Spring 2026 Saturday morning Kathleen's has been in business forever and I'm glad. They're consistent and reassuring for their diners - usually very elderly people. Pro: Very clean, comfortable booths. Never a line, no trendy buzz. Easy parking. Quick service. Great bacon. Reasonable prices. Con: Faint odd smell, sort of antiseptic. Service is efficient, but not friendly. Extremely bland breakfast food. Chipped cups. Scoreboard: This is not a place that will impress, and that's ok. Go here with an old friend, when you need to catch up. It's quiet, conversations are private, and food is in the background. Enjoy a moment tucked away from the noise of modern life. read more

Kathleen's has been a staple of Pasadena for over 40 years, and it's clear to see why-- consistently delicious food, attentive and friendly service, and that mom and pop heart and soul that just can't be beat! I recently had the great fortune of having a baby shower hosted for me at Kathleen's, and it was the perfect venue for it! Kathleen and her team warmly welcomed us into the private room next to the main dining area. They had prepared a wonderful menu for the party to select from and throughout the afternoon floated in and out refreshing everyone's drinks. We learned that a lot of the dishes were based on family recipes, which only added to the charm! They brought out the most incredible broccoli soup to start off with--rich, creamy, textured, perfectly salted, and paired with the best bread! They also gave us some slices of their pumpkin-walnut bread, which we could have eaten a loaf of! Everyone loved their respective entrees, which all were huge portion sizes. I thoroughly enjoyed the charbroiled burger topped with avocado, bacon, swiss cheese, tomatoes, white onions, and thousand island sauce with a flavorful dill pickle and a delicious side of refreshingly crisp and slightly sweet cole slaw. The Tuna Marco was a huge hit as well-- a delightful tuna salad, with tomato, lettuce, and swiss cheese on a soft, buttery croissant. My partner also raved about the Salmon Salad, which featured perfectly cooked, fresh, succulent charbroiled salmon atop a bed of mixed greens, tomatoes, capers, and onions, drizzled with a bright balsamic vinaigrette. Our discerning toddler also did a happy dance and ate a surprisingly large portion of her kids meal bean and rice burrito with a side of rice. Then for dessert, we had an entire chocolate velvet cream cake, which was four layers of heaven. This dessert was light, not too sweet, and really hit the spot. I could eat that every night! All around, I couldn't have asked for a better baby shower. Many thanks to Kathleen and her team for making it such a special afternoon. Can't wait to return with another little one in tow soon to try out other dishes and bring home some more baked goods and desserts! read more

This is a nice charming place nice staff. If you're thinking this place is a French cuisine restaurant it's far from it. What caught my eye first. I saw that they had french onion soup (I am a big fan of) The only thing that's "French" is the ceramic bowl that it's served in, Note my pictures French onion soup should be a beef broth, not a vegetable base broth. If that, what was, onion should been sauteed then put in the broth, not raw onions, and especially not using croutons instead should use a piece of baguette. The cheese was good. As well as their French dip sandwich. There's nothing french about it. Note to owner French dips were invented in Los Angeles in the early 1900s, not France. The meat was decent not chewy. The au jus, you could tell came out of a can. I usually do not try to write bad reviews, but if you want a nice charming place that serves sandwiches and Mexican cuisine, this might be the right place and it's extremely quiet in there which is nice too. read more

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One of the best kept secrets in Pasadena. Hot and new for the last 40 years! Still managed by the friendly owner Kathleen who still attends to all the guests with her very friendly personality and wonderful hospitality. A true restauranteur at heart which is hard to find these days. Her partner does all the fresh baked items and desserts that range from banana bread, zucchini bread, pies and cakes all made fresh! Amazing staff and service too! You always tell a great restauranteur by their staff and knowing that they have been there a long time and still take pride in the service, food and tending to regulars by name. Open mostly for breakfast and lunch and early dinner. Opens early and closes early always steadily busy with its regular and mixed Pasadena clientele from all walks of life. Wonderful selection on the menu including a bar and breakfast fiesta specials including some Mexican breakfast favorites and a wonderful looking Belgian waffle and French toast. Their blt and avocado sandwich was excellent along with its shoestring fries. Their onion soup is probably one of the best in LA - not so beefy but a good mix of onions, melted cheese and homemade croutons. I'd come back for just the French onion soup and their spinach salad but want to try everything on their menu from their cod tempura fish & chips to their kebabs and steak! Plus plenty of salads, burgers, sandwiches and California cuisine! I think i found a new favorite place to dine! Perfect for breakfast or brunch and they have a dining room off to the side that can accommodate larger parties. Very kid friendly too! I've passed by Kathleen's for so many years and always thought it was an upscale restaurant but was so pleased to see how casual, friendly and great food was hidden behind its wooden front facade. They even have some outdoor patio dining in the back making them pooch and dog friendly. Their casual dining room and menu make it a perfect restaurant for everyone. The zucchini bread loaf was generous and delicious! I wanted to get the banana bread but it was already sold out! PS $1 mimosas for breakfast? What a deal! I will definitely be back many times. What a gem , hole in the wall wonderful dining experience for breakfast or lunch. Just nearby the Reyn restaurant but i think is way better! Prices are just a buck or two more but the quality of Kathleen's food and service is much better than most coffee shops or diners. Plenty of parking in the back. read more

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Everything about this place is wonderful, their menu consist of so many different items, I've had their omelets, Soup and sandwiches, salads everything is fantastic. The waitress are very kind and have recommended items and we have not been disappointed, I can't wait to come back and try their dinner menu. One of my new favorite place to eat! read more

Kathleen's has graciously hosted our Pasadena City College Football Alumni luncheon for a few years now and they always treat us like family. I had a taste for enchiladas and I wasn't disappointed! I asked my waitress about them and they came highly recommended so I ordered them. Kathleen is a queen and they do a wonderful job serving their customers. read more

Kathleen's Restaurant - Enchiladas - American Near Me - Pasadena, California

Excellent food. Fast service. Kathleen came to check on us and make sure we were taken care of. The restrooms though - ridiculously small. Seriously a problem. God help you if someone is using the stall next to yours because you won't be able to get out. Wth? It was like using a restroom stall in a camper van or airplane lavatory. read more

Kathleen's has been there forever, and it stays because it is consistently great. Our family has been going since the 1980's, and have never had a negative experience. Recommended to all! read more

I have been going there for years. Staff is extremely friendly and efficient. Everyone who has accompanied me has always loved their food

Expensive for the ambiance, food not up to par. The French onion soup was full of bread at the bottom of the crock but no onions, and the flavor was off -- not deeply rich. And the Quiche Lorraine had a gritty texture. The service, however, was attentive. I haven't been there in years, and won't go back. I really wish the food had been good. read more

Always consistently good. Service EXCELLENT. Best ice tea ever and beverages are always being refilled. Never disappointed. Kathleen is always there, making sure everything is kept at her high standards. You won't be disappointed either! read more

The food here is amazing. Service is always on point and the owner is very hands on refilling drinks, closing out checks etc. This place has been long standing and never dissappoints. Thank u!! read more

They need to clean the place the guy waiters was nice and helpful not even the owner look when you call for help I don't want to give any stars read more

Believe the reviews about unfriendly energies, sub standard food, and the place being egregiously tired. Needs to be bulldozed down, it is so old and dated. If you are not geriatric and caucasian, please please please save yourself a bewildering headache. I made the most terrible mistake of coming here with my family. I am embarrassed to have celebrated an impromptu event there. Goes to show, Yelp is not always right. Trust your gut people. Never again. The servers are nice but, yes, robotic, as others have said. The one star is for David. He is a gentleman of the highest degree in that decrepit dark cesspool of a restaurant. He needs to resign and set his sights much higher. I wanted to leave 10 minutes in but my party didnt want to be rude. Oh, and if you're wondering: 1. Nothing from the griddle until the weekend. Don't ask for pancakes or waffles. Nothing. I have no idea about the mimosas either. Nothing was offered. 2. In case you forgot, if you're black or brown, turn around. Dont go in. Please. read more

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Tasty food and great service. Special outside dining making this restaurant dog friendly! Environment is similar to a old school coffee shop. read more

Kathleen is always there to warmly welcome you. The comfort food is delicious. Nice, quiet atmosphere.

The food is consistently excellent, the service and atmosphere are warm and friendly, giving the whole experience such a wonderful take. We come here often for just these qualities and are always greeted and treated so well! Treat yourself and visit!! read more

A real nice diner located just north of Lake. Went there for Burger week and the mushroom burger they had was extremely tasty. Was pleasantly surprised to have a slice of pineapple with it. Service was quick and friendly. Basically everything you'd want in a diner read more

Kathleen's Restaurant - Cheeseburger - American Near Me - Pasadena, California

Open today New Years Day until 7:30 pm. We are long-time Pasadena customers of this hidden gem that is worth rec. Owner has been here over thirty years and has a long-committed staff. The food is terrific - especially the omelets and sandwiches which they specialize in. They have booths and tables. The business suffered as others during the Eaton wildfire consequences. Please support this business. Thank you. read more

The service was excellent! There were six in my party. 3 loved this fish 'n chips. One swapped sweet potato fries for the fries, one person had half soup half salad. He said the clam chowder and the ham soup were delicious. My daughter had spinach pasta And I had a French dip sandwich with sweet potato fries. We were all extremely happy for the quality of meal and the quantity of our meal. The staff took very good care of us and gave me I think they're closer than the last three years but the most amazing cake I've ever had for my birthday. I. read more

Kathleen's has been a family favorite since it opened in 1982. Great food, easy access, friendly staff. Pasadena's greatest secret! read more

Had not been here since I worked in the area 15 years ago. Still is very well decorated, fresh looking and appealing. We were greeted right away by the owner. Asked about drink preference and given menus. I ordered the club sandwich and fries. What I like about this sandwich is it is served with two slices of bread. Plenty of meat, lettuce and tomatoe. Delicious. Everyone at our table enjoyed the meal. read more

I lived literally down the street from Kathleen's for a few years but never dined inside the restaurant. We were in the area recently and I suggested it for brunch. Kicking myself for missing out! The dining room is spacious, pleasant, and lovely in an understated way. It was quiet... almost TOO quiet. Some music, any music, would make a better dining experience. We came in around 1PM-ish and wondered if they were trying to close. My husband ordered the green omelet and I went with the quiche lorraine... both were excellent and fresh, but I LOVED my quiche. It took up half my plate and was enough for 2 more meals at home; it was rich, but so savory and delicious. We also discovered after we got the check that mimosas are $1 each for brunch! I missed out on so many years of happy brunches and walking 3-4 doors down to my apartment! During 2020, I placed a few takeout orders. I really enjoyed the desserts (especially the carrot cake!) and the French onion soup. Kathleen herself has been in the restaurant and serving customers every single time I visited or picked up food. So glad I finally got the dine-in experience and we will be back for more food and dollar drinks! read more

So this happened today... lol after Sunday service's I began musing upon just how drastically my life has dramatically changed. I remembered that in my previous life... umm pre cancer and pre obviously locked down due to becoming immunocompromised during the apocalyptic pandemic thanks to said cancer. I was feeling a yearning for a bit of sweet... but alas what would hit the spot. I suddenly and immediately began to shuffle through my tasty options. 2ee's and their nostalgic ice cream Sundays or mayhaps a old FASHIONED slice of apple pie with a scoop of vanilla? Or COLONIAL KITCHEN and maybe a Waffle with strawberries and whipped cream? Or something less epic? COOKIE'S? Umm KATHLEEN'S! Perfect amount of sweet and delicious options! I landed on these deliciously delightful treasures! OMG, so good! Chocolate chip! Yum! read more

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Just your basic dinner if that's what you're looking for then it will fill the bill. Wide food options from Sandwiches, to Breakfast to Mexican entrees. No ambiance but again it's a diner. Service was good. They offer bake goods which were all sold out except Pumpkin and Zucchini Bread loaves. I reviewed their Web site and Yelp reviews before going. I selected my order from that. When the bill came the prices were much higher. I asked about the "lunch offers" stated on the reviews I read. The waitress shared that they were no longer offering those. Might have changed my selection had I been aware of this. read more

Excellent food and exceptional service. Will return again and spread the word. Kathleen's always been a quiet gem in Pasadena. read more

This is my first time here with my fiancé. If I could propose here I would . The food and the atmosphere is wonderful. Everyone here is very pleasant. read more

I've been going to Kathleen's for many years. I love the food, the zucchini bread and the pumpkin bread. Both make great gifts for friends and family. During the pandemic I wasn't able to go to Kathleen's for a couple years. When I walked in, Cathy (the waitress) not only remembered my name but the rental car my girlfriend and I had come in 2 years ago. Kathleen's has a quiet charm. The menu is extensive and every thing I've ordered has been delicious. I had the Farmer's salad with added chicken. It's one of the best salads I've ever had. Almost forgot to mention there's a parking lot in the back and you can park your car yourself. read more

Great food! We had the salmon dinner perfectly cooked lovely sauce served with lots of vegetables. We had the spinach salad lots of ingredients a fabulous meal and we had the grilled cheese with avocado and tomato which was delicious. The staff is super friendly and Kathleen herself is wonderful. read more

The food was pretty decent, and the prices are great, but the atmosphere is outdated, the bathroom door squeaks, and the waitress was rather uninviting. We were the first ones seated and the last ones to get our order taken. The other people that were dining were seniors, so it felt like we were getting stereotyped for our age. The waitress didn't even bother to smile. There was no sense of urgency (even though it's not really what we needed) except when it was time to give us our check to get us out. She didn't ask if we wanted anything extra, or if we were interested in dessert; she just wanted us out. The restaurant was extremely empty, unlike its competition across the street. I get why now.. Lack of customer service will kill any business.. read more

Hadn't been there since the pandemic. Still amazing food. You can order a medium rare hamburger. read more

I too celebrated a impromptu event with black, brown, asian and white friends. I thought the service was very attentive, the owner even came several times to check on us. My blackened salmon was a bit salty, but that is usual at most restaurants. The rest of my party enjoyed their meals and the service. No complaints. read more

COVID-19 update 7/7/2021. Kathleen's is open for in person indoor dining. I knew this would be one of the first places I would go after lockdown. We are long time patrons and always have a five star experience here. We went for lunch and we're given a new menu. Photos will be posted. Prices seem to have gone up a bit but nothing shocking. My favorite is the lamb shish kebab. It was great. Hubs had the enchilada plate. Service was good, food came fast, place is running like clockwork. Kathleen was on site and told us that this is their thirty ninth year of business and she's shooting for forty. Go see her, you'll have a great meal. read more

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Food was great, my friend had a hamburger which he enjoyed. I had an omelet which was quite tasty. Service was ok.

If you're looking for a place to enjoy Sunday brunch, check out this place. Primarily catering to the older crowd or families with well behaving kids, you can eat without screaming kids or kids running around. It's so satisfying to be able to hold a conversation with others at your table while eating. After suffering fire damage nearly two years ago, the newly remodeled extended dining room is truly a pleasure to dine in. However, the main dining room has beautiful artwork hanging around the walls. Regardless of what you order, your meal is made with fresh ingredients with love. And all the staff members at the restaurant ensure your experience there will be pleasant. Constantly ensuring your drinks are filled and your meal is satisfactory. Nobody, I mean nobody that works there stands around doing nothing. You'll see everyone assisting each other, regardless of the task. Hopefully by the summer, they'll have their newly designed and built patio dining area built. We're really looking forward to dining outside in the fresh air there again. read more

Kathleen's Restaurant - Cartoon located at the receptionist's desk at the front of the restaurant. - American Near Me - Pasadena, California

I love that there is ample parking in their lot. The staff was hospitable and welcoming. Our drinks were never empty. The meals were reasonably priced and delicious. We will definitely return to Kathleen's restaurant. With that being said we were taken aback seeing the gratuity/service fee for our table of 5 people. read more

Kathleen's is friendly, the food is average, with a few exceptions that rate higher; there are other neighborhood restaurants that I prefer. The menu reads well, what arrives is pretty basic, a lot of food but not a lot of pizazz or particularly noteworthy. They do have myriad choices, and for dinner, provide an opportunity to enjoy a meal and be done before 7:30pm. I find the dining room a bit somber...they close off the windows so there is limited natural light in the interior, and flat lighting, no background music. It does allow for easy conversation, but there is little energy to the space. Regardless, they're reliable, friendly staff, super-consistent as to menu, service...and maybe sometimes that's exactly what you want and need. read more

I'm always on the lookout for an area's oldest establishments as it's a tell of how the management and staff deal with myriad changes of food trends and styles. Kathleen's service is amazingly good considering a relatively tiny staff and roller coaster ebb and surge busy times that tests the training and off the management and staff. It's a quiet original neighborhood nice but not fancy place you can take a family or friends and not have the distractions of the Old Town or Colorado St hyper-competitive "I'm YES certified great!" types of places. A spinach fettuccine with grilled chicken has a very home style al dente spinach pasta with a well balanced alfredo sauce. A chicken quesadilla is generous and flavorful without resorting to overwhelming salsas or blackening. Blue cheese dressing has real Maytag and home made greatness. Looking forward to great brunches and many happy visits here much like places like Lancers and Lamplighter evoke for so many generations of happy satisfied customers. Love also that they regularly sell out of their market fish specials every Friday and Saturday - more signs of a really well run place that will make you feel like you came home again. Parking in the rear, and something that may be an outdoor dining area are being developed and a whole lot of history in one's tiny place. Closes early 'cause that's the neighborhood. Eat well and stay happy here! read more

We Just had a great breakfast and highly recommend this restaurant. The French toast with some of the best I've had compared to many of the breakfast places in Pasadena! The coffee was excellent and the service was great... Cathy was such a joy! The ambience is very clean and neat with open spacious space. read more

Basic diner food at reasonable prices. Nothing special about it. Free parking in their lot.