breakfast downtown

[woofer]

looking for a good breakfast place downtonw before the usc game on saturday other than the pantry. any thoughts?

[adevejian]

Has anyone tried Nicks? Been hearing good things about their breakfast.

Nick's Cafe
1300 N Spring St
Los Angeles, CA 90012
[phone]

[monku]

Definitely an LA landmark...
Great ham & eggs(better than The Original Pantry)...they also make a great Denver omelette. They make the baked ham fresh everyday and hand slice it. Don't forget to ask for their home-made salsa. Basically counter seating and can sometimes be kind of a wait to get your food since there's only one cook and he can only cook so many orders at a time. If you're a regular (I've done it many times)...you can call your order in ahead of time and it will be ready when you get there. Some good lunch specials and certain days are BBQ days where they got BBQ ribs....they go fast.

You'll see lots of city workers there and police (started by and LAPD detective named Nick and now owned by a woman LAPD detective).

Weird hours.
Mon-Fri 5:00am-2:30pm
Sat. 5:00am-11am
Sun. Closed

[nosh]

Nick's is a fine suggestion to check out. Be sure to order something with their ham, preferably grilled. A small diner-type place, dirt or gravel-covered parking spaces. For those unfamiliar, remember it is on North Spring, a couple of blocks N/E of Chinatown.

[monku]

Definite "dive" joint but classic diner food.

Friend of mine said he went there one day said it was closed down for good--I told thats what it always looks like when they're closed.

BBQ lunch days (Tues. & Thur.) are also worth checking out. Get there early--starts at 10:30am and they run out fast. Cook is outside at 5am BBQ on the grill.

[Burger Boy]

Did they change the BBQ days, I thought it was Thursday, Friday.

[monku]

You could be right....I know Thursday is definitely one of the days I used to go have BBQ and Fridays were for breakfast.

[Burger Boy]

Be sure to ask for the cheese on the Denver, they used to put it on and then they got a new cook and he does't. I asked about this and they said that's how he does it, WTF, who is running the show? If you used to do it one way and you get a new cook shouldn't he do it the way the recipe is? I still love this place, GREAT Ham & Salsa!

[kproq323]

how about Pete's on Main street? I know they serve brunch on Sundays. I think also Bishop Coffee served breakfast. I know they have Susina pastries there.

[aching]

Sadly, the Bishop recently closed. Too much competition from rapidly-multiplying Starbuck's and Coffee Beans.

[Skunk2Racer]

The Original Pantry.

[Foodandwine]

ever been to the the Terrikayi shack next to Felix Cheverlot on Jefferson. You may feel like a loser going in but your tummy will feel like a king going out.. Double Terri Fried Rice and you will feel the Fight On! in a moment..

[JAB]

Kenny's has been closed for probably a few years now. It had been run by Kenny's wife Seree while he ran a duplicate restaurant called Seree's. Go figure. Anyhow, Seree's is close by at 2800 S. Grand with Seree working the front and Kenny working the back. I've been a customer for over 20 years.

[Jack Flash]

Believe it or not, I've had good breakfasts at the Checkers hotel on Grand, near 5th. I can't remember how it was price-wise (someone else has always paid), but it has always been satisfying and unhurried.

[Griller141]

Breakfast at Checkers is not as good a deal as dinner, but breakfast is pretty good. BEWARE - at least in the recent past, they charged for every coffee refill. It's the only place I've ever seen this done. Ask before refilling!

[burntcrisp]

Something different. Not the best quality food but on the SC campus, the dining hall at the far southwest corner of campus has buffet style dining. I think the building designation is IRC or something like that. For a Saturday AM they will have omlettes cooked to order, bacon, sausage etc. french toast or pancakes, oatmeal, cereal. It typically also has a few types of pizza, some type of asian dish, a salad bar and sandwich bar, variety of desserts - pie, cookies, cake and ice cream. All you can eat and drink - juice, coffee, tea, soda. The cost varies with the time of day, but I think it is always less than $15 and closer to $10. The dining hall closes in the afternoon between lunch and dinner so sometimes the hours do not work that well for a late afternoon game.

[aching]

I second the Tiara Cafe recommendation. Cafe Angelique is also an option, but SO and I have decided to boycott because we got tired of the lackluster service.

[monku]

Tradional breakfast fare? Philippes-They serve tradional breakfast fare.
Or something like:
Dim Sum- Empress Pavillion or CBS Seafood in Chinatown.
Eastside Market Italian Deli-great subs

[Emme]

Standard Hotel Coffee Shop [pancakes!]

Tiara Cafe {also pancakes}

Woodspoon

Nazo's Bakery for a quick pastry

[Diana]

Is there a standard hotel downtown too?

[hrhboo]

Yes, it's been there for years. It was one of the first "hip" places that started the downtown renaissance.

http://www.standardhotel.com/

[Diana]

cool! I was so very unaware.

[hrhboo]

Don't worry, you haven't missed much. None of the food is worthy of note and the bar has a great view but isn't as cool as it was a few years ago.

[Emme]

Food is not noteworthy except for the pancakes!

[Diana]

what about the biscuits and gravy?

[ipsedixit]

Pacific Dining Car.

[SIMIHOUND]

How about Philippes? They serve a mean hearty breakfast that has also gotten good reviews on this board a while back. Nothing changes there so it's still a great choice I am sure. The menu is online so check it out.

http://www.philippes.com/

[flavasista]

I second Philippes if you're looking for a no-fuss hearty affordable breakfast. It's an LA landmark.

[emmy]

I third Philippes for their breakfasts -- I particularly like their French toast (it's the custardy kind).

Just note that they stop serving breakfast at 10:30am; if you get there just before 10:30and there are lines, you should get a chit which shows that you got there before 10:30.

[kek is khmer]

Emmy- whats a chit?

[Diana]

a piece of paper

[emmy]

Yes -- thanks, Diana. At least when it's busy, they hand out a little ticket or something to each party who is still in line at 10:30am and who wants to order breakfast.