"This landmark cafeteria—which hits its 100th birthday this year— is halfway between L.A. Live and the Financial District, making it a prime stop for early-bird DTLA-ers. The dining room hasn’t changed much since it opened, and feels like a living museum as much as a diner: checkered floors, a vintage cashier booth, and servers who can tell you stories about serving coleslaw to Martin Luther King, Jr. They’ll also tell you to stick to the classics, and maybe suggest a side of housemade salsa to pour over your hash browns. The Original Pantry no longer operates 24/7, but they’re still open for breakfast and lunch Wednesday through Sunday. Show up before 9am on weekends to avoid a wait." - nikko duren, brant cox, sylvio martins, garrett snyder
