My friends and I love going to this place. They were closed for a long time but have recently reopened. They even opened up the restaurant side too! Haven't eaten in the restaurant side, but eat at the bar often. I used to get the tostada all the time (yum!) but this time I wanted to mix it up so I got the grilled cheese with tomato and French fries. SO GOOD! I was a little nervous cuz hot tomatoes aren't my fave but it was like the chef made the grilled cheese, then opened it up and put cold tomatoes inside. DELISH! Fries were perfectly crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. Even the ranch was super yum lol. Any time I've gone, they have the regulars there and you feel like you're walking into a bar filled with friends. A lot of the Leisure World folks go there too, so maybe not a 'fun' bar for the youngsters. Bartender (I forgot her name darn it) was really cool and we all chatted like we were old friends. A little outdated but so what! Good food, great portions, average prices, great customer service. read more

Walked into the bar section of the restaurant and it was filled with older white people. The entire room turned and gawked at me as I stood there waiting for service. Then one of the people sitting at the bar asked if I needed help. I said "Is this a restaurant?" I was confused as to why everyone was looking at me crazy like I shouldn't be there. Then she said, restaurant is in the next room. So I said thanks and started walking over there when an old white man stopped me and loudly said "All the black people have to go to the other room." It was a shocking, humiliating and distasteful joke and I think this area is filled with racists. I ate here anyway because my blood sugar was low and I was feeling light headed but I will never step foot in here again. read more

I looked forward to having breakfast at the Primrose...i should have kept looking forward to it rather than actually experiencing it...My last visit was in pre-pandemic days.. And I had an excellent Denver omelet...everything about it was excellent, however on this visit I asked for eggs over medium well with French toast & a cup of tea.... sad sad sad...The eggs over medium well came to me as scrambled eggs...The French toast came to me as a Single slice of French toast cut into two pieces representing two slices of French toast..i asked about this & I got a limp smile indicating to me that the waitress was as unimpressed with what she had to deliver as I was...& back to the eggs over medium that were actually scrambled eggs, the scrambled eggs were tasteless and watery.. The only way I could explain this was perhaps they thought that adding water to the eggs before you scrambled them would make them fluffy...But instead i think they were reconstituted eggs that were poured out of a cartoon...doesn't' really matter cuz the result was crapatola, I think it's a money saving move...It occurs to me that this restaurant is one of those that hopes to be a financial success by serving the smallest quantity and lowest quality in order to max revenue without losing customers...good luck with that...Did I say that the tea bags were brought out by the waitress in her hand and I was given the opportunity to pick "one" from the variety in her hand...The French toast was barely OK.. The tea was just about OK...The presentation was totally weak...I can't force myself to go back to the Primrose under any circumstances...Bye bye to the Primrose...It was nice knowing you.. Oh yeah did I say that I was brought an empty cup with a small container of hot water for the tea beverage with the eggs & French toast...Again it was an example of serving the minimum possible.. Which I think is a mistake in the restaurant business.. I cannot recommend that you visit thes dinning establishment.... hug hug kiss kiss from the outskirts of Tinseltown...b well...b kind...b humble....remain a Proud & Vigilant Defender of helpless animals large & small AND of Truth, Justice & The American Way....PEACE....dg read more

Primrose has closed down!! I went there and they have a sign saying closed until further notice. Hope they come back, but it doesn't look likely!! read more

Agree with others, this place is nasty (dirty). Food is very mediocre. Wait staff nice. Although food came out at all different times over an hours time. Spend your money and lunchtime elsewhere. read more

Cannot believe this is a viable restaurant, The clam chowder tasted like paste. Replaced it with a salad with a cheap honey mustard dressing, The turkey dinner with stuffing and gravy made me lose my appetite. I could not finish the meal. The chef could not be worse. The atmosphere was weather beaten, Service was the highlight of the meal. Jack H Playa Vista read more

Come on folks, this is a diner in the parking lot of Leisure World center. It's not gourmet, it doesn't pretend to be. The booths are worn, the formica tables aren't fancy, but if you are looking for an honest meal, you can certainly find one here. I usually frequent this place for breakfast on Tuesdays, since there is an outstanding farmers market in the parking lot, and taking on the farmers market on an empty stomach usually makes me buy everything that isn't nailed down. Much better to grab a bite first. I have had several things on their breakfast menu, but tend to gravitate towards their breakfast quesadilla, corned beef hash and eggs, and their omelettes. I can say I haven't been disappointed with anything that I have ordered. read more

It was essentially what you'd expect, particularly given the proximity to Leisure World and it's 9,000 or so residents. The staff is friendly and seemed to know most of their clientele well enough (we're an exception, down visiting great-grandma). If it were not for the visit, I'm sure we'd not be returning, but if we were in town with our surprisingly mobile g-grandma, we'd return. Food was okay, priced right (four of us total hit $38 with beverages), so can't complain any. Decor and facilities were dated, but who knows... could be intentional to cater to the "remember when...?" customer base. read more

This place is horrible. The Worst service. The Worst food and the worst atmosphere. The place is absolutely vacant Go anywhere else.

I really like this restaurant, I've been here about 6 times and have always liked what I ordered. The lemon cake was outstanding. I would recommend this restaurant to friends. read more

Primrose is an old fashioned place, a throwback to the 70s or 80's. At first glance that might be off putting to some but it serves the people from nearby Leisure World well. More importantly, the staff is friendly and courteous and attentive and the food is above average. What more could you want? They also have an outside area you can bring your dog to. read more

I have eaten here a few times and while it is not Gordon Ramsey at his finest it is good clean tasty food at a very affordable price. The vegetarian plate is great and I am not a vegetarian. Eggs on toast...great Breakfast great Fish and chips good...I have yet to find somewhere that gives me fish and chips like the UK , chips mushy peas and one fish that fills the plate and hangs over the ends All in all good tasty food at an affordable price Oh yeah the English breakfast tea is a real thirst quencher on a hot afternoon read more

Stopped in on our way home and were completely amazed. The restaurant is nothing to look at. A bit tired. The service was great. Our server was friendly and helpful. The food was such a surprise. My husband had breakfast and I had the Turkey sandwich and chicken noodle soup. The turkey was like they had carved it from bird and the soup had what I think, was homemade noodles. I would go back here in a heartbeat. Everything was so reasonably priced too. There are on 20 some reviews and I'm sure this has to do with the main demographic that frequents Primrose. Next to Leisure World I'm sure doesn't help them spread the word about this hidden gem. We'll be back! read more

Food is great. I went back here recently with a good friend and had the lamb shank. It's my absolute favourite here. Good, choice menu. Very good price. The people are very friendly. I love coming here when I'm in town. read more

Gayle is the sweetest! We ordered corned beef hash and chicken fried steak and it was amazing! The hash brown is cooked to perfection. It's like eating fries (crunchy) and the corned beef has is also has some crunch just the way I like. My husband was very impressed with the chicken fried steak. Guess we found another place to hang out. read more

We wanted something more than fast food and exited the fwy at Seal Beach Blvd. The menu had typical diner food and my son-in-law was missing "real food", so we stopped in. I had turkey with all trimmings. The potatoes seemed like instant, but the veggies seemed fresh. My son had chicken parm and seemed to enjoy it. He was full on the bowl of soup, chicken, and bread, so he took most of the pasta, veggies, and half my potatoes home. The prices were reasonable for the prtions, about $12-$13/dinner which included soup or salad. There were a couple locals/frequent customers as the server called them by name. The restaurant is attached to a sports bar, which was pretty crowded. There is patio seating with smoking allowed on the patio. read more

The Primrose is Seal Beach's little secret to a great place to eat from their friendly food servers to their best bartenders you'll definitely enjoy the experience and you'll be coming back again and again... read more

Great bar service. Brigg and kitchen crew serve some mean avocado bacon cheeseburgers. Thanks guys.

Waitresses are great but short staffed after church hours on Sundays. We we went to breakfast after church for past three years but doubt we will go any more as service is no so great when two waitresses are running and not able to even be friendly because of bei g short staffed read more

I have been going to The Primrose since I moved to the area in early 2012. It has both a restaurant and bar. I haven't been in the bar, but believe it is full service. This is not the place to come to if you want a view, fancy decorations, etc. It is the place to come to if you want good food, much of it fresh made in the restaurant, and wide selection, at reasonable prices. It is not a 'dive' place, but the decor would match that type of place in that it is dated. The club, turkey sandwich, and the turkey dinner are all made with whole turkey, not the watery deli type that so many places at these prices have. Soups, limited in choice to two, are fresh made daily. Their menu has many choices; they even serve a Monte Cristo sandwich. And, they have "specials" every day. Service is good; staff are friendly; the restaurant closes about 8pm, but the bar remains open later. The floors, tables, and bathrooms are clean. Yes, it caters to the leisure world residents, but there are many other non-Leisure World regulars as well. It is obviously very old decor that hasn't been updated for a few decades, There is an outside, covered patio dining area as well. The name is confusing. It is the Primrose, but also known as Lala's. read more

Yeah, a hangout for some Leisure World locals, right outside the gates, but not just for the walker-and-cane crowd. I was very pleasantly surprised on our 1st visit after frequently driving past it for the last 40 years! (live a mile north in Rossmoor). Overall, a quite decent neighborhood cafe, food done right, no frills, a comfortable 3 1/2 star place. The broasted chicken was possibly the best I've ever had- crispy skin, beautifully golden, properly seasoned, juicy but not at all greasy, perfect!. Came with mashed potatoes & gravy (OK), and some fresh steamed (but bland) vegetables; $7.95 2-piece dinner, not gigantic but more than enough to eat, what a bargain. The wife's Chef salad came with REAL turkey, she rated it better than most. The menu is surprisingly large and varied. The bar is on the other side of a wall, with some obvious 'regulars', but almost a separate business. read more

Tostada salad was amazing! Decor is outdated but I didn't go there for that. Good priced as well. I'll definitely come back for another meal! read more

I was in seal beach for memorial weekend and the food was excellent. Awesome Liver and onions. Highly recommend it. My bf ordered the lamb shank which was recommended by the waitress. He loved it. I'm not in seal beach often but if you are id go again. read more

This cafe really needs an up-date! PLEASE take down the dirty curtains & filthy awnings . The food is ok & it is a convenient location. Needs a better HAPPY HOUR. Maybe after they clean it I will try it again. read more

Unhealthy food. My parents like to eat here but I don't know why. I just went with them the other day and ordered chicken stir fry. It was mush, yuck! The steak my dad had was microwaved and over cooked. The decor is outdated. But I just can't believe they serve food that bad. read more

I will definitely not be coming back here. The place is a dump, kinda like an old dirty dive bar that opens at 6am. Which is fine, if you're looking for a an old dirty dive bar that opens at 6am and not a great breakfast experience. I go to breakfast 5 days a week and get tired of hofs and pollys up the street, so I've come here a few times recently. The food here is expensive and not good. The chicken fried steak was the worst I've ever had and the gravy was disgusting. The bacon was so hard and gross it was inedible. The scrambled eggs were not good. The ham I've tried more than once and it is so gross, terrible taste and texture. The coffee, however, is really good and the pancakes were great. When I came for breakfast by myself I spent $17 on my breakfast and when I came with three people I spent over $50 for three breakfast plates. That's way too much money for a place that only has good coffee and pancakes. SERVICE WAS AWFUL!! I've been in the restaurant 24 years and have never been allowed to yell at my tables like our server yelled at us. We were all still nice to her and polite, but sat there shocked. She scolded us more than once for no reason, LOUDLY! She was just clearly having a bad day. Was my only day off work until next month so we were looking to have a nice breakfast and she definitely ripped that away from us. I probably wouldn't mind as much if the food was decent or not so expensive. Although we live next-door, we definitely will not be back! read more

This is the worst place to eat. I have seen 20 servers come and go in a year. When I 1st started going it was ok. The past year has been awful. I only go cause I can't walk far. But I have now hired a driver. I will never return there. I asked to speak to the owner that was standing there and he brushed me off and would not hear my comments. I had found a roach in my coffee cup. I tell the server there named Bridget and she said oh well deal with it. in her hard to understand language. The place is very dirty and they touch your food and money at the same time. The owner does not deserve the right to server people. He is a rude and especially to women . Never go there again!!! read more

I LOVE their crescent breakfast sandwich. I get this about once a week to go and its delicious. Nice fresh fruit on the side with generous portions. I have gotten food here for 20 years including when they were across the street. read more

Nice local bar and grill. Food is decent but the real draw is the bartender, Melissa. As far as I am concerned, the best bloody Mary and the BEST dirty vodka Martini. She is also a good sense of humor and has a lot to say. Thanks Melissa....we will be back soon. read more