Pann's Restaurant

"Pann’s is a space age-style diner in Ladera Heights where long-time regulars who brag about their grandchildren can be found eating waffles on a Wednesday morning. The 64-year-old landmark of Googie glory is filled with red leather booths, a long line of bar stools overlooking the kitchen, and families sharing plates of golden fried chicken. The breakfast and lunch items are equally great here, so drop in anytime before 3pm daily for a stack of hotcakes, biscuits and gravy, or a tuna melt with housemade onion rings. But the main draw here is the charming atmosphere—you’ll instantly feel like you’ve stepped onto a mid-century movie set." - brant cox, sylvio martins, garrett snyder

"Pann’s is a space-age diner where Ladera Heights regulars, tourists on their way to LAX, and old friends who went to high school decades ago can be found eating biscuits and gravy on a Wednesday morning. Everything here exudes morning-time comfort: the hearty Southern-leaning food, the booths you sink into, and the existence of at least one waitress who will call you “hon.” Drop in for a stack of hotcakes, fried pork chops, or a tuna melt with a side of onion rings, but take time to soak in the atmosphere, too. You’ll feel like you’ve stepped onto a retro mid-century movie set (because it kind of is). Waffles, fried pork chop, patty melt" - brant cox, cathy park, garrett snyder, sylvio martins

"Walking into Pann’s is like stepping into a time capsule from the Eisenhower era. This legendary diner—with red leather booths, neon signage, and a Googie-style roof—has served regulars, LAX travelers grabbing breakfast before takeoff, and anyone craving some chicken and waffles for decades. And it’s still in full swing today, with cooks vigorously whisking eggs behind the counter, waitresses passing around huge jugs of syrup, and a steady stream of pancakes coming out of the kitchen every few seconds. And if all this sounds cinematic, that’s because it is. Pann’s has been a backdrop for plenty of films, too. But what’s even more iconic than all the movie posters and old photos of celebs plastered on the walls are the breakfast plates weighted down with classics like hotcakes, corned beef hash, and biscuits and gravy. They’re hearty, a bit greasy, and probably not the most nutritious way to start the day, but the Southern-leaning diner food here is done consistently well. Go all in and chase them with a $7 mimosa or any of the other cocktails under $10. Food Rundown photo credit: Cathy Park Hotcake Plate This is what McDonald’s Big Breakfast plates aspire to be. The scrambled eggs are cloud-like, and the stack of pancakes is just as light and fluffy. Drench everything in syrup, slap on some whipped butter, then clear your schedule for the rest of the day. photo credit: Cathy Park Pann's Waffle and Chicken The fried chicken here is excellent, and this sweet-salty dish is the best way to eat it. The waffle is sturdy and has extra big squares that will soak up all the syrup and chicken juices. photo credit: Cathy Park Patty Melt on Grilled Rye A buttery, beefy masterpiece. It will practically be dripping with every bite, so just accept that you’ll have to wash your hands afterward. And make sure to ask for more of the pickles and jalapenos on the side to cut through the richness." - Cathy Park

"Just minutes from Los Angeles’s airport sits one of the most beautiful restaurant buildings in the city, an ode to glorious mid-century Googie style and the home of Pann’s Restaurant. Designed by Helen Liu Fong, who also put together classic LA diners Johnie’s and Norm’s, Pann’s serves solid breakfasts and lunch. Opened in 1958 by George and Rena Panagopoulos, the high-ceiling space has been a set for numerous television and movie scenes, chicken-fried steak, patty melts, Cobb salads, and fried chicken plates. There’s no better way to cap off a visit to Los Angeles or feel right back at home again after flying into town than by stopping at Pann’s in Inglewood." - Eater Staff

"Just minutes from LAX stands one of the most beautiful restaurant buildings in Los Angeles, an ode to glorious midcentury Googie style and the home of Pann’s diner. Designed by Helen Liu Fong, who also put together Johnie’s and Norm’s, two other classic Googie diners in Los Angeles, Pann’s serves very solid breakfasts and lunch to a boisterous cross-section of Angelenos. Opened in 1958 by George and Rena Panagopoulos, the high-ceiling space has been a set for numerous television and movie scenes. In the mornings, the chicken-fried steak will grace most of the linoleum tabletops and, by lunchtime, patty melts, Cobb salads, and fried chicken plates rule. There’s no better way to cap off a visit to Los Angeles or feel right back at home again after flying into town than by stopping at Pann’s in Inglewood. — Matthew Kang, lead editor" - Eater Staff