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This review is just for the Loaded Breakfast Fries. Russell's has French fries that you can eat for breakfast. It's like hash browns, but one million times better. It's fries tossed with bacon and onions and peppers and topped with and egg and avocado and sour cream. Is it a healthy breakfast? WHO CARES. ARE YOU THE BREAKFAST POLICE?? It's like Russell's reached into my dreams and pulled this out. I don't care that the wait is long. I don't care that there are only like 4 chairs outside for 20 people. I literally only care about breakfast fries.
Visiting the LA area we decide to try something local. Russell's sounded like the perfect fit while touring through old town Pasadena. We went during brunch time on Saturday and there was already a line. However, staff was accommodating and turned tables quickly. *side note* They will not seat you unless your entire party is there. We had a traditional breakfast w waffles, eggs, pancakes, sausage and side of fruit. Everything came out quickly and there was plenty to eat! If you are looking for a traditional diner breakfast feel, Russell's your place.
I ordered Belgian waffle breakfast and ranch breakfast to try their pancakes and waffles at the same time. Service was ok but could be better, he sounded impatient when I tried to place the orders. Interior decoration was amazing. Saw many famous copy paintings. Food was great. Bacons was the highlight item, it was thick and not salty at all. I will be back again.
Tried Russell's for the first time with my friend who took me out to celebrate my birthday. We expected a long wait, we were told 45 minutes and were prepared to wait. However, we were seated in 25 minutes. The breakfast came out hot and fresh. The hot chocolate was a fun and warm treat. The waffles really are the best!!! Service was fast and very kind.
Open since the 30's which is cool but honestly not worth the wait. It's your typical diner food. Friendly service but that's about it. If you stopping by it's cause you trying to scratch this off your checklist. I'm sure you'll agree you've had better and for a better price. Sorry Russell's. Just calling it for what it is.
Best Breakfast Place In Town ! It's A Must Try ! Guaranteed Satisfying 10/10 - Ultimate Breakfast Burrito and side order of has-brown 5/5 -The Big One Breakfast Plate 5/5 -The Triple Decker Sandwich 5/5 -Side order of 3 sausages 5/5 -French fries 5/5 -Belgian waffle with banana and strawberry 5/5 Drinks : - Coke 5/5 - Orange 5/5 -Coffee 5/5 -Ice water 5/5 - Apple juice 5/5 Great Customer Service, welcoming, polite, very friendly, great staff Clean environment, inside seating very nice , decorated, great music , Restrooms available Parking validation available Definitely recommended Friends and family I will be back soon !
Thankfully when I came in there was no line today but the first time I came I had to wait an hour! So make sure to look out for that if your schedule is tight. The parking lot behind is validated for 90 minutes if you eat here which is a good addition. The restaurant looks very nice in the inside and is a great place to sit down to talk with others. Now onto the service, the service is very good, the waitress always had a smile on her face and the staff are incredibly quick. The food came out at a decent time so we didn't have to wait long for it and the coffee is served almost instantly after ordering it. Onto the food, the chicken steak with 2 eggs (3/5) was alright, hard to describe how it tastes like but it doesn't taste bad. I feel as if the first half of eating it would be pleasant but then after that, the taste of it gets tiring. The egg was perfectly cooked to how I asked (sunny side up), yolk was perfectly runny and beautiful. The hash browns are tasty and crispy. The English muffin was so good and buttered nicely, my dad even wanted to order one to go just so my mother could try it. That's some commitment. I always order the Special Spuds (4.5/5), it is my favorite. The avocado is fresh and they give such a generous amount of sour cream. It does have a lot of cheese and oil so if you're going in the morning for light brunch, you probably want to order something else because I couldn't even eat half of it and I was stuffed. The Belgian waffle is so light and delicious (4/5). The cream on top of it is salty and honestly pairs so well with the syrup. It gives it such a more sophisticated taste. Tastes pretty good to me but if you're going for a crispy and more crunchy waffle, this isn't the one for you.
Ambiance-10 Service-10 Quality-10 Cleanliness-10 This was our first time dining at Russell's. The place was full at with many people waiting outside. We only hade to wait 25 minutes at 12:30. As we were seated I noticed everyone was eating from the breakfast menu. Sadly though, I do not like breakfast, so my husband and I shared a burger. We appreciated that they cut our burger and half, split the fries and served us with two plates. I'd give the cheeseburger a 4. It was a bit on the dryer side. However, I'm sure all the breakfast choices must be all 5's since that was what everybody else was eating. If you are a breakfast lover, you must try this adorable, charming establishment!!!
The crispy, thick bacon is absolutely the best! Eggs and crispy hashbrowns hit the spot. So did the French Toast -- great way to start the day, Russells has been a staple of Pasadena since 1935. With the quality of food and service it is easy to see why. Inside it feels like a fancy railroad dining car with crimson walls and prints of famous European artists. Service was very good, fast, friendly. Coffee was well brewed, fresh and tasty.
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.
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
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.
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.
4 months ago
9 months ago
Breakfast was so good! Ordered an omelette but added bacon for more protein! Also got to try some French toast and I really do recommend getting it! It was fluffy and tastes delicious. It was very filling! And service was really good because they would always keep coming to refill our coffees and make sure everything was good. This place is a small cute little breakfast/brunch spot! I'd definitely be back to try other foods and for the French toast of course! read more
1 year ago
The best place for American breakfast! My husband & son enjoyed the food here so much that they said this place is the best. We waited for the table for maybe 20 minutes. There were plastic chairs outside to sit down while wait. The street in the front is nice so we didn't mind waiting. We enjoyed everything and look forward to going back when we are in LA again. read more
7 months ago
1 year ago
I love coming here for breakfast on the weekend! Although the wait might be a little long (30min - 1hr) it's really worth it. I've been coming here for about 5 years and it's always good and always packed Today I got the chicken fried steak and eggs and a short stack. The highlight for me is really the pancakes. The best buttermilk pancakes I've ever had and it always makes me smile and do a little dance every time I eat it lol. But literally everything is good here. The service and the wait staff is amazing here. They go over and beyond and always go out their way to see if you're having a good experience. I know there's a lot of places to eat in Pasadena, but make sure to check them out. read more
8 months ago
4 months ago
There is always a long line in front of this place, and I ended up waiting about one hour to get in on a Saturday at 10 AM. I can see why people are waiting now. I ended up getting a Mexican omelette with a side of a Belgian waffle but the Belgian waffle absolutely stole the show. This is quite possibly the lightest, fluffiest, and crispy as Belgian waffle that I've ever had. Five out of five stars on this, worth coming here just for this. My friend got a pancake as a side, and that was excellent as well. I have not had the opportunity have the French toast, but it seems like the off the grill menu is the way to go! As far as the hashbrowns, the way it was made, was with lots of crispy crust, which was quite tasty. A little under seasoned in my opinion, and I am someone who actually prefers his food bland. The omelette I would say, is surprisingly the least underwhelming part of the meal. The portion was generous, but definitely underseasoned, similarly to the hashbrowns. It was also not as fluffy as I would've liked. Service was excellent, our waiter was very attentive, and refilled our waters and coffee frequently. As far as ambience, the walls are filled with lovely paintings, and these lovely chandeliers hung from the ceiling. In the morning, the place isn't well lit with natural light, but the interior decoration certainly makes up for that. Overall, an excellent experience. I would 100% come back here, especially for the pancakes, and the Belgian waffle. just be prepared for a long wait! read more
8 months ago
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2 years ago
Delicious food, friendly & efficient service, and clean. Our food came out piping hot - LOVE! The creamed butter was awesome for those blueberry pancakes. They are located in the same building as a parking garage that they validate parking for - WINNING!! read more
2 years ago
It's nice to have a neighborhood diner though Russell's is quite popular and unless you're there early on weekends, there is likely a wait. Still, it's worth the wait. If your party is small you may snag a couple of the bar seats of which there are 4. This visit J got The Big One which includes 2 pancakes, French toast or Belgian waffle, 2 eggs, bacon & sausage, hash browns, and choice of toast, bagel or English muffin. I ordered Special Spud, light on the cheese - Russell's hash browns mixed with chopped bacon, onions, bell peppers, topped with melted cheddar cheese, sour cream & avocado. (Next time I'll hold off on the sour cream; it's great without) And that Habanero Kill sauce was quite tasty and most importantly - not too spicy. We both enjoyed our breakfast for lunch! read more
3 years ago
Stumble upon Russell's and it was super cute and great food for a good price. Cori was my server and she was truly amazing. She gave some great suggestions. The portion size was perfect. I ordered the Belgian waffle combo that came with a waffle, egg and meat. The only problem is that it was pork which I don't eat but Cori suggested hash browns and I was delighted. It gets packed pretty Quickly but they had chairs outside to sit and Walt so that was convenient. They serve breakfast and lunch. read more
2 years ago
It was my first time at Russell's and they did NOT disappoint me. I was in Pasadena, CA for a meeting yesterday. I was on my way back to San Francisco and I decided on this spot and I'm so glad that I did. The staff was very friendly, and the service was amazing. I ordered my food and before you know it was at my table. I order the chicken fried steak and eggs. I was very pleased. The steak was nice and tender, and the batter seasoned to perfection. I order soft scrambled eggs and they were on point. The hashbrown was to die for! So crispy and delicious. The country gravy was really good also. It came accompanied with a fluffy pancake for an extra 2.00! The restaurant is really nice. The vibe is elegant. The color of the walls and the portraits are inviting. Over all I rate this restaurant a solid 10/10 as they hit every mark. I would recommend this restaurant to anyone looking for a GREAT meal in Pasadena. The wait wasn't long, the service was welcoming, and the food was nothing short of AMAZING. Spend your money here, you won't be disappointed at all. read more
Business owner information
Frank G.
Hi Franklin,…
1 year ago
2 years ago
3 years ago
BEST WAFFLE. It's light, doughy, crunchy and literally melts in your mouth. We also ordered the corn beef hash and big breakfast thing, all of it was so yummy. The staff are all so sweet and they validate for the parking near them. Definitely worth stopping by! read more
2 years ago
Kill sauce makes everything better! I've known Russell's for years, and they've always been incredibly consistent with the quality of their food. This spot was a go-to breakfast joint in the area, especially back in high school. Sure, the wait is usually long, but there's a lot of nostalgia here that makes it worth it. Inviting atmosphere with a classic American breakfast diner vibe. You really can't go wrong with their egg dishes and sides. Their hash browns aren't necessarily my favorite, though--I'd recommend adding a bit of salt and dipping them in ketchup or, better yet, kill sauce. Their pancakes and waffles are soft, pillowy, and perfectly sweet. If you're planning a visit, make sure to go early and put your name on the waitlist. This time, we went closer to closing on a Saturday and only had to wait under an hour. Oh, and definitely get the Kir Royale and Apple Beer. read more
I would give this place a 10 STAR Great Food ,excellent service ,we had the privilege to be served by "V" she was sweet ,helpful with the menu and had a great attitude & smile. I forgot to take a picture of my plate , corn beef hash ,it was so yummy I remembered when my plate was empty. I had a waffle to complete my meal at the end ,so delicious. Had about. 15 min wait which wasn't bad since there was a lot of people waiting. I was told there parking in the back of the restaurant and a 90 minute validation. I'll remember this tip for next visit back. read more
10 months ago
1 year ago
I've been here around two or three times now, and this place never disappoints. The pancakes are absolutely delicious, along with all the other food I've gotten and shared with the people I went with. The Special Spuds are legit one of my favorite things I have ever had. It's basically every good thing added to potatoes in one beautiful dish. The actual interior is also the perfect breakfast environment. Love it! read more
1 year ago
10 months ago
3 years ago
Parking: You can park directly behind the restaurant, and they offer $90 of validated parking. There are also nearby parking structures, $1 for the first 2 hours. Ambience: Semi cramped, it's more of a rectangular layout from what I could see seated near the door. There was a long line outside the door at Sunday brunch time, so it's fairly popular. Thankfully, they do provide seats under some awnings so that you're not dying in the sun. Service: Excellent! Waiter was friendly and asked us a few times whether we needed refills / how the food was. Taste: Got the Mexican omelette (seasoned ground beef) and my friend got the Belgian waffle plate. Both were fairly good, would recommend the waffle! read more
Very solid American style diner food. The classic cheeseburger here was quite tasty, as was the Belgium waffle and hash browns. I while everything was delicious, I wouldn't wait in line here for longer than 15 minutes as people do on the weekends, as the food isn't anything too unique. Service was fast and excellent, and the food was good so I'd recommend coming here if there isn't a line. read more
1 year ago
2 years ago
"The big one" breakfast: eggs, bacon, sausage, hashbrowns, pancakes and toast. Good food. Great customer service. read more
4 years ago
came by just after opening on a Sunday around 6:40AM. Glad we got there early because by the time we left around 7:30 it was completely full & the line was out the door! For starters, I appreciate Russell's for being open so early. One of the only places that was open but they didn't act like it - service was quick, friendly, and efficient. They treat you well here. I had the fresh squeezed OJ & it was delicious. The special spuds were fantastic, full of flavor and great portion size. There's killer hot sauce at the table - not just your normal name brand stuff. Very good. My hubby got the chili biscuits & I tried a bite, also very good. They will validate your parking if you need it, there's a nearby garage or street parking available. Atmosphere is unique & decor is very cool. It has an intimate kinda vibe. Really pleasantly surprised with Russell's and glad that I stopped here for breakfast. read more
1 year ago
4 years ago
All love for this place! It's in my top 3 favorite breakfast places in Pasadena. I usually get one of three things here: 1. The Ultimate Breakfast Burrito - three eggs topped with bacon, sausage, avocado, sour cream and melted cheddar cheese, wrapped in a large flour tortilla. Served with hash browns. 2. Corned Beef Hash & 2 Eggs - specially made and grilled to order. Served with hash browns and your choice of toast, English muffin or bagel and cream cheese. 3. Chicken Fried Steak & 2 Eggs - 6 oz piece of chicken fried steak. Served with hash browns and your choice of toast, English muffin or bagel and cream cheese. You can't go wrong with any of these options, they're all delicious; however, I'm partial to the Ultimate Breakfast Burrito! Literally all of my favorite things wrapped up into a burrito and great for hangovers! LOL! This place gets SUPER BUSY, so expect a small wait during the week days and a long one on the weekend, otherwise you're going to be HANGRY! read more
It's been over 20 years since I dined here and forgot how comforting the restaurant is. The food is old school dining with no fusion mentioned. The service is fast and efficient with nice paintings throughout the restaurant. Servings are plentiful and the taste is wholesome. If you dine here, parking is validated for an hour and a half, with plenty of time for dining. I would say the ambiance is historic Pasadena and very welcoming to patrons who enjoy the finer things in life! read more
4 years ago
Came here on a Monday morning and there was a 30 minute wait. They have chairs outside for people to sit and they also send you a text message once your table is ready so you can walk around in the meantime. Once we got seated and ordered our food, our food came out very quickly. I enjoyed everything that we ordered (pancakes, hashbrown, omelet), but I would have to say that the hash browns were my favorite as they were perfectly made: crispy and not dry! The portions are large, so we had leftovers for the next day! The waitress was super nice and explained to us all the different options. I'd definitely come back again to try their other dishes. read more
2 years ago
A friend was visiting from Taiwan and wanted an American diner experience and this did not disappoint! I gave him a couple of choices and he was all about Russell's "comfy couches" (aka booths). The food selection was expansive; what we got was delicious; and the prices were all reasonable. I got the oatmeal breakfast - some may not think it's the most exciting, but I LOVE oatmeal and this restaurant is the best presentation and options I've ever had (and I've had a lot of oatmeal at a lot of restaurants)! I got raisins AND blueberries, granola, brown sugar, milk and a GIANT bowl of oatmeal (and of course the sourdough toast). My friend got The BIG One that had a selection of all the best breakfast standards! He picked French toast (which I had a hard time not stealing), scrambled eggs, and an English muffin (plus the bacon and sausage that come with it). The staff was very considerate, especially considering I showed up on crutches - they sat me at the first booth and helped me pick up my earring that I dropped on the way to the restroom. The waitress even brought me a glass of water without me asking when I was done with my orange juice - she must be a mind-reader!! And the other patrons were all nice as well. Everyone waited outside patiently and I saw some parents playing with their kids while they waited, and I got help getting the door to the restaurant and the restroom by other people. Small things, but it speaks to the atmosphere of the place. All the little things make the difference in the overall experience. The one warning is the wait; we got there just before 10am and had a 45 minute wait. read more
More info about Russell's
30 N Fair Oaks Ave
Pasadena, CA 91103
Downtown
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(626) 578-1404
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https://russells-pasadena.weeblyte.com
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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…
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 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.
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