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.

Kathleen's is one of my favorite restaurants in Pasadena! I typically go for the fresh salmon salads but everything is perfect here! I love the chicken fettuccini spinach noodles and the chicken kabob plates. You will not be disappointed coming here the ambience is nice, restaurant clean, and powders rooms are always fresh. read more

I see many of the mediocre reviews stating that old people eat here or that it's just an American diner. Yes. That is exactly what it is. A standard old-fashioned American diner with good diner food. It does not pretend to be anything else. It is not hipster or trendy. I only have gone for breakfast, but I liked everything I got. I had the belgian waffle and did it red-white-and blue, which is substituting the standard kiwi on the top with blue and blackberries. All the fruit was top notch and fresh as heck. The belgian waffle was nice and fluffy. I liked it. The hashbrown potatoes were nice and crispy and the bacon was nice and crispy. Enjoyed my breakfast. Yes, I've had fancier breakfasts, but so what? BTW, $1 mimosas. Beat that! Gal had the eggs benedict and liked them. If you're not snobbish and want a simple old school breakfast, you could do a lot worse. read more

See all

Salmon eggs Benedict was good sauce, great eggs but the salmon was a little undesirable. Maybe it was frozen at on Hervo Ranchero a B like it better with the tortilla under the eggs. read more

The food is good but not great. However, the service and the environment are wonderful. Many regulars that are obviously there daily and not only does the staff know all of them, but they know each other as a community that seems to have formed around this niche restaurant. Prices were also good. I will definitely return. read more

My wife and I had dinner at Kathleen's about a month ago. The food was mediocre, but acceptable. We thought it was pricey, but with food prices what they are with inflation, that was also acceptable. Our real criticism was the price of a glass of wine. We each ordered a glass of Kendall Jackson Card. K&J is a chard we purchase at Costco for about $12 a bottle. Kathleen's charges $9.75 per glass, which is about what another restaurant would charge. Our complaint has to do with the size of the glasses Kathleen's uses. The pour can't be more than 5 ounces, which means they are getting 5-6 pours per bottle or approx. $50 to $60 revenue from a $12 bottle of wine. A 500% mark-up on a bottle of wine seems outrageous. The service was also mediocre, especially considering the restaurant wasn't that crowded. We won't be coming back. read more

Kathleen's has been a staple for my family and friends for years and I visit regularly when I'm in town. It's a humble but nice place. They are always friendly and the service is great. As a vegetarian, I've always been well taken care of there. Love their zucchini and pumpkin breads! Last night I had their veggie burger and fries and it was super tasty as usual. They still serve the garden burger style veggie burger, which is a big plus in my book, not to mention their default is to top it with sauteed mushrooms - yum! Washed it down with a glass of wine - so good! read more

I am so glad my wife and I were able to have a WONDERFUL lunch today at Kathleen's. They have such a nice setting outside on the south end of the parking lot; it's even carpeted. We'll have to come back for dinner to see the lighting they have inside the canopy. The food there hasn't skipped a beat on their quality and flavor. My chicken ciabatta sandwich was delicious and served with freshly made sweet potato fries (yum!). I think today was the best service we ever had there, so maybe we won't mind our return visits while they're still serving outdoors. Hungry and tired of taking food home? Avoid the crowds and enjoy your next meal at Kathleen's. It will put you in a great mood amidst these crazy days!!! read more

The service and the ambiance were great. The breakfast was good. It's a nice place for a quick brunch and it's good. I would return.

Cute ambiance. The staff is always so nice. The French onion soup is my absolute go to. My fav! With the baguettes and butter. So bomb everything. Homemade food and deserts. And the chocolate cookies so soft and yummy read more

Great place for a lunch or early dinner. Today I had the breakfast enchilada, but they have great salads and sandwiches as well. On Sundays they have $1 mimosas as well! The service here is amazing, and Kathleen is always on the floor serving customers. If you get a glass of water, try and drink it all before it get refilled by the excellent bus team, I dare you! read more

Kathleen's Restaurant - Cheddar and bacon burger - American Near Me - Pasadena, California

I haven't given 5 stars to any restaurant in awhile but Kathleen's is definitely a gem. We usually go to restaurants south of the 210 fwy. So we tried this place and we weren't disappointed. The place has a lot of parking in the back. The service was excellent and food was great. I was kind of worried because the menu had American, Mexican and Mediterranean food So I ordered the lamb kabobs and was NOT disappointed. Food was fresh and prepared perfect. Going to definitely come back and try the Mexican food and dessert read more

See all

Fresh food, good service. Had forgotten about this place now its or go to. Rosemary Chicken Sandwich.

The service here is phenomenal. Kathleen is a nice lady and I've been going here with my family periodically for the past 15 years--- My parents have eaten here for like 30 years, and it's owned by the same Kathleen. The staff is faster than a cheetah to refill your water here at Kathleen's. The food is quality no matter what you order, and the zucchini bread is a winner any weekend!!!! The $1 mimosas are also something you want to add to your life:) read more

Cinco de mayo at KATHLEENS I had #1. Combination:Steak taco guac beans rice fabulous sauce on my cheese Enchilada Husband avaco Blt with fruit Congratulations on great food and making us so happy Usually I order huevos rancheros as the ranch sauce is in house made So are the hot chips Of course we ordered zucchini bread loaf (breakfast )tomorrow and fresh baked chocolate chip cookies for tea today Kathleens fish is cooked perfectly and so fresh I'll order that tomorrow read more

A great lunch option. l've lived in the area for over 70 years and finally gave Kathleen's a try. Good variety of choices on the menu. Fancy? No. Tasty? Yes. Fairly priced and pleasant servers. read more

Has been my mother's favorite restaurant for 40 years. I took her there this morning for her favorite blueberry pancakes. Absolutely wonderful. One of my favorites for breakfast (on Sundays) as well as for lunch. Great American favorites and Mexican specials that are great (and economical). Their coconut cake is the best if you have room for desert. Kathleen herself is usually there and is a friendly and welcoming face. You cannot go wrong here. Strictly a local business, not a chain. Support local businesses as it is a tough time to be in business, and they give back so much to the local economy. Highest recommendation! read more

Hands-down Kathleen's has been one of my favorite restaurants in Pasadena for at least two decades! If you know anything about the restaurant business you know that is quite an achievement for an eatery. I love the waffles with fresh fruit, mimosas, lamb shish kabab, several of the omelettes, hamburger, potato salad, pineapple cheesecake and the fact they have an expresso machine! I appreciate how warm and accommodating the owner is with all her patrons. Especially, because I have the sense her natural personality inclination is considerably less social; really goes to show how much her business and the people enjoying it mean to her. Brava! read more

THE BEST KEPT SECRET IN PASADENA! Seriously. And I say this for many reasons, but especially because of the $1 mimosas! $2 for the second round, and I haven't gotten to a third round, but I dare you to try and let me know how much it costs. They offer classic American favorites and their breakfast is especially good. It's priced fairly and the service is fast. The crowd skews older, which is great because it's quiet and perfect for enjoying a meal and flipping through a Pasadena Weekly. Ample parking, but I'm lucky enough to live walking distance - wooo! Don't wait in the long line next door at The Reyn; come to Kathleen's! Quick side note - Kathleen aka Kathy is working almost every time I go...talk about a boss babe! I'm dying to be recognized as a regular but Kathy still hasn't said "welcome back", so I guess we'll just have to keep going... read more

Pretty good food all around. Wasn't sure about the tacos, but my son said they were pretty close to street tacos. That's a good sign. The rest of the food that we ordered, patty melt and beef dip was really good! The service was decent. The clientele seemed like a bunch of regulars. Lots of older folks... One thing. The owner Kathleen went around to most of the tables. Not ours though. Perhaps the fact that we weren't regulars or that I had teenagers. Don't know I used to work at a flower shop that she used to frequent and she always seemed kinda stuffy. Perhaps she's still in that way. Good food, good service. read more

We came into this restaurant for the first time on Saturday, March 11th at about 1:45PM for lunch. We were in a party of four. I love local restaurants, and I'm glad we tried this restaurant. The restaurant has been around forever, and it definitely seems like a local classic. The atmosphere was kind of in between casual full service restaurant and diner. It was comfortable and a perfect place for lunch. The prices are on par and average for the area and the serve we had was very friendly. Between the four of us, we had a Caesar salad with Salmon, Mushroom Burger, Jalapeno Grilled Club Chicken Sandwich and Grilled Turkey Sandwich. We also shared an order of the Chicken Nachos. We were all impressed with each of our individual meals as well as the nachos; however, were underwhelmed sadly with just one of the sandwiches. The Jalapeno Grilled Chicken Club. You know what? 80% success is pretty darn good, and I would encourage you to try it. I am sure we will be back again. read more

Dining at Kathleen's is always a pleasure. With excellent staff and quality food presented in a warm and welcoming environment. Every visit feels like a mini vacation. Love everything on the menu, but the salmon is my favorite. It's the best in Pasadena and beyond. read more

Service was polite but a bit slow/inattentive. Food quality was about a 3. They overcooked the eggs Benedict. Owner was a bit unwelcoming to kids which is a bit understandable. My 8 year old sat at a different table and accidentally bumped the silverware and she was annoyed at having to change the silverware out. Just across the street is a place called the Reyne and it's a way better breakfast spot. read more

My epic lunch was FABULOUS! MY chicken enchiladas plate was wicked good! Hey, they added a extra ranchero sauce in my bag and it hit the spot! NOM NOM NOM ! read more

Kathleen's Restaurant - Nom nom nom! - American Near Me - Pasadena, California

Mmmmmm, not my bailey wick for first choice of dinner. The food is decent but the menu is somewhat standard. There's not too much a foodie can be too adventurous with here. However, I know they are not aiming for that. It seems to be more of the neighborhood standard. A good solid, decent meal. The clientele tends to be on the older side, I'd say middle aged and above with a sprinkling of 30 somethings rustling about. I hear breakfast is a better choice. There's street parking and I believe there's a lot, but we just parked out front. read more

Rude staff. They said they were short staffed but that was no cause for rudeness. Maybe it was my skin color. Can't confirm race had anything to do with it but I wonder since I am a brown face walking into white establishment. Food was mediocre. read more

You got me at "mimosas for $1"! Which by the way, are amazing! Kathleen's just became my favorite place for Sunday brunch! read more

Very cozy restaurant with attentive staff to match. The food is prepared with TLF and fresh ingredients. The waffle was simply delicious!! The batter was flavorful, crispy and light. A must have! The place is a find!! read more

Kathleen's Restaurant - Red white and blue waffle - American Near Me - Pasadena, California

Great food and super friendly service! Make sure to save room for dessert - the cheesecake is amazing.

Interesting place. From the outside I was expecting something else . They had some special brunch options and even offered $1 mimosas. I got a breakfast sandwich off of their special options, my husband got an omelet, and we both went for the mimosas. The service was quick all around. Our drinks were filled consistently and our food arrived shortly after we had ordered. The food got the job done and I think it's reasonably priced for what you're getting. Overall, it's a breakfast option in the area if you're looking for something reasonable. read more

So food was okay. Unfortunately, I left with a bad taste for a completely different reason. My sister and I were finishing our meal when an elderly African American lady walked in. There was no one to greet her for a bit and when someone finally walked over it was a very inconvenienced "hi". The host told her she would help her shortly, ultimately ignoring the customer as she waited patiently to place her To Go order. The customer waited approx. 10 min before asking for a menu. The customer was met by a different female staff with a very rude tone "we're busy in the kitchen " and that staff walked off. The customer went back to wait. At some point, someone took her order. This incident was clearly observable during my meal, I was very bothered by the way in which this beautiful patron was treated. She was super patient and never complained as she waited holding on to her cane. My sister and I, as customer's felt so bothered by her treatment we ended up paying for her meal. We hope the only thing she remembers from today is a kind gesture that came from the heart. Customer Service at this caliber is unacceptable and bothersome to witness. I know food service is hard and I try to reflect that in the tip and by the way I treat my servers. I just ask Kathleen's to do better. Especially to groups of people who have had a lifetime of negative experiences. Collectively, we need to do better. One star for witnessing the service to a patron, and making my decision to return questionable how this is acknowledged by ownership/management. read more

Delicious! Fresh quality food. My husband and I have been dining here for over 25 yrs. Our favorite restaurant Breakfast, Lunch and dinner‼ Nom, Nom read more

Food was great. Service was friendly and fast. Resturant was clean. We didn't have to wait long to be sat on a Sunday morning and you can't beat a $1 mimosa. However, we probably will not return. The crowd is an older grandma & grandpa spot and it's not child friendly. Bathrooms are too small and no child menu or items. read more

Kathleen's Restaurant - Eggs Benedict - American Near Me - Pasadena, California

Came here for lunch as it was in walking distance of where a friend was staying. We both enjoyed the lunch special Cobb salad and warm zucchini and pumpkin slices of bread. My one critique was that the salad might have been a bit too heavy with blue cheese -- and i love blue cheese! The service was excellent and the iced tea was un-ending. I'll definitely come here again if I'm in the area. read more

Kathleen's is a local favorite! And for good reason!! The food does NOT disappoint!! All of the meals I have had here are excellent & this review is long overdue. The people & the service are top notch as well. This place has been open since 1982 & is a great relaxing place to visit for a bite to eat. Their bakery goods are to die for as well! Definitely try the peanut butter or oatmeal raison cookies if you get a chance. You will be glad you did:) read more

Excellent lunch. Sandwiches generous and sides very good - especially the potato salad.

This is one of Pasadena's best kept secrets. For those who know Kathleen's, you know exactly what I'm talking about. For the rest of you good folks, if you want excellent food, consistently great quality, and a fantastic staff unmatched anywhere else, try this place. Given the current situation, they are only doing takeout - which is still great. Support Kathleen's. This place is top notch! read more

The food here was good (on-point for a traditional American diner), and definitely had something for everyone! The service here was the best I have ever had. I came during a traditional rush hour, Sunday morning, and still had amazing service. I did not have to seek out anything as servers would come and refill my drinks or ask me if I wanted anything consistently. Overall, the ambiance is very vintage and comforting. Definitely a 10/10! read more

Kathleen's has been our favorite after Sunday Mass brunch place for 30 years! They are handling the current take-out very well! So after watching our Catholic Mass that we record on DVR, we go to Kathleen's and get brunch!! Our son is now living in Montana. He was always a big athlete (6'5") and enjoyed Kathleen's Sunday breakfasts very much!! I mentioned it on the phone the other day and he said, "Oh! Of COURSE I remember those omelettes!" Kathleen's has fresh fruit sides with each order. read more