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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.
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 !
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!!
4 months ago
It was a long wait time but once seated the service was great and so was the food! No complaints at all. read more
4 months ago
Good service. Breakfast and lunch served. Good selection on the menu. Service was quick and the food was delicious. Parking in the structure or street parking. read more
10 days ago
3 months ago
Worth the wait! This place is worth the hour wait and I will absolutely return! We arrived around 11:30 and were seated about an hour later. The service here is great, everyone is so attentive. The food is so tasty, and pricing is about average with the Ranch Breakfast being about $17.00. I ordered The Ranch breakfast which was 3 pancakes, 1 egg, 1 sausage (or bacon), and it was so good! Our server Dennis was so friendly and asked if it was out first time and let us know that the pancakes and waffles are popular items and since my breakfast came with pancakes at the very end he brought my husband and I a waffle each to try and OMG I am not a waffle person but it was delicious! Also, the fact that it was our first time and he didn't want us to leave without having a waffle to try was so kind of him, thank you Dennis! read more
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
4 months ago
2 months ago
went for breakfast with bff yesterday, it was our first time trying out this place and we were both very pleased with our brekkie , we arrived at 1245 and waited for only 5 mins, good idea to come in around 1245 to 130 since restaurant closes at 2 we both liked the service, server was very attentive and the ambience is very nice , retro diner feel will definitely come here again read more
1 year ago
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
11 months ago
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
5 months ago
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
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
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
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
2 months ago
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
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
1 year ago
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
4 months ago
For breakfast lovers. Classic omelette dishes and more. In the heart of Old Town. Excellent quality and value! 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
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
5 months ago
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
1 year ago
First time here. I kept hearing about how good it was and I would always see a lot of people waiting outside. However, I went during the week and although there was a good amount of people eating, it was a walk-in and was able to get a table right away. So glad I took the time to check it out. The food was great, and it all tasted so fresh. The service was perfect and the ambiance was perfect for a slow Monday morning. It has a great decor inside with different famous paintings and a good selection of breakfast food. Can't wait to come back to taste the pancakes and French toast! read more
We were quickly seated because we weren't too picky about sitting at the bar. I had the Belgian Waffle Breakfast with a sunny side up egg and 2 breakfast sausages. I found the creamed butter on the waffles to be a tad too salty for my liking, so I scraped most of that off. All in all, a decent spot with diner vibes for a classic American brunch if you're in the area. read more
2 months ago
6 months ago
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
1 year ago
Reviewing this place after eating there twice. Giving a five stars because I can't think of a way to improve it. The staff was great, the food has been great, the place is nice. A very good local spot worth visiting. read more
1 month ago
This is one of my staples for breakfast. Aside from the long wait times that you might get met with. Russell's is an amazing breakfast spot. My parents enjoy the corn beef hash and the chicken steak breakfast. It comes out good each time we come. My favorite thing about this restaurant is the consistency in flavor and service. The waiters are always making sure drinks are topped and food is good. One of the things you must try are the mimosas and the Belgian waffle. It really enhances the meal. The Belgian waffle is what they are known for. It fluffy yet light and packed with so much flavor. They also have lunch which is really good. My sister always gets the fettuccine Alfredo which is very well made. You can definitely find anything there for breakfast or lunch. Definitely will stay as my top 10 breakfast in LA. read more
4 months ago
9 months ago
I would say Russell's is my favorite diner and breakfast option in Pasadena. I like it over Marston's, Shakers, and a few of the others. It's very large and busy on the inside and every time I have visited there has been a long wait. This most recent visit for a Saturday brunch we were told it would be 45 minutes, but we only waited about 20 minutes. Inside is large with many different seating options so the lines tend to move fast due to the large amount of tables. They have a giant menu! It is multiple pages and honestly has a ton of options which I truly love. Kind of reminded me of Cheesecake Factory in that regard. Our server David was extremely polite, very attentive, and he did a great job. They don't have a dedicated parking lot, but there is a parking structure on the same block or you can opt for street parking. The food quality, portion size, and price are very fair here and it's probably one of the reasons that it's my favorite breakfast spot in Pasadena. Everything we ordered was made perfectly and we didn't have a single issue during the entire meal. We started off with a homemade Cinnamon Roll, which was a great and sweet start to the meal. It wasn't very large, so it would be easy to finish even for one person. From my entrée I chose the Croque Madame because that's one of my favorite dishes to order at any French bistro and I was pleasantly surprised with this version as well. I honestly ate the entire thing and enjoyed every bite. I would recommend to anyone looking for a great breakfast or lunch option in Pasadena and I plan to be back again in the near future. read more
2 months ago
8 months ago
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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