So if in downtown Los Angeles and crave simple American food, go to the Original Pantry Cafe. Save room for steak and eggs, pancakes, pastrami sandwich or meatloaf. If you don't like to wait to get a seat, avoid coming here in the morning. Don't be fooled by picture. This is a side shot done for artstic purpose :-)
I've come in for lunch when the long curving line outside does not exist. The crowd inside is a nice mix- from white collar tie and briefcase workers to modest blue collars, the young, the old and famous LA figures like the major and other political power players. Foodwise, don't expect anything fancy This place is more an L.A. institution to visit then for dining.
Be forewarned that this is a cash only establishment. Leave your credit card in the wallet!
Favorite Dish: any pastry here like the apple one...
Written Dec 1, 2006
Address: 877 S Figueroa St Los Angeles, CA 90017
The food isnt spectacular its simple and good. The place isnt fancy but the people line up to get into this place. Sometimes you might even see someone famous.
It is also very popular because it never closes.
Favorite Dish: The food is all good. I dont think i have ever been not satisfied at the Pantry.
Of course i think their breakfasts are the best.
Written Dec 7, 2005
Address: 877 S Figueroa St Los Angeles, CA 90017
Phone: 213-972-9279
Website: www.pantrycafe.com
This is a simple dinner that has been around forever. Plus it never closes. It is nothing fancy, just a simple casual dinning experience, but I love it. The people are friendly and food is delicious... DURING BREAKFAST ONLY!
The souvenirs are inexpensive as well.
CASH ONLY!
Favorite Dish: More than anything, I recomend breakfast at the Pantry. It is cheap, yet you get huge portions. I go with my friends often, as its just down the street from where I go to school.
Updated May 30, 2005
Address: 877 South Figueroa Street
Phone: 213-627-6879
This is a true downtown LA establishment. The procedure is as simple as 1,2,3. You go, you park, you wait in line for what seems like an eternity when you know others are enjoying delicious food without you, you get a table, order, eat, desire a purge. This is a good thing! I can think of nothing better than breakfast at the Pantry, and if breakfast isn't your thing, then stop in for some other meal. After all, they are open all night. As the mug boasts, they never close. The ambiance is real classic diner- tables packed in tight, bright lights, an open kitchen where you can see the cooks work their magic and lots of pictures on the wall including one of all of their longtime employees. Pick up a pamphlet that details the Pantry's long history and do yourself a favor and pick up a mug- they are really cheap and have that great thickness like diner mugs should. Also, it's a lot cooler than a snow globe with the Hollywood sign or a t-shirt of Marilyn Monroe. Go early before the hunger sets in so you can work up an appetite while waiting in line. Be prepared to pay for parking (I think we only paid about $3.00 for the lot around the corner on Figueroa). Cash only.
Favorite Dish: Bacon
Written Apr 26, 2005
Address: 877 S Figueroa St Los Angeles, CA 90017
Phone: 213-972-9279
After reading all the reviews from here, we decided to check it out. As we pulled into the parking lot ($1 flat rate) last Saturday, I saw a line at the entrance. I thought to myself "This must be good enough to be this crowded around 9am". As we come in, I ordered the breakfast with ham for $7, and Jenney ordered the T bone steak and eggs for $14.
They gave you generous portion. But that's about it. Nothing else is remarkable. It may be just a matter of taste, but I don't like their breakfast potatoes (some where between mash potatoes and hashbrown), and Jenney never stop complaining about her T-bone (she's a good cook, so her points were: they didn't give you a real T-bone cut, and they didn't grill the steak but instead frying it).
Favorite Dish: But once again, what else can you really do with basic breakfast dish like Ham and Eggs? Only if you can make it cheap enough, then perhaps it would be worth the value. So, I am completely confused as why would people lining up for this place at the door. May be it's just our taste, and our high demand for good value or something...
Updated Jul 12, 2004
Address: 877 S Figueroa St Los Angeles, CA 90017
This place never closes. It is open 24hrs/day. It is owned by the former Los Angeles mayor, Richard Riordan.
It only closed once due to the County Health Inspectors. I guess too many cockroaches spoiled the soup.
It didn't stayed closed for long. I think it was shutdown on a Friday but back in business on a Sunday. This happened when Richard Riordan was still mayor so I assume he was able to get the Health Inspectors back outand working on a Sunday. And of course then-mayor Riordan was the first customer.
Favorite Dish: Breakfast items and the meatloaf.
Written Aug 25, 2002
Address: 877 S Figueroa St
Los Angeles, CA 90017
The PANTRY in downtown on Figueroa
Never closes, they don't even have a key anymore.
Favorite Dish: steaks, chops, and best cole slaw around
Written Aug 25, 2002
1 - 7 of 7
Sponsored Links
Magic Castle Hotel Los Angeles
4 Reviews and 1008 Opinions This place is invite only! You have to know someone who is a member of the venue which costs a lot...
Sofitel Los Angeles - Beverly Hills Los Angeles
4 Reviews and 728 Opinions This is a very nicely appointed hotel but not as imposing as I thought it would be. I booked a...
Four Seasons Los Angeles Los Angeles
3 Reviews and 198 Opinions Nestled near Beverly Hills, the Four Seasons is host to the moneyed elite, quirky creative types,...
877 S Figueroa St Los Angeles, CA 90017
Original Pantry Cafe tips and photos posted by real travelers and Los Angeles locals.
Write a Review
The PANTRY in downtown on FigueroaNever closes, they don't even have a key anymore. steaks, chops, and best cole slaw around
5,128 members live in Los Angeles
Q: Has anyone on here taken this bus? Obviously the chepaest way to go and looks fairly fast as well. My question is "how crowded...

A: Have taken this bus a few times, it's fairly fast and yes, sometimes it can be crowded, however if you are taking it from the LAX Airport bus station located at 96th and...
Read 6 Replies
1

Hmmm... the City of Angels? OK, so this place is not so angelic but what's in a name anyway? The shot of the artistic giant angel was actually taken in Hollywood, which is a part of Los Angeles...
2
"El Pueblo de la Reina de Los Angeles"

The first residents were the Tongva (or Gabrieleños) and Chumash Native Americans who lived along the California coastal areas for thousands of years until the Spanish missionaries made this their...
3
Coming to LA, see what all of SoCal has to offer!

The Nokia Theatre LA Live Entertainment Center It is Dine LA Restaurant Week in Los Angeles. An opportunity to have a 3 course Prix Fixe meal for a great price! From Jan. 22 - Jan. 27 and Jan. 29...
4

I've been to Los Angeles quite a few times over the years, I was born in nearby Inglewood and lived there until the tender age of 3, returned when I was in grade school, again in junior high when I......
5

Los Angeles tends to get a bad rap from people who think of it as being full of shallow, beautiful people and not much else. Many people aren't sure what to see in Los Angeles aside from the...
Build your own Los Angeles page
Sponsored Links