Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Uncle John’s Cafe

    4.1 (1k reviews)
    Closed 8:00 am - 3:00 pm
    Updated 3 months ago

    Order Uncle John’s Cafe Takeout or Delivery

    Uncle John’s Cafe Photos

    Business Info

    UNCLE JOHN’S CAFE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Classy
    Moderate noise
    Outdoor seating

    Recommended Reviews - Uncle John’s Cafe

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Steak and eggs with Fried Rice

    First time at Uncle John's and we were not disappointed! The host was amazing, helpful, and fast, answering all of our questions. The spicy pork chop, steak, and Hong Kong french toast (to die for!) were all delicious, and the portions were big. The cafe has a good vibe with nice music and a city view. We will definitely be coming back. Suggestion: Park a few blocks away and walk, it adds to the downtown LA vibe!

    Menu
    Debra A.

    The restaurant is inconspicuous and who knew they serviced breakfast because I thought it was a Chinese restaurant. I visited the cafe while visiting my son during the Labor Day weekend. My son recommended I try the peanut butter French toast! OMG it was so good, however the portion is slot so we shared it. The service was good and fast. The restaurant is extremely causal and typical decor. The neighborhood isn't the best however it's safe enough.

    Maruko X.

    Ambiance: the restaurant is located in downtown, with two layers of seating area Service: very friendly staff, one work in the front as cashier and server, and another one in the kitchen, you place the order at the counter and staff will bring food to your table Food: their menu have classic breakfast items and fusion style food SPICY PORK CHOPS - **** lightly battered fried pork chops topped with serrano peppers, their signature dish, the pork chop is bit dry but very crispy, recommend Price: moderate portions and reasonable prices, expect $20 per person for a quick bite

    2 Eggs with Spicy Chicken Wings
    Nicole W.

    Everything made to order- like "I see the steam" made to order. That alone is a rare feat in modern restaurant cooking. Opted for the To-Go box because of portions and time- but there is tons of comfortable indoor seating and plated meals for a 'take your time and talk' lunch vibe. Not too formal, and not too casual- very very local feel- which is nice on a Saturday afternoon. Food was delicious- Crispy wings, tender pork chop, unorthodox brunch side items (yes- Fried Rice!), and a perfectly balanced Vietnamese Iced Coffee (not too sweet, just strong enough). Service was absolutely lovely, patient, and professional. Gentleman at the register was really terrific and brightened my day. Located on the thoroughly gentrified and policed stretch of Downtown (IYKYK)- parking is ample and secure. While I don't make it to DTLA often, as a Valley girl- again- IYKYK...this is on my list of "stop if I'm in the area."

    Having a business lunch just noticing impeccable service from the @Uncle John's

    Love when I see a good team just crushing their service. From Akira to the bus boy having his head on a pivot to see who needs refills. This shows good leadership. The food... Jk the food was amazing!!!

    The still shot of 2 Eggs with Teriyaki Chicken
    Terrance S.

    Definitely a nice blend of American and Chinese food. Liked the fact of the fried rice, teriyaki chicken, and eggs. You can't be mad at the Chicken Rolls as well. I will definitely be back for more options on the menu. Staff was great and food was delivered in a timely fashion.

    Pho
    Andrew W.

    I was pleasantly surprised! Walked in to check out the menu and saw that they sell Vietnamese food, being a skeptic since it was not originally a Vietnamese restaurant I ordered the pho and I was surprised how good it was. It was loaded with beef and noodles and they gave me pleanty of herbs and bean sprouts. I would recommend this place to anyone that is skeptical, try it out you will be surprised!

    BEEF PHO
    Ashley J.

    We can here for brunch. It's a cute little place. The service was a 10/10! Everyone was so sweet and accommodating! The food was okay for us. Steak was a little tough and the fried rice just tasted like packet rice. The omelette was good but the hash browns were like mashed and then pan fried. The eggs and ham were cooked perfectly. The hong kong french toast tasted like a nicely fried doughnut with peanut butter in between, which I personally wasn't a fan of (if you love peanut butter, this is for you) I would try to give this place another go, maybe not for breakfast and I would come back because of how nice the staff was too.

    Erica K.

    We had decided to stop by for dinner solely because of a YouTube video (I don't condone relying just on a video to convince one to dine at a certain establishment, but here we are). It operates on an order/pay at the counter, find your own table, where they eventually bring the food to your table. We ordered: Scrambled eggs with steak, fried rice Shrimp XO Chow Fun With XO, you expect there to be a bit of spice or a zing, but I was a bit disappointed that this dish ended up tasting like a toned down pad see ew. While everyone has a specific way of their eggs done, I would recommend veering away from scrambled because the portion size looked small, the steak tasted like something made at home, and the fried rice lacked variety and resembled soy sauce tossed in rice. They seem to run a tight ship with one person at the register taking orders and dropping off dishes with one cook in the back. There is a certain charm to Uncle John's, but other than nothing really worth coming back for..

    Inside
    Anna G.

    Stumbled upon this restaurant while looking for a breakfast place before my jury duty in the downtown area. The restaurant was clean and had a cute decor. It's an American/chinese restaurant so rice is available if you crave rice for breakfast. We ordered bacon eggs and rice and it came with toast... price was reasonable for being downtown LA. A pretty good breakfast.. customer service was even better!!

    Bonnie S.

    Rediscover DTLA's oldest diner: Uncle John's. With its new look and layout, it welcomes all with its amazing menu of American Diner Classics to Chinese American favorites and newly added Vietnamese dishes. My sons and I had an amazing time. That Hong Kong Battered French Toast stuffed with peanut butter and then drizzled with maple syrup was heavenly! What did we grub on at 8:30am? Classic Cheeseburger & Fries HK Battered French Toast Stuffed w/ Peanut Butter Sunnyside Eggs, Bacon & Sausage X.O. Combination Chow Fun Noodles Spicy Fried Pork Chops & Fried Rice Crispy Pork Spring Rolls Hot Chocolate Vietnamese Iced Coffee I highly recommend @unclejohnsdtla where there will always be something for everyone! Picky eaters, this spot will be your favorite! The service is prompt and friendly! Just love them! Visual Review: https://www.instagram.com/reel/C9LdOFsyYRn/?igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

    STEAK AND EGGS
    Jefferson M.

    I had the steak and eggs with a side of fried rice, plus an extra order of spicy pork chops. The pork chop was tender, well-seasoned, and satisfying. But the combo of steak, eggs, and fried rice was the ultimate comfort meal--warm, filling, and just what you want on a gloomy day. At $17, the steak and eggs is such a good deal, especially with fried rice on the side. It's the kind of no-frills, feel-good meal that makes you want to come back

    Banh mi
    Melissa M.

    Went in with my bf and a friend for brunch. My bf and I each got a Vietnamese iced coffee, which was delicious and very caffeinated! I also got a banh mi. I was surprised it came out after the items my bf and our friend ordered, even though theirs both required cooking and mine did not. But it was fine because they were very busy and still able to take good care of us, bringing water and checking on us. The space is fairly comfortable for a place with counter ordering. The banh mi looked huge but the bread was mostly air so it compacted down as I ate it. And I needed something to absorb all that caffeine so I managed to eat the whole thing!

    See all

    Photo of Joe F.
    97
    104
    65

    1 month ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Kenny G.
    153
    55
    36

    2 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Neil G.
    1216
    931
    2055

    6 months ago

    Helpful 8
    Thanks 6
    Love this 8
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Don T.
    2
    17
    35

    21 days ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Kenneth G.
    470
    156
    94

    1 month ago

    Service was amazing! The food partitions are huge and the restaurant is super clean. I would come back here again

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 1

    9 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 2

    2 months ago

    Service is great. Food is great! Good place for breakfast or lunch. Always able to get in and out quick for lunch/breakfast

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 8
    Thanks 2
    Love this 5
    Oh no 1
    Photo of Nicole W.
    7
    33
    112

    10 months ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 1
    Love this 2
    Oh no 1

    4 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Brian I.
    1550
    967
    2733

    1 year ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 1
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    11 months ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Andrew W.
    71
    139
    73

    5 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 2
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 5
    Thanks 3
    Love this 6
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 8
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 1

    1 year ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 1
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Cougan H.
    49
    45
    31

    11 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Lala U.
    23
    56
    2637

    9 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Jesse S.
    58
    40
    84

    5 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    11 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of L L.
    0
    36
    4

    5 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 6
    Thanks 2
    Love this 8
    Oh no 1

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 3
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Drew E.
    56
    41
    55

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Whitney D.
    105
    46
    14

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    Page 1 of 26

    Uncle John’s Cafe Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Uncle John’s Cafe

    Anything on the menu gluten free?

    There are a couple options from breakfast menu that's gluten free, i think tomato beef and grilled fish as well

    Do they serve Cajun all day now?

    No only in the evenings

    Do they serve seafood for lunch or just at dinner time?

    The other person who answered this is sus. They serve at all times.

    Do they have $1 oysters? If so, when?

    Most evenings when they have their Cajun Seafood Boil; but it is upon availability so best to call ahead or walk by!

    Does the wonton soup have stuffed wonton/dumplings or is it just the long noodles? If yes, what meat is in the wontons?

    The soup contains stuffed wontons, not just long noodles, as you had posited. Said wontons typically contain pork AND shrimp unless specifically requested otherwise (they're usually v happy to oblige). It's very delicious.

    Do they serve alcohol or is it BYOB?

    They don't serve alcohol, but allow you to bring drinks over from the bar next door that they share a door with.

    Do they serve their steak and eggs combo during their dinner hours as well?

    No, they serve Cajun seafood for dinner.

    Is the parking difficult and metered?

    Yes, there is metered parking that may be difficult to find.

    View All 11 Questions

    Pho 87 - Egg rolls

    Pho 87

    4.3(1.9k reviews)
    1.9 miElysian Park
    $$

    Pho 87 is located at the end of Chinatown, hidden in a corner close to the freeway entrance and by…read morethe residential neighborhoods. I was looking for pho on a sunny day and they delivered. When you walk in, you can already tell that this place is authentic. They have a koi pond and at least, when we went, it was a packed house during lunch time on a Wednesday! Prices for the pho were higher than average but the flavors were all there and we got our food minutes after ordering. My group ordered the #3 pho with rare beef the #4 pho with rare and well-cooked beef and a rice dish. We did not expect the rice dish to have such generous portions. The spring rolls and the crunchy spring rolls for appetizers come in sets of 3 and had the freshest of ingredients. Apparently, there is a private parking lot in the back but we did not find it when we were there. Fortunately, we did find street parking. Allot extra time to find parking since this is Chinatown, LA and you'll be fine.

    My fiance and I had the pork egg rolls, shrimp egg rolls, shrimp and pork spring rolls, and brisket…read moreand rare steak pho. The egg rolls were so fresh and crispy and way better than expected. Spring rolls and pho were also solid with lots of meat. My minor complaint is that the white onions were sliced a bit thicker, which is not my preference. Very fast service and there was no wait when we went for dinner on a Tuesday.

    Photos
    Pho 87 - Dining area of restaurant interior

    Dining area of restaurant interior

    Pho 87 - Spring rolls

    Spring rolls

    Pho 87 - These two were there too

    See all

    These two were there too

    Ktown Pho - Pho Duoi Bo Cha Gio

    Ktown Pho

    4.4(1.1k reviews)
    3.1 miKoreatown
    $$

    My wife and I came here for date night and it was our first time at Ktown Pho, definitely won't be…read moreour last. We ordered the house pho and the crispy egg rolls, and both were a perfect 10/10. The pho was rich, flavorful, and comforting, and the egg rolls were crispy and fresh with great flavor. The soda lemonade was also a standout super refreshing and a great complement to the meal. Overall, everything from the food to the experience made for an awesome date night. We'll definitely be coming back and recommending this spot to others.

    Where do I even begin? My friend and I came into this restaurant on a Saturday afternoon (4pm-ish)…read moreand it was slow. There were allegedly no tables available so we were told to put our names down. We waited about 7-10 mins and were sat. We each ordered the House Pho since it seemed to be the most popular dish, as well as an order of Spring Rolls. The waiter who was attending to us repeated our order which was (2) bowls of House Pho, Spring Rolls, and (2) beverages. When the food came out we only received one of the Pho dishes and one beverage. We asked to follow up on our additional soup and beverage only to the waited to tell us that we had only ordered one soup dish and one drink. We were very confused since he had repeated the order to us before sending it to the kitchen. The soup itself was lukewarm and flavor of the broth wasn't necessarily extraordinary. Similar to what others have written, it lacked flavor and tasted watered down. Pho should be packed with flavor and hot. The quality of meat was okay, but don't think I'll be going back. I wish I had nicer things to say about this place, but everything was disappointing. TLDR; overhyped, lacks flavor, and overpriced.

    Photos
    Ktown Pho - Interior

    Interior

    Ktown Pho - Combination rolls

    Combination rolls

    Ktown Pho - Condiments ha

    See all

    Condiments ha

    Au Lac - Lemongrass Fish

    Au Lac

    4.3(1.3k reviews)
    0.8 miDowntown
    $$
    Locally owned & operated
    10 years in business

    Came here to celebrate my friends birthday Really nice…read moreatmosphere for that it's a very spacious beautiful place and the service was excellent Wonderful variety of unique vegan food It was so hard to decide what to get I had the pho beef ball soup and my friend had a flavorful tempeh dish Really enjoyed the choconut x-tasy The gluten free baklava is more nutty than traditional baklava yet still very nice There's parking underneath I wish I knew that cause I circled around the downtown area for a bit Would go there again for the dessert for sure

    I have been at this restaurant a few times before, having performed here with my sketch group and…read morealso coming for dinner before seeing shows at Center Theatre Group. Each time I've come the waitstaff has been super friendly, and the food amazing. So, when planning a little birthday lunch for my mom's 81st birthday, this was one of the first places I thought of. My mom lives in south LA and we live in the valley, so after picking her up, we wouldn't have to travel far to eat. Although we planned to arrive to the restaurant at 2, traffic was horrible and we arrived at 230pm. After looking for parking, I dropped the fam off at 2:40 so they could sit and look at the menu while I found parking. I get a text from my husband saying they closed at 3 so hurry. This was news to me, as I thought they closed at 5. I found parking and rushed in at 2:48, to see my family outside the restaurant. Perplexed, I went in to ask if we could still eat, as it wasn't yet 3pm. No wait staff came to the front to greet me, so I walked in a bit and asked the waiter if it was okay to eat. The waiter said we close in ten. I said I thought the website said you closed at 5. I must have read it wrong. I understand, but it's not 3 and we came a bit of a distance and it's my mom's 81st birthday. The waiter, whose name is Jack, offered to ask the kitchen if they would still make food. I said yes please would you ask? While Jack was asking, another waiter asked me if I had been helped. I told him yes, that Jack was asking the kitchen if we could still have lunch. This waiter says, we're closing in 10. I'd like to have lunch too. And walks away. Yes, with shade. Jack returns and says it's fine as long as we can order within a few minutes of getting the menu. I say great and we all come in. The 2nd waiter takes our order with the least amount of personality he possibly can, and the whole lunch is slightly awkward and we're not able to truly enjoy ourselves with the feeling of "we better hurry up and eat" lingering. By the time we ordered and received our food (which was delicious as usual) , there were still 4 other groups of customers there, and we actually left the restaurant within a minute or two after the last customers before us. Also, no one came around to ask how our food was and if we needed anything. I'm giving 3 stars because this experience didn't quite sit right with me. Yes, it was near closing, but your doors weren't closed and there was no sign saying last call/order at 2:45 or anything like that. I feel like once the kitchen approved making our lunch, customer service should have been at its peak for paying customers, who gave no attitude and tried to be as polite with the ask as possible. It was not. I still tipped 25%, because Jack (waiter 1) was polite and my 81 old mama who I was celebrating raised me that way, but I'm not sure I'll patronize them again.

    Photos
    Au Lac - Octopus

    Octopus

    Au Lac - Laab Salad

    Laab Salad

    Au Lac - Salt & Peppered Shrimp

    See all

    Salt & Peppered Shrimp

    Nem Nuong Khanh Hoa

    Nem Nuong Khanh Hoa

    4.3(806 reviews)
    6.9 mi
    $$

    I have been coming to Nem Nuong Khánh Hòa for years and don't see a lot of people coming here. It…read moreis ran by your Vietnamese aunty and uncle and their food is authentic. Their prices have not changed in years and the portions remain the same versus shrinkflation. Their menu is not that big but it has your essential Vietnamese dishes. Today I ordered the banh beo bi, vermicelli with nem nuong and egg rolls, nem nuong coun and che ba mau. Banh beo bi are rice cakes topped with shredded pork. It comes with chilies and fish sauce for you to pour on top. The rice cakes are served warm and are super smooth and soft. The thai chilies it comes with are spicy so don't use too much. The vermicelli with nem nuong and egg rolls comes with a slab of meat and a whole egg roll. The bottom are the noodles and mix of veggie and herbs. The nem nuong is sweetened charbroiled pork that is grilled. Think of a sweet meat ball. The egg rolls are super crispy and filled with meat. The noodles go well with the fish sauce and there are a lot of veggies inside. The nem nuong coun is a spring roll that's wrapped in rice paper. It has the meat and lettuce wrapped inside and comes with a dipping sauce. I believe the sauce is made with ground shrimp. For $8 for 3 rolls it is a steal compared to other restaurants. If you are craving Brodards in OC this place can satisfy your craving. Their che ba mau which is a 3 bean dessert has a lot of beans inside topped with coconut milk and shaved ice. It is the person drink to finish your meal and it is not too sweet.

    Yelp doesn't disappoint with this authentic Vietnamese spot…read more Don't expect a fine dining experience walking in. However, what you'll find is a clean and efficient mom-and-pop place with plenty of tables for the family. Service is quick, and parking is available in front. Parking might be challenging on busy nights. I ordered the Pho and spring rolls; I found the broth to be rich and freshly flavored. The spring rolls are large and filled with shrimp and pork, meeting expectations. I'll definitely return.

    Photos
    Nem Nuong Khanh Hoa
    Nem Nuong Khanh Hoa - Spring Rolls

    Spring Rolls

    Nem Nuong Khanh Hoa - Pork Chop & Charbroiled Meat Balls with Broken Rice

    See all

    Pork Chop & Charbroiled Meat Balls with Broken Rice

    Uncle John’s Cafe - tradamerican - Updated May 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...