Union Street Cafe (Pasadena) - gone for good?

[ozzygee]

This was my favorite diner for breakfast. Does anyone know if they relocated or if it's really gone?

There's a Cafe Z in its place, but apparently they aren't open on weekend mornings, so I haven't been able to give them a try.

If anyone has frequented Union Street and knows anything about them, I'd appreciate any info.

Thanks.

[martyR]

I also used to go to Union Street Cafe on weekends. I noticed the other day that the cook was working at Nick's on Alameda. This is the place on the edge of Chinatown that just has a horseshoe counter and serves the same type of food as Union Street did.

[ozzygee]

The curly-haired guy (his name escapes me at the moment)?

I'm hoping that it was mostly his skill that made the food taste so good (and not the grill, which I assume remained at the location). I'll have to check out Nick's. What's the cross on Alameda? Is it right across from Olvera Street? Or in the other direction?

[Andrew Gore]

LA Weekly shows:
http://www.laweekly.com/index.php?option=com_lsd&task=default&vid=18990
A little Googling shows :
http://maps.google.com/maps?oi=map&q=1300+N+Spring+St,+Los+Angeles,+CA
I often go to the LAX-C food warehouse for the great Thai food nearby. I'll have to try Nick's.
Nick’s Cafe
1300 N. Spring St., Los Angeles
[phone]
Mon.-Fri., 5:30 a.m.-2 p.m.
CAUTION: According to the above, its NOT open weekends. Bummer. Useless to me.
Check out:
http://viewfromaloft.typepad.com/view...
Scroll to "Counter point"
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Some years ago - maybe 10 years - I read a review of a place that sounded good, and visited it. IIRC it was near where this Nick's seems to be; it may even be the same place. It was mostly a pancakes n eggs breakfasty place, and it had a lot of train stuff, model trains, signs etc I think the owner was a retired train guy or something. Anybody remember this place?

[martyR]

I said Alameda, but it's officially North Spring. It's adjacent to the old cornfield that is being turned into a park. It's owned by an L.A. cop and gets lots of police business. It's also the place that Tommy Lasorda used to frequent.

[ozzygee]

Yeah, I know the area. Since they're only workaday, I guess I'll have to check it out the next time I have jury duty.

[kotatsu]

I stopped into Cafe Z the other day, purely out of curiousity. I didn't frequent this place when it was Union Street Cafe, but I'm pretty sure it's gone. The current owner, however, is very nice, and the place is slightly fancy on the inside, with several plasma screen TVs.

I'm not sure about the hours of Cafe Z. I was there and got a breakfast sandwich, and it was fine.

[ozzygee]

Thanks, Kotatsu. I really loved Union Street Cafe. It was one of those greasy spoons that are disappearing from the area for good.
Too bad that these mom and pop establishments are being priced out. They are/were part of the charm of living in Pasadena.

[littleoldlady]

If Cafe Z isn't a mom and pop establishment, then I don't know what is! Cafe Z is fantastic. They're open for breakfast on Saturdays. They may not be as greasy as the former establishment, but the food is great. Breakfast and lunch only. If you want a "dive" also try Reyns Coffeee Shop on Lake. Their "specials" are a deal.