Breakfast is certainly having a moment in Los Angeles, at least according to listeners of LAist 89.3’s daily news program, AirTalk.
We asked listeners to share some of their favorite breakfast spots across Southern California, and host Larry Mantle spoke with Nick Starr, the owner of Cofax Coffee — known for their breakfast burritos and signature drinks.
Starr told Larry about some of the challenges of running a breakfast-forward business, especially now with the rising cost of eggs and coffee beans.
“It feels like a perfect storm,” Starr said of the rising costs. “One thing we try to do is just keep our prices steady because egg prices — they go up and then they go back down. Being a breakfast place means being a dependable place. And so we want to give our customers as much predictability as possible.”
As they discussed burritos, listeners began chiming in with their own dependable and favorite breakfast joints across the region. Fair warning, you’re about to get real hungry.
That old school vibe
If you’re looking for some old school, stick-to-your-ribs, home cooking vibes, the AirTalk audience has you covered. Jonathan in Long Beach gave a shout out to Crazy Otto’s in his hometown of Lancaster. The restaurant’s been around for more than 50 years, but has moved from its original location, which he says sat right near the train tracks.
“And when the train would go by, your plates would almost shake off the table,” he said.
Each time a train passed, he said, “they'd spin a wheel, and if it landed on your table, you'd get a free breakfast.” According to Jonathan, the food style is “homestyle gravy and chicken fried steak, and plates that will feed you for a week.”
If you’re looking to step up your diner game, Mabee in the Crenshaw District recommended you check out Tak’s Coffee Shop near Jefferson.
“It has delicious grits and eggs for breakfast. Also, it has Loco Moco, which is a Hawaiian delicacy.” The dish is comprised of white rice that’s layered with a hamburger patty and a fried egg smothered in gravy.
Alongside the delicious breakfast, she said the coffee and service make the place shine.
Taiwanese breakfast
For those looking to expand their breakfast outside of diners, callers also highlighted some of the best Taiwanese offerings in the region. Jennifer in Silver Lake gave a shout out to the Taiwanese breakfast spot Huge Tree Pastry in Monterey Park. She said their go-to item is the Fan Tuan, which is a dish served on a long stick and combines fried dough, pork floss — a kind of stringy jerky — egg and pickled vegetables, all wrapped in rice.
And Jessica in Eagle Rock vouched for the Taiwanese restaurant Yung Ho Dou Jiang in Alhambra as her favorite morning joint. She said their soy milk and dumplings are beyond amazing.
Just give me the eggs
When it comes to egg dishes, omelettes are a hit. Jeanette in San Pedro said the Omelette and Waffle Shop in San Pedro is a fantastic, locally-owned queer business with a wonderful atmosphere. Melinda in Seal Beach mentioned Crema Cafe off Main Street in Seal Beach.
“Everything is delicious," she said. "The best omelette I’ve had anywhere. Wonderful selections from coffee to the food and a great patio for sitting and eating.”
And Phil in Newport Beach gave a quick shout out to the Galley Cafe where the eggs are always cooked to perfection.
Also, if you're a breakfast fanatic with a sweet tooth, he added, “They’ve got the best malts and shakes…sometimes I’ll have for breakfast, as well as my eggs.”
Breakfast burritos
The most happening breakfast item right now? Hands down, breakfast burritos.
Levy in East Hollywood made mouths water with the mention of Bolt's brisket breakfast burrito. And Kim in El Segundo recommended Baran’s 2239 in Hermosa Beach, which, she said, has breakfast burritos so popular and amazing that, “you basically need to order your burrito in advance if you want to get one.”
However, if you’re in need of a world shattering breakfast burrito, Christy in Garden Grove had just the spot for you — La Rancherita Tortilleria and Deli in Garden Grove, which is attached to a tortilla factory.
"Their breakfast burrito with bacon, beans, and egg — it’s life changing," she said. "When people come to visit, I say, ‘Would you like to go taste a life changing breakfast burrito?’” And according to Christy’s husband, the salsa is top-notch.
Just how mom makes it
Liz from South Gate brought us right back to her childhood with her favorite spot.
“Every Sunday we go to Maria’s Tamaleria down the street in Lynwood," she said. "And their chilaquiles are the closest I found to the way my mom makes them from scratch.”
Liz added that they have a wide selection of fresh and grilled tamales, but warned you might need to call ahead as they can get pretty busy on Sundays.
If you’re in need of more recommendations, you can listen to the full conversation with Cofax Coffee’s Nick Starr and listeners' favorite breakfast restaurants here.
