depression-era diversion keeps the lights on: clifton’s ‘after dark’
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A long-standing institution that played a major role in feeding Los Angeles during the last economic crisis of epic proportions, Clifton’s Cafeteria was known not only for its themed redwood-forest dining hall, but also for its house rule: Dine Free Unless Delighted.
That said a lot as the nation sagged under a nearly 25% unemployment rate during the Great Depression.
Indeed, 10,000 diners did dine free at the chain’s several Downtown cafeterias — guests were never turned away for lack of funds — before a “penny cafeteria” opened to serve them.
The relevancy of Clifton’s in this time of rising unemployment will surely be sorted out over the next few months, but the days of food for the masses is still here, albeit at inflation-adjusted prices. A decent lunch can cost $15 per person now — a tidy sum, worthy of visiting nieces and nephews or out-of-town friends for the kitsch factor.
Still, Clifton’s is aiming to keep the light on a little longer in these dark times: In deference to the thousands of new residents in the neighborhood, the cafeteria is now open until 9:00pm every Friday, Saturday and Art Walk Thursday.
According to Robert Clinton, owner of the chain and grandson of founder Clifford Clinton, “We decided to try later hours to see if we could get some of our neighbors, who may be working during the day, to try Clifton’s.”
Clinton adds a bit about the dining hall once rush-hour traffic dies down and the daytime crowds on Broadway have gone home for the evening: “You can hear the sound of the waterfall and soft music. It’s very peaceful.”
Try the desserts, like red velvet and coconut cakes, strawberry pie ($3.19) and some hot items like turkey chili & cornbread ($4.99), mac & cheese ($2.68) and pot pies ($4.19).
Angelenic meet-up at Clifton’s this Saturday night?Stay tuned for more details for a meet-up on Saturday, February 7.
Clifton’s Brookdale Cafeteria
628 S Broadway
Los Angeles, CA 90014
213-627-1673
cliftonscafeteria.com
16 comments
for once, i’m available
Rich, didn’t get to see you Monday night, I’m down for dinner on Sat!
The rule of thumb at Clifton’s is — if it looks good, it is. Still, definitely a throwback to another era.
It’s great to see them extending their hours. If you ever need a little “old-time religion” after finishing your dessert, go into the tiny chapel on the second level, push the button, and listen to the recording! On another topic, hopefully they’ll be able to remove the metal grill covering the facade of the building and restore its original look some time soon.
I love Cliftons. Even more so when I was once sitting next to Paul Reubens aka Pee Wee Herman having lunch!!!!!
Clifton’s is the first place I ate at when I moved to DT. Every month many of my friends from back home who live all over LA would meet up for brunch and a few times the meeting point was Clifton’s. Even though its far more affordable than a fancy steak dinner going there always seems like a treat. I hope you guys have a great time on Saturday night. Wish I could join you!
Going to aim for -next- Saturday, the 7th of February now. Will follow up with more info soon.
I would love to see them remove the grill facade and let the old building see sunlight again…
Very happy about the extended opening hours. Never would have known about them, so thank you.
is it me or does it seem like ole cliff’s needs a serious scrubdown. when i first moved to l.a., it was one of the first places i ate to get familiar with the dining options in l.a. and the further into the building i went the less appetizing everything seemed. it was dark with weird lighting, old sticky chairs and tables, a locked bathroom and a few homeless people thrown in for added effect. it reminded me of a new york subway station. i went there once, have never been back and have never recommended it to anyone, yet everyone always sings its rejoices?!? what am i missing here?
I want so badly to enjoy a meal there but I don’t. I find the food inedible and the coffee gross. I love the interior but really, the food is awful. I’ve tried multiple times, multiple dishes. I live around the corner so the temptation of another restaurant open at night is incredible. But I too have never recommended Clifton’s to anyone — now do I plan to unless their food undergoes a major overhaul.
Even the bakery blows.
The food is quite good for what it is. It’s not gourmet, it’s not fusion, and it’s not cutting edge. It’s old fashioned recipes prepared in an old fashioned way, and done in a time tested fashion. It’s workaday comfort food for w0rkaday people, prepared very competently with fresh ingredients.
Their ox-tail dish is awesome. They make their own soups, and they are very good. They roast whole turkeys, and carve the meat, and usually it is not dry and tastes great. I would stack up their mac and cheese against ANYONE’S, and to me the same for their baked goods, all made in house, especially their muffins and cookies. (Pies are pretty good but not spectacular.)
Yes, the Jell-O salads and pudding cups are very retro and kitschy. Kitschy is definitely a part of what the Clifton’s experience is all about, but certainly not the only part. A lot of the food they dish out is quite good and moderately priced.
mr. mercer, i love that you took the time to try to convince us about ole cliff’s, but it ain’t happenin’. the food is nasty. i know it’s not fusion and it is definitely not gourmet. all i wanted was a nice hot meal—-meat and a few sides—-to stick to my ribs. who honestly goes to a place and says, “boy i sho’ could go fuh sum ox tail!” i’m not chris rock and this ain’t kentucky! and there is a big difference between retro kitsch and kitchen roach. i’m sorry this place is not appealing. it is sticky, dank, dirty looking and needs some sprucing up and and those old-fashioned recipes need to go back to grandma’s house. for $10-15 bucks a meal, i should be able to get a marginally tasty meal and have the ability to wash my hands before being introduced to an out of the way restroom that was on lockdown.
My first visit to Clifton’s was in 1959. I was but a little guy with my grandmother. And for years we would come downtown to Cliftons. The food was always good. And it was a fun place. Especially the old grotto. Many years later (2000) when I returned to DT to live, I again went back to eat in a place I have held dear in memory. Sadly the place is not very good anymore. BUT I visited their cafateria in W. Covina a few months ago and it *was* good. So perhaps they need to get the Covina people in this place. The place is a bit worn, (I’m being kind). It’s hard for some to understand how this place resides in so many of our hearts.
Don
Dear Don Noyes-More: the columnist was your columnist and employed by you (if he really existed behind a fake name and stock photo. Talk about hiding in the dark.) Two of the groups he sent his garbage to are your groups. Why haven’t you apologized for the trashing of Blossom? Why haven’t you accepted any personal responsibility? The buck stops at the top, although in this case the top is really the bottom.
UNTRUE. This is on-line stalking.