The Original Pantry, two blocks from the Staples Center in L.A.
Heavy rains were pounding downtown Los Angeles as Ron G. and I arrived at The Original Pantry restaurant at 5:30 a.m. As we were settling at our table with hot cups of coffee, Ron reminisced about the “old days when the floor was always covered with sawdust.”
A waitress quickly gathered our orders and soon after that, there were eggs, sausages, bacon, mounds of home-fried potatoes, salsa sauce and big slices of delicious sourdough bread on our table. All conversation ended abruptly as Ron and I concentrated on the important task at hand: devouring every bit of food in front of us without gulping down a utensil by mistake.
The Pantry, which often has a line of customers by 7 a.m. waiting to be seated, has had “a policy of serving orders of generous proportions” ever since it was established in 1924. It is located at the corner of Ninth and Figueroa streets and can accommodate 84 customers at a time.
A former mayor of L.A., Richard Riordan is now owner of The Pantry, which boasts: “Never closed; Never without a customer.” And over the years many a movie star and sports hero has stopped by to enjoy a pre-party meal, a post-party meal or simply a meal, all hours of the day and night.
Generous sized tables line one wall of The Pantry.
All the cooks seem to be in constant motion.
Mounds of home-fried potatoes are always on the grill.
Some customers head right for the counter.
Our waitress, Roxy, was very friendly and effecient.
Ron G. was digging into the food before I could focus the camera.
Roxy and a photo from the "old days" when the staff was all male.
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