Came here today for brunch with a dear friend and I love the neighborhood vibes of this restaurant. We tried the chilaquiles and prime rib sandwich. Margarita was really tasty and I can't wait to go back and try other items. Service was great and attentive! read more

Plate 38 - Prime Rib Dip - New American Near Me - Pasadena, California

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Came here on whim when my bf and I drove by and saw that they have happy hour! Let me begin by saying that their HH menu is extensive! We ended up deciding on the French dip sandwich, chicken Caesar, mushroom bruschetta, and skirt steak fajita quesadilla to grub. Plates are small, but everything was delightful! The roast beef in the French dip was so tender, and cheese, onions, and mushrooms really elevated an already wonderful sandwich; also really appreciate the extra au jus accommodation! The chicken Caesar was delicious, with an appreciatively ample amount of chicken and croutons! The mushroom bruschetta was simply perfection. The quesadilla was tasty, especially with the guacamole. Also got to try their fresh lemonade, French 75, and Moscow mule, which were all so tasty and refreshing, especially for this weather. Couldn't leave without some dessert, and they have a pretty extensive list of gelato too! Ended up going with chocolate, pistachio, and dulce de leche for the gelato trio, which also came with fresh fruit! It was divine and just what we needed during this odd fall heat. Our time was made more pleasant by our wonderful servers Jose and Christian! Jose's recommendations were fantastic (and we already have more things that we'll have to try next time!), and he took time to check on us even when the bar got pretty busy; he also promptly got me a fork after I clumsily dropped mine on the floor. Pretty sure that Jose was who my sister and I also had when we came for lunch previously (yay!), especially after learning that Jose has been with the restaurant since day one. Christian was the one who brought us all the yummy food, and was so polite, friendly, and attentive! FYI, parking lot is a decent size, but can get pretty full as it shares with other restaurants and businesses in the plaza. There's also a pretty nice TV behind the bar, which the high tops and bar seats provided a great view for the Dodgers game! Had to take a star off because the bottoms of the high top chair was severely scratchy against the back of my legs from the significantly worn out cushions. Had to take another star off for the original guy who greeted us, as he made me feel insignificant for not having made reservations, even though all 4 high tops were available when we arrived and only about 1/3 of the bar seats were taken for walk-ins. Potentially likely to return to try their other menu items and drinks. Will likely make a reservation so as to avoid the irritating high top chair cushions and judgment though. read more

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This was my first time visiting Plate 38. We made a reservation in advance to help avoid a long wait time. When we arrived it took a few minutes to get acknowledged. So, we waited patiently and ended up being seated after a few minutes. It also took a several minutes for our waitress to come to our table. I will say it looked a little busy for a Sunday. Our waitress CeCe was fun and courteous. For brunch, we ordered the Breakfast Burger, Croque Madame, and Chilaquiles. We also decided to have libations - we had a Michelada and Carajillo. The Breakfast Burger was delicious. There was a great balance of flavors and ingredients. My husband particularly enjoyed this burger. My friend had the chilaquiles- the green sauce was flavorful and had a little kick. The carnitas were also very tasty and the scrambled egg were cooked perfectly. The Croque Madame was great - the Gruyère cheese was delicious and creamy and the bread was so fluffy and delicious. The eggs were cooked perfectly sunny side up. The salad was another hit, there was a very light and flavorful dressing that complemented the Croque. I also appreciated the extra little side of fruit on my plate - great breakfast mix. The Michelada tasted more like a Bloody Mary, so my husband was not a fan. I had the Carajillo and it was delicious. The froth elevated the taste and experience. It was my friend's birthday, so CeCe brought us a scoop of delicious creamy chocolate ice cream, I thought what was a nice and thoughtful surprise. Overall, our biggest issue was the wait time. Waiting to be acknowledged, seated, get our tab, and pay for it. The food though was very good with great flavors, nicely cooked, and beautiful presentation. Although we had an issue with wait times, we would return for the great food and friendly service. read more

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I've been to Plate 38 a few times and it's always been a vibe. Decided to go today with my fam and it was pretty decent. I had the crab cakes and ceasar salad w/ chicken. The crab cakes were very tasty so 5/5 for me!!! The salad was good too, which you can't go wrong with! The menu changes everyday so it's always different! Very good options as well. The service was ok...our server was nice she messed up a few times on our order but did correct it!! So customer service was 4/5 for me. However, all the other workers were very good attentive and checked on us as well. The ambiance is cute! Nice bar and outside seating. It's a good place to go to in Pasadena for brunch and happy hour. They have a really good happy hour menu with good options. It's very reasonable too!! They have it from Wednesday - Sunday 3pm -6pm and then starts from 8pm to close. Mondays is 3pm-close. Very good happy hour for sure!! Will have to try it soon! Plenty of parking in the lot. -Marshay D. read more

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We were looking for a happy place on a Thursday afternoon. We arrived before 5 and the restaurant is semi packed already. The restaurant looks cozy and chose to sit inside instead of at the patio. We asked for the happy hour menu. We checked the menu and found that the pricing is not really attractive. One taco is $8/9 but if you get 3 tacos from the main dinner menu, it's $20. We decide to order the main dinner short ribs with mash potatoes to share. We each ordered a drink. The server was friendly and responsive. He even split our dinner already so we enjoyed it without splitting it ourselves. Since we were not too hungry, sharing the main course is perfect. The food tastes good and drinks are good. HH pricing is ok. I have seen better in the Pasadena area. It's good we tried this place, but probably won't be back. read more

Plate 38 - Hard kombucha. - New American Near Me - Pasadena, California

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I have not eaten here since COVID. Finally went back and really enjoyed the atmosphere and the food. Service was cool and the menu had a lot of unique items to choose from. They change the dinner menu every day, and the owner, does a lot of the cooking and menu items. That's why I love it here because he is invested in his business and cares about his customers. This is a plus for me. They have a great happy hour menu daily even on the weekends. Easy parking. read more

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This was our first time there ! We went the day before Mother's Day with a big party. There was a lot for parking and we had a reservation. We waited a bit to get seated and once we did unfortunately the service was not great. Everything took a long time and we were there way longer than we wanted to be. The servers were nice but definitely overwhelmed. We went during happy hour but honestly the pricing for that was not great and only come with one item per order off the menu. Might as well just order off the main menu to get enough food. The reason why I still gave 3 stars is because the food was SOOO GOOD! I hope to be back to try more of the food and hopefully it was just one off day. I got the yellowtail and one poke taco . Both delicious!! read more

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Off the beaten path from the hustle and bustle of Pasadena, we stumbled upon this fantastic gem! Everything here feels made with care ...from the food to the service. Manuel created a beautiful custom mocktail for me with cucumber and fresh juice that was both refreshing and perfectly balanced. I had the salmon salad, which came with beets, asparagus, mandarin oranges, and a balsamic vinaigrette -- such a delicious combo! I also really appreciated that they ask what temperature you'd like your salmon cooked -- not many places do that. Stephanie, one of the servers, was absolutely fantastic! Even though she wasn't our main server, she stopped by to chat and was so funny and personable. It's rare to meet someone who brings such great energy to the whole restaurant, not just their own tables. And let's talk about dessert !!!Hands down my favorite part (though everything was amazing). It came with candied nuts on top, coconut cream in the middle, and a rich chocolate ganache on top, with mint and fresh berries on the side. To die for! I'm already planning my next visit. Can't wait to try the pumpkin soufflé next time! read more

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Came here for bottomless and well it was fun! I think the food here is okay and pricey for what it is. The bottomless was insane because each mimosa is so big and so strong that you really can't kill a lot of them but it's plenty to get to the bottom‍ anyways bottomless at rfd and Edwin mills is superior read more

Plate 38 - Croissant Breakfast Sandwich & mimosa - New American Near Me - Pasadena, California

Cute fun place...We came in as a party of 9 and we were seated on the side patio with an extremely loud party which was fine. Our server Stephanie noticed how loud they were and offered to move us to their other patio. What a great save! We all traveled an hour to get there so being able to talk to each other made all the difference. Service was top notch from Stephanie to the rest of the staff. Everyone enjoyed their food from the breakfast burrito, burgers, fries, and the croque madame. The only disappointing thing here was the chilaquiles. They had very little flavor, really soggy chips (soggier than they should be). I wish there was a dab of cheese or beans. 3 of us had them and said the same thing. I would definitely come back and enjoy something else. Their bar is fully stocked and it looks amazing. Sunday brunch is probably a blast here! read more

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We live two blocks away and have been in at least 6 times. The service is always good and the good is great. We came in last and the server was very rude. After we were seated he walked over to the table and said "happy hour burgers only". I wasn't sure what that meant so after he repeated a second time I asked him and he looked at me and said "what are you trying to order?" like he was doing us a favor or something. We paid for our two drinks and left. Went to Ruth Chris and had a great meal. There are plenty of restaurants out there that will take our money. read more

I've been going to Plate 38 since the beginning. The food has always been good, sometimes even great. The service is hit or miss, but mostly hit. We came for dinner tonight, ordered drinks and a few plates from the after 8 happy hour menu, then at just after 9pm, our server came by to let us know it was last call for the kitchen... Which seemed a bit premature because their posted closing hour is 10:30pm on a Saturday night. I asked to order an item from the specials menu and was told that the kitchen already put all of that "stuff" away. But she had also just said it was "last call". Clearly the kitchen closed at 9pm. If that's the case, fine, but please change your posted hours of operation. This was a very disappointing experience. read more

Plate 38 - Hours of operation - New American Near Me - Pasadena, California

$14 for a slice of cheesecake about the length of five quarters laid side by side. Ironically, the cheesecake should have cost about the same as five quarters. The container and bag it came in were disproportionately bigger than the dessert itself. And after all that, the cheesecake was just meh. Ridiculously and obscenly overpriced. read more

Plate 38 - $14 slice of cheesecake - New American Near Me - Pasadena, California

One of my favorite restaurants. Waitstaff, bartenders are always nice. Food excellent, always very fresh. Def recommend to come here if you like oysters m. It can get a little loud, if you are hard of hearing. But the atmosphere is always great, intimate. The interior is clean. Will always come back here. read more

Plate 38 - Filet Mignon - New American Near Me - Pasadena, California

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My favorite thing here is the ambiance. Very lively, warm and a great neighborhood gem that is not too uppity but nice for any evening. The staff are welcoming, grateful to have you & serve, and ready to give recommendations on any of the food and drinks. They time the service well, too. So you can see signs of how hard the team work as indictable and as a collective to give a great over all dining experience. The food ingredients are quality and they craft some very tasty and interesting selections. There's usually a specials menu and the standard menu, which is exciting. And I've never had a bad dish here, but I definitely have some favs! The drinks are also quality and crafted well. I've never had a bad drink here either. I recommend Plate 38 if you're in for a chill neighborhood culinary experience with a friend, spouse or small group. Or, hang with many at the bar if you come early and find seating. read more

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Amazing restaurant with delicious food and a great ambiance. Went on a weekday night to watch the Dodgers game and it was not super busy. They had a big TV at the bar area, as well as indoor and outdoor seating. The burgers were packed with flavor and the staff are very friendly and helpful. The fries were thin and perfectly crispy. read more

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I came here for brunch this weekend and was so excited to try it. I ended up getting the egg and sausage breakfast and it was okay but what I was most surprised by was the prices! They were very high for what it was. The ambiance was average, I wish they had more TVs in the dining area. read more

Surprised the hubby with a celebration at this quaint restaurant! Had the patio to ourselves, playlist added a nostalgic touch, conversations and drinks were flowing. Waitstaff were attentive but not intrusive and accommodating. Also had a late night "happy hour" which was a pleasant surprise. After all of the traveling we've done in the last 30 days, it was nice to chill for a moment. Hubby and I will visit again to experience a quaint dinner. Thanks for being a part of the celebration and memory. read more

Plate 38 - 60th birthday celebration - New American Near Me - Pasadena, California

I saw an older woman fall hard in this restaurant injuring her knee, Paramedics had to be called. Why I think because he floor going from the inside to the outside tales on the Colorado street side, has a step down that is not marked with a warning stripe or a "Watch Your Step" sign. The tile inside and out is exactly the same and the edge of the step is disguised with an aluminum sliding door track. To top it off you are going from inside to brighter lights outside. This is pretty sad. I heard the woman cry out in pain when lifted onto the gurney for transportation to the hospital. How about a little thought for your customers. How much effort can a warning sign and a painted step delineation stripe cost to make? read more

Always taken care of at Plate38! I love coming here to support a neighborhood business. Parking: Shared lot Food: Their happy hour is one of the best in Pasadena. They have an array of heavy apps and great assortment of charcuterie and cheese. Note their $1 off oysters between 3-4PM at time of writing! Service: Consistently friendly hospitality. They are the real deal. I've seen them expand over the years and happy to have the extended patio in the summer time. A solid staple to the mid-Pasadena dining scene. Hoping to achieve regular status soon. Salut! read more

Great place for a mid morning breakfast solid food !! Plate 38 on its way to being the go to place in Mid Pasadena read more

Plate 38 - Sunny Side up + Avocado slices - New American Near Me - Pasadena, California

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Went for dinner with a friend on a Thursday around 6:30pm. Social hour ends at 6pm. I like the ambiance of this place. They have an extensive menu, small plates l, large plates, and a full bar. Service was just ok. I liked my crab cakes, my friend liked the Caesar salad very much. It's worth giving this place a try. read more

Plate 38 - Check - New American Near Me - Pasadena, California

I had a bday brunch on a Saturday with a group of 9 people. It's was easy to maneuver through the online to book reservation. Host and waiters was amazing and very friendly. Atmosphere was a really good vibe sat outside. Food was amazing. I was really thrown off by some of the reviews saying that the portions were small, but I have to say they are shareable. after the brunch ended up heading to the bar area. Very big selection on drinks. Had a really great time and all of my friends said it was an amazing spot to go to. I would really recommend this spot and I will be going back. read more

Plate 38 - New American Near Me - Pasadena, California

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haven't been here for years but it remains to be a staple in the pasadena community. the staff is so accommodating, the outdoor seating is beautiful, and the food is to die for. Dennis is a crowd favorite and is so attentive. we'll definitely be back soon read more

Always excellent food here. The tuna tartar tacos, bone marrow, cubano sandwich.....everything. Service here treats you like family. No matter how busy they get, you get what feels like priority service and they always make sure to check up on you. read more

The food is very good and the service is adequate (the restaurant needs a dedicated host or hostess). They could also use an insect control system...too many flies buzzing around the tables. read more

We went for brunch, the food is solid, like good. I wouldn't say spectacular but this is not the place you go for fancy. It's very nice inside and the service was really good. Will definitely be going again for lunch. read more

Had a low key dinner here with my partner. It can get crowded but you can always make a reservation! My partner got the cioppino which was one of the specials and I got the classic burger. The burger was great and cooked to perfection. My partner like the cioppino but just noted that it was a bit salty. The only downside was the service. Pretty slow but the servers were nice and friendly! read more

Totally very late share, but still worth it. Went to brunch with my youngest. The restaurant is relaxing and beautiful. Breakfast food was on point and we shared the giant mimosas. Our wait person was fun and offered us wonderful suggestions. Will definitely go back whenever I visit Pasadena, CA. read more

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"I finally stopped by Plate 38 after driving by it many times. The place was busy when I arrived, especially around the bar area. I didn't have a reservation, but they seated my group fairly quickly on the covered outdoor patio. The patio is nice and covered, but I started noticing that certain types of guests seemed to get seated there while others were directed inside. It might have just been regulars or a coincidence, but it stood out. Our waitress seemed stretched thin managing both indoor tables and the patio. Food and drinks took a while to come out, though she did check in a few times and reassured us our drinks were on the way. The drinks themselves were pretty weak. The food was just okay -- nothing memorable that stood out. Service was average overall. It was fine for a quick stop, but nothing that would make me want to return or recommend it enthusiastically. I'd probably try somewhere else next time in the area." read more

Plate 38 - Dinner menu - New American Near Me - Pasadena, California

Food is was great service on point ambiance great not alot noise music was really good love it read more

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Yummy brunch and bar spot! The decor was really edgy and cool and the food was delicious. The portions are generous (these pictures do not do it justice) it was my first time there and when the food arrived I was pleasantly surprised. Service was good overall, but the food did take a bit of time to come out. I think because we went early, but either way the food was good enough to wait. I also appreciate that there is a lot to park in because parking can deter me from places, but this place is solid. read more

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Waiter was very friendly, humorous and pointed out options and specials. He was accommodating when one menu item was not available. all three different meals and dessert were great! The 8@8@$8 late happy hour drinks were tasty, too! Nice ambience and reasonable prices for the service and food! Can't wait to go back! read more

The food was ok. Servings were big. Good for sharing. Enjoyed the crispy chicken sandwich. The breakfast burrito was just so so. The staff were friendly and a nice place for a quick meal. read more

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I previously worked in the area and would visit Plate 38 at least once a month. They have great lunch and happy hour specials. I'd forgotten about them until Dine LA with proceeds going towards the recent LA fire victims. I'm really happy to have returned! My daughter and I had a fabulous dinner and while food service was slow, the customer service and food were wonderful! Price is easy on the wallet and the regular menu has lots of options to choose from. Parking can be tight but not impossible. read more

Plate 38 - Filet and Braised Short Ribs - New American Near Me - Pasadena, California

I ordered the Smoked salmon Rosti My date ordered Smoked trout toast Deliciousness. Thank you Manny for the recommendations. We will be back For HH!!! Excellent service read more

Plate 38 - Smoked salmon rosti - New American Near Me - Pasadena, California

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How is it that I live in Pasadena and just now decided to visit this delicious restaurant. Had a late lunch here. Service : good Ambiance: nice Food: delicious Love love love ‍ read more

Plate 38 - Dozen oyster - New American Near Me - Pasadena, California

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Fantastic place!! Incredible foof! I had the breakfast burrito (with no peppers, cause I'm a wimp!) They did it perfectly and even the bacon was extra crispy as i had requested! My sister had the Croque Madame and it was truly a gorgeous, delicious meal!! Our server, Stephanie, was tops! Truly amazing service and she was so friendly and patient. Highly recommend you ask for Stephanie! You won't be disappointed! Great place! read more

My favorite brunch spot in the area! Great, friendly staff, delicious food and they keep the bottomless mimosas flowing. Multiple covered patios and a nice bar. The server/bartender Stefany does it all and is awesome! Highly recommend this spot. read more

Plate 38 - New American Near Me - Pasadena, California

Agree totally with reviewer Doohee L. comments about the mushroom omelette. The fresh salmon on the salad is prepared to your choice. The server can have the kitchen also replace the vinaigrette dressing with another dressing. The hot tea choices are only a few but are from a quality tea company. Just be aware there is a charge for paying the bill with a credit card. read more

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