mom and pop breakfast/lunch joints in westwood, hollywood area (Los Angeles: motel, house)

[azdr0710]

some here will remember me asking this question about other SoCal areas....now looking for the same in the Westwood, W Hollywood and Hollywood areas....say from 405 to 101 along the Wilshire and Santa Monica corridors...

I like older places that haven't much changed and are locally owned...non-chain or very few in the chain (which is locally owned)....popular with the locals...very non-touristy....not in the guide books....the waitresses call you "hun" and keep the coffee cup full....not really remodeled or updated decor....not popular with celebrities....maybe even a bit of a dive.....just honest, good food

will be there for a couple days later this month....thanks a lot for the ideas

[Chava61]

The French Market Place, 7985 Santa Monica Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90046, tel. (323) 656-0874,

[pbergen]

it's slightly outside of your target area, but there's a greasy spoon breakfast joint on olympic blvd in koreatown/mid-wilshire called olympic cafe a.k.a. house of breakfast which meets your criteria perfectly. it's an old-school mom-and-pop coffee shop which offers cheap, basic, hearty breakfasts in a divey, unpretentious setting. the crowd consists of blue-collar regulars and the decor looks like it hasn't been updated in decades, if ever.

the eatery is owned and operated by a salty old korean-american lady who speaks perfect english - i only mention this because most koreans of her generation in this country are immigrants who speak heavily accented english, but she talks and acts like an old-school, born-and-raised angeleno who's seen 50+ years of change in the city. all of the regulars seem to know and respect her, and she responds in kind to them, although she was slightly brusque to us since we're not regulars (which is actually not an issue for me, since that kind of added to the place's charm).

the first link below gives a good overview of the eatery. the next two links are separately labeled entries for the same place - apparently people on yelp don't realize that olympic cafe and house of breakfast are one and the same:

Olympic Café House of Breakfast in Mid-Wilshire : Dining on a Dime : Eater LA
Olympic Cafe - Los Angeles, CA
House of Breakfast - Los Angeles, CA

[Fontucky]

I'm pretty sure that first reviewer meant to say Farmer Bros coffee.

[BRinSM]

also a bit out of your search area, but the house of pies in los feliz is a classic LA breakfast joint.

[King0fthehill]

Nick's at Pico/La Cienega fits the bill.

[DewDropInn]

It's been a few years since I was there but I'm going to mention the Sunset Dunes Motel at 5625 W. Sunset Blvd. Hollywood. I'll review it in the present tense in hopes it hasn't changed too much.

There's a coffee shop (old-time not a Starbuckish coffee shop) in front and a bar/restaurant in the back. Lots of behind-the-scenes industry people eat there. Local news anchors. The food is terrific. Everything "homemade" (their word) and fresh. Once the waitresses get to know you it's like being a member of a club. I used to eat there a lot. Then a year went buy. Walked in the front door and the waitress picked up where we'd left off. Lot's of "Hon" and asking me how different family members were. And for that area, very reasonably priced.

[goldeneyez]

John O'Groats
10516 W Pico Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90064
On Pico between Overland and Beverly Glen, near Westwood

Great breakfast scrambles and platters, and pancakes the size of your plate. The owner is always there and greets people personally. It's a real neighborhood favorite and gets packed, but service and food are wonderful!

And in Los Feliz (I know, it's not in your search area, but it's my favorite: The Alcove's breakfast and lunch are both fantastic, but breakfast really blew us away, especially the French Toast!

[Gurbie]

Joyce and I like the Griddle, on Sunset just west of Fairfax. Good food, big portions, reasonable prices, friendly staff, no attitude, parking in the rear. You'll risk running into celebrities, since the place is next door to the Director's Guild or something, but they'll probably be in jeans and sweats with no make-up, so you won't recognize them anyway.

[azdr0710]

wanted to report back on what I ended up doing while over there a few days ago....

had breakfast at Nick's one morning at Pico and La Cienega....as one said here, it was exactly what I was looking for....an honest, regular place and good food at fair prices....may be forgetting, but I think some cops were there - always a good sign....

also ate at the Griddle on Sunset, as suggested....just a tiny, tiny bit on the hip side (maybe it was the location vibe), but not too much at all....very friendly staff and the fanciest coffee service I've ever had!....good food and plenty of parking behind the Rite-Aid next door....can be busy, I'm told, but we got there "early" (8am!).....

and, though certainly not "mom and pop" and very definitely not undiscovered, a friend suggested Joan's on 3rd.....wow, great place.....lots and lots of excellent food choices, friendly and unpretentious staff, great spot....wish we had one here at home.....

thanks for your suggestions...didn't have time for the others