Kate Kim
Crimson Chronicle Reporter
A historical landmark restaurant, “The Original Pantry Cafe” has reached its 100th anniversary serving American comfort food in downtown Los Angeles. The Pantry is known for the long lines they always have waiting outside the restaurant at 877 S. Figueroa St.
Open since 1924, former Los Angeles Mayor Richard Riordan’s family are the current owners. Riordan bought the cafe in the 1980s when there was talk the diner would close. On Oct. 5, 1982, the cafe was named Los Angeles’ Historic-Cultural Monument Number 255. It used to be open 24 hours a day but changed the hours during COVID-19.
The diner is famous for being popular with local celebrities including the late Marilyn Monroe. Other stars who have gone to the legendary restaurant over the years include Jack Black, Humphrey Bogart, Sammy Davis, Jr., President Bill Clinton, Mayor Rudolph Giuliani, Martin Luther King, Jr., and Lance Robertson. (DJ Lance Rock) The Pantry is also a filming location, it appears in the 2000 movie The Million Dollar Hotel and also in 2007’s Knocked Up.
People used to be able to drink free coffee at the Pantry (until 2011) but the cafe’s breakfast pancakes and other comfort food are still very popular at reasonable prices. Some popular picks at the Pantry are the ham steak combo and The Pantry burger. All the breakfast combos come with your choice of pancakes or sourdough bread, and any lunch combo comes with coleslaw.
The Pantry is well known for its kind and polite waitstaff who wear old-fashioned uniforms and bow ties. Many of the waiters and waitresses have worked there for years, and if you are a regular customer, you will recognize them.
If you’re craving a historical meal, like pancakes for a late lunch, you should come to check out this restaurant. There’s a reason that it has been a downtown LA favorite for 100 years, serving classic American food to locals for so long.