Insider Pages Reviews for Clifton's Cafeteria

5 Stars: Clifton's Cafeteria is a classic (by jim b.)

jim b. — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 02:34:00 GMT

A great place to eat while in downtown LA. Food plus experience makes it very special. There a a good reason people keep coming back over 60 years. If you are a jackass who only cares about gum on a public sidewalk or having to pay for parking in downtown LA I'm sure they don;t want your business.

3 Stars: To Describe Clifton’s Cafeteria in a word…. WEIRD. (by Ann L.)

Ann L. — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 20:48:00 GMT

YES go see their website FIRST and learn its history!
I took a drive downtown last Saturday by myself just to experience all that is CLIFTONS and Im glad I did.

As I walked in I immediately felt transported right back to childhood vacations in the Wisconsin Dells.
IT WAS AMAZING!! I found the food lines and decided I should try something so I had a an avocado, Garlic mashed potatoes, roast beef and a diet coke.$11.77! what!? cheap? uuuum not!!!

Do not go for the food. Instead go with a thirst for adventure. Before you leave you MUST go to the 3rd (actually its the 4th floor) and see all the old memorabilia. That was my favorite part.

3 stars for the history and kitsch
1 star for the food
Minus one star for the expensive parking garage, the nasty gum paved sidewalks and dirty Tijuana like shops you have to pass the get there. But I am very happy I got to experience CLIFTONS CAFETERIA.

5 Stars: Best of L.A. (by Michael K.)

Michael K. — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 12:01:00 GMT

I read some of the reviews, and honestly I have not been inside Clifton's in over 50 years, but the place holds more family history for my family than anywhere else. When my Dad was a young man dating my Mother, he asked someone where he could take a gal out for a good dinner. They sent him to Clifton's, and every year there after except during WWII my folks went for their anniversary dinner. When I was young all the fountains, and fake stuff seemed exciting, and my Dad would get such a hoot out of being so much in love with this gal he married, and vice versa that I am not sure the food was what was important. The fact that to this day no one need go hungry at Cliftons is still practiced, well add another star!

5 Stars: Best cafateria ever! (by Naomi F.)

Naomi F. — Sat, 23 Sep 2006 07:44:00 GMT

I use to go to Clinfon's in West Covina all the time as a kid. I am so happy that I now live walking distance to the Clinfon's in downtown. Clinfon's has a great atmosphere, I especially love eating on the third floor. The have the best split pea soup, and vegetable soup around. The turkey is great and so are the deserts. The overall experience can't be beat!

4 Stars: Good home cooking. (by travel m.)

travel m. — Wed, 16 Nov 2005 08:53:00 GMT

Cliftons is the one place that my friends and I remember as children dining at with our parents for home cooking. There are so many choices in salads, entrees and desserts to chose from that one my go nuts. My favorites are Macaroni and Cheese and Custard Pie. Everything is made fresh and served in hearty portions. Though the other locations were closed years ago, the original Downtown Los Angeles cafeteria is kind of prehistoric in appearance and approach, the food is the same and classic in taste.

3 Stars: Comfort Food for Cheap (by Diana G.)

Diana G. — Wed, 02 Nov 2005 07:42:00 GMT

This is an old fashioned cafeteria located in downtown LA that offers your favorite comfort foods, mac n cheese, steaks, sandwiches and lots of desserts.
It has a waterfall, fake trees and animals and also has a policy of never turning anyone away who cannot afford a meal.
They offer both kids specials and senior discounts.

3 Stars: Not a pleasant place to eat (by ESTEFANEE V.)

ESTEFANEE V. — Fri, 01 Jul 2005 11:14:00 GMT

I didn't like my experience in this restaurant. The food is not that great. The place looks really old and has a bad smell. Parking is a real problem because is downtown LA.

4 Stars: Truly Old School! (by Rodney F.)

Rodney F. — Mon, 18 Apr 2005 03:15:00 GMT

Clifton's is an LA establishment, reminiscent of the greasy spoons you read about in noir novels. The interior, though, is something out of a strange theme park with fake trees and supposed wildlife representation. There are even dioramas that you listen in on. Food's good, but not exceptional.