Best French Toast in LA

[altjane]

The french toast at the Little Red Hen on Fair Oaks in Altadena is perhaps more like triangular glazed donuts than french toast. It will win over even breakfast-apathetic chowhounders like myself. If you live in Altadena, you know that there is little to rave about other than Bulgarini Gelato, but the Little Red Hen is the area's little breakfast secret.

[Burger Boy]

Head on out to Venice for some really amazing french toasts. www,26beach.com

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26 Beach
3100 Washington Blvd., Venice, CA 90292

[monku]

Agree BB
You gotta have a sweet tooth to handle some of them.
My fav is the Peaches N' Cream
http://www.26beach.com/brunch.htm

[Burger Boy]

love the peaches and cream!

[monku]

Maybe not the best, but something different.
Yesterday while browsing the new Little Tokyo Market Place (old Mitsuwa) they had a heated case with French Toast $1.50. It looked like a large white wedge from that Japanese bread. Bought a slice to try it and it was kind of sweet and a little chewy.......interesting.
They have a grand opening with free coffee on the new patio.

Little Tokyo Market Place
333 S. Alameda St.
Los Angeles, CA
(1 hour free unvalidated parking)

[Servorg]

"...that Japanese bread."

Are you thinking of Pasco bread? It's that white bread that's a bit spongy, cut very thick.

[monku]

Don't know if its Pasco bread (is that a brand?) , but it's white bread not cut in thick slices, but a large wedge.

[Servorg]

Pasco is one brand that we get and the other is usually Cherry Blossom. They are white bread cut like 3X thicker than typical American white bread. But it's the normal shape, not a wedge. I've always thought that if I get it a little stale it would soak up a copious quantity of egg mixture. Have to look for the wedge cut stuff.

[monku]

My ignorance, I call don't know the brands.
I see these square loaves of white bread in Japanese stores and it isn't Wonderbread, but yes cut into a big wedge like a wedge of cheese.

You walk into the market and its on the left side in a tall heated case next to the fresh bakery counter. I didn't eat it right away like I probably should have when it was warm/hot, but it was tasty.

[heckonwheels]

A very tasty traditional version is at Charlie's coffee corner at the Farmer's Market.

[jayros]

Best french toast is Coast toast, James Beach in Venice.

[Emme]

The Griddle Cafe -- lots of decadent, massive options

Square One

agree w/ 26 Beach.

[QualityMart]

Griddle's French Toast is friggin' perfect.

[mdpilam]

I don't get out for breakfast often, but I had heard good things about Square One, and tried them, and they had very good French Toast.

[Burger Boy]

Did not even know Griddle did french toasts, I always get the pancakes!

[Brussels Sprout]

I have tackled Griddle pancakes (although I need to taste all the flavors) and so very much WANT to hit the french toast!

[Servorg]

Here's one prior review of the Griddle I'm certain you will enjoy!

http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/538333

[swtcrm]

Square One for sure. Decadent.

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Square One Dining
4854 Fountain Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90029

[dinami]

I'm a fan of French Toast but not mushy French Toast where it seems like it was underdone. Which would you say is less mushy, Griddle Cafe or Square One?

[A5 KOBE]

Square One is not mushy.

http://www.chow.com/photos/460867?tag...

[nsxtasy]

Any votes for Ocean Diner in Hermosa Beach? It's come up in my breakfast inquiry and I see they have four versions of French toast on the menu on their website at www.oceandiner.com as follows:

1. French Toast - Thick egg bread with a touch of cinnamon.
2. Vanilla French Toast - Stuffed with cream cheese and topped with whipped cream, granola and fresh fruit.
3. Suzy’s Crunchy French Toast - Rolled in granola and cinnamon and topped with whipped cream, bananas and granola.
4. Cinnamon Roll French Toast - We slice a huge, fresh cinnamon roll, dip it in egg and grill until golden brown.

Other French toasts that have been recommended include (starting in OC and working north - granted OC is not "in LA" but it's the Southland and besides, that's where my inquiry covers):

Break of Dawn (Laguna Hills) - www.breakofdawnrestaurant.com - "Brown Sugar Crusted Golden Raisin and Cinnamon Brioche, Whipped Cream"

Plums Cafe (Costa Mesa) - www.plumscafe.com - "COCONUT FRENCH TOAST - Strawberries, Papaya & Banana, Orange Butter & Maple Syrup"

Jongewaard’s Bake 'n Broil (Long Beach) - Cinnamon roll French toast

The Coffee Cup Cafe (Long Beach) - cream cheese French toast

The Coffee Co (Los Angeles) - Hawaiian bread French toast

Café Verona (Los Angeles) - www.cafeveronala.com - two versions: "FRENCH TOAST ALL'ITALIANA - Brioche bread filled with cream cheese, fresh strawberries, and
banana" and "CLASSIC FRENCH TOAST - Brioche bread dipped in fresh eggs and grilled golden brown, served with seasonal fruit"

Jinky's (West Hollywood, Santa Monica, Sherman Oaks) - www.jinkys.com - "FLAKY FRENCH TOAST - thick cut egg bread dipped in our special batter and covered with Kellogg’s Honey Nut Corn Flakes"

Café Laurent (Culver City) - www.cafelaurent.com - "French toast made from brioche and croissant with raisins and dried cranberries"

Note that these are versions I've found recommended by others, not based on my own personal experience, but since some of them are quite creative they may merit consideration. I'd welcome any feedback on them. TIA!

[LakerFan]

I like the Hawaiian bread french toast at Rutts Hawaiian.
1 location in West Covina and 1 in Culver City.
www.ruttscafe.com

will have to try the Coffee Co. version, thanks.

[jeffandnat]

Ditto on Ocean Diner French Toast. All variety's are great. They have really good homemade coffee cakes as well.

[CoffeeMonkee]

I'd have to go with Square One's french toast - particularly with bourbon-pecan topping and vanilla whipped cream.

[soniabegonia]

As much as I love Square One (and I do! and love their pancakes and that vanilla whipped cream), I don't get their French toast. In fact, I don't get the appeal of brioche for French toast... yes, it's all very French and all, but it's so... monotextural. It just turns into mush when you put it in your mouth and has no texural contrasts. I personally prefer ciabatta or a crusty sourdough baguette - a bread with toothsome chewiness and a hard crust that softens in the egg mixture. No amount of browning creates enough textural contrast on a spongy brioche.

[ElissaInPlaya]

Local Yolk in MB for the best traditional french toast.

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Local Yolk
3414 Highland Ave, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266

[TomSwift]

Surprisingly, the Original Pantry's french toast is quite good, given that you're eating at thee Pantry. The bread is the thick sliced sourdough with a thick egg dip. You can get cinnemon to sprinkle. Just another sign that if one is compelled to go to the Pantry, breakfast is the meal to have.

[silverlakebodhisattva]

I am stunned that nobody's name-checked Marstons' (Pasadena), made with thick cut sourdough, and dipped in cornflakes before being cooked in what feels like about a quarter pound of butter. Tasty, but I can't imagine how anyone who hasn't just jogged along the entire ridge-crest of the San Gabriels before breakfast can finish an order!

[ReelMike84]

Ok so maybe it's not THE BEST, but just the other day I found the cinnamon raisin french toast at Brent's Deli to be just what the doctor ordered (or might not have ordered if they had my health in mind).

[Sweetz]

Grub in Hollywood's "Friggin Amazing French Toast" if friggin amazing. Yummy!

[A5 KOBE]

Square One Dining has an excellent Brioche French Toast w/ Brown Butter, Hazelnuts, Bananas, and Vanilla Cream.

It was amazing.

Check out the pic, it activates my salivary glands every time.

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Square One Dining
4854 Fountain Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90029

[la tache burger]

On the right day, Griddle is absolutely the archetypal perfect French toast -- so whoever said perfect above, kinda had the right word. Almost gooey on the inside from egg -- that's right!

[Burger Boy]

You need to check out 26 Beach, they have about 15-20 different french toasts. I was there last night and they have a new hamburger, a fudge bacon burger! WTF I am not sure I am ready for that, sounds like something some of the ladies might like, bacon & chocolate. Anyway The french toasts are great!

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26 Beach
3100 Washington Blvd., Venice, CA 90292

[exilekiss]

Hi Burger Boy,

OK, that sounds outrageous. I leave it to you to try the Fudge Bacon Burger and report back to us in the Burger thread please. :)

[Burger Boy]

Not quite ready for that but I did have another California Roll Burger. Hey Exile, did you see the DineLA Burger contest results. Check it out my friend! http://www.facebook.com/losangelesfan?v=app_10531514314 http://atcost.com/dinela/

[kevin]

i still gotta get that Hot Fudge Sundae burger, but my question is why don't the put scoops of ice cream on it, BB? or others who may have the answer at bar?

[upstarter]

I wouldn't drive for it, but the french toast at louis burgers on Artesia in Redondo is fantastic in you're looking for a cheap french toast. It's egg bread dipped in pancake batter! Yum!

I have also heard (but have never had) that Amadine on Wilshire has a good french toast, but I've been pretty much disappointing in everything I've had there and refuse to spend more money there.

[CaliGal888]

Parking kinda sucks, but Marston's in Pasadena makes a really great French toast w/cornflake crust...and you get a lot of bang for your buck - you can split this with another person. Toast on 3rd Street has really good breakfast,but even better for lunch.

[jeffandnat]

King's Hawaiian in Torrance has french toast made from their fabulous sweet bread. Get it with coconut syrup and a side of fried spam. Mmmm!

[degustateur]

Albeit a bit south of LA proper, two fantastic Long Beach eateries come to mind for incredible French Toast:

Starling Diner
4114 E 3rd St
Long Beach, CA 90814
[phone]
http://www.starlingdiner.com
Broiled (that’s right) San Francisco Stuffed Toast - French toast stuffed with mascarpone and crème fraiche. Mine was topped with fresh strawberries and whipped cream – OMG!!!

Jongewaard's Bake N Broil
3697 Atlantic Ave
Long Beach, CA 90807
[phone]
The Cinnamon Roll French Toast and the Peach French Toast are exceptional. Serious comfort food. “Indescribably delicious”! They also make one of the greatest Chicken Pot Pies of all time. I really wish this place were close to home.

[orythedog]

For me it's a toss up, sort of like a battle of the brioche if you will. I'll take the version sans topping at Square One Diner...OR...the brioche creme burlee model with peach topping at Julienne. Both are sublime.

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Julienne
2649 Mission St, San Marino, CA 91108

Square One Dining
4854 Fountain Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90029

[miwine]

The Nickel. Downtown. OMG!

[chris1621]

I love the French Toast at Mercantile - topped with Maple cream cheese ice cream! Yummy!

[cheeeeeky]

A guy I know told me he dreamed of the French toast at Royal/T in Culver City ... I didn't understand until I tasted it. OMG!! So good! Like dessert. Brioche. Warm syrup. Fresh berries. http://www.royal-t.org/ They could make serious bank selling this out of a trench coat in a dark alley. Also, I made homemade French toast from the Food Network Giada's recipe ... from panettone, with marscapone, berries and warm cinnamon syrup. I think I jizzed. http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/gi...

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Royal-T Cafe
8910 Washington Blvd, Culver City, CA 90232

[kevin]

i heard the coast toast at James Beach in Venice is supposedly really fucking grand.

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James Beach
60 N Venice Blvd, Venice, CA 90291

[foodiemahoodie]

I can't say I've tried the French toast at many of the places above, but I will say the best French toast I've ever had was easily at Broadway Deli (are they still open? Heard they might downsize). Anyway, it's cover a very crispy coating of almonds and something like Rice Crispies, which makes a great tasty and crips crust. Pure heaven. With a side of sausages and I'm ready to go on a statin drip for the next 72 hours. My mouth is watering just thinking of it. Thank god they're closed or I'd go right now.

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Broadway Deli
1457 3rd Street Promenade, Santa Monica, CA 90401

[rickym13]

i recall kate mantalini had some really good french toast