BEST hearty BREAKFAST in Los Angeles area! Bacon, Eggs, Potatoes, Pancakes, French Toast! The Works!

[LuckyDevil13]

Hello to all of my fellow chowhounders!
I am looking for a delicious hearty classic style breakfast anywhere in los angeles! I am willing to drive! And i am willing to pay whatever! I would just like all of your best recommendations! Links, pictures, whatever you can give me! I'm going to breakfast with my sister this saturday, and we love bacon, french toast, pancakes, hashbrowns, potatoes, eggs (you get the idea)! The works! Nothing fancy, just classic, american style breakfast only! =)

Thank you!
-LuckyD

[TomSwift]

Although there are naysayers regarding much of their food (and I agree with them) what you've described couldn't be more of The Original Pantry. Avoid the ham, stick with the bacon. Potatoes and sourdough toast, both well done. More upscale is Pacific Dining Car (with prices to match).. Or go to Topanga Canyon for Pat's Topanga Grill, midway through the canyon. Their hamsteaks shine, the French toast is excellent as are the pancakes. And a pleasant drive, to boot.

[Burger Boy]

See, I love the ham & cheese omelete with potatoes well done, salsa and sourdough toast.

[monku]

The Original Pantry for sourdough French toast, bacon, eggs, hash browns....there is no heartier breakfast in LA for the price including coffee ($8.95?). Don't forget their house-made salsa for your eggs and hash browns.

[WSB]

Eat at Joe's in Redondo Beach get the John Wayne

http://www.originaleatatjoes.com/Menu.html

Heritage Family Pantry
2601 Carson St
Lakewood, CA 90712
[phone]

http://www.yelp.com/biz/heritage-fami...

[Servorg]

If you haven't been to the Griddle Cafe on Sunset Blvd. before it should definitely go on your list. Also, if you are ever down in the South Bay then drop into the Original Pancake House in Redondo Beach.

[wienermobile]

I second the Original Pancake House. Everything is great. I love their gigantic omelets. They are baked to order and rise like a stuffed pillow and pancakes come with them too.

[Burger Boy]

Those are both good also.

[WildSwede]

Does anyone know if the Original Pancake House is a relative of The Pancake House that was in the Van Nuys area in the 70s? Thanks!

[ipsedixit]

On the high-end, I would suggest Pacific Dining Car.
www.pacificdiningcar.com

Something a bit more budget friendly, might be Pann's www.panns.com or Foxy's www.foxysrestaurant.net

[cjla]

Yes to Pann's!

Noooo to Foxy's.

[wienermobile]

Panns has for $8.15 Monday thru Friday until 11am
Two Extra Large Fresh Ranch Eggs
Served with Your Choice of
Three Crisp Bacon Strips or
Two Pork Sausage Patties
AND CHOICE OF
ONE OF THE FOLLOWING
Buttered Toast with One Side
Hash Browns, country Potatoes, Grits,
Fresh Fruit or Steamed White Rice
French Toast Halves (2)Buttermilk Pancakes (2)

[Burger Boy]

Nick's
Blue Star
Millie's

All real good and hearty. Nick's has great salsa! All 3 have really good biscuits and gravy!

[Servorg]

Strongly 2nd both these recommendations (Blue Star and Millie's).

[maudies5]

Early World Restaurant on San Vicente in Brentwood is good for breakfast. Eggs come out perfectly cooked, bacon is crisp, hash browns are yummy, french toast is good and pancakes are, well, pancakes. As well, seating is very comfortable booth seating. Friendly service and small parking lot in the back off of Montana. Only problem is, although their breakfasts are yummy, that bill sure does add up. Prices are high.

[GenevieveCa]

disagree, i've always had to send my eggs back, numerous times in one sitting. They don't understand runny yolk, solid white.
hash browns are usually still raw in the middle and burnt on the outside when asked to be well done.
nothing puts me off more than that

SO not worth the money.

[Burger Boy]

The owner at Blue Star was the one that brought Millie's back in the early eighties, before Magenta! Just ate at Millie's yesterday, the devil's mess and add jalapenos with a side of biscuits nad gravy!

[coffeebrownies]

Wait! Back up! We used to almost live at Millie's (not unusual to stop for breakfast and return for dinner) -before they even expanded to the second space. I recall there were 2 owners--which one owns Blue Star?

[Burger Boy]

Guy with tats and a beard, rides a Harley I think. Go to Blue Star and enjoy!

[wienermobile]

Brent's deli in Northridge has a $9.95 per person + tax, minimum of 10 people breakfast. Includes Scrambled Eggs, Home Fries, Bacon, Sausage, Bagels, Cream Cheese, Butter and Jelly.
Or order the great corned beef hash or the smoked fish platter.

[RichardM]

I second Brent's. You won't feel hungry the rest of the day!

[martyR]

The ham steak and eggs at Mike's Hockey Burger is huge, and pretty good. And at 6.50 you can afford to add pancakes if you feel the need.

[David Kahn]

Lots of excellent suggestions already, and I would pile onto the recommendations you've already received for the Pacific Dining Car and the Original Pancake House. In addition, I just had breakfast at Auntie Em's in Eagle Rock, and it was superb. Great baked goods, really nice pancakes, and the pulled pork and eggs was sublime. Really a nice addition to the breakfast rotation.

[orythedog]

I also think you should go to The Original Pancake House in Redondo Beach. Get the 49er flapjacks, big as a plate, thin as a crepe and their awesome bacon. Expect to wait if you get here after 10am. I have never had a bad meal there and the coffee is really, really good.

[J.L.]

DuPar's, at the Farmer's Market, on the corner of 3rd & Fairfax.

Fluffy, buttery, no-nonsense pancakes... and all the usual standards.

[westsidegal]

if french toast is your focus, then 26 beach restaurant in venice is the place to go.
can't comment on their other breakfast offerings because i like the french toast there so much that i never tried any of their other breakfast items.

for the normal egg/pork/biscuit type of breakfast i've enjoyed john o'groats. ya need to know, though, that this place is far from a secret and that there will be a wait on any normal weekend morning.

i defer to the superior knowledge others on this board re: pancakes.

[maudies5]

Rae's is another place which serves great breakfasts. Stuff like the pancake sandwich with eggs and bacon. Their hash browns are just greasy enough to make this a classic "greasy spoon" place. Not a place I would go for lunch, but they sure know how to cook that all American breakfast. Prices are really cheap, servers and cooks have all been there forever. Free parking next to restaurant. Cash only.

[Kate is always hungry]

Rae's has been a favorite of mine for years. Great breakfast! :)

[Burger Boy]

French Toast at 26 Beach is to die for, Peaches & Cream or the Lemon Ricotta one. the pork chop and egg is excellent as is the portuguese sausage and eggs.

[mollyomormon]

actually, o'groats has very good pancakes, especially the pumpkin pancakes with a side of caramel sauce, if you're feeling especially decadent.

[RoxyGrl]

On the Eastside there's LeRoys on Route 66 in Monrovia. Definitely not fancy but good and very, very hearty.

[Will Owen]

LeRoy's is good; I enjoy it a lot, but don't think it's outstanding. My favorite within easy distance (from Pasadena) has been and remains Harry's 24 Hour Family Restaurant, with all the stuff you'd ever want in the OP's breakfast range. I can't speak for the pancakes, but they sell a lot of them FWIW. The hashbrowns are excellent, and if you want chicken-fried steak this is a good one. On San Fernando Rd. a half-block north of Burbank Blvd.

Farther afield, I think Pann's is the overall champ, if only just because they have several different made-from-scratch gravies to choose from. The Way Station out in Newhall is famous for their hashbrowns - huge piles of fluffy potatoey goodness - and their featured breakfast special is your classic 4x4 with gravy over everything. Not the best in the world but very good and quite cheap. Worth the trip? Only if you're out Santa Clarita way anyhow. Or close...

[WildSwede]

I have tried to get into Way Station a couple of times, but never had enough time for the wait. Still on my list to try, tho.
I also like The Monrovian in Monrovia for breakfast. They have really good bacon (Farmer John's I was told). Nano Cafe (2 locations, maybe not same owners) is okay as well for general American breakfast items. Agree, LeRoy's is good, too. Only been there once, tho.
Have been to Harry's for lunch, never breakfast. Will need to try it since I am always on the quest for a good CFS.
We had delicious French toast at Four N Twenty in Van Nuys on Sunday. I got the pancakes but my mom's FT was far supreme. Bacon and Sausage (undercooked) were not good. But if you want good French Toast and great blueberry muffins and coffee, this is the place.

[Will Owen]

Just please take my advice and get CFS as breakfast at Harry's; AVOID the mashed potatoes at all costs! Well, I guess you could get fries... Gravy's good with fries, right?

I've never gone to the Way Station on weekends, only on work days (I was out there taking pictures), so I hadn't thought they might get crowded on weekends.

[heckonwheels]

At the Monrovian, try the chicken fried steak and eggs. Just about the best thing on the menu. The pancakes are just mediocre, a little mealy, so I'd avoid those. Agree about the bacon but they cook it a little well done for my tase. Try the Peach Cafe around the corner for awesome pancakes, bacon (applewood smoked), and sausage. Good coffee too.

[WildSwede]

Yes. I also like the CFS at Monrovian. I also like that crazy breakfast where they have biscuits with sausage (or bacon in my case) and gravy on top of that. Threw me for a loop the first time (thought it would come like biscuits with gravy on top and then bacon on the side)! Really good.
Anyone have any good CFS off the 10 as I am heading from Pasadena to Phoneix tomorrow morning?

[silverlakebodhisattva]

John O'Groats, in Westwood and with a new branch, IIRC, Encino; Marston's in Pasadena.

[silverlakebodhisattva]

. . . and I've got to say that Uncle Bill's in Manhattan Beach beats Original Pancake House on the pancake side of things. REALLY busy on weekends, though.

[Emme]

agree with Griddle Cafe and 26 Beach.

you might also consider Square One Dining.

ETA: Pann's :-)

[uhockey]

Griddle Cafe, hands down - best kitchy and delicious breakfast in the US, IMO

[coffeebrownies]

Victor's Square Deli at the corner of Bronson and Franklin is one of our old favorites. I love their corned beef hash--and it is a good place to linger.

[upstarter]

The South Bay owns breakfast. Anywhere here mentioned is good, including Eat at Joes (I like Joe's special) and Uncle Bill's. Haven't had OPH in years, so won't comment.

Also, any Greek hamburger joint (or tommy's imposter) anywhere in LA usually has a damn good breakfast. I like Louis Burgers in Redondo beach on Artesia, though I know many others are good. Have also heard Big Tom's on the corner of Pico and Sawtelle is good for breakfast, though haven't been there in years (not really close by to where I live).

Though not answering your question, I'd say Roscoe's has the best waffles i've ever had (Gower location)

Upstarter

[Servorg]

"Have also heard Big Tom's on the corner of Pico and Sawtelle is good for breakfast, though haven't been there in years (not really close by to where I live)."

That would be 'Big Tomy's' - and while it's not really "good" for breakfast it is open 24/7 and can satisfy the body's need for grease if you get the chili, cheese, onion omelette (I like to add avocado in there too) for breakfast.

[suntrib]

I know it's out of LA...but BJ's Kickin Back Jacks in Rancho Cucamonga is the best in SoCal. Too many dishes to start the review. I have eaten breakfast from San Diego to the Bay area...nothing rates better in Cali.

[WildSwede]

Do they have Country Fried Steak and if so, how is the gravy? Thanks!

[ChinoWayne]

Frisco's Fifties Diner, City of Industry.

Order a special combination omelet or eggs any way you like them with a slab of ham, either item comes with a generous portion of perfectly cooked hash browns and toast. Throw in a short stack of their terrific pancakes. You will leave totally satisfied.

[Servorg]

One more "hearty" breakfast place (well, actually two - but they're close together). If you are ever down in San Pedro then Gaffey Street Diner or the Pacific Cafe will satisfy your desire for a big, prototypical American breakfast.

[JEN10]

Both of those are GREAT! I have had some of best breakfasts there. I also concur with the rec. for Original Pancake House in Redondo; they do some great corned beef hash. Ask for the country potatoes and some salsa on the side.

[Servorg]

Jen, since it appears we like the same sorts of places I'll recommend that if you are ever down in San Juan Capistrano and need breakfast then you should give Mollies Famous Cafe http://www.sanjuancapistrano.net/dini... right in the hear of SJC a try (no relation to the Mollies Country Kitchen in the Laguna Hills)

[JEN10]

Thanks Servorg I appreciate the rec. I am off of all dairy, eggs, and gluten now. IT SUCKS!!! So I only have my memmories. I think I could still get away with CBH minus the eggs at OPH. Any place with fried rice for Breakfast and I am there?

[Burger Boy]

Shakas in Alhambra for some serious bacon & portugese fried rice. Order some egss and you are good to go!

[JEN10]

Thnak you BB. I am in Palos Verdes, so Alhambra would be a real drive.

[Ogawak]

For fried rice breakfast, try TNT Aloha Cafe near DeAnza and PCH, or in West LA try Rutt's on Washington and Grandview. Too bad Back Home Lahaina doesn't serve breakfast; I love their fried rice.

[Servorg]

Jen, if you ever get down Laguna Hills Way Break of Dawn (which has some of the best food in all of the greater LA area) has at least 3 rice based dishes on their menu. Really a wonderful place with great service.

[Burger Boy]

I forgot Rutt's Hut on Washington about 1 mile east of Lincoln! But if you are ever in Alhambra, do go.

[JEN10]

THANKS EVERYONE! I will put these on my "to try list".

[Jaytizzle]

Not exactly sure where you are located but I live in Newport Beach and I love the Omelette Parlor on 17th street and Mutt Lynch's down at the Pier. Can't go wrong with that!!

www.costamesaomeletteparlor.com
www.muttlynchs.com

[dougnutz]

'bread and porridge' in santa monica has a delicious selection of locally made sausages. and great coffee. nothing like those small bfast sausages with syrup + french toast running into each other!

2315 Wilshire Boulevard
Santa Monica, CA 90403

[J.L.]

And next door, Snug Harbor also does a good basic no frills breakfast.

[Joani Macaroni]

Everything we've tried at Schooner or Later is good and hearty. We mostly eat the omlettes. Then after breakfast it's fun to walk about the marina. This is a place to do when the weather's nice (not raining), although they do have an area that's "inside." But you'll want to go when you can sit outside along the marina. If it's a really nice day, the wait may be a long one. You may want to have jackets in the car on hand in case it's chilly.

[jenn]

We started as Dupars' fans but when they came "back" after the reconstruction, it just wasn't the same. For one thing, the portions got teeny tiny so that we would have had to order 2 breakfasts each for satisfaction.
Our fav traditional diner ended up being Ricks at the edge of Silverlake on Fletcher by the 5. While they have an AWESOME breakfast burrito, the traditional eggs, hash browns, ham etc was excellent. I liked the pancakes over the french toast but it was a tough call.

[maudies5]

Early World on San Vicente in Brentwood does a great breakfast and it's served all day. Their hash browns are amazing!

[degustateur]

I don’t know how, but I’ve missed this post until now. Before you Hounds close out your lists, please include Flappy Jack’s in Glendora – truly exceptional breakfasts. I must confide that I am a lifelong fan of both the Original Pantry and the Pacific Dining Car. I love John O’Groats and the Original Pancake House among many others and boast recent patronage at BLD, Auntie Em’s and The Griddle. All of these serve wonderful, hearty breakfasts. Some, as you are aware, are veritable SoCal institutions. Well, Flappy Jacks surely belongs in the same heartiness pool.

Open only for breakfast and lunch, FJ’s serves up some deliciously hearty grub to jump-start your day. Incredible pancakes (try the cheese-stuffed cream of wheat topped with strawberries and confectioner’s sugar, the German or the banana nut), waffles and crepes (strawberry, blueberry or breakfast). Heart-warming omelets and skillets (go for Flappy’s favorite or the Athenian). Tasty fresh fruit plates and you've gotta luv that stuffed French toast. The crispy bacon, sausage and steaks will satisfy the carnivorous like yours truly. Refreshing freshly squeezed orange juice and better than decent coffee to round out the works.

Be prepared to wait during prime time. It’s well worth it.

Flappy Jack’s Pancake House
640 W. Rte. 66
Glendora, CA 91740
[phone]

www.flappyjacks.com

[lil mikey]

I agree about Flappy Jack's.

Another place that has not yet been mentioned is Harold's House of Omelettes in Thousand Oaks. Consistently good food,and large portions of it.

Among the places that have been suggested, my favorites are Nick's, Griddle Cafe, Bread n Porridge, Square One and Mollie's.

[WildSwede]

Should have read all the way down before I posted above... I will be going to Flappy Jack's tomorrow. Thanks, degustateur!!

[degustateur]

You're more than welcome, WildSwede. I just hope that you think it lives up to my enthusiasm. Please let us know how it was.

[WildSwede]

Definitely! Have you had their Country Fried Steak? It is between that and an oven pancake! Thank you again!!

[degustateur]

Hi WildSwede,

The Country Fried Steak is excellent. I like to get mine with the gravy on the side. I do this everywhere though since, sometimes, I enjoy a few bites au naturel. It comes with a side of buttermilk pancakes, but the German Pancake is my preferred accompaniment. Deeelish!

[WildSwede]

OMG! Can I do it with the German Pancake? I will not need to eat for DAYS after that! Thanks! ;-)

[degustateur]

Sure you can do it, WildSwede, but you'll have to order the G-pancake separately. And yes, you'll easily be able to skip a meal or two afterwards.
(~_^)

[WildSwede]

Hey degustateur! I did not make it to Flappy Jack's on Friday, but I did mosey on over for a late (is 1:30 considered late?) breakfast yesterday. Ended up ordering the German Pancake (GREAT with butter and lemon and Blackberry preserves - no syrup for me!). It was SO good!! I ordered a half order of their biscuits with gravy since I knew I would not be able to eat the CFS (will need to go back and try that another time). I wanted bacon, so Leticia, my sweet waitress (I am now known as "mija"!) told me it would be cheaper to get the pancake as a combo ($2.39 for 2 eggs and bacon or sausage or hashbrowns vs $4.50+ for just a side of bacon) so I had more than enough food. I ate half of the one-and-a-half biscuits smothered in a pretty decent gravy (just wish they had pickled relish since I love that on my B&G, but they didn't), the entire German pancake (with all three accompanying lemon wedges squeezed on top) half a slice of bacon and one nibble of the eggs. That was it, I was done! It was delicious and I will definitely be back! Thank you for the rec and all the supplemental info!

[monku]

Looking at Flappy Jacks picture of the ham & eggs it sure looks like the ham is a processed piece of ham and not a ham steak like you'd get at Nick's Cafe or The Original Pantry.
http://flappyjacks.com/allamericanbre...

[degustateur]

Hey monku,

You’re right about that! I’ve never eaten at Nick’s but I’ve eaten at the Original Pantry for 50 years and Flappy Jack’s for just a short while. I’ve never had the ham at either one. In fact, I can’t remember ordering ham anywhere. I always opt for another meat, fish or fowl offering for breakfast. I’m just not really an American ham fan. I’ve partaken of a few HoneyBaked and country (Virginia) hams with red eye gravy at home through the years, but virtually never at a restaurant. I am, however, a major fan of Spanish and Italian cured hams and related products.

With that said, this picture of the Original Pantry’s ham steak taken by Eileen of Eileen Likes to Eat and the following one taken by ah ming of the ham at Nick’s Cafe might make me change my future ordering habits.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3428/3382825101_df5b05648d.jpg

http://www.flickr.com/photos/82152150...

Thanks for the heads-up.

[monku]

That picture is the Original Pantry "ham steak" and eggs (which always covered the plate and available all day long), the regular ham and eggs is a piece of the ham but half that size.

At Nick's Cafe they bake hams everyday and it's hand carved. Make sure you get their house-made salsa which is to die for to go with it.

This weekend I was at my usual country fried steak and eggs dig the Gaffey Street Diner in San Pedro. It almost covers the plate---they also serve a big hunking biscuit with gravy with it as an option to toast.
http://www.gaffeystreetdiner.com/

I'm a sucker for country fried steak....I'll give Flappy Jack's a try if I'm in the area.

[mc michael]

As is apparent, there is no shortage of breakfasts available in the greater LA area. I don't see that Pie N Burger in Pasadena has been mentioned. It's not the best breakfast (whatever that may be) but it does have good features. Eggs to order. Toast made from homemade bread. Somehow a better quality of hashbrowns than you get at most diners. Good bacon. Cash only.

[annapurna7]

I had breakfast at Gaffey Street Diner in San Pedro over the weekend. It certainly was hearty! I had the Gaffey Street Special, which was a chorizo and cheese omelette topped with guacamole. It was tasty and I was able to make 3 meals out of it, the portion was gigantic.

The biscuits looked good and are HUGE. DH had the french toast, which he said were fantastic. I have to take his word for it because I wasn't even allowed a bite!

Definitely give this place a try.

[BlackTruckCatering]

The Original Pancake House has the best pancakes ever! They have every kind of pancake imaginable...buttermilk, buckwheat, potato, wheat germ, sourdough, blueberry, apple, Swedish, Hawaiian, German, pecan, coconut, bacon-filled,...and more! I've been to the one in Anaheim, but they have other locations.