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    Russell's

    4.2 (2.1k reviews)
    Closed 7:00 am - 2:00 pm

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    RUSSELL'S ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Good for groups
    Good for kids

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    Recommended Reviews - Russell's

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    Abigail U.

    I've been here a couple of times and have experienced excellent service. The food is delicious and great portions. It gets busy by 8:30am and it's about 30-45min wait time. But if you're an early bird you should visit before 8am, as there was no wait time when I arrived one time at 7:30am. They validate parking for the parking behind the restaurant.

    I love the red walls.
    Nikki B.

    Russell's has been serving hearty breakfasts in Old Town Pasadena since 1930. My brother loved to come here but I've never been until recently. The décor is a little more upscale than your typical diner, and the menu features American-French cuisine. My friend and I were seated in a booth in the back. I was happy to see a variety of Champagne cocktails on the menu instead of just the standard mimosa. We opted for the Kir Royale and each ordered a side of fruit because we didn't want anything heavy. The Kir Royale was perfect and the fruit was fresh and sweet. Our server was a very nice lady. My friend and I enjoyed our light breakfast and our conversation since we hadn't seen each other in a while. Side note: This place is very popular so a 90-minute dining limit is enforced. *Adjacent parking garage.

    Mushroom, Spinach & Cheese Omelet
    Mari J.

    Back after many years and it did not disappoint, great breakfast, I had Cheese Omelette with English muffins so delicious. Service by Ryan was outstanding and promised to be back. Theres issues line so be prepared but its worth it! Parking structure can validate the tickets for 90 minutes

    Evan K.

    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.

    Ben F.

    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.

    Interior
    Brad S.

    Wonderful breakfast today at Russell's. While visiting Pasadena, I wanted to check out this diner that has been open since 1930. I love the vibe of the place, professional, but still a diner so not too fancy. Nice artwork on the walls. I had the breakfast burrito with bacon sausage and cheese served with hashbrowns. It's a large serving so I took half home and was still full. Great place and I would highly recommend and return.

    Angie R.

    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.

    Christina G.

    I loved it here! I went in the morning today (Monday) around 10:30am and there was a line. It went by quick though, under 10 minutes. My friend and I shared the mushroom cheese & spinach omelette with a side of hash brown and pancakes. I enjoyed all of it! Russell's has been on my list for quite some time, glad I finally checked it out. I didn't have a chance to try the coffee but definitely will return soon. Great location and awesome service. Welcoming and attentive. Cute decor too... retro, but artsy

    Pancake
    Jazmine S.

    The BEST pancakes I've had in a LONG time. We came for a super late brunch. We had a 30-min wait on a busy Saturday but totally worth it. The inside has a great atmosphere with the decor, paintings and music. We were waited on quite a bit, and everyone was super nice and fast. The food was delicious; those pancakes are perfect. Eat them hot and fresh!!

    Menu
    Natalie L.

    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.

    Interior
    Mona A.

    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

    Ultimate Breakfast Burrito
    Ebony G.

    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.

    Jessica J.

    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.

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    Looks like a nice place when we drove by it five times looking for parking. Great job Pasadena, on parking.

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    Russell's Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Russell's

    I'm looking for a venue to do a breakfast meeting for 20 people can you accommodate that for the LA County Firefighters Association?

    Unfortunately we cannot accommodate a party that large as our restaurant is quite small. The biggest table can only accommodate six guests.

    Do we need reservations and what time is recommended for Saturday?

    Hi Stacey, unfortunately we do not take reservations. In weekends as early as possible as the wait can get very long after 8:00 am… 

    What is the wait times for 10.00 AM on weekdays?

    Hi Lee. On the weekdays it a hit and Miss thing. Sometimes there is no wait at all and sometimes it’s about 10 to 20 minutes at most.… 

    What is the usual wait time for a table for 2 on Saturdays at 11:00 am?

    Between 30 minutes to an hour.

    What time do you stop serving breakfast on Sunday?

    Hi Jessica, Breakfast is served all day until we close at 2:00 pm… 

    Will you be open on Monday, January 2?

    Hi Amanda. Unfortunately we will be closed on Monday, Because of the Rose Parade. Frank

    What time do you stop serving breakfast?

    We serve breakfast all day until closing at 2:00 pm.

    Do you have outdoor seating for brunch ? And do you take reservations?

    We do, but only two tables are available. As for reservations, I am sorry but we don’t take reservations.

    Can you add an online wait list via Yelp?

    Nathalie, Unfortunately we can’t as we don’t have that service. However, I will look into it.… 

    Do you have to show proof of vaccination?

    Hi Tanisha. Proof of vaccinations are not required. Frank… 

    Does it take credit card?

    Yes

    Are there gluten free options?

    We do not have gluten free breads or pancakes, but a lot of our entrees are gluten free.

    Do they have turkey sausage or turkey bacon?

    Because of COVID changes I would suggest you call them 1 626-578-1404.

    What are your vegan options, if any?

    Hi Melinda. I can’t say that we have any vegan options except for our oatmeal for breakfast. Non meat and dairy dishes are made in the same kitchen so there are cross contaminations.… 

    Do you let people BYOB?

    You can bring your own wine and corkage fee is $15. However, you can’t bring your own beer.

    Do you serve bottomless mimosas?

    Hi Stephanie. We do not serve bottomless Mimosas.

    Do they serve breakfast all day?

    We served breakfast daily until 4:00 pm.

    Do they have the pies from Russell's in Long Beach, specifically mile high peanut butter pie?

    No Becky. We do not have the original Russell’s Pie from Long Beach as we do not have the capacity at this location to make “mile high” pies. If you like “mile high” pies, they do serve them at Pie n Burger on California. It’s exactly the same… 

    Do they have bottomless mimosas for brunch?

    We don’t have bottomless mimosas. You will get your own little small bottle of sparkling wine when you order mimosa, raspberry royale, kir royale or Bellini.

    Will they fit a group of 10?

    Yes, but the wait will be very long as we would have to put a few tables together.

    View All 22 Questions

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    Nick's South Lake Avenue

    4.5
    (2.2k reviews)
    1.2 mi
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    Was in Pasadena the other day, and had not eaten yet, so decided to go by Nick's, since I had never…read morebeen, and try a few of the items that sounded tasty on the menu. Made a reservation about an hour before, so when we got there we were seated immediately. After a quick glance at the drink menu, had to get the Mai Tai with lilikoi foam on top. So delicious. Had my first lilikoi foam in Maui and I love that I'm starting to see it around Los Angeles now. Adds such a punch of flavor to an after we balanced drink. For food, we started with the bacon deviled eggs and shrimp taquitos. Those deviled eggs were lightly fried, which was different, then had apple wood smoked bacon on top, just a really tasty bite. The shrimp taquitos were also not what you would expect, nice and light but still very good. Entrees we went with the center cut fillet and the prime rib dip with swiss cheese on a brioche bun. That sandwich just melts if your mouth after dipping it in the jous, and the cheese was the perfect accompiament. The fillet was cooked perfect as well, coming out medium rare. Overall, great restaurant in Pasadena. Definitely get the Mai Tai, Devine eggs and prime rib dip. Taquitos were good and, if you're feeling like another hg er appetizer, definitely a way to go . The fillet, also great but I feel you can get it anywhere.

    If you are looking for a reliable spot primarily for a great atmosphere, this traditional American…read morerestaurant fits the bill. ​The food is fairly decent overall, though it delivers a very typical American menu experience. The offerings rarely change, and while reliable, there is nothing truly extraordinary or memorable standing out in the flavor profile. ​Ambiance: The atmosphere is the main draw here. It is comfortable and inviting, making it a great backdrop for a casual outing. ​Service: The service is a bright spot--friendly, attentive, and consistently good. ​Overall, it is a pleasant, dependable neighborhood restaurant that is worth visiting for the vibe and good service, even if the menu keeps things safe and familiar.

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    Asparagus Fries | A Nick's Original
    Asparagus Fries | A Nick's Original
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    Magnolia House

    Magnolia House

    3.9
    (1.6k reviews)
    1.2 mi
    $$

    Pasadena is one of my all-time favorite cities and they have some great restaurants. We hadn't been…read morein this side of town in a while, so I asked my son to find us a new spot to try today. We ended up at Magnolia House for a late lunch/early dinner. They also serve breakfast/brunch only on weekends. Walked in around 4:30pm and we were greeted by Brian, one of the managers. Brian was the standout star of the whole experience! His energy was exceptional and he is such a great conversationalist. He checked on us several times throughout our meal and made sure we were doing well. He on his own was HANDS DOWN a five star human being. At first, he wanted to seat us in the back corner but I told him the table was too small and he accommodated us with a bigger table. Our server Kiana came up to the table with a pleasant smile and greeting to take our drink orders. I got a glass of cranberry juice along with some water. My son got the American Dream cocktail along with some water. We skipped on dessert. From 4-6pm, they have a happy hour menu with some of their cocktails and shareable plates. The portions are just a bit smaller and the prices are a little lower. It's a good way to sample different items. I think we got a good variety of food to enjoy. To start, we got the Little Gem Salad. It was such a unique combination of flavors and SUPER delicate/light. My son and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The next starter was the Zucchini and Feta Fritters, which was good but not the best out of everything else we ordered. The zucchini was a bit mushy but the batter it was fried in was crispy. Another starter we shared were the Moroccan Spiced Chicken Wings. These wings are gigantic and very flavorful. They definitely pack some heat, so be careful. I don't think the A/C was NOT working to begin with, so the place was already hot. The wings made us sweat even more. For entrées, we got the burger and the pork belly. Brian said they are known for their burger and after taking the first bite, it's clear as to why. It was absolutely PERFRCTION. So delicious! The bun, the meat, the cheese, the onions, and the crispy bacon...all of it mixed together into the perfect burger. I had wanted to add some mushrooms and avocado to it, but Kiana said they were unable to do it. I also asked for lettuce and she said that would be an extra charge. What extra charge for lettuce? We still got charged for avocado when the bill came, but they took it off once we mentioned it. The pork belly was also very tender, flavorful, and crispy. It's just hard to compete with the burger! We also got an order of the Belgian Fries to share and we were both pleasantly surprised at how good they were. The fries are salty and cut pretty thick. The sauce that came on the side was so yummy. We asked for a small extra cup to-go. All in all, the food was great and we liked everything. The vibe of the restaurant wasn't really all that for me. Brian genuinely made up for anything that was lacking in the atmosphere. He is such a wonderful asset to the restaurant and their company. The restaurant itself has been here for about 15 years now and it used to be a very old house. You can tell when you look around. They did a good job with the renovations, but you can see the different areas/rooms. I think they tried to keep the casual comfort of a home, while making it a slightly elevated experience. It was very clean everywhere, especially the bathrooms. They have one gender neutral bathroom, one for men, and one for women. No private parking, so you'll have to park on the street and put money in the kiosk. They also had an outdoor seating. Pretty BIG, only took picture of one side. They also have 2 small TVs. In the bar area and inside their cute lounge. I normally like to try new places, especially when I'm in Pasadena, so I'm not sure if I'll come back here. Maybe if Brian is working, it would definitely be worth stopping by again! Thank you all..

    Wonderful experience!!…read more Celebratory Happy hour with the girls! Our waitress, Jasmin was soo accommodating and served us well!! I enjoyed the Moroccan rub on the chicken wings and the zucchini fritters Along with the house burger , soo yummy!

    Photos
    Now Serving Coffee Monday - Friday at 7:30am
    Now Serving Coffee Monday - Friday at 7:30am
    Happy Hour Monday through Friday from 4 - 6:30PM. Enjoy $5 wine & local draft beers, $6 well drinks & $6 House Sangria, and more
    Happy Hour Monday through Friday from 4 - 6:30PM. Enjoy $5 wine & local draft beers, $6 well drinks & $6 House Sangria, and more
    Private Lounge Area - For event inquiries, send an email to: events@themaghouse.com

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    Private Lounge Area - For event inquiries, send an email to: events@themaghouse.com
    GRANVILLE

    GRANVILLE

    4.2
    (2.6k reviews)
    1.1 mi
    $$$
    Locally owned & operated
    Locally sourced ingredients

    This is like my 10th time coming here and I always come back for the tacos !!!…read more Steak tacos are delicious! This time added a few more items to the menu so I wanted to share my thoughts on the food especially cause I didn't see these items on the menu so I figured I try something new. Brussels sprouts are good , might be to lime/lemonie but I ordered mine extra crispy. Side of Mac n cheese , pretty cheesy , can't go wrong. And the chicken soup mmm wasn't the best. Basic soup. Nothing crazy , not enough chicken and needs more flavor. Don't recommend it. They have this moz ball mmm wasn't my favorite. Kinda makes the soup look weird. Idk. My opinion Everything else is great. The place is great, they have a rooftop patio too really nice and vibes are great. Service is great always!!

    I think reservations are definitely recommended. We arrived yesterday evening at 6 p.m. after…read morewatching the new Spider-Man movie at the Landmark movie theater in Pasadena at 3 p.m. and it was an hour wait. The rooftop patio seating was closed last night. Lesson learned: even if reservations aren't easily made online, it's worth a phone call ahead of time to try to make one. Beautiful inside with two separate downstairs areas and one upstairs. Don't approve of the large TVs in the bar area but the sound was off at least. Once we were seated (and by the way, the hostesses were super friendly and hospitable), Joe was our helpful server. We ordered a Last Word and a Negroni with brussel sprouts to start with. The drinks were ok, the brussel sprouts were super tasty and well charred. Next we ordered the pork chop and chicken skillet. I wanted to order the peri peri chicken but they were out of it. We also ordered a boulevardier and espresso martini. The pork and chicken were so tender and flavorful! My espresso martini tasted like a smooth liquid dessert . Very loud inside. My husband could barely hear me. Curious about the rooftop seating so maybe a reservation for up there next time, maybe I'll get to try the peri peri chicken. Highly recommend!

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    Sharing
    Superfood salad
    Superfood salad
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    The Arbour

    The Arbour

    4.3
    (985 reviews)
    1.2 mi
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    I returned to The Arbour in Pasadena for a Friday night dinner and had an even better experience…read morethan the last time. I got the sea bass and the the fish was perfectly seasoned and cooked. The sides including the polenta cake and the baby bok-choy hit all the marks in terms of flavor, texture and presentation. I realized they had changed their dessert menu since the last time I was here in February. To my pleasant surprise and relief, their new dessert options were really good too! We got 2 desserts and the chocolate mousse cake was to die for. My girfriends and I were fighting for it. The warm apple pie was good too. I got the margarita mocktail and it was incorrectly made the first time but then they fixed it and it was delicious. Service was good. The ambiance is always modern, intimate and not too noisy. I am glad my gfs chose to come here after I recommended and I had another great experience.

    The Arbour is a fantastic restaurant in Pasadena. I came with a reservation for a weekend dinner…read more The atmosphere inside is classy and almost romantic, the perfect place for a nice dinner. Although there's no dress code, most folks dressed in business casual or nicer. The food was delicious. Because it was shared family style, they split it across two plates, which kept the presentation nice and clean. The corn agnolotti is a must - the brown butter sauce, roasted corn, shallot, and ricotta cheese combination was perfection. The shrimp penne was also excellently executed. I also ordered the sea bass. The fish was good, but the sauce and vegetables lacked flavor depth. The drinks were also great. I got the berry mojito mocktail - it was one of the best mocktails I had. The service was above and beyond in all aspects. Think of the most ideal type of service at a restaurant - that's what I received. Overall, I had an incredible meal and dining experience at The Arbour. I'd come back for a special occasion and I recommend others to visit.

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    Cozy dining room.
    Cozy dining room.
    Birthday cake for my friend
    Birthday cake for my friend
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    Houston's Restaurant

    Houston's Restaurant

    3.9
    (4.4k reviews)
    0.5 mi
    $$$

    Houston's is one of my absolute favorites. I usually visit 2-3 times per month. The food and…read moreservice are reliably good. Always. Their French dip and "adult fish and chips" (pan fried petrale sole) are two of my favorites. If you order a martini they provide a fresh cold glass half-way through your drink. In terms of ambience, it's classy and upscale. They do not do groups so you don't have to worry about big, rowdy, messy tables. There's also no children's menu so I find that there are very few, if any, children there. They have a dedicated parking lot (self-parking) as well as street parking and an overflow garage.

    The last word 4: Going to Houston's is always an experience that I look forward to. I always rave…read moreabout the highly professional servers and the excellent service, but during my last visit they came a little short of their usual attentiveness and attention to detail. Still a favorite restaurant of mine and highly recommended! Location 4: On the SE corner of S Arroyo Pkwy (a.k.a. Route 66) and Del Mar Blvd in the busy Pasadena, CA. Fortunately they offer free parking on the restaurant lot. Metered parking on the street is possible but limited. Venue 5: Upscale and trendy setting with comfortable indoor tables and booths. No outdoor seating. It is always very busy so be sure to make reservations way ahead of time Service 3.5: Our server this time was a little slow and casual, and not very attentive. This is unusual for Houston's. Food 5: Excellent, upscale comfort food. You simply cannot go wrong with anything on their menu. Drinks 3: Excellent (but small) list of creative specialty drinks. Full bar. Good list of beer and wine. While they do serve Espresso and Cappuccino and have a full bar, can you believe that they will not make you an Espresso Martini??? :D They also do NOT have decaf at all which is kind of unexpected.

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    The important people
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    Macallan 18

    Russell's - tradamerican - Updated August 2026

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