26 Classic Restaurants Every Angeleno Must Try Los Angeles has been blessed by a multitude of long-standing restaurants that continue to serve diners with classic fare that strikes at the heart of nostalgia. But many of these restaurants arent just throwbacks or old-school, theyre very much alive and well because of dedicated regulars who find comfort in knowing what to expect in a restaurant: hospitality, familiarity, predictable cooking. Other places are just glorified watering holes, but they continue to attract new waves of imbibers who want to sit in a comfortable seat. Here now, a collection of the oldest restaurants in Los Angeles, ones that every Angeleno should frequent at least once in their lifetime. 1 Philippe the Original Supposedly the place where French dip sandwiches were invented, this bona fide institution is perhaps one of the oldest eating establishments in the city, period. Its been around since 1908. The bustling lunchtime crowd, coupled with the made-to-order attention to detail make this one of the most classic restaurants in Los Angeles. Order up a beef or lamb dip (the pros order double dip) into the au jus, then carefully squirt on some of that potent mustard. As a nice bonus for joining the new millennium, Philippes began accepting credit cards in late 2014, which makes it easier than ever to make this a regular place to dine. 1001 N Alameda St Los Angeles, CA 90012 (213) 628-3781 2 Coles The other restaurant to have claimed the title of French dip originator in Los Angeles, Coles occupies a space founded in 1908 on the ground floor of the Pacific Electric Building. The story goes thats a customer had recently had some dental work and needed some softer bread to enjoy a sandwich. Proprietor Henry Cole dipped the bread in au jus, and the dip was born. 213 Nightlife now controls the space, with a revamped menu and a solid cocktail bar to boot. For drink mavens, The Varnish is now tucked away behind the restaurant, but French dip sandwiches continue to helm the main part of the menu. 118 E 6th St Los Angeles, CA 90014 (213) 622-4090 3 Musso & Frank Grill The oldest surviving restaurant in Hollywood (since 1919), Musso & Frank remains a popular tourist and locals hub, where stuff drinks (especially the martinis) are a main draw, though the American-Continental fare does a good job of giving customers a sense that theyre in a time warp. The Hollywood history of this establishment is too long to fit in this space, with such customers as Charlie Chaplin, Greta Garbo, Gary Cooper, Marilyn Monroe, and Humphrey Bogart. Literary types were also regulars, such as F. Scott Fitzgerald, T.S. Elliot, John Steinbeck, William Faulkner, Raymond Chandler, Joseph Heller, Kurt Vonnegut, and Charles Bukowski. 6667 Hollywood Blvd Hollywood, CA 90028 (323) 467-5123 4 Dan Tanas The quintessential old school Hollywood hangout since 1964, Dan Tanas recently celebrated its 50th anniversary along Santa Monica Blvd just steps from the iconic Troubadour. The Italian-American haunt serves late every night of the week, with hits like chicken parmesan and steaks making most tables. The bar is also a legendary place to grab a drink in Los Angeles. 9071 Santa Monica Blvd West Hollywood, CA 90069 (310) 275-9444 5 Polo Lounge This bright breakfast and lunch spot thats been open since the early 1950s is a storied eatery for stars and their agents, with producers and industry power brokers looking to make a deal. Polo Lounge sits at the iconic Beverly Hills Hotel serving everything from beef tartare to lobster salad. 9641 Sunset Blvd Beverly Hills, CA 90210 (310) 887-2777 6 Tam OShanter Purported to be the oldest restaurant continually owned and operated by the same family in the same location (over 90 years), this progenitor to the Lawrys The Prime Rib conjures up a classic Scottish pub serving roasted prime rib, sandwiches, and stiff drinks in a convivial (if a bit dark) dining hall in Atwater/Los Feliz. 2980 Los Feliz Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90039 (323) 664-0228 7 Pacific Dining Car A traincar-style dining room, nicely appointed and reminiscent of a bygone era, Pacific Dining Car is one of the rare all-night eateries that continues to thrive despite a changing culinary scene. Operated since 1921, the steaks are the main draw, attracting everyone from city big wigs to the financial set just across the freeway in Downtown. Of course, this place was immortalized in Training Day, so order the baseball steak if youre in for some grilled beef. 1310 W 6th St Los Angeles, CA 90017 (213) 483-6000 8 Formosa Cafe Around in this part of town since 1925, this legendary haunt has had numerous Hollywood clientele among its regulars, including Clark Cable and Frank Sinatra. Still one of the best places to grab a strong drink in West Hollywood. 7156 Santa Monica Blvd West Hollywood, CA 90046 (323) 850-9050 9 TAIX French Restaurant Touting French country cuisine, the fare itself is as tired as the place is old, but that doesnt stop everyone from city councilmen to hipsters from flocking to this 1927 establishment in Echo Park. 1911 W Sunset Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90026 (213) 484-1265 10 El Cholo Restaurant This classic Mexican restaurant in whats now Koreatown serves up tried-and-true classics, from tamales to fajitas, but its the nachos, which were purportedly invented here in 1959, that everyone talks about. Founded in the 1920s, its still popular with USC students and locals who want a strong margarita to go with their comfort fare. 1121 S Western Ave Los Angeles, CA 90006 (323) 419-4158 11 The Galley Restaurant Easily the oldest restaurant in Santa Monica, this seaside treasure was founded in 1934, long before freeways and constant traffic. Everything from steaks to grilled seafood shows up on the menu. 2442 Main St Santa Monica, CA 90405 (310) 452-1934 12 Tom Bergins This classic Irish pub serving since 1936 nearly went away for good a few years ago, but new ownership is bringing back this Mid-Wilshire watering hole to its roots. Its a place to grab a well-poured Guinness or a dram of Bushmills to go with the standard pub dishes. Dont forget to try an Irish coffee. 840 S Fairfax Ave Los Angeles, CA 90036 (323) 936-7151 13 Pinks Hot Dogs This legendary hot dog stand continues to be one of the most popular late night options in Los Agneles, with lines stretching across the block at nearly all hours of the day. Celebrities come and get their name stamped across many of the hot dogs, which tend to veer toward over-the-top. But this stand, which started back in 1939, is as L.A. as it gets. 709 N LA Brea Ave Los Angeles, CA 90038 (323) 931-4223 14 Lawrys The Prime Rib A grand place to celebrate any occasion, this massive 75-year old Restaurant Row establishment is known for its gleaming silver carts and spinning salads. Choose a cut of prime rib to your preferred thickness, and chow down with baked Yorkshire pudding and creamed spinach. 100 N La Cienega Blvd Beverly Hills, CA 90211 (310) 652-2827 15 The Apple Pan A much-beloved Westside institution with Ohio-style burgers served in a humble diner-like stand along Pico, The Apple Pan makes consistently good sandwiches and pies. Its hard to think of a more enduring L.A. greasy spoon. 10801 W Pico Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90064 (310) 475-3585 16 Langers Delicatessen Possibly the greatest pastrami in America, Langers is a fantastic diner in Westlake offering everything from reubens and corned beef to Jewish deli classics like matzo ball soup and lox. Ever crowded during lunch, its easily the best Jewish deli in a city full of great delis. 704 S Alvarado St Los Angeles, CA 90057 (213) 483-8050 17 Canters Delicatessen Canters doesnt have the pastrami excellence that Langers has, but it more than makes up for it with a vintage dining room that serves 24 hours a day. Open since 1931 in the heart of Fairfax district, its still a great every day place to eat. 419 N Fairfax Ave Los Angeles, CA 90048 (323) 651-2030 18 Taylors Prime Steak House An old-school steakhouse that likes of Don Draper would likely frequent to have stiff drinks, Taylors has been kicking around in L.A. (in whats now Koreatown) since 1953, offering terrific grilled steaks and more in a dark dining room thats fit for an ad man or two. 3361 West 8th St. Los Angeles, CA 90005 (213) 382-8449 19 The Fountain Coffee Room A counter-style coffee shop nestled into the Beverly Hills Hotel, this 1949 spot continues to serve breakfast and lunch classics like a double-decker club sandwich and corned beef hash. 9641 Sunset Blvd Beverly Hills, CA 90210 (310) 276-2251 20 Yamashiro Hollywood This hillside perch looking over Hollywood is a legendary property that finally offered a true restaurant beginning in 1960. The romantic destination with one of the best views in town is now a pan-Asian eatery. 1999 N Sycamore Ave Hollywood, CA 90068 (323) 466-5125 21 Dominicks This classic Italian eatery in West Hollywood has been serving stars and starlets since 1948, offering red-sauce pasta and martinis in a cheerful environment. Chef Brandon Boudet acquired the space and updated many of the menu items but preserving the Sunday supper-style atmosphere. Frank Sinatra was a frequent diner. 8715 Beverly Blvd West Hollywood, CA 90048 (310) 652-2335 22 The Dresden Restaurant This Los Feliz dining room has been serving predictable mid-century fare since 1954, with things like lobster tail and steaks served on white tableclothes. Though the dishes are a little tired at this point, its still a solid spot to enjoy L.A. as it was decades ago. 1760 N. Vermont Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90027 (323) 665-4294 23 Du-pars This classic coffee shop at the Farmers Market has been serving since 1938, with a predictable but solid set of diner food that wont disappoint. The original serves 24/7, which is great for night owls. And the pies selection is definitely another reason to keep returning. 6333 W 3rd St Los Angeles, CA 90036 (323) 933-8446 24 The Original Pantry Known for never closing (they do no have locks on the doors), this Downtown institution serves around the clock with greasy fare such as massive ham steaks, omelets, fried potatoes, and steaks. The pancakes are also noteworthy, which is great for those wanting to cure a hangover before it happens. 877 S Figueroa St Los Angeles, CA 90017 (213) 972-9279 25 Casa Vega The old school Mexican restaurant continues to live as a celebrity haunt in Sherman Oaks, serving familiar classics such as burritos, flautas, and tostadas in a convivial room. Opened 55 years ago, its still a hotspot for movie stars. 13301 Ventura Blvd Sherman Oaks, CA 91423 (818) 788-4868 26 Titos Tacos This old school taco shack in Culver City makes some of the best crunchy tacos in the city, with the kind of nostalgic fare that Taco Bell could only dream of. The burritos, loaded with melty cheese, are worth trying as well. Titos has drawn lines since 1959. 11222 Washington Pl Culver City, CA 90230 (310) 391-5780
Posted on: Mon, 26 Jan 2015 22:45:53 +0000
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015