my kind of asian fusion: uncle john’s ham ‘n’ eggs
Fred Camino lives a car-free lifestyle in Downtown LA. He blogs daily about the Los Angeles Transit Oriented Lifestyle over at MetroRiderLA.
I’m not what you’d call a foodie. Don’t get me wrong, I love food and I love eating out, but I’m a little too low-brow to fit into that group. For example, I say “eating out” instead “dining out”. The people who dine out are the same people who see films in the cinema.
Me? I watch movies… on the internet. When I eat out, I like my food to be cheap, tasty, and fast. I like my restaurants to be friendly, welcoming, and low on bulls#%@. I like it when a restaurant feels like just about anyone would feel comfortable eating there, whether it be a bum or a billionaire.
I dislike it when a restaurant feels the need to have some sort of overriding concept, plasma screens, or house music. I proudly eat at McDonalds a few times a month (their 1/3lb Angus burger with swiss and mushrooms is superb), I was the first to review the Downtown Denny’s on Yelp (4 stars), I think Little Tokyo has the best conglomeration of eating establishments in Downtown, and Colori Kitchen is my favorite restaurant in Los Angeles. I hate “small plates”.
Now that you have a frame of reference, I can move forward and begin my review of Uncle John’s Ham & Eggs.
Uncle John’s is located on the corner of 8th and Olive, nestled between Ramona’s Fashions (“name brands below wholesale prices”) and Colori Kitchen. The storefront is the very definition of unassuming, it takes many a walk by to even realize that it exists, but once you notice it, you wonder how you ever missed it.
From the ’50s style signage with a cartoon depicting what one can assume to be Uncle John to the bold red lettering on the window proclaiming “American & Chinese Food To Go”, it’s obvious that Uncle John’s Ham & Eggs is the type of place that keeps it real. Real raw.
Once inside, you’re treated to an equally understated interior, with a long diner style counter separating you from the kitchen. You take a seat in one of the swivel chairs (if one’s available, things can get busy ‘round lunch time), snatch a menu, and get to readin’ it.
This is when you realize that Uncle John’s Ham & Eggs is a bit trendier that the surrounding would have you believe. Yes, Uncle John’s is Pan-Asian, Pacific Rim infused, Asian Fusion cuisine. The menu is a unique blend of American diner food and Chinese fast food.
For breakfast you can order the Chasu (Chinese BBQ pork) omelet with buttered toast and fried rice, just like I did. Or you can get the Teriyaki Chicken & Eggs plate. For lunch you order classic diner fare, like a patty melt on rye (on of my favorites), or flip the menu over and treat yourself to an extensive array of Chinese foods. During lunch time, the Chinese offerings seem particularly popular.
The food is flavorful, and most importantly, greasy. The portions are not stingy either, small plates these are not. The best part? The average price for a plate is about $6. Combine that with a $1 drink and a tip, you’ve had a hearty Pan-Asian-Greasy-Spoon breakfast or lunch for less than 10 bones.
The worst part about Uncle John’s? It’s only open weekdays between 6:30am and 3:00pm. This is the type of place you wish was open 24 hours, especially on weekends. This is the food you want when you are wasted and starving and have some crumpled up dollar bills in your pocket and you hate the stupid over-priced tasteless long-line-having Pantry and just want to eat some damn Cashew Shrimp and Corned Beef Hash at 3 in the morning.
With its proximity to the various bars and clubs in the Downtown area, Uncle John may want to consider adding some late night weekend hours. Seriously.
Uncle John’s Ham ‘n’ Eggs
433 W 8th Street
Los Angeles, CA 90014
(213) 623-3555
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25 comments
just last week another Downtown dweller and friend of mine was extolling the virtues of this place too!! thanks fred
Been meaning to check this place out for a long time. Sounds like all of us need to go in and recommend that they extend their hours.
Sounds like all of us need to go in and recommend that they extend their hours.
I’m tellin’ ya, it’s total late night greasy spoon just-give-me-some-damn-food food.
We’re learning from each other already! I’ve never heard of this place, but it looks like fun.
I wonder if you can get the eggs without the ham?
Gotta disagree on the Angus burger. Tried it once and completely unimpressed.
Gotta disagree on the Angus burger. Tried it once and completely unimpressed.
It single-handedly reunited me with the Golden Arches after years of neglect.
I wasn’t as impresseed with Uncle John, nor do I like the Pantry so perhaps my tastes are off. The price reflects the taste of the food, and it is very greasy. I prefer the Chinatown haunts and Angelenic has a good list of them.
nor do I like the Pantry so perhaps my tastes are off
I dislike the Pantry. I feel the taste level is the same or lower than Uncle John’s for twice the price.
My lengthy opening paragraphs were meant to insure people that my “taste” is definitely on the lower rung, so read my review with that in mind. I’m no epicurean, for the most part things for me either taste “bad”, “good”, or “amazing”. Uncle John’s tastes “good” to me.
he Pantry has to be the worst food in downtown! im open to trying Uncle Johns tho.
The Pantry has to be the worst food in downtown! im open to trying Uncle Johns tho.
Yeah, Pantry blows. Give Uncle John’s a try, but remember, it’s nothing more than a greasy spoon diner with greasy Chinese fast food.
Agreed about the Pantry, but it’s also consistently busy with a line down Olympic. My guess is people enjoy the experience… I’ll try new places for that reason alone.
Ohhhh, it’s just not the same anymore…. :(
i don’t really understand the pantry hate, but almost all of my visits have been at off-hours, when there is no line. i love their cole slaw, and the sourdough bread is great when grilled.
i went to the pantry 2 times. first time—breakfast—YUCK! i gave it the benefit of the doubt and did dinner. i asked what were my “sides” options, the guy says, “peas or mashed potatoes” peas. PEAS! who offers peas? no rice, no green beans, no side salad, no cole slaw, you would think at least corn. at least you can butter them. who butters peas? BARF is my only review for that place. l.a. institution my ass! close it down quick and build another loft, that’s the only way there will be home-style cooking on that corner! will check out uncle john’s most def!
i have a love/hate relationship with the Pantry. LOVE the breakfast - really great pancakes, good bacon&eggs, yummy sourdough french toast. if you don’t mind sitting at the counter, you can get past the ridiculously long line.
but after many attempts, i will NEVER eat anything else there. every single other thing i’ve tried on the menu is beyond disgusting. honestly, maybe the worst food off any restaurant i’ve been to - consistently. wtf is up with that?
Another vote for at least getting Uncle John’s open on the weekend and yes, the Pantry serves up some lousy eats.
Nice Plug, I’ve been going to John’s since 98 kinda cool to see a review.
Love colori too BTW. Now I’m just waiting for reviews on Chu’s kitchen, pauls kitchen, Jemps burger, lit let kababs, tacos Mexico, El Rancho and the yorkshire.
For those that dislike the pantry may I suggest the Yorkshire on 6th between hope and grand.
Now I’m just waiting for reviews on Chu’s kitchen, pauls kitchen, Jemps burger, lit let kababs, tacos Mexico, El Rancho and the yorkshire.
I can pretty much guarantee a review for Tacos Mexico in the future. :)
Glad you know these little spots Fred - Someone needs to introduce more of these to the new downtown peeps.
I’ve tried El Rancho. Mediocre. Ensenada is much better (although a different type of Mexican food). Next to El Rancho is a little place called The Sandwich Shop (don’t be fooled by the name, it is authentic Mexican). Great juices, tacos, burritos, and yes, sandwiches. Daytime only, but 7 days. (5th between Spring and Broadway)
I’ve tried El Rancho. Mediocre. Ensenada is much better (although a different type of Mexican food). Next to El Rancho is a little place called The Sandwich Shop (don’t be fooled by the name, it is authentic Mexican). Great juices, tacos, burritos, and yes, sandwiches. Daytime only, but 7 days. (5th between Spring and Broadway)
Yeah, a lot of those little places are hit-or-miss. Some I’ve tried are truly mediocre. Others are tasty little gems.
Oh damn, someone already called dibs on reviewing Tacos Mexico. I love that place! Open 24 hours! Great post-club eats.
okay, who’s the brave soul charged with reviewing the king eddy? i think they have an “A” rating in their window.
I must stick up for The Pantry.
Okay, it’s no Ruth’s Chris, or Arnie Morton’s. And I know Pacific Dining Car is open 24/7, but I’m NOT into selling my car to buy dinner.
Sometimes, you just want an inexpensive, mediocre steak. And since Norm’s has no location downtown (OH PLEASE! OPEN ONE UP!) then the Pantry will have to do. I have ordered steaks at Denny’s and IHOP too, but…okay those are pretty lame also. I guess the Pantry wins me over for the historic nature, and I will put their bread and cole slaw against anyone’s, at any price. Yeah, the canned peas they serve are rather depressing too.
I guess the end result of this rant is that Norm’s needs to open a downtown location.
If Steak is the true issue here along with cost, let me remind you that Taylor’s is just a hop away……..can’t really argue against Taylor’s
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