Original Pantry Cafe

Original Pantry Cafe

Type	Private
Industry	Restaurant
Founded	Los Angeles, California, USA (1924)
Headquarters	877 South Figueroa Los Angeles CA
Owner(s)	Richard Riordan
Website	www.pantrycafe.com
Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument
Reference #:	255

The Original Pantry Cafe is an iconic coffee shop and restaurant in Los Angeles, California. Located at the corner of 9th and Figueroa in Downtown L.A.'s South Park district, The Pantry (as it is known by locals) claims to never have closed or been without a customer since it opened in 1924, including when it changed locations in 1950 to make room for a freeway off-ramp. It served lunch in the original location and served dinner at the new location the same day.^[1] It was, however, closed briefly at the order of health inspectors on November 26, 1997, and reopened the next day. The restaurant is currently owned by former Los Angeles mayor Richard Riordan and has served many celebrities and politicians.

When it was opened, the restaurant was consisted of one room, a 15-stool counter, a small grill, a hot plate and sink. It has been designated as a Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument No. 255.^[2]

The restaurant is known for serving coleslaw to all patrons in the evening hours, even if they ultimately decide to order breakfast.

In popular culture

The cafe is regularly mentioned or visited by characters in Michael Connelly's series of mystery novels featuring LAPD detective Harry Bosch, including The Black Echo and The Last Coyote.

The restaurant is featured in a scene in Judd Apatow's 2007 comedy Knocked Up, in which Seth Rogen's character informs his father (Harold Ramis) of his girlfriend's pregnancy.

References

1. ^ http://www.pantrycafe.com/faq.html
2. ^ Cultural Heritage Commission, Historic-Cultural Monuments, City of Los Angeles Cultural Affairs Department, July 1987