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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.
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.
Staff were all friendly and efficient! Our waiter continuously came to check in on the table. Food was all wonderful! Will be returning soon.
6 years ago
Great service Great food No complaints Had been wanting to go here for a while and glad it finally happened. They had a classic American menu with breakfast and lunch options. We had breakfast from 8-9am; there was no wait on a Tuesday morning. They've just started indoor dining again, so it's a hybrid of indoor/outdoor. The team wears masks/gloves and each table has sanitizer for the customers. They are very courteous - we were mistaken in thinking our plates came with toast/bagels on the side. It usually doesn't but they threw it in anyway. The only downside is the loud, drawling traffic while we were sitting outside, but I don't hold it against them since it comes with the Old Town environment. Expect your conversation to be stalled as the morning trucks & vans pass through. We saw some cop cars, an ambulance, and a fire truck pass through with their alarms blaring as well. Overall good experience. Thanks for your service, it was delicious! read more
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Consistently good food, and quick service. Worth a visit if you're in the area. Look to park in the nearby parking garage, and at the time I went, you could get your ticket validated. read more
5 years ago
My friends and I came upon this place while looking for a brunch spot. It's been awhile since I've had a traditional American breakfast and this place embraced exactly that. There was a good half an hour wait on a Saturday morning until we were seated. There's a vintage feel to the restaurant, which felt quite like grandmother's home. I ordered the Grilled Pork Loin & 2 Eggs ($10.95), which also came with hashbrowns and choice of toast, muffin or bagel. I chose my eggs sunny-side up and bagel for my side option. The food was plenty and none of us were able to finish our food. I loved the crispy hashbrowns, which is always a key factor for breakfast dishes. Everything else was tasty and fulfilling. To add, the service was great and the waiter came around to refill our drinks often. Overall, solid American breakfast spot and totally worth the value. read more
6 years ago
Bad experience here today. The guy at the counter was very nice and accommodating but nevertheless. Ordered 2x ham sandwich and it was so extremely soggy and gross I couldn't eat it at all. Called and swapped out for breakfast burrito and biscuits/gravy. Both were mediocre, especially for 30 dollars. Also, the guy forgot the salsa and hot sauce that I asked for on the phone so I had to go back in a 3rd time to find that they only have this disgusting cheap bottle salsa puree and nasty vinegar hot sauce. Would not recommend ever coming here. Sad because there are so many good reviews for this place but I have to assume it's just hype. Updating review because my friend is now throwing up after eating the biscuits and gravy. This place sucks. read more
HEARTY. if there were one word I had to use to describe Russell's, it would be hearty. we've come here several times, usually for a late breakfast since we like sleeping in on our weekends. warm french diner ambiance, but hands down american on your plates. we get their fluffy pancakes, hash, burgers, chicken fried steak, french toast... everything is always well prepared. the staff is very warm, attentive and know how to move. i mean MOVE! yep, they are busy. there is always a line outside Fair Oaks, even mid-week. sometimes we breakfast date and sit at the bar to skip the line, and watch the news on their 2 TV's. whatever we have, we always leave happy and with a feeling of being well fed. one of our go-to spots in Old Town for breakfast. parking is validated in the adjacent lot. come hungry! read more
7 years ago
Today was another beautiful Mommy and me day...though my mama is blind today .....She has sazon!! She loves Russell's oatmeal , and Denver omelette....Russell's never disappoints.....staff is nice and courteous....and so are their customers Thank you to the Very nice man that help my mama today You made our day....we wish you a safe and happy Friday!! read more
11 years ago
Russell's is a traditional diner with value packed quality meals but none of the grease! Russell's has some amazingly, delicious, good, ol' American brunch selection! The ambiance is warm, cozy, and full of festivity since it's always crowded. With that said, expect over an hour wait on most weekends if you show up after 10AM. So it may not be for those in a hurry or looking for an alternative to Denny's or IHOP. This is more about patient, fine dining than a cheap quick bite. Breakfast Burrito (Three eggs scrambled topped with bacon, sausage and melted Cheddar cheese and wrapped in a large flour tortilla, served with hash browns) - The tortilla was a bit dry and hard, but otherwise, the burritos is packed full of flavor and the Cheddar cheese decorated every juicy bite. Nice! Meat Lover Omelet (Bacon, sausage & ham topped with melted Cheddar cheese) - there are several options for cheese but I chose to go with the Cheddar and it was excellent! They are very generous with the meat portion and I gobbled down every last bite. I added 75 cents to my meal and got a pancake instead of a regular side (English muffin or toast). The pancake was fluffy and well made. Yum! The side of hash brown was some of the best I ever had. Who would've thought there is an art to hash brown? It wasn't so greasy like most diners that makes it hard to finish. Overall, it's hard to complain about Russell's. The waiters are polite and speedy. The meals are very reasonably priced - just slightly above $10 for most selections. Though I was a bit upset that we were skipped over in the line. They gave us a beeper that never rang/vibrated and claimed that they called out our name even though we were sitting outside waiting patiently the whole time. The restaurant does validate for the parking structure right behind them but only for 60 minutes? or was it 90 minutes? It probably is a mute point since the wait itself is usually that long before you even get to be seated. Russell's is as good as it gets for American diner... if you don't mind the wait! read more
2 years ago
Russell's needs to be bigger. There just aren't enough seats! I arrived quite early on Saturday morning and so had no wait. I was able to enjoy a good three or four cups of coffee (hard to tell because it never got below half way before it was topped off) and breakfast while plugging away on my laptop on their free wifi (the passcode is their phone number) for a good hour. Once I noticed that the tables were filled, I took that as my cue to leave. And saw that there were at least 20 people waiting for seats. Oops. I had the croque madame, which is a toasted and pressed ham and cheese sandwich that's topped with a fried egg. How awesome is that? Well, it's very awesome. Tasty and needing a sharp serrated knife to cut through the crust and stuff this deliciousness into my mouth. The hash browns were pretty good too! Good service, great wifi, a really nice restaurant and a filling breakfast. I can see why Russell's is so popular! read more
9 years ago
Wow! came here many timess but this time on sunday for Father's day, waited about an hour. (10 AMish) The food here is great. Excellent. There's something about American breakfast here that is just..original. The bacon are generous sized thick cuts, and the hashbrown is delicious. I got the chicken fried steak that came with two eggs, hashbrowns, and the chicken fried steak with gravy. It was delicious! my brother got the meat lovers omelette, and we did a splitsies. Along with the meal came with a bread option, which i opted for the english muffin (VERY delicious!) The english muffin was buttered up and toasted perfectly, they have this rotating toaster right in the front of the restaurant when you enter. I would suggest doing a splitsies with another person that way you could try out the delicious options, such as the bacon!!! Additionally, we each got a mimosa, that came separately with a tiny bottle of the sparking wine (~$8.75) Overall, the meal was delicious, would definitely come back again to satisfy my American breakfast cravings. Parking - validation for 90 minutes with a structure right behind the restaurant. read more
We were in the area one morning and found this restaurant. It was really good. We had abt a 30 minute wait. The food was fresh and the staff was very attentive. I ordered a Belgian waffle and it was perfection. Crispy outside and warm soft insides. The Orange juice was fresh squeezed and the butter was delicious. I'll definitely be coming back. read more
This would be our 2nd time having brunch here in a span of 5 years. I wasn't a helper back then but once I helped a restaurant for brunch I quickly remembered that this place was amazing! Right when we pulled up we noticed that there was a lot of people waiting outside to be seated and we were starving so we decided to see how long the wait would be. Either 40 mins for a table or sit at the bar area now. We chose the 2nd option. Service was great. As soon as we sat down they handed us menus and asked us for drinks. My fiancé is extremely indecisive (Libra) so of course the question spill out to the waitress about what is better smh lol. So while starving and waiting on her to choose her meal we finally order: THE BIG ONE - two pancakes, hash browns, two eggs, bacon and sausage and a bagel with cream cheese. Everything was delicious and one of the things that's great about this breakfast is, everywhere I go for breakfast I can't get hash browns and pancakes together. My fiancé always has to get a meal with pancakes and I get a meal with hash browns and we share. That wasn't the case here lol. AVOCADO BACON SWISS CHICKEN CLUB - Grilled Chicken breast, wheat bun, melted Swiss cheese, bacon, lettuce, tomato and mayo. My fiancé took one bite and looked at me with these huge eyes. She was like, "babe you have to taste this!" and I must admit, the flavor was amazing. We both thought I 'twas going to be a dry sandwich and we were totally wrong. Everything was on point, moist, warm and the favors meshed perfectly together. I might have to get that next time. Once again, A+ everything and you can't go wrong with Russell's for breakfast, brunch and lunch. Dinner is next! OOOOO 5 out of 5 Afros read more
4 years ago
Really good breakfast! This is a small place in Old Pasadena. The surrounding area is depressing...lots of vacant buildings and closed businesses. That's sad! However, Russell's is a bright spot in the midst of what is verging on urban blight. Let's get to the food because that's the highlight. I had the big breakfast with a waffle, eggs, bacon and toast. Hash browns were included but I don't like them so I didn't have them. The service was fast, friendly and efficient. I sat at the counter...not something I usually do. The wait for a table was 20 minutes so the counter was the best option and I'm glad I did it. The other people were friendly and I enjoyed the company. There are four stools and enough space for everyone to have elbow room. Back to the food...I like my bacon soft and they got it just right. The waffle was good. It wasn't the best ever, but it sure was good. My eggs were not so good. I asked for medium and they were pretty much over easy. When I go back, and I will go back, I'll ask for them to be cooked hard. They give good portions. I like milk and they give a large glass. The toast was toast. Not much to say about toast. I'm going back tomorrow...I'm confident that they'll get my eggs right! read more
I can't even tell you the amount of times I've passed Russell's and never realized what I was missing out on! On my most recent trip to Old Town, a group of us waited to dine here. It was a Sunday morning and we waiting about 45 minutes for our party of four. I love the fact that they offer sweet and savory dishes for breakfast like the Belgium waffle breakfast. It comes with a Belgium waffle, eggs and your choice of bacon or sausage. Most breakfast establishments make you choose one or the other. Their portions are a little small compared to other breakfast joints, but it's nice because you don't leave feeling disgustingly full. I will definitely be making a return visit to check out their lunch and dinner menu. read more
6 years ago
6 years ago
I've learned over the years doing something as simple as breakfast perfectly takes exceptional skill. This staple has it all. Breakfast done so right you have no complaints and staff that work super hard. Dennis is especially amazing. Love this place. read more
5 years ago
This place is super busy; and now I know why. We decided to give this place a try after seeing the lackluster breakfast menu at our hotel. We were told that the wait would be about 20-25 minutes, but we were seated in about 10. The menu is extensive and has something for everyone. My husband got the orange juice and said it was the best he's ever had. I immediately knew I wanted the pancakes and hubby decided on the meat lover omelette. The food came out in a descent amount of time and it was really good. FYI-they only allow 90 minutes per table. But my son was able to join us after we ordered and get his food with plenty of time to spare. Clearly this is a staple restaurant in the area. read more
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5 stars for the last time I ate here for dinner a couple of weeks ago, now time to try breakfast. Food coming from kitchen looks good, big portions, staff is friendly. But real important, coffee is great and they keep refilling without asking. Great spot I'll be back read more
Russell's wasn't bad. I wish I got the Croque Madame though! The ultimate breakfast burrito was a bit too buttery (and I love butter..). The restaurant seems clean and so is the restroom! They have a good variety for breakfast. Our waiter was nice and he even took our group picture for us. So pretty much what Russell's had to offer was good food, clean restaurant and restroom, and friendly staff. read more
One of the best places to eat in Old Town! I stopped by a busy Monday around noon and there were a few people sitting outside. I was quickly seated at the bar which was comfortable and clean. I ordered the " Famous Cheeseburger". Within 5 minutes I was chowing down on a delicious juicy burger!! I was so impressed with the quick friendly service from the moment I walked in the door! Ana was my waitress and she was super attentive and kind! The host a young man with long black hair was also really efficient and friendly! The food was great as always but the service was the best I've had here so far!! I will definitely be back!! read more
5 years ago
Old down town Pasadena has plethora of breakfast diner restaurant. But the most popular of them all is Russell's on N. Fair Oaks Avenue since 1930 (as it's retro neon sign proclaims). It's a locals' favorite, especially for breakfast and weekend brunch. Also, serves a well-rounded lunch and dinner menu, focusing on burgers, sandwiches, salads, pasta and bistro entrees. We came here early Sunday morning for a salubrious breakfast, and was greeted with an effusive welcome. We were seated outside street patio whereby tables were far apart with complimentary hand sanitizers. Staff were wearing face shields and face masks per health protocol. They have contact less QR menu with voluminous food/drink list. We ordered their famous French toast, scrambled eggs, fresh fruits and coffee. Their French toasts were soft, fluffy and warm. It's syrup was thick and has good viscosity. Eggs and fruits were tasty and delightful. Coffee was brewed to perfection. I liked that we were served with obsequious and polite servers, hence the huge % tip. Excellent service! Prices were very reasonable and competitive. Parking garage (next door) only but needs to be validated by them. Moreover, metered street parking is available as well. Overall, we had a good dining experience and breakfast meal. Highly recommend this place. read more
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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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