101 Coffee House
Atmosphere: A playful marquee in front is the only hint that the square Best Western is home to 101 Coffee House, a vibrant mid-century tradition. A decades-old eatery, by all accounts, had not aged so gracefully until a 2001 renovation brought it back to the ’60s. The results are stunning: spherical pendant lights along the back stone wall, and natural light floods in against the earth-toned blue tiles. The modern playlist and Hollywood clientele keep the vibe cool, but in every other aspect it’s a time warp.
Dining: You’ll pay a pretty penny for a meal at Restaurant 101 (in diner terms), but there are some specialty dishes. Breakfast is served all day, and you’d be wise to order the Mikey Fitz: two eggs, two slices of bacon or sausage, and three silver pancakes or one slice of French toast; we recommend the sausage, generously spiced and not too greasy. The sandwiches have a southern slant (po-boys and blackened catfish abound), but a solid choice is the BLT, which comes with a mix of crispy sweet potatoes and regular fries. Save room for the 50/50 cocktail, made with orange sherbet and vanilla ice cream. As we noted during a recent visit: “It tastes more like buttercream than buttercream.” And that’s a good thing.
Foxy’s restaurant
Atmosphere: Foxy’s wooden A-frame sets it apart, stylistically speaking, from most other retro eateries in Los Angeles. The dark wooden planks of this Glendale restaurant, including the lowered “V” along the center of the ceiling, keep the interior cozy and dim. You’ll find brass fireplace hoods in the shape of arrowheads at either end of the space: one mounted on a stone wall, the other flanked by floor-to-ceiling windows. The eatery, which is frequented by families, also has an outdoor patio where large groups can socialize over their meals.
Food: Foxy’s menu is a giant multi-page menu with photos of almost every dish and the cuisine, which is similar to Mexican. The breakfast plates from the southern border seem to be the most popular items as well as the best of all. Take, for example, Mexico’s Leaning Tower of Pisa: three corn tortillas with Spanish rice, black beans, and two easy eggs, topped with fiery ranchero sauce, avocado, and cheese. There are also shakes here, and while they’re thin and not as creamy as some of the other diner versions, it’s a decent note to end on.
Norms.
Atmosphere: The oldest surviving Norms family restaurant, this Googie icon has been greeting drivers along La Cienega since 1957. Although the interior has lost some of its luster, its defining features are still intact – bucket seats, sloping ceiling, and large zigzag windows. The car dealership-like exterior still impresses with its sharp pennant-shaped sign and cantilevered roofline. Although the restaurant has changed owners and feared demolition, the building’s future is secure thanks to its recent status as a historical and cultural monument.
Dining: When you sit down at one of Norms’ cozy booths, you can get four or five different menus – a multi-page full menu, a breakfast menu, a low-calorie menu, and sometimes a special menu detailing the diner’s baby back ribs selection, just for good measure. On weekdays from 4:00 to 14:00, a Bigger Better Breakfast is available for the commendable price of $6.59: two eggs, two links of sausage, two pieces of bacon, two hotcakes, brown pancakes, and grilled ham. That’s a significant spread, but nothing really stands out. To give it a little extra appeal, upgrade the brown fritters to a full version with bacon, cheddar cheese, green onions, diced tomatoes, and salsa. For those with a sweet tooth, a strawberry waffle might be more appealing, sagging under the weight of stewed berries and a generous dollop of whipped cream.
Panns
Atmosphere: While the themed building may be the most famous space-age building in Los Angeles, this 1958 diner is just as stunning. At Pann’s, everything is faceted: pyramidal lamps, diamond-shaped clocks and an irregular roofline. The same style extends to its extended patio and the small jungle that surrounds the exterior. The care that has been taken to keep this family-run restaurant in immaculate shape is evident in everything from the red and ruby booths and white bar stools to the perfectly preserved neon sign (with the nicest little ornaments in the form of flashing stars). Perhaps that’s why the clientele here is diverse: from regulars who have been dining here for decades to newcomers looking for some serious comfort food.
Food: When it comes to Pann’s menu, one item stands out above the rest: the fried chicken. Take one bite and your chin will be dripping with juice; two bites and you’ll be surprised at how crispy and well-seasoned the skin is. So for breakfast, you can choose to go the more traditional route – the classic breakfast plate consists of two eggs, nicely browned brownies, soft biscuits, and bacon – or you can opt for the fried chicken and waffles that many consider to be among the best in Los Angeles. Whatever you choose, make sure it comes with golden-colored fries flavored with Cajun spices. The list of specialty milkshakes includes a chocolate banana shake – creamy, rich and enough for two people.