Original Pantry Cafe

Original Pantry Cafe
Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument
Type	Private
Industry	Restaurant
Founded	Los Angeles, California, USA (1924)
Headquarters	877 South Figueroa Los Angeles CA
Owner	Richard Riordan
Website	www.pantrycafe.com
Reference no.	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 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]^[2] It was, however, closed briefly at the order of health inspectors on November 26, 1997, and reopened the next day.^[3] The restaurant is currently owned by former Los Angeles mayor Richard Riordan and has served many celebrities and politicians.

History

When it was opened in 1924 at 9th and Figueroa, the restaurant 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,^[4] and has been ranked as the most famous restaurant in Los Angeles.^[5]

The restaurant is known for serving coleslaw to all patrons in the evening hours, even if they ultimately decide to order breakfast. It claims to serve 90 tons of bread (or 461 loaves per day) and 10.5 tons (20,000-tree harvest) of coffee per year.

The days of serving free coffee ended after 87 years (2011)

Part of the building on Figueroa Street became Riordan's Tavern, also owned by the former mayor.

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

↑ "The ORIGINAL Pantry Cafe". pantrycafe.com. Retrieved 19 January 2014.
↑ "Never Say Closed : Historic Pantry Diner Hasn't Been Empty of Patrons in 67 Years". LA Times. Retrieved 2013-05-13.
↑ "Mayor's Diner Allowed to Reopen". LA Times. Retrieved 2013-05-13.
↑ Cultural Heritage Commission, Historic-Cultural Monuments, City of Los Angeles Cultural Affairs Department, July 1987
↑ Famous Restaurants in Los Angeles

Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monuments

Downtown Los Angeles East and Northeast Sides Harbor Area Hollywood San Fernando Valley Silver Lake, Angelino Heights and Echo Park South Los Angeles Westside Wilshire and Westlake Areas

Downtown area, Los Angeles

Districts and neighborhoods	Arts District Bunker Hill Chinatown Civic Center Fashion District Financial District Gallery Row Historic Core Jewelry District Little Tokyo Naud Junction Old Bank District Skid Row South Park Spring Street Financial District Toy District Wholesale District

Points of interest	Angels Flight The Broad Broadway Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels City Hall Convention Center Grand Park L.A. Live MOCA Music Center Olvera Street Pershing Square Staples Center Union Station

LA Regions Crescenta Valley Downtown Eastside Harbor Area Greater Hollywood Northeast LA Northwest LA San Fernando Valley South LA Westside Wilshire Mid-City West Mid-Wilshire

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