The long-awaited reopening of Clifton’s Cafeteria in downtown Los Angeles last week brought huge crowds in which diners waited an hour to get a meal, according to the Los Angeles Times.
Here’s short video from opening day via L.A. Weekly:
The landmark restaurant, which opened in 1935, underwent an extensive remodeling that took five years and more than $10 million from new owner Andrew Meieran. According to the Times, 14,000 customers had entered its doors in three days.
The Times also posted a photo gallery here.
The Times also posted a helpful “10 Things You Need to Know” article about Clifton’s.
Looking over a few online reviews, most were amazed at the restaurant’s decor, and a few grumbled about stuff that’s typical for an opening week: long lines, still-learning employees, and cooks that will were working the kinks out. I’d never trust a Yelp review for a restaurant that’s been open less than a month.
There also are a few complaints about the food prices, but a no-frills ticket can’t be expected after a humongously expensive renovation. And you can’t expect all the 1930s recipes to survive the 21st century, either. People’s palettes have become more advanced, and to pretend they aren’t is foolhardy.
At the least, it appears Clifton’s not only has been preserved, but transformed into a destination. For this reason, I suspect it will do fine.
(Image of Clifton’s Cafeteria by Omar Barcena via Flickr)