Im not a breakfast food person, but I dream of going back. The place is small, but gorgeous. French salon meets art museum, along with classical music, good food and attentive service. I absolutely loved this place. read more

There is a specific, frantic alchemy to a dining room at capacity, yet Russell's navigates the morning rush with the practiced grace of a veteran stagehand. Despite the sidewalk swell of hungry patrons, our party was swept into a booth with a speed that felt less like luck and more like a well-oiled logistical triumph. The aesthetic is a love letter to the mid-century diner: a curated "old school" charm that avoids the trap of kitsch, opting instead for a warm, lived-in nostalgia. It is the kind of room that feels as though it has been buffering the neighborhood's hangovers and triumphs for decades. The Service: A Masterclass in Restraint Our server possessed that rare, intuitive sense of timing--the "attentive ghost" who appears exactly as a coffee cup hits empty but vanishes before the conversation loses its momentum. In an era where "helicopter hospitality" can feel suffocating, the staff here maintains a refreshing brevity. We arrived with a picky eater. My toddler, will not eat if it's isn't familiar. So luckily the kitchen didn't falter, pivoting seamlessly to a bowl of jewel-toned strawberries that bought the table ten minutes of blissful silence. Enough time to scarf down my pancake. Delicate bacon and perfectly scrambled eggs. Russell's doesn't need to reinvent the breakfast wheel; it simply polishes it until it shines. It is a reliable anchor in a sea of over-conceptualized brunches. One doesn't merely eat here; one joins a rhythm. I'll be back for an encore. read more

Russell's - Pancakes eggs and bacon. - American Near Me - Pasadena, California

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You really can't go wrong with a classic American breakfast and Russell's be serving up all the classics. To cut to the chase we got their "The Big Breakfast" which came with french toast, sausage, hash browns, toast and eggs. One the side we got their belgian waffle as well. I would say everything was really good and very solid. My favorite part of the meal was their sausage though. It was super flavorful, juicy and one of the best I've had in a while that was memorable. I would most definitely go back in the mood for a reliable breakfast in Pasadena but nothing here wowed me besides the sausage. read more

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If you are looking for old time diner this is your place- very positive staff, checked on us regularly and food came very quickly- restrooms were very clean and food was great. I had the traditional famous cheeseburger - had the pickles, onions added - also upgraded the side dish for onion rings - burger was juicy & generous size. Could use a touch more seasoning but left feeling very full and satisfied. Last time I was here I had a great breakfast but that was years ago. read more

Russell's - Cheese burger and onion rings - American Near Me - Pasadena, California

Expect a long wait time--but brunch here is worth it. It's located on the main street of Fair Oaks, with paid parking available in the structure right behind it. There's limited seating outside while you wait. To be honest, the space isn't the most accommodating for larger body types, as the tables are bolted to the ground and can feel a bit tight. The restaurant itself is small, but the food makes up for it. You can really taste the freshness in the orange juice, and the overall vibe gives a nostalgic, old-school diner feel with the red seats and classic presentation. It's the kind of place that feels like a step back in time. I ordered the waffles, and my partner got the pancakes--both were great and didn't disappoint. The portions were generous and satisfying. I'd recommend coming with a party of four or fewer, as space is pretty limited. read more

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Russell's is a classic. Old bones, old stories, old menus, and old flavors. I find this recurring theme at all the well loved restaurants from the last century who have somehow survived it all. They just exist in their mediocrity for all of time and leverage the fact that they haven't changed as a selling point. To me, that's all I taste. It's not nostalgic, it's just stagnancy. Dry eggs, under seasoned, nothing noteworthy or exceptional. Not hating, I love the oldies. I just keep running into this same experience of being underwhelmed. I've had the same at Marston's, Bill's, Buck's, Joanie's, basically any spot with someone's name in the title. Maybe I'm jaded, but I distinctly remember the quality of all of these spots in the 90s. Did my tongue degrade over the years? Or is it that the rigidity of these recipes and menus haven't kept up with the breakfast scene? Who knows. It was still lovely, but took forever because it's so popular, and cost an astronomical amount for basic breakfast options. I'm glad I got to experience it. read more

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Tried Russell's in Old Town Pasadena for Saturday brunch--definitely expect a wait. Got there around 10:15 and waited ~35 mins, so hop on the waitlist ASAP. Service was amazing. Our server was quick, attentive, and genuinely friendly. As for the food, the hash browns were easily the best I've ever had--loaded with bacon, onions, bell peppers, and cheddar cheese. Everything I love all in one dish, cooked perfectly. We also shared a bit of everything, and the French toast really stood out--warm, fluffy, and incredibly aromatic. If 10 is the max, I'd give it an 11 just for the service. read more

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A great classic diner! I've never been able to get near this place because there's always a line and they close at 2. But I was able to slide in before closing and get a Belgian waffle breakfast. Quite good! read more

Russell's - Belgian waffle breakfast combo - American Near Me - Pasadena, California

This is basically our ICU's unofficial post night shift breakfast spot. After twelve hours of alarms and no sleep, Russell's just hits the spot. I can't personally speak to the drinks, but my coworkers love them. The croque monsieur and croque madame are really good, and they make a solid veggie and cheese omelette too. Service is always fast and friendly like family, which honestly matters when you're exhausted. They also validate parking for the structure behind the restaurant, which makes it easy. We've come here for birthday breakfasts too and it's always a good time. Cozy diner vibes and strong coffee. We love Russell's read more

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We went with a party of three around 9:20 a.m. on a Tuesday morning and were seated very quickly, which was expected given the time and day. Service was good, nothing exceptional, but solid and what you'd anticipate for a breakfast spot. We ordered the ultimate breakfast burrito, which came with hash browns; a cheese omelet with added bell peppers, onions, and extra cheese, served with toast and hash browns; a cheeseburger with fries and ranch for my niece; and buffalo wings to go. We also had orange juice and water. The restaurant itself was clean, the food came out fairly quickly, and our waiter was professional and attentive. As for the food, it was decent overall but nothing memorable. The buffalo wings were honestly the best-tasting item we ordered, but everything else was just average. Overall, it wasn't bad, but nothing really stood out or impressed me. Because of that, I probably wouldn't return, not because it was disappointing, but because there was nothing noteworthy or particularly good enough to bring me back. My true rating is more like a 3.5 .. 4 too high and 3 too low. read more

Russell's - Ultimate Breakfast Burrito - American Near Me - Pasadena, California

Long wait even for a Friday morning. Waited 40 min. ***Free 90 min validation parking.*** make sure you park at the back parking garage behind the restaurant. Our server was awesome!! He was attentive and super nice! The Belgium Waffles were delicious! Esp the syrup! I don't overly sweet things. This was sweet but not too sweet. Definitely shareable if you order a main dish also. I got the Chicken Fried Steak and added Belgium Waffles. The Chicken Fried Steak was ok. Good but nothing stood out. read more

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Really cute diner in the heart of downtown Pasadena! The service was really nice and the food came out hot and fresh :) I would not recommend super big parties since the place is a bit on the smaller side but I would recommend getting the special spuds for savory people and blueberry pancakes for people with a sweet tooth! read more

Russell's - American Near Me - Pasadena, California

Wait time was 45 minutes for a party of 4 on Saturday at 11am. There's a few seats outside for those to wait, and a host will come around to check in on the waitlist every so often. Everyone needs to be present to be seated, but they can wait 5 minutes for your full party. They also validate 90 minutes of parking at the garage next door, which we wished we knew beforehand! Inside, the decor is very cozy, I especially liked the various styles of painting decor! Of course, the main star of the review was the food-- for typical breakfast/brunch diner style, Russell's is a solid choice. I ordered the Vegetable and Cheese Omelet and subbed my toast for a Belgian waffle. The omelet was filling and had a great selection of vegetables, though I do wish it included bell peppers. The Belgian waffle was okay, it was soft and not soggy. Though if you're looking for authentic Belgian waffles I would go somewhere else. The serving of hash browns was not as greasy as I'd expected, and overall was an amazing breakfast/brunch. My group also asked for the Reuben Pastrami to be made to-go when we ordered all our dishes, but when we checked with the server at the end of our meal (about 1.5 hours), the kitchen did not have our sandwich ready and we opted to cancel it. Other than that, the service was adequate and the atmosphere made it a great place to catch up. read more

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delicious breakfast! wait here could get pretty long on the weekends but there's plenty to see and walk around in the area. service here is prompt and our server was very nice. he even noticed we were splitting our food and split it into 2 plates without us even asking ! so attentive!! inside gives diner vibes with a good amount of seating inside. their bacon is sooo good! thick cut sliced and crispy to perfection. i also loved their spuds bowl. the perfect mix of breakfast favs read more

Russell's - French Toast Bacon & 2 Eggs - American Near Me - Pasadena, California

Really wanted to try this spot as I heard it's been around since 1930. Definitely a popular spot with a wait so plan accordingly. Service was nice and the food was good. read more

Russell's - Bacon & 2 Eggs and Belgian Waffle - American Near Me - Pasadena, California

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We stopped here after seeing the line of patrons waiting outside and figured it must be pretty good. Glad we did! The food and service are GREAT! This place gives old school diner vibes with a modern twist. I really enjoyed the egg scramble and they give very large portions of hash browns on the side. The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars is because of the wait time. After waiting 35 minutes to get inside, we waited nearly another 30 for our meal, and this was on a Monday at 10:45am. I'd suggest a YELP waitlist if possible read more

Russell's - Russell's Scramble - American Near Me - Pasadena, California

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Amazing service, great diner vibes in the middle of Pasadena and amazing food! Finally checked out this historic diner and tried their Croque Madame, which turned out to be everything I wanted in a warm savory breakfast sandwich. The creaminess from the melted cheese, paired with the crunchiness of the toasted sourdough, paired with the hearty ham and topped with an egg was bomb dot com. So glad I tried this dish and can't wait to come back! read more

Russell's - Croque Madame - American Near Me - Pasadena, California

Russel's is a legit breakfast spot in Old Town Pasadena. Food is solid, service is on point, parking is easy in the lot a few steps from the restaurant, and if you snag a window seat - the best people watching. They said it would be an hour wait, but we got seated in about 30 minutes so don't get discouraged if the wait seems like it'll be long. I came for the waffle, which definitely lived up to the hype, but the scramble with bacon, mushrooms and tomato also hit the spot in a major way. My husband got the Croquet Madame and said it was really good, also. They have a nice selection of breakfast drinks - mimosa, champagne, blood mary, beer, wine. The vibe is real homey, friendly -- basically, very warm. Food comes out fast and hot. We left very happy (and full) campers. read more

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My family, friends and I really haven't gone anywhere else for all-American breakfast or brunch in years since getting hooked on Russell's. They make the best traditional shredded hash browns in town. Everything I've had here has been solid and my usual go-to is the vegetable with cheese omelette (which comes with hash browns... extra crispy, please) with the 1-pancake upgrade for $2 (in place of your choice of toast). You can choose from a variety of cheese options and the vegetables in the omelette are so generous. My order always lasts me 2 meals. Service is always friendly and quick. They validate parking for the structure right behind them. The vibe inside is chill on a weekday and hectic and noisier on the weekend though I'll admit I try hard to convince dining companions to come on weekends because there's a long wait. There's almost always a brief wait on weekday mornings and a longer wait around lunch so imagine the weekends! They validate parking for the structure that's right behind them. I think the largest seating in the restaurant appears to accommodate 5 adults at most and all other booths and tables appear to seat 2-4 maximum. If you come with a larger party, you'll likely have to split up. read more

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Here's a more polished, professional, and still approachable version: Today, we finally decided to try this place for breakfast with my family, despite the nearly one-hour wait. Unfortunately, the experience did not live up to expectations. My spinach and mushroom omelette was overly greasy and had far too much cheese--even for someone who enjoys cheese. My husband's meat omelette lacked flavor and was also quite greasy. My son's chicken sandwich was just okay, nothing memorable. Overall, the food did not justify the long wait; it felt more driven by hype than quality. On a positive note, the presentation of the dishes was appealing, and the staff was genuinely kind and friendly read more

Russell's - American Near Me - Pasadena, California

Everything from the hospitality, to the service, to the food was fantastic! My husband and I went for the first time. My husband uses a walker and they held the door open going in and coming out. We were in the area for the weekend and after reading the reviews on yelp decided to try it. We loved the feel here. We will definitely be back. Our server Victor R was very professional and attentive. Overall a great experience! We live over an hour away but would make the drive to enjoy the overall experience again. read more

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Why didn't anyone tell me about this pasadena treasure! Russell's brings the ruckus! If you're in need of that classic- American-fare-old-school diner, this is that fix! The cinnamon roll was out of control! Breakfast burrito w/ cold brew chaser; delightful! Absolutely worth the wait! If you don't know what I mean, try and just show up! ... that's what 40 minute wait tastes like! All in all, good time! Our server David was hospitable, kind and courteous! The bathrooms were spotless despite the heavy traffic and the price point of the meal was shockingly low! Add Russell's to your top 10 diners in Pasadena! read more

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One of the best breakfast spots in Pasadena. Quality food with quality service. My favorite breakfast items are country fried steak and corned beef hash and they do it amazing. Soo good. read more

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The food was good, I got simple breakfast which taste just about the same as anywhere else. Service was good and the ambiance was casual attire good for family. read more

The service was impeccable! Surprisingly, on a Saturday late morning, the wait did not exceed 5 minutes and the staff were extremely attentive and helpful. Our waiter was extremely sweet and even advised us to swap out the toast for waffles which is a cheaper to buying 2 separate meals. In addition, he ended up giving us the toast anyway! In terms of the food, I would definitely recommend their Belgian Waffle. It was fluffy, crispy on the outside, and the not too sweet syrup balanced and paired nicely with the beautiful whipped butter. The meals on the other hand were decent. I think for the price, I probably wouldn't order any of the meals again, but I would 100% come back for the waffles. The breakfast burrito was quite literally just eggs, bacon, and sausage wrapped in a tortilla--nothing special there. Also keep in mind that you can park at the parking structure in the same building and get your parking ticket validated by the restaurant! Overall a delightful experience and very cozy cute styled diner. I will be back for that waffle. read more

Russell's - Belgian Waffle, Breakfast Burrito, Chicken Breast Sandwich, - American Near Me - Pasadena, California

A Pasadena standard. Solid food offering with efficient service. If you're looking for a diner breakfast this is it; but if you want a country breakfast, try again. read more

Tasty food and friendly service. Server was attentive and offered to refill coffee. The "special spuds" was a great hearty dish topped with the freshest avocado slices! Would definitely order again. We were seated right next to the entrance and got a strong and lingering whiff of chemicals from the lady cleaning the glass door. I wish she would have waited til we were finished eating...thought about asking to switch tables but we were halfway through the meal already.. read more

Russell's - Special Spuds - American Near Me - Pasadena, California

This place was good! A bit of a wait on a weekend brunch but glad I waited. I got an omelette and substituted the bread for a cinnamon roll and was pleasantly surprised! The decor was really cute too :) read more

Russell's - Classic Denver Omelet - American Near Me - Pasadena, California

Favorite classic brunch spot and they validate parking for the structure in the back. On a Monday around 9:30am we waited 10-15 minutes. Portions are very sharable here in my opinion. Our waitress was amazing she answered all our questions and completed all of our requests. We ordered the big one to share which was more than enough. We chose the waffles with syrup and butter, 2 eggs, sausage + bacon, and lots of hash-browns. We also ordered a jr cheeseburger with a side of fries and lettuce which was a big portion for us. I asked for ranch on the side and it was kind of watery so probably just stick to ketchup. They have a variety of hot sauces and I enjoyed the carolina kill sauce. Definitely not that spicy as a carolina reaper but has a very nice kick! The bread was cold but the butter is whipped and so good so it makes up for it! read more

Russell's - American Near Me - Pasadena, California

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This is in the top 3 of breakfast places in Pasadena, and I can see why. It's a small diner on the mail drag. The artwork on the wall is very interesting and classical in nature. We dropped in, and were given a 20 minute wait time - they were pretty accurate. Once we were seated, I ordered a glass of fresh squeezed orange juice, and a Croque Monsieur with hash browns. My wife had coffee with a Russell's Scramble with hash browns and an English Muffin. The Croque Monsieur was on sourdough bread, which was covered with cheese and stuffed with a tasty ham. The Russell's Scramble had scrambled eggs mixed with veggies. The food was served hot, and tasted great. Some other notes: They have a row of comfortable chairs sitting out front while you wait so you can be comfortable. What's not to like? read more

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A classic diner place that is perfect to bring friends or spend time with family. We came early on a weekend so only waited 5-10 min but I'm told there is usually quite a long line. The portions are big but we were hungry so we devoured everything (oops). The most noteworthy thing is the hash brown - ask for extra crispy! The Belgian waffle was also quite good (a nice crispy outside and a spongey inside). Everything else is decent but nothing to write home about. If I had to wait 35+ min, I'd pass. But anything under that, I'd do it. read more

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Diners will always have a special place in my heart and Russell's is no exception to this. The food, the service, and vibe is always spot on. While I know the long waits can be off putting I have to admit that it's most definitely worth the wait. They have tons of breakfast classics but have some fun twists if you're looking for something different. The pancakes and biscuits are a must! If you're into chili then I suggesting adding some to your omelette for a little extra flavor. You can ask for egg whites on any of the items so don't be shy to ask, especially since the workers are so friendly. Looking forward to my next visit. read more

Usually get the chicken fried steak and it has never gone wrong. The hash was super crispy and they all go well with their haberno kill sauce. We also go waffles, pancake and sausages. Dip the sausage in the maple syrup for diy maple sausages. The waffle was light and a little crispy Russells is always packed whenever we come but even with all the people waiting we were able to get seated within 30 minutes. Parking structure next to Russell's and you can get validation here. read more

Russell's - American Near Me - Pasadena, California

We absolutely love Russel's and sadly recommend it to anyone craving delicious food. Why sadly, because we can't keep it just to ourselves. The entry way, the decor, the service and the food are all fantastic. We were hungry and made it there bright and early before the crowd arrived and thank goodness. So peaceful, wonderful classical music playing and food that will make the pallet go wild. And your belly too! Wonderful breakfast time with my sister and her soon to be little one. As you can see, we had plenty of left overs to take home. Our eyes were bigger than our stomachs .‍ Wonderful every way around! read more

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We went here for brunch on a Monday around 11:30am and it was still a 30-minute wait. Our server was great, super friendly and attentive. We got the French toast breakfast and the ranch breakfast with blueberry pancakes. Both were tasty but nothing beyond your normal breakfast joint in our opinions! read more

Russell's - Ranch Breakfast - American Near Me - Pasadena, California

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Restaurant opened promptly at 7am and I was greeted with smiles from all of the staff. Very professional service and clean dining room. Fresh, hot coffee poured for me immediately. Food was served fast and it was good. Perfectly cooked eggs. I can see why this place is a favorite for locals, I was just passing through and I'm glad I did. read more

Russell's - Corned beef hash and eggs - American Near Me - Pasadena, California

Thursday morning. Banana pancakes, French toast, hash browns, sausage, bacon, all done perfectly balanced. The bananas are cooked first before adding to batter which gives that fried plantain taste. So good. That's all I really care about if I'm eating breakfast outside my home. I get impressed not so much by doing the most with toppings or adding sugar, but with clean ingredients cooked perfectly. Ryan, our server; is the absolute man! Highly recommend this place if you're in the area. read more

This Old Town Pasadena staple is worth coming to visit for delicious food and a friendly, casual atmosphere! Even in a Tuesday late morning it's popular, so be sure to give yourself enough time. I had fresh squeezed oranges and the savory Croque Madame which is their ham sandwich on sourdough bread with Gouda cheese and egg on top. It walks the line if fulfilling but not heavy. It works so well that every bite is a delight. And the service is top notch and friendly too. You feel welcomed and you want to come back here again! read more

Russell's - Croque Madame with side of fruits - American Near Me - Pasadena, California

Love this popular spot. Be prepared to wait as this is a very busy place. Great breakfast and a cool vibe! Get the waffles!

Cute diner spot that serves breakfast and lunch items. Tried the breakfast burrito and got well done hashbrowns. The burrito was good but nothing spectacular; I feel like a spicy crema or avocado crema would go really well with it. I ordered online for pick up and I appreciate the staff for getting the order and condiments down (: read more

Russell's - Breakfast Burrito with well done hashbrowns - American Near Me - Pasadena, California