Smoke House Restaurant

The Smoke House Restaurant is a wonderful, traditional steak house. It's located right across the street from NBC studios. You won't find alot of trendy stuff on the menu. What you will find is one of the best steaks you will ever eat. I like to order my steaks medium-well. The problem with this is you either end up with medium and bloody or a steak that is charred beyond recognition. The Smoke House is one of the few places that gets it right every single time. The meals are very delicous and the cheese bread they serve as an appitizer is addicting. It's expensive but this is a top rate steak house. Reservations are recommended. Vallet parking is available.

PROS: Darn good steak house
CONS: Sometimes close completely for private parties

Sams Donuts & Deli

I love Dads Donuts. Our family has been going here for years and each of us has our favorite. I like a donut that is only available at Dads. It's called a chocolate iced filled donut. The donut is round like a regular fruit filled donut. But rather than fruit filling it has this chocolate mixture that is light and fluffy and melts in your mouth. The outside of the donut is dipped in powdered sugar, which makes this donut messy but yummy. They also brew great coffee to get you going in the morning!

PROS: Terrific exclusive tasty donuts
CONS: They get you hooked and you want to go every day

Monte Carlo Delicatessen & Restaurant

My family loves the food at Pinocchio Italian Restaurant. You seat yourself and order your food from a buffet style counter. They serve garlic bread with every entree and side salads are available for a small additional charge. Beer and wine are on the menu if you can to have them. Servings are large and prices are very affordable.

My favorite entree is the eggplant parmesan. This dish is difficult to do well. I've had it at more expensive places and it has never been as good as it is at Pinocchios. It isn't gourmet, but it is cozy, home-made comfort food.

PROS: Fast service, great prices
CONS: If you ate like this everyday you would weigh 400 lbs

Harry's Family Restaurant

I just love Harry's Family Restaurant. I think they have the best breakfast in Burbank. The service is always lightening quick and the prices are just right. The coffee is so rich and fragrant and it's made fresh all day. I've been in at 2 am and been served really fresh coffee. I am particularly fond of the waffles at Harry's. I don't know what they do differently than every other breakfast stop, but there is something special about the waffles at Harry's. The lunch and dinner menus are equally good, I'm just biased towards breakfast.

PROS: Great coffee, tasty waffles
CONS: It's no secret that the food is great, so sometimes you have to wait

Lily's Cafe

Lily's is a tiny little cafe on Magnolia Blvd. They make some of the most unique sandwiches and salads. I am particularly fond of the salmon salad made with fresh salmon and assorted gourmet greens. I've also had the turkey breast on focaccia bread. Everything there is a delight to the taste buds. The prices are a little high, but this isn't fast food. This is gourmet food fast. Seating is very limited but Lily's has a robust take out service. Just call ahead and your order will be there and waiting for you to enjoy.

PROS: Gourmet delights
CONS: Not much seating, not much parking

Original Pantry Cafe

The Original Pantry Cafe has been a tradition in Los Angeles for over 50 years. Although they are open 24 hours a day, I recommend and love breakfast at the Pantry. The servers are a bunch of old guys that have worked there almost as long as the restaurant has been open. They are a little rough around the edges, but they are perfect for this place. There are no menus. You order off of large menu boards located around the dinning area. This is the kind of place you take a big group, particularly if they are visiting from out of town. There are no low-calorie, heart-smart breakfasts here. So leave your diet at home for the morning. Plan to stand in line. This is a good thing because it helps you build up the HUGE appitite you are going to need to get through your breakfast. Everything is served with toast, which is 1-2" thick slices of sourdough bread. The pancakes are the size of the plates. The omlettes aren't much smaller. Every breakfast is enough to feed at least two people, maybe more. And your jaw will drop when you realize you paid so little for such a spread.

PROS: Amazing food and lots of it
CONS: Plan on waiting in line for about an hour

Electric Sun-Tanning Salons

I know it's not in fashion right now, and that tanning salons are frowned upon, but I really like tanning at Electric Sun. The facility is always immaculately clean. The atmosphere is very relaxing. The staff is very helpful and cautious. They never recommend over-tanning and believe that less is more. They want you to have a healthy glow, not a baked on look. They have wonderful packages available that make their services very affordable. If you have a special event to attend and decide that you would like to be tan, I highly recommend Electric Sun.

PROS: Clean, well maintained facility
CONS: Can damage your skin if you are not careful

Casita Taco De Carbon

If you are in the mood for a really good, authentic carne asada taco, you have to go to Casita Taco. Get the two taco plate which comes with rice and beans. You will not be disappointed. I always get the carne asada because it's my favorite, but I have also tried the chicken tacos and they are very good as well. They will make any taco "protien style" (without tortillas), just ask! The food is so good that you will be surprised by the affordable pricing. They could charge alot more money, but they don't. It's a tiny place and seating is limited. They will pack any order to go (you can even call ahead). Lunch time is nuts so either go early, go late, or plan to stand in a long line. They are in a strip mall on a busy corner so parking can be tricky, but it's well worth circling around the block if you have to. Enjoy!

PROS: Super-great tacos
CONS: Aren't open 24 hours a day

The Great Grill

Located across from Glendale Community College, the Great Grill has been a Glendale tradition for years. The burgers are amazing. You won't find a burger like it anywhere else. They are even better than the burgers your dad used to grill on the 4th of July. I like the avacado bacon burger, but I've never had a burger that disappointed me. There used to be several locations but over the years they have closed all but two. It's well worth the drive if you don't happen to live close. It's a tiny place and seating and parking are limited. But it's right across the street from the park, so order your burgers to go, get some extra napkins and go have a picnic!

PROS: Best burgers in Glendale
CONS: Not always a place to sit

Gays Automotive & Towing Service

While leaving a college class late one night, I discovered that my battery was dead. I was panicked because I wasn't sure I would be able to get a tow at that time of night. I was also in a very secluded area that wasn't very well lit. I called Gays. The dispatcher told me to wait in my car (with the doors locked) and the tow truck driver would be there in 5 minutes. Four minutes later he was there, jump started my car and had me on my way. I was so relieved to be out of that creepy parking lot quickly. I was grateful to Gays for showing up on time and helping me out in a pinch.

PROS: Quick, dependable service
CONS: None that I have discovered