Russell's is a really fun diner where you're getting the full diner experience, large menus, plenty of standard breakfast and lunch items, and that classic cozy vibe. We ate here for breakfast, and it was exactly what I'd expect from a diner, which left me satisfied. We ordered the Big Breakfast, which came with French toast (a little sweet, a little savory), scrambled eggs, home fries, and sourdough toast. There was also an option for fresh-squeezed orange juice, which was a nice touch. Everything tasted good and fresh, not overly greasy, which I appreciated, it didn't feel like a greasy spoon. Overall, Russell's delivers on the classic diner promise with food that tastes fresh and hearty. I'd definitely come back, especially when the body calls for that classic diner experience. read more

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

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

Russell's - American Near Me - Pasadena, California

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

Russell's - Belgian Waffle Breakfast - American Near Me - Pasadena, California

In short; great food, great service, beautiful aesthetic and upbeat but not chaotic ambiance. Very clean and organized kitchen and serving area. Professional staff with great attitudes. Consistently great experience. There is often a weight, especially for Sunday brunch, but there are several comfortable and clean chairs outside. As well as as great shops, only a few feet away. read more

Awesome restaurant! The food was terrific and the service was amazing. The servers are very attentive to the customer's needs. Highly recommend. Thank you all! read more

Yummy traditional diner fare with smart, impeccable and kind service. Classic art contributes to a cool vibe. Hash browns, like everything else, is on point! Hot sauce options available for the brave. read more

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Definitely food is always delicious and the service is above and beyond excellence. Coffee is always fresh..

We had breakfast at Russell's almost everyday of our vacation & loved it each time! Food is delicious & plentiful. Service is welcoming & attentive. You will leave satisfied and full. And the music is fabulous!We highly recommend Russell's! read more

We took our kids here for a family breakfast. It was already quite crowded at 7:30 on a Saturday. We had a great time -- the service was friendly and prompt; the vibe was classic diner, complete with friendly regulars who were nice to us and our young kids; and the food was tasty diner breakfast fare. We will be back! read more

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

Russell's - American Near Me - Pasadena, California

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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

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

Russell's - American Near Me - Pasadena, California

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Sandwich burger was very good. Our server was first call .. polite and very attentive. I recommend this restaurant read more

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

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This is my third time coming to Russell's in Oldtown Pasedena. I got the Famous Cheeseburger this time and I thought it was pretty good. It wasn't as good as other local burger joints like The Original Tops or Shake Shack but it was still enjoyable. The service was great too! My server made sure my coffee was filled up to the top whenever I was half. This is a classic Breakfast spot that I will be coming back to soon. read more

Russell's - Famous Cheeseburger with coffee - American Near Me - Pasadena, California

It was really good. Good service good food good atmosphere. Definitely coming back. It's a cute little spot

I have always wanted to try Russell's but there is always a long wait so I end up eating somewhere else. My friend suggested it for brunch so I decided to give it a try! We actually only waited 30 minutes which isn't bad at all. I'm glad we waited because it was worth it! The food was so delicious! The service was great and the ambiance was very cute. My favorite was the Belgian waffles. I would definitely come back! read more

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I love this spot . We always order the mozzarella sticks . No matter what meal. The iced tea is always on point This time I ordered the oatmeal. With a side of bacon . I was a bit tired of eggs and such. The host and waiters ate always attentive . I love the artwork and classy feel of the restaurant. This is my go to spot read more

Russell's - Ham and Ham & 3 eggs Pancakes Sausages Mozzarella Sticks Oatmeal Breakfast plus Bacon (4 Strips) Brewed Iced Tea Iced Tea - American Near Me - Pasadena, California

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Are you kidding me russells? Is a Pasadena tradition? Their food here is fantastic. The service is great. Been there forever

We have never been before but had read good things, except that there is always a wait. Went for breakfast on a rainy Thursday, and there was still a 15 minute wait! And we had to wait outside, which had an awning but is pretty close to a major street with cars passing by. Luckily no one got drenched. However, we are glad we waited. The food was delicious! And the room was so much nicer than I imagined, thinking it was going to look more like a diner. It's actually more like an upscale restaurant, with beautiful red walls and lots of art. Our server was so pleasant and attentive. We both went with the "Light Start" breakfast. I had a poached egg with bacon & hash browns, and substituted a Belgian waffle for toast. My husband had an over easy egg with sausage and toast. We split the waffle and it was out of this world! SO light and delicious. I'm not a sweets person, but I loved this. Parking is basically in the same building and they validate. read more

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At first, this just seems like a normal diner, but man it's a good old-fashioned diner with simple and tasty staples. Their bread and butter are plain but just right (let me tell you: I go to a lot of steakhouses and most of them can't get this right). They have one of the best waffles I've ever had (I really don't care much for waffles). Service was fast and price is reasonable. My only complaint is their wait can get pretty long and you got to pay for parking either in the nearby structure or on the street. Come in the morning to get some of that city sunlight and air. Red walls with different paintings really makes the vibes feel like a diner out of a movie. read more

There is always a wait at this place and it's definitely not worth it. The food was just very very sub par. We got the chicken friend steak and corned beef hash. I felt like we were eating really bad TV dinners. It's not bad like it was inedible but it's pretty bad for a meal that costs 50 bucks for 2 people. I was really wishing we just got a McDonald's breakfast instead and that's saying something. read more

Beloved no more. That's right, our beloved Russel's on Fair Oaks has changed. My brother and I have been going there for decades and not once were we disappointed or mistreated. But, today in the middle of rain, a young lady that seems to be a new employee had us stay in the rain outside to wait for a table. Then we were allowed to go in. Once we sat, the young lady came to our table and told us to hurry and place our order, because she will give us 90 minutes to have breakfast. She said that if we go over that time we will be asked to leave. After hearing that, we got up and left. We asked for validation and the young man that was there told us "validations are for customers only". Whoever trained this young lady didn't train her properly. It's amazing how one bad trained employee or employees can deter customers from patronizing a business. read more

Come one come all for a solid classic breakfast. Be prepared for a line and wait.... And the wait is as long as they say it is. We ordered the big breakfast to split and the pancakes were delicious! Hashbrowns were also a fav. We sat at the bar and the server was prompt and very nice. Waited an hour and 15 and was out in 25 Parking was 11 dollars read more

Russell's - The big show - American Near Me - Pasadena, California

Russell's was established in 1930. It is no ordinary diner in the sense that it give off an upscale vibe with the bright red booth, crystal chandeliers and artwork adjourning the walls. There's a sense of class here. It's a real cozy place to have breakfast or brunch. Expect to wait in line, but it's well worth the wait. The food will never disappoint. What we ordered: -Chicken Fried Steak + 2 Eggs, Hash Bowns & 1 Side $17.50 The Chicken Fried Steak came smothered in a white gravy sauce with eggs done up how you like 'em, hash browns and your choice of a side such as toast, an English muffin or a bagel. For an upcharge, you can get a pancake, blueberry pancake or a waffle. I opted to get a side of a Belgian Waffle for $3.50. This is a really good deal and enough food for my toddler son. I have great nostalgia of eating at diners and ordering a chicken fried steak. In my 20's, my friends and I would hit up a 24 hour diner after the bars and I would always order a chicken fried steak. The service was very attentive to our needs. Our only complaint was finding a table. We were told a modest 20 minute wait as we came approximately one hour before closing. While we were waiting several people walked-in and got tables right away. This was a bit infuriating for my wife. I had to calm here down a few times. She kept pestering me to go in and ask about our table as we had a hungry wife and toddler. I'm the patient one. There were open tables available bigger than what we needed, but would have gotten us out the door much faster. The host needs to be more on top of things. Overall, it was memorable meal. Great food and service! We'll be back again to try other dishes off the menu. read more

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Service was so polite and cozy ambiance! Cori took such good care of us and was incredibly sweet. Food was so yummy and our favorite was the hot chocolate! read more

Russell's - Hot Chocolate - American Near Me - Pasadena, California

This was a hidden gem and I'm so glad my daughter and I found it. The hot cakes were amazing and the vegetable omelet was simply Delicious. I did not get pictures this time but I will definitely be going back. Let's not forget the fresh squeeze orange juice was amazing and simply superb. read more

Order from there a lot. Terrific breakfasts Quality food I use DoorDash for all my orders read more

1st time here and will definitely not be the last. Long waiting time but great quality of food and great customer service. Really appreciate the staffs up beat attitude and want to give a shoutout to "Marcos" for being an amazing waiter! Thanks for the great experience! read more

I was so impressed with the service, food, and atmosphere. I'm a first timer and cannot wait to visit again; probably for a special occasion because the wait time to be seated was no joke. The crowd doesn't lie, definitely worth the wait! read more

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

We've been coming here for years now and we always love our experience. The host is super friendly and kind (his name is Ceasar). Our servers have always been super attentive and awesome. This last time we had Cory as our waitress and she was so awesome! She often checked in to make sure we had what we needed. She's warm and friendly. Aside from the wonderful staff, the food is always delicious. Our favorites are the madam croque, corn beef hash, Belgian waffles and their pancakes. This will always be our first choice for breakfast!! read more

Russell's - Belgian waffles - American Near Me - Pasadena, California

Service was good. Friendly and get what we ask for quickly. I love their buttermilk pancakes! Fluffy and chewy. I love their corn beef hash too, crunchy as I prefer it. We also got their meat love omelette. It was also good, thick cut bacon with crispy hash. I'd say it's one of our fav places for an American breakfast. read more

Russell's - Buttermilk pancakes (Petite Stack), meat lover omelette with rye bread, side of corn beef hash. - American Near Me - Pasadena, California

This place is absolutely amazing for breakfast. Food is amazing quality and don't let the prices discourage you, I know it's a little on the pricey side but they do give really good portions. It seems like there's always a wait but they have chairs outside for you to sit and wait and I promise it's worth the wait. People happily wait outside for a reason. Staff were amazing as well. Will definitely be coming back. read more

First time here. Amazing service and best bacon and eggs breakfast I have had in a very long time. Thick bacon cooked to perfection. Pancakes were fluffy and light. Also cooked to perfect. The supervisor in Dodgers jerseys was highly efficient and very pleasant. Great coffee! Will recommend to friends in area. We'll done guys and gals! read more

This place seems to be all hype in terms of the quality of its food. Pancakes were a C (for an example of an 'A', go to Jacks and Joe in downtown Los Angeles) The croque monsieur was a C (for an example of an 'A', go to Braserie B in Las Vegas The coffee was a D- (too many examples of 'A' coffee to list here, but if you buy a coffee grinder and grind your own coffee beans at home, you are a world ahead of the coffee in this place) BTW, these three items are cost $43 (tip included). read more

Been coming here for years! But since moving the east coast, it's been a while and my review is long overdue! My parents still come here so much, everyone knows them and knows that my mom wants decaf coffee. Service is amazing! We always come extra early to beat the crowd. The line can get pretty long! This time was my first time bringing my kids and they LOVED the cinnamon roll. I had the breakfast burrito and it was fantastic. 10/10 recommend! read more

It was my first time here. Seeing all the people waiting outside was a good sign. This restaurant checked all the boxes. It has a clean and cheery atmosphere, good service, and delicious food. We will be back! read more

Don't let the wait deter you! Russell's is so worth the wait! If you really can't wait then order to go but then you'll miss the warm friendly service and the food that is so perfect the minute it lands on your table. The hashbrowns are perfectly crisped on the outside with the smooth buttery insides. The omelets eggs are so fluffy with the cheese melted over vegetables that are still have a snap on the outside with soft delicious flavor bursts when you bite into them. My English muffin was perfectly toasted with butter dripping into every nook and crannie! I need to go back and experience this spot again as soon as possible. read more

The service is always good, the food might pricy but great. Sometimes there is a wait but it's because coming here is worth the trip to Pasadena. There are several parking structures here in Old Town Pasadena, and some metered street parking but not on the direct street. You're not getting the standard IHOP experience here, there is care and attention and pride in the cooking. The seating area and bathroom is always clean and the service is professional and friendly. I've come with friends here and everyone is always satisfied with their food, the portions are decent and match the pricing in my opinion. I've enjoyed the orange, grapefruit, and cranberry juices. Mimosas are on the menu and those are my favorite to order! I know I will always be happy to eat here and recommend it to all my friends. If you're visiting, this is a great place to check out! Quality is above average and my experience always exceeds expectations. read more