Fattys

My rating is for the food and the service I have received (although I have heard the negative stories too). We recently went there for dinner after years of not going out of (fear of being yelled at in front of our kids perhaps). We had a fantastic meal! Thanks to the other recent review I now understand why the wait person took time to explain to us that the Paella was cooked the Spanish way and would be somewhat burned on the bottom. My husband was confused by this idea, having been familiar with Paella in his carnivorous days but ordered it anway. It arrived and was not burned on the bottom in any way and was truly delicious.
However, one of our children's pizzas was burned on the bottom and we did ask for it to be replaced. It was replaced cheerfully and with apologies from the waitperson and the owners and they even brought over a little dish of nuts for her to eat while she waited.
Of course there is no excuse for being rude to customers and I feel for anyone who has had that experience especially because it is such a loss to have to boycott a restaurant where the food is so Fabulous. I can't wait to go again but I will keep my fingers crossed.

Change of mind, change of heart. Never going back. Really sad to report this.
They used to be my favorite local joint. Sure, I'd heard the horror stories, but I'd never experienced them. Even spent my wedding dinner there. And then... (Read ChowHound for more misadventures.)

Went in for a late dinner, ordered the mushroom paella plate. And at 18 dollars I expected a hell of a lot more than I got. Claiming that the dish was sofrito (meaning well cooked) I got rice that was beyond well cooked, it was effing burned. And being a vegetarian, I know the taste of burned rice all too well. It permeates everything in the dish. Which was the case here. After 4 bites, the only thing I could taste besides burned brown rice was Spanish Olives. And I was paying for exotic mushrooms...

So upon returning the dish, I got Maitre D, waiter, and then busboy pleading with me that the dish was okay. I wasn't buying burned rice. I know Sofrito cooking. I know Spanish cooking, I know Paella. I didn't fall off some turnip truck from the Dr. Phil show yesterday. Okay?

Besides that, I've been a good customer with referrals for YEARS. You'd think THAT would count for something.

And wait a minute here. What about service? If I don't like something at the freaking Denny's, they'll replace it no drama. Any place of class will do so, no drama. But I digress.

So, when I'm not buying the stinking rice-you must eat-you bad customer-you story, Odie or Oatie, the partner in this venture comes to the table and reads me, the customer, the riot act.

Now I had heard about this crap and never experienced it. But here she was telling me that I didn't know what the I was talking about and how dare I say the rice was burned. I did mention that it was BLACK. And she asked if I knew about Spanish cooking. Indeed I do, my husband and I study culinary arts for a hobby. My nephew's wife is a chef, and well let's just say we have chops beyond the average PBS cooking show.

So Odie/Oatie is pulling the Chef Ramsey on me and I'm thinking my butter knife might just be a nice addition to her eye socket as I am breathing down from the number 10. Instead, since I know better, I say to her in a loud enough voice, "Are you arguing with me? I'm your customer and I'm paying for dinner, which is your salary? Why are you doing this?"

Mind you, she was posturing in my face like she wanted to fight.

We promptly paid the bill. A bill that did include my burned rice. I did stiff the kind waiter his tip for the burned rice. And you know, I don't recommend any place that would chose to fight with the customer instead of working toward making their experience seamless, easy and effortless.

When it comes to customer relations management Fatty's is messed up folks. You aren't their priority. Their egos remain front and center. Think about it. They are bully chefs. And Chef Ramsey they are not!
Boycott.

Fatty's is our absolute favorite splurge! As vegetarians there are not many options around, especially on the high end. We have never had anything but wonderful food & great service there. We only wish they were open more, their brunch was the best!

Even our non veg friends love it. Go there immediately!

Pros: Great food, atmosphere, service
Cons: Limited hours, not cheap

What a delicious place!
Ive recently gone back to Fattys and I still find it the most innovative vegetarian restaurants around Los Angeles. The cuisine shows a creativity to satisfy every palate with a fare influenced by various parts of the world. French, Creole and other cultures are quickly noticeable and yet they have a variety of delicous pizzas to choose from. The meals are satisfying even to the greatest carnivores.
Fresh mint for the mojitos and other fresh herbs come from the garden in the back which theyve recently added and furnished with comfortable stuffed patio furniture. The decor respects the architecture of the building that has made of it a landmark without ever competing with the food that is the star here.
Altogether the atmosphere is classy and casual without ever being stuffy while the service is unobtrusive yet attentive making you want to come back over and over.
The silverware shines, the napkins are crisp with fresh flowers here and there while lights and flames glimmer -You can really tell this is a true love affair for the owners and those who come to visit.

We had dinner here with my mom and she is an educated Vegan. The food and salad was very good. Fresh and tasty, I remember this place used to be "Stapp's" in the old days. great atmosphere, pleasant service. Definitely coming back.

My husband and I are far from vegetarians, but we love this place! They season their dishes well - my husband and I have very different palettes and have never had a bad meal here - from quiches to pizzas to a pita overflowing with fresh vegetables and homemade marinade.

It's hard to categorize what type of place Fatty's is: it's cozy but not cramped, it can be romantic if you get a corner table, but if you sit in the middle you can bring a group of friends and be pretty loud and not feel like jerks. I've always received great service here, too.

My one complaint would be their hours and weird takeout policies. They are only open for Weds-Sunday and for lunch and dinner only. They used to be open for breakfast on Saturday and Sunday. Recently, they their weekend hours and weren't open on Saturday mornings (perhaps this has changed back.) They also don't have takeout menus and even if you know what you want, won't allow you to order for takeout over the phone. You have to go in to place your order and wait while it is prepared. Kinda weird, but I guess weird people make good food, huh?

I would not put fattys in the category of diners or coffee shops. How many diners serve fondue dinners by candlelight with an incredible little wine list that includes some of the top wines in the world? I think it did start out as a coffe house about five years ago but now its a place to take your first date.

PROS: food atmosphere wine no wait
CONS: not on west side odd hours

We live in Glendale. My husband and I have been to dinner at Fatty's twice and although the food was okay (except for rather small portions) both times we witnessed very strange behavior by the owners and staff. What are the odds of that? The last time we were there we saw and heard the owner argue very loudly with 3 customers near our table. This lasted a few minutes and was really uncomfortable. When they left we saw her follow them out the door, shouting at them again from the front of the restaurant.
This made us feel really uneasy and and we didn't feel like finishing our meal so we politely asked if we could have containers for our food, to go. We were brought 2 tiny containers which were literally slammed down at our table without a word. We packed our food as best we could and paid our bill. As we walked out, not one of the staff even acknowledged us or said thank you or goodbye.
We're not used to being treated with such indifference at an establishment where you pay GOOD money to try to have an enjoyable evening.

I can not recommend the stressful and unfriendly atmosphere of this restaurant for dinner.

Fatty's could learn some lessons in hospitality and courtesy from Camilo's, a fine and friendly restaurant we frequent, down the street in Eagle Rock.

PROS: none worth the drama
CONS: rude management/owner, small portions, high prices, Inhospitable service..

If you're looking for a place for brunch in the Eagle Rock area I think Fatty's is the place for you. Apparently Fatty's was started by a couple of artists and it shows. The architecture is great - exposed vaulted ceilings and brick walls. Very inviting. There is an entire wall of design and architecture magazines when you walk in. The food is excellent. I had Haitian cashew/mango/watercress wrap whatever that is and it was delicious. Everyone else at the table had some interesting variation on standard breakfast fare. It all was great. They also serve excellent coffee. You can even get your own personal French Press which I am a sucker for.

PROS: Great for Brunch
CONS:

This is a true cafe. Good food, great drinks and wonderful desserts. They have tea service on a tray at your seat. The building design is great too, with the whole storefront a large window. They have a good magazine selection too in case you are there by yourself and need something to read.

As a student at Oxy, I was thrilled to see such a hip little placce open in Eagle Rock. I especially enjoyed the Earl Grey tea service. However, my last few times there were extremely unpleasant. While they were still in coffee-shop format, some friends and I were pointedly asked at the register if we were planning on studying. Other times we got shot evil eyes for reading or lingering at our table. The message was clear - if you're not paying for a full meal, get out so other people can. Being at Fatty's for just drinks makes me feel stressed out and cheap.

PROS: tea service
CONS: feeling unwelcome

Fatty's has become more of a lunch / dinner place than a coffee shop. The food is all vegetarian. What is on the menu is very good. The coffee is great, very rich and full flavored. I have not tried many of the deserts, but I have heard good things.

As a vegetarian I have to defend Fattys. This place is way to good and popular to put up with a bunch of loungers taking up seats and tables all day, when there is a line. And all you complainers out there - (Tom & Joan). You go there every week - so it must be good.

I like getting dessert here. They just opened another seating area. Now that there are enough seats the owner is much cooler.

Vegetarian place. Cool Ricky Sodas

I will give them good food and great decorating. However, on two occasions I have been confronted by the owner/manager about taking up a seat, when not ordering enough. IT IS A COFFEE SHOP! I expect to sit down when I pay over $3.00 for coffee.

Vegetarian food. Wonderful fondue, quiches and daily specials. The coffee is some of the best around. But while I have never personally had a bad experience there, I have heard that at times the management has been more worried about making money than gaining loyal repeat diners. so beware!