(Credit: Victor Rodionoff)
Up all night: 24-hour grub guide
Where to eat in the heat of the night
By Jiyeon Yoo, Metromix
July 8, 2007Canter's Deli
419 N. Fairfax Ave., Los Angeles323-651-2030
This LA institution has been up round-the-clock for over 75 years, feeding off-duty cops, musicians, political campaign trails, and the worst cases of writer’s block. Service is brisk, the Reuben is hot and mean, and the matzo ball soup proves that, even at 4 in the morning, Canter’s got the biggest balls in town.
Du-Par’s Restaurant & Bakery
6333 W. 3rd St., Los Angeles323-933-8446
Two words: hot cakes. Right on the corner of the Farmer’s Market, the orange neon scrawl is a happy midpoint for illicit cross-town affairs or just a haven for wandering owls grateful to rest their weary heads on the overstuffed Naugehyde. Of course, it’s the pies that are landmark-worthy. Stuck in the Valley? Du-Par's at 12036 Ventura Blvd. in Studio City is always open too.
Fred 62
1850 N. Vermont Ave., Los Feliz323-667-0062
Parking is dreadful and is only outmatched by the snarky, full-tude boogie of the wait staff. Still, this insomniacs’ hangout is packed to the gills, so keep a bleary eye open or you’re sure to lose the next emptying booth. It’s kind of gross, but we also secretly love the idea of getting beer with our pre-dawn pancakes.
Astro Family Restaurant
2300 Fletcher Dr., Los Angeles323-663-9241
Astro abides by the heartfelt if somewhat clunky motto: "If it is not good enough to serve it to your mother, do not serve it to our customers." We think it's just as good that mom isn't pouring the coffee at 2 a.m.
BCD Tofu House
869 S. Western Ave. , Los Angeles213-380-3807
In the stark hours of the night, the mega-watt signage shines like a beacon to clubbers and church kids alike. Tofu varietals come in three levels of heat: mild, moderate, and what is simply translated (and literally regarded) as “very”—the last is sure to redefine your morning relationship with the porcelain god. The Western location is also 24 hours: 869 S. Western Ave #9 (at 9th St.).
Original Tommy's Hamburgers
2575 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles213-389-9060
It’s the original Original where a regular Friday night looks like a neon-buzzin’, high-octane scene straight out of American Graffiti. Be sure to roll your wide-body out of the garage since eating on flimsy patio furniture is so not an option. And unlike last night’s hookup, Tommy’s atomic chili will stay with you in the morning.
The Original Pantry Cafe
877 S. Figueroa St., Los Angeles213-972-9279
They claim to have been open continuously since the ‘20s, and the preternaturally-sticky Formica counters and tables seem to attest to that. As Downtown’s nightlife is picking up a little ways north, we’re not looking forward to seeing a late night queue that mirrors the breakfast line.
Pacific Dining Car
1310 W. 6th St., Los Angeles213-483-6000
In 1921, a frustrated New York opera singer and his wife headed West and parked the Pacific Dining Car on a vacant lot in downtown LA. Before long, Mae West was dropping in with her bodyguard. Although forced to resort to chicken during the shortages of WWII, this railroad-themed restaurant is known for its prime Eastern beef aged on the premises and cooked over live mesquite. Today, the fourth-generation family-owned institution holds the distinction of being LA's only 24/7 steakhouse with a sommelier, a hand car wash, and a dinner menu that has been translated into Japanese. The sister Santa Monica location takes care of the insomniacs on the westside--2700 Wilshire Blvd at 26th St.
The Standard Restaurant
8300 Sunset Blvd., Hollywood323-650-9090
The Standard Hotel is surely not as hot as when it first opened and burly bouncers held guard at its entrance to intimidate the not-so-glamorous people from coming in. Nowadays more preppies appear to be populating the boutique hotel, but its restaurant still attracts hipsters who don't have day jobs but can afford to linger all day and night at this sparkling clean, upscale diner. Laptops welcome.
Izzy's Deli
1433 Wilshire Blvd., Santa Monica310-394-1131
Brooklyn-born Izzy Freeman always dreamed of owning a deli, and he didn't let his move to Los Angeles deter him. In 1973, he opened a 24-hour establishment with a motto of "if you're hungry but don't know what you're hungry for, come to Izzy's Deli Santa Monica." The extensive menu of everything from pizza to marinated herring proves that Izzy isn't just talking the talk.
Dolores Restaurant
11407 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles310-477-1061
Grab a late-night bite to eat before hitting the hay. Dolores Restaurant, located across from NuArt, serves inexpensive traditional American cuisine. This 24-hour diner would be a place where your grandparents would like to eat at. The interior is dark and feels old, but the food is decent.
Mel's Drive-In
8585 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood310-854-7201
A throwback to the burger joints of the '50s, Mel's jukebox never quiets and the milkshakes keep on coming. Good for tourists and playing the "Hey, isn't that...?" game with the waiters all night long.
Benito's Taco Shop
11614 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles310-442-9924
Although many eschew Benito's during sober daylight hours, the tacos and burritos hold up in the afternoon as well as they do at 3 a.m. The salsa bar is varied, the plates are generous, and the atmosphere is relaxed, family-oriented, or lively, depending on the hour. There are two more 24-hour locations in Hollywood and on Fairfax.
Norms Restaurant
470 N. La Cienega Blvd., Los Angeles323-655-0167
Satisfy your munchie craving at Norms after a night on the town. Denny's-type-of-American family restaurant chain that's open 24 hours which makes it popular with seniors and those not ready to go home after a night out. Anyone who’s headed for a late night snack after a night out drinking in L.A. has probably ended up at a Norms at some point. Prices are cheap, breakfast is served all-day and the wait staff is used to dealing with the inebriated.
The Kettle
1138 Highland Ave., Manhattan Beach310-545-8511
Sun-kissed locals and sunburned visitors cram into this Manhattan Beach diner that never sleeps. The cozy patio is almost always crowded, especially during those beautiful California summer days. At night, the bar scene stops in to sober up, which can make for an entertaining, albeit noisy sight. Menu is vast and food quality is a notch or two above Denny's.
Bonadonna's Shore House
941 Pacific Coast Hwy., Seal Beach562-430-0116
Late-night diners, unite! Bonadonna’s is up as late or as early as you are, ensuring you get either a good hangover cure before bed, or sustenance to keep you going into the next day. With an eclectic menu and some bar games to keep you busy, this little spot on PCH will become the jewel in your insomniac crown.
Tonny's Restaurant
843 E. Orange Grove Blvd., Pasadena626-797-0866
Quaint and unassuming, Tonny's Restaurant serves passably authentic, definitely tasty Mexican dishes all day and all night. The fruit smoothies are delightful, especially following some 3 a.m. huevos rancheros.
Sitton's NoHo Diner
11329 Magnolia Blvd., North Hollywood818-761-3341
Flanked by two life-sized waiter statues, the entrance to this all night, non-chain diner is a welcoming scene for the NoHo afterhours crew. Inside, large booths nestle hungry diners munching on the standard greasy spoon fare of omelettes, pancakes and waffles for breakfast and sandwiches, salads, soups and entrees for lunch and dinner.
Bob's Big Boy
4211 Riverside Dr., Burbank818-843-9334
A staple of many a Southern California childhood, Bob's Big Boy has been satisfying hamburger and french fries needs for almost 60 years. The restaurant stays open all day and all night, and some locations even offer weekend carhop service.
Donut Hole
15300 Amar Rd., La Puente626-968-2912
Standing proudly (and deliciously) for forty years, Donut Hole is a proud purveyor of life's simple pleasures: donuts and coffee. There's nothing like driving through a donut to get a drive-thru donut; it's even better at 3 o'clock in the am.
Hodori Korean Restaurant
1001 S. Vermont Ave., Los Angeles213-383-3554
This eatery is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. The majority of its patrons appear to be the clubbing set, who arrive after hours to transform it into a bustling, thriving diner until the wee hours of the morning. The food is good during the day, but it seems to taste best after a long night of partying.
Nak Won Korean
3879 Wilshire Blvd., Koreatown213-388-8889
Drunk in Koreatown at 2 a.m.? (Yeah, we've been there.) The grill never gets cold at Nak Won, which serves up hearty and authentic Korean BBQ in their no-frills digs 24/7. And while spicy pork may not cure your hangover, it will certainly solve your hunger.
Jiyeon Yoo is Restaurants Editor for Metromix LA.
