K reviews)

Open on Google Maps

Working Hours

  • Sunday: 7 am to 5 pm
  • Monday: (Washington's Birthday), Closed, Hours might differ
  • Tuesday: Closed
  • Wednesday: 7 am to 3 pm
  • Thursday: 7 am to 3 pm
  • Friday: 7 am to 3 pm
  • Saturday: 7 am to 5 pm

Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: fast (22) wait (21) good (21) line (20) toast (18) service (18) great (13) breakfast (12) pancakes (12) eggs (11)
Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 5/5 ankit b. 1 year ago on Google
    One of the oldest and finest old school breakfast places and yes they have included Sourdough bread. Prepare to wait patiently and the aromas would make you hungrier. Ordered a ham steak n eggs and wasn’t unable to finish due to size of the steak So made a sourdough sandwich for lunch :) Sourdough toast is probably the best I have had in LA. Freshly brewed coffee was a lifesaver and the staff are professional. Look forward to come back here in 2024
    10 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Chad P. 8 months ago on Google • 160 reviews
    The line is limg but moves quickly. You are served quickly while inside so you can finish your meal and free up the table for one of the many patrons waiting their turn. My son had a chili cheese omelette. I had the French Toast. Very good food! Reasonablt price and very fast prompt service. Menus are all up on the walls so you just order off of those. The pancakes are great!
    4 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Nurseit N. 7 months ago on Google
    This place screams history. Breakfast was ready in couple Minutes. Can be busy if not come earlier by 9am. Service is very attentive. Food seen how prepared. Priced average. Tasty.
    8 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Brian C. 2 years ago on Google
    Great quality food for superb prices. The customer service was excellent! (which is rare now and days). I had the Philly cheese steak sandwich. It was delicious. The meat was tender, and veggies were sautéed to perfection. Note for first timers: Pay your bill at the cashier that is located at the entrance; They validate a hour and a half (1.5hrs) of parking from the location across the street; They don't have personal menus, their menus are on the walls.
    8 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Rich Gill (Rich AMeN G. 2 years ago on Google
    Location:GREAT, Parking:Okay (Pay park across the street), Service: Fast and Very Good, Food for Price : Good, Overall: Since the early 70's I was introduced to a line outside. When we were inside, I remember the Community Table. The waiters were fast and flying as the food and orders came and went open 24 hours (until recently). Even at 3 a.m. the food was well worth the drive. Now after covid things have changed, a lock on the door for one. Hours of operation to include closing Monday and Tuesday for another. Yet still the even today the line outside was long ( about an hour for us) and the community table gone. The place is still as busy as ever. The food was like old times and yes I will be there for it's 100 years of operation. ...
    7 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Rob Q. 1 year ago on Google
    As a local of Los Angeles this place has been a lifelong tradition. I’ve been coming here with family and friends forever, at all hours. The best sourdough toast and French toast you’ll find. Sitting at the counter offers the speediest service and I mean FAST! Parking is found across the street is a large lot and you may or may not find yourself waiting outside for a table but the line moves quickly and is obviously worse on weekends. I personally love a ham and cheese omelette combination with sourdough toast because the ham chunks are serious ham steak. Fresh salsa is delicious. Enjoy this LA staple!
    6 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Dogpunker6 C. 2 years ago on Google
    Amazing place! Had to wait in line for a while, but most definitely worth the wait, I Promise! Great home cooked food! We sat at the countertop, which was perfect and fast service. The Coleslaw was perfect, which I just had to try because I've heard it was amazing! Coffee was a Must! The french toast was one of the best I've ever had. Also don't forget to try their sourdough bread its soooo good! Bacon was nice and thick, not like McDonald's bacon! Potatoes are perfect with a crunch, and the omelets were so cheesy and just overall good. Everyone was nice and the atmosphere was good. I definitely can't wait to come back!
    6 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Cornel H. 2 years ago on Google
    Loved being able to find awesome home cooking. DTLA parking can be a challenge but service is fast, efficient and hugely courteous. Food excellently-memorable. (Should that become a single word?).
    4 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 3/5 Yoshi P. 1 year ago on Google
    I ordered French toast, scrambled eggs, sausage, and potatoes. The food tasted okay; like a standard American diner. Just their potato was too crunchy, and some bits hard like a rock. I also tried turkey sandwich with cole slaw. I liked their fries. But sandwich was just an average. In my opinion, I don’t believe the price is worth the quality of food. Maybe people are willing to pay that much because of the location. And the server was too rushed to take everyone’s order. I experienced a better customer service at other restaurants.
    4 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 CHLOE C. 1 year ago on Google
    🥞 The best American breakfast place ever in Los Angeles downtown 🥯🍳 i’m a visitor from Dallas and my friend told me this is the most place to visit. They built since almost 100 years ago. We went there around 11 AM and waited 30 minutes. Though it was Rush hour, there was a lot of people. The service was great, they were very nice. We’ve got to sit in front of the bar and watch how they cook. The price was reasonable, and the pancake was on point!!! 🥞 I didn’t expect how the pancake will taste. And I ordered French toast was OK. Next time I wanna try omelettes. Definitely recommending this place and I’m coming back. 🥰🫠
    4 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Vanessa C. 2 years ago on Google
    This place was so delicious and fast. At first I was concerned because the line was going a ways down the block, but it moved quickly and once you’re seated the food comes out in no time! Generous portion sizes so I recommend sharing some of the dishes such as the French toast. The bacon is super crispy. They take card now. It is NOT cash only.
    4 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 D. S. 1 year ago on Google
    The food was good and services was great. Bring cash for tips. The line was long but it moves fast. If you want home cooking and feel, then this is the place.
    4 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Jason S. 2 months ago on Google • 113 reviews New
    You can't go wrong eating here. The service is very good and fast. It's a perfect place to start your day.

  • 5/5 Nicolastkyo 2 months ago on Google • 110 reviews New
    A true LA staple! It’s no wonder this place has been in business for so LONG. The food is delicious, the portions are LARGE, and the prices are CHEAP! I ordered the #2: two eggs with potatoes and scrumptious, THICK slices of sourdough bread. On top of that, I sent away for a side of DELICIOUS coleslaw. The total came out to only $12! WHAT A STEAL!

  • 5/5 Pearlyn C. 2 years ago on Google
    Amazing food amazing service amazing price. Long line but wait for bearable and moves at a decent speed (1 line only for both counter and booth seats). Unlike other places, I appreciate the variety of combos here. Got the 2 pancakes + 2 eggs and potatoes combo with a hot coffee. Total was 15.22 after tax and before tips. Great pancakes! I like that the butter and syrup are on the table and you put how much you want yourself. Say no to soggy pancakes!
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Elisa O. 1 year ago on Google
    Listen, if you want a great meal and don't mind the wait then The Original Pantry is for you.....lines moves quickly and as soon as you get seated you'll be eating within 5 minutes! No regrets guaranteed you will return and tell friends about it. It's filling, the quality is great and the quantity is even greater and worth every nickel and bite guaranteed 😋
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 3/5 Lakeysa S. 2 years ago on Google
    This place was good, I waited in line for 45 minutes or so. Food comes fast and pretty good. I just noticed all servers were wearing gloves cleaning dirty tables and setting clean forks, refilling drinks and bringing clean food with same gloves never changing them. That is Cross contamination especially with covid protocol. It was hard for me to see that and enjoy my food fully. The cold slaw was amazing also!!! I am a germ fobe so if you don't mind the gloves not being changed, great place to eat and well worth the wait. BTW the menu is on the wall so you don't sit and wait on a menu get up and look so that you can tell your server what you want;)
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Fernando L. 5 months ago on Google • 93 reviews
    I had an early morning in downtown so I walked over from the 7th and metro station. Since I was dining alone I was able to get a seat quickly at the bar. I’d been planning on coming to this place for a while now but the long line to get in turned me off. Now that I finally made it, I definitely understand the hype! The food was delicious and served extremely quickly. The staff is helpful and attentive despite the restaurant moving at a fast pace. Only downside was that I didn’t receive my French toast but honestly it was no problem because I’d already ordered too much food ! Definitely coming back !

  • 5/5 J D. 6 months ago on Google • 14 reviews
    Where to begin! I loved this place so much I went two days in a row. My favourite restaurant that I tried on my trip. I am an early bird so I arrived pretty early and could sit straight away at the bar ( which I loved because you can watch them cooking). Note, if you come later you will need to queue up outside. The service is fast and everyone is polite. The first day I had french toast. So good! I couldn't finish it all but it was a great snack for later on that day. The next day I had biscuits and gravy with sausage, potatoes and egg. So delicious as well. If you're in the area don't miss this place!
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 3/5 Brad R. 2 years ago on Google
    Not for me. I've been here twice and both times it seemed like everyone who worked here was mad at something. They work hard cause they are busy but it seemed like they were all operating with a headache they couldn't shake. It's also a pet peeve of mine when I ask if they have diet coke, they say yes, and serve me diet Pepsi without telling me. Seems antithetical to a service mindset. Especially telling was two servers did it. Also the food was blah in presentation and taste. Positives: the serving size is enormous. It comes to you in record time. This place also has history. It's fun to look around the restaurant and be a part of that. I also liked that they had strategically placed their menu on the wall so every seat can see it. When there is a line it should move fast cause this place seems designed to turn tables efficiently. Not many old school diners for breakfast in DTLA. Even if this wasn't my thing others seem to enjoy their experience.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Gabriel Resto A. 9 months ago on Google
    The best place for a real American Breakfast! (Be aware, that you can get out of here smelling like you were cooking!!! So don’t come in with clothes you’ll be using the whole day! You’re advised! You should visit this Cafe, no matter if you need to wait outside doing the lane, which take us to enter about an hour! So be prepared to be standing up, with no seat to wait outside, if you’re going alone, your odds are better to get in sooner than what you think! A lot of really good food, fresh, hot and reasonably priced!
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Giorgio P. 8 months ago on Google
    We tried it because a friend from Indonesia has been there and said to us "if you go to Los Angeles you can't miss The Original Pantry" and it's true! The ambient in amazing, it seems like to be original ones, the service is perfect and the food very good with big portions. We tried sausages, scrambled eggs, potatoes and pancakes and everything was really good. Maybe you could find the que outside and wait a bit before going in... But worth the wait! You can't miss The Original Pantry if you go to Los Angeles!
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Christian L. 2 years ago on Google
    While there is a line out the door, it moves quite fast. What keeps this restaurant running is its amazing ability to get people in and out the door as fast as possible. The time between getting seated to ordering to getting your food is all very fast. Even the speed at which the waiter takes your order is fast. Regardless, for breakfast, expect all your staple items with a no frill’s menu. It appears that the restaurant shifts to a lunch menu at 11am. I got a classic biscuits and gravy, served with sausage, hash brown and eggs. Supposedly their pancakes were supped to be great, but all in all, I thought the entire meal was as to be expected. Breakfast food with no frills.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Irina B. 1 year ago on Google
    If you’re a classical meat eater you will have a great breakfast here plus this place has a old timer fair. As vegan/vegetarian you’ll unfortunately stay quite hungry. +1* ambience, old wooden chairs and decorations +2* the yummy sourdough bread, fresh toast & fresh orange juice +3* warm and attentive service -4* cleanliness in female bathrooms and the door didn’t open - one waiter has to help me to open the door. -5* lack of vegan options: only unseasoned barely fried potatoes have been available. The coleslaw was swimming in a lake of cream dressing… +1* as they stayed over almost 100 in business and I hope they would add more healthier & vegan/vegetarian options A little bit sad as it is favorite breakfast place of my friend who was very happy with his sausage.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 3/5 Gabe N. 2 years ago on Google
    Coming from Orange County, I'm always forgetting about LA county's proof of vaccination and identification...to eat a meal. I love this place because I love their sourdough toast! We had a late breakfast. My friend sent back the biscuits and gravy because the flavor was off on their gravy. I had the two eggs with pancakes, potatoes, and a side of toast. Their potatoes were disappointing - they were soggy from sitting under a steam heat dome or saturated with grease. The pancakes were disappointing too. They were dry and not fluffy. Our server, Alex, was very friendly and attentive. I'll come back again and again for their sourdough toast!!!
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Bae B. 2 years ago on Google
    The pantry is a historical landmark and has been in business since the 20s! The coleslaw is bomb! Today I shared a philly cheese steak with my husband, it was delicious! I definitely recommend dipping it in said coleslaw (trust me, it's delicious) and the side order fries are crispy perfection. As for drinks we had water and cold brew! Really good! A must visit diner in LA.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Lily T. 3 months ago on Google • 18 reviews New
    Nice food, huge portion for Asians, value for money, fast service. Expect to queue after 8.30am. The grease smell is strong within the restaurant so you also smell like the food after dining. But it's good! Returning the second day in a row to try more food!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Léo 4 months ago on Google • 46 reviews
    Amazing experience, great atmosphere, the people working at the pantry love what they do and they'll stop by your seat for a minute to tell you about the place and will tell you a story or two if you ask nicely. I regret not having bought a hat, they look so nice! Can't wait to go back sometime soon. The French toast rocked!

  • 5/5 Dana B. 1 year ago on Google
    Whenever I stay in downtown LA overnight I have to stop here for breakfast before heading home. Excellent breakfast spot. They have the best sourdough bread ever. Everything I have had has been delicious. They serve you huge portions. Make sure to get there early as they do get packed.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Lily T. 1 year ago on Google
    It was really cool visiting one of the oldest breakfast places in town! It’s a good location, we got there around 9:30am and had about a 10-15m wait. There were about 6 groups in the queue too so probably try to get there earlier as this place is really busy! They have really nice staff too, we sat at the bar which was good but we did end up smelling like the food a lot! Maybe sit elsewhere if you don’t want to smell like the cooking!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Ana S. 1 year ago on Google
    Definitely a blast to the past when you walk through the doors. Very vintage dining area and the menu is scattered on the walls so if you forgot your glasses, you're gonna have to walk around to see the menu. The line can stretch a block or more for breakfast but you can easily sneak in with no line in the afternoon. Rib eye steak was tender and delicious. But don't expect to hang out too long after your meal before the waiter starts giving you several "thank you and good bye" clues that it's time to give up the table. Nice option to what's open 24/7 around here.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 3/5 Necia S. 7 months ago on Google
    Great atmosphere and service. Amazing to sit on a stool at the counter and watch the chefs cooking. Tight ship...from lady taking orders and calling them out, to food landing on the plate and at your table. No paper trail, all oral. Besides the fun experience, though, it's just large amounts of mediocre food. So go for the adventure and to people watch, don't expect culinary delights.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Rob W. 2 years ago on Google
    Huge portions served quickly and reasonably priced. Our server, Juan, was on the ball. Love this iconic eatery.

  • 5/5 Ken C. 2 years ago on Google
    I'm reliving my past. It's been a long long time. Same restaurant as I remembered. Waited in line, sat at the counter, and watch the cooks do their thing. Good, friendly service. Lots of good food. Plenty to eat. Same great old time atmosphere. Nice people everywhere. I luckily found street parking but there's restaurant parking across the street. Saw an old sign that read, cash only..so.. I paid cash. Clean, fun place

  • 2/5 K J. 5 months ago on Google • 7 reviews
    If you are a real foodie, you will not be pleased waiting in the line only to be rushed to the table and food looks a mess and taste a mess! The chicken sausage patty was pretty decent and tasty but the eggs, pancakes (dry and cold) and grits were all bland with hardly any taste. The fried potatoes, hashbrowns or whatever you want to call them were grilled CRISPY on one side and had no taste whatsoever. I do not recommend if your from the east coast and desire flavor. The food looked so “regular” I forgot to take a picture of it. We had to doll it up to eat because we were too hungry to go somewhere else. I ate just enough. DON’T LET THE LINE OUTSIDE FOOL YOU!!! You have been warned.

  • 5/5 Shruti B. 5 months ago on Google
    Stayed at Courtyard and at a 2 minute walk from this place. Had my breakfast here all three days during my stay. Lovely staff… Alfredo, Jose, Juan and David. Thank you so much. Love from Canada/India ❤️ (also got my Pantry Tee ) i am a super fan!!

  • 4/5 Giuseppe P. 7 months ago on Google
    Great historical place in the heart of LA. You'd better go early otherwise you'll have to wait to enter, just like in the old times, but the waiting is still part of the experience. Food was simply delicious. Those eggs were amazing! The owner was really pretty, he told me a lot about the Pantry cafe, the waiters are nice as well, but they are always fast, some times even too fast. The Pantry cafe is always full and there is the queue to get in, so I can understand that everything should run as fast as possible but my coffe was poured on the table because of the hurry. Anyway, I'd suggest everyone to go there and try.

  • 5/5 S W. 2 years ago on Google
    Expect a wait, but it'll be well worth it! We waited for about an hour outside. Once we were sat, our order was taken almost immediately. The food came out just as fast. The eggs are fluffy and we enjoyed both the pancakes and french toast. The service was top notch. We'll try to go early tomorrow for a shorter wait.

  • 4/5 Lisa R. 8 months ago on Google
    What's on their menu is what you get. No more no less. Service is really fast. You get a lot of potatoes. You're going to want to show up early otherwise you'll be waiting outside.

  • 5/5 Yvonne S. 1 year ago on Google
    Great home cooking here. No cards accepted so bring cash. They do have an ATM by the cashier's cage. Expect to stand in line for quite some time but absolutely worth the wait. We didn't wait for long as there were only 2 of us and we got seated pretty quick. I wouldn't recommend big families because seating is in close quarters. Big servings so come with hungry bellies. Menus are on the walls in different places. You can see the cooks behind the glass, hard at work and with quick skills. The only bad thing I would say is the parking. We parked across the street in really close quarters and of course had to pay, even though it was validated. Overall, I'd say this is a great place to eat when you're visiting downtown LA.

  • 5/5 The ATeam F. 9 months ago on Google
    First time here and it didn't disappoint. The line out the door actually goes pretty fast. The wait staff are very good!. The food is very homey. The pancakes are a meal by themselves. French toast was perfect.

  • 3/5 Mathilde H. 1 year ago on Google
    Very busy place! Came early (around 8 am) but still had to wait 20 min. Nice food but very greasy and sugary - and huge portions!! Great service✨

  • 5/5 Minnie V. 1 year ago on Google
    We came around 9sh in the morning, and were so lucky we didn't end up having to stand in line. We got a seat at the counter. Jesus, our server, was great! He's worked there for over 40 years. Ordered ham and eggs which came with potatoes and toast. Coffee was good.

  • 3/5 PoeticChef 1 year ago on Google
    Ive eaten here dozens of times. My first review! Idk what the energy was about when I came but staff was a bit off and rude lol like it’s never that deep man. But all good. Food is always straight to the point and much needed on a hungry belly. Sometimes you just gotta stop and breathe and get back to work it’s going to be ok.. I always get the pancakes because why not? Can’t go wrong with them here.. it’s a decent batter! I don’t agree with the 9 bucks for large orange juice that came from a no more than 3 bucks per gallon orange juice company lol but Treat yo self! Poetic Approved!!!


Call +1 213-972-9279 Open on Google Maps

Amenities


  • Parking
    • ✓️ Paid parking lot
    • ✓️ Plenty of parking
  • Payments
    • ✓️ Debit cards
    • ✓️ Credit cards
    • ✓️ NFC mobile payments
  • Offerings
    • ✓️ Beer
    • ✓️ Wine
    • ✓️ Coffee
    • ✓️ Quick bite
    • ✓️ Comfort food
    • ✓️ Late-night food
  • Popular for
    • ✓️ Lunch
    • ✓️ Dinner
    • ✓️ Breakfast
    • ✓️ Solo dining
  • Accessibility
    • ✓️ Wheelchair-accessible toilet
    • ✓️ Wheelchair-accessible seating
    • ✓️ Wheelchair-accessible car park
    • ✓️ Wheelchair-accessible entrance
  • Dining options
    • ✓️ Lunch
    • ✓️ Brunch
    • ✓️ Dinner
    • ✓️ Dessert
    • ✓️ Seating
    • ✓️ Breakfast
  • Service options
    • ✓️ Dine-in
    • ✓️ Delivery
    • ✓️ Takeaway
    • ✓️ No-contact delivery

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