Food near LA's station

[crossties1]

We will be coming into LA a 8:40AM (or so) and CS is scheduled to leave at 10:15. Do I have time to find someplace to eat that would get me back without being terrified we will miss the train? Never been to LA's train station, but if I tried something like that from an airport I know it would be ridiculously impossible. I keep reading about a favorite sandwich stop, but I'm thinking they probably wouldn't be going at 9AM?

 

[TVRM610]

I've been to LA Union Station a few times (including just this month)... there is a pretty decent bagel/coffee shop right inside the station that I've always taken advantage of, I've always liked it. Personally I would grab a coffee and a pastry from the shop, then take advantage of the area and explore the station both inside and out. Union Station in LA is one of my favorites... its a very nice and beatiful station with pretty courtyards outside the waiting areas.

 

[spot1181]

One word- Philippe's

 

[JoelG]

Yes, Philippe's. A short (6 min) walk from the station.

www.philippes.com

The combination of arriving by train on the Chief, walking thru iconic LA Union Station, and visiting Philippe's will make you feel like you've time-travelled back to the 1940's.

Have fun!

 

[leemell]

Yes, Philippe's. A short (6 min) walk from the station.
www.philippes.com

The combination of arriving by train on the Chief, walking thru iconic LA Union Station, and visiting Philippe's will make you feel like you've time-travelled back to the 1940's.

Have fun!

They are open at 6AM every day.

 

[the_traveler]

When I arrived on the SWC and connected to the CS, I had PLENTY of time to visit and eat at Philippe's! (One word of warning - it's cash only! But it's very much worth it! )

 

[AlanB]

I've been to LA Union Station a few times (including just this month)... there is a pretty decent bagel/coffee shop right inside the station that I've always taken advantage of, I've always liked it. Personally I would grab a coffee and a pastry from the shop, then take advantage of the area and explore the station both inside and out. Union Station in LA is one of my favorites... its a very nice and beatiful station with pretty courtyards outside the waiting areas.

Maybe I was just there on a bad day, but during the AU Gathering 2 years ago I took one sip of the coffee that I got from there and dumped the entire cup into the garbage. And while I know well the difference between good coffee and bad coffee since one of my clients is a coffee roaster and they've schooled me in things, I'll drink bad coffee if that's my only choice. This cup was absolutely horrible and undrinkable.

For that reason alone though, I would recommend Philippe's. And while I've never done breakfast in Philippe's, I've heard very good things about it and I can tell you that their lunches are quite good.

To reach Philippe's, one would walk out the front entrance of Union Station past the main waiting area and walk out to the main street. Turn right and walk to the next traffic light. Cross Alamedia at this light, it's safer. And then continue walking to your right anothe two blocks. Philippe's is right on the corner.

 

[Gingee]

Is Phillipees in the station?

We are also interested in the old city (Mexican) close to the station. Have a few hours to kill before heading to the airport to meed daughter and friend.

Coming in also around eight. Do you know what time that area comes alive? It is a Saturday. Is it a easy walk?

 

[Hytec]

Thanks for the link to Phillipe's, their luncheon menu looks fantastic. Now I know what I'll do while waiting for the Sunset's departure.

I might even leave the hotel early so I can eat breakfast there too. My weight loss program will resume once I arrive back in NOL...maybe. :lol:

 

[the_traveler]

Is Phillipees in the station?
We are also interested in the old city (Mexican) close to the station. Have a few hours to kill before heading to the airport to meed daughter and friend.

Coming in also around eight. Do you know what time that area comes alive? It is a Saturday. Is it a easy walk?

No, Philippe's is a very easy 5 minute or so walk (about 3-4 blocks) from Union Station. The Mexican "old city" area is right across the street from Union Station!

 

[Dovecote]

We will be coming into LA a 8:40AM (or so) and CS is scheduled to leave at 10:15. Do I have time to find someplace to eat that would get me back without being terrified we will miss the train? Never been to LA's train station, but if I tried something like that from an airport I know it would be ridiculously impossible. I keep reading about a favorite sandwich stop, but I'm thinking they probably wouldn't be going at 9AM?

Phillipe's gets might vote too. I was a frequent patron at this establishment back in the 70's when I worked at the nearby Los Angeles Produce Market. I am still a patron when visiting my daughter who lives in nearby Anaheim. It is a must eat place. As The Traveler says it is cash only. Occasionally there will be panhandler or two outside either of the two entrances.

 

[Gingee]

Thanks I will look for it.

 

[D T Nelson]

We will be coming into LA a 8:40AM (or so) and CS is scheduled to leave at 10:15. Do I have time to find someplace to eat that would get me back without being terrified we will miss the train? Never been to LA's train station, but if I tried something like that from an airport I know it would be ridiculously impossible. I keep reading about a favorite sandwich stop, but I'm thinking they probably wouldn't be going at 9AM?

Phillipe's gets might vote too. I was a frequent patron at this establishment back in the 70's when I worked at the nearby Los Angeles Produce Market. I am still a patron when visiting my daughter who lives in nearby Anaheim. It is a must eat place. As The Traveler says it is cash only. Occasionally there will be panhandler or two outside either of the two entrances.

I have never eaten at Phillippe's. But I saw this report in the LA Times in February, and I thought I'd pass it along: Philippe's restaurant closed because of cockroach infestation. In the comments the owner says they are back open again with an A rating from the health inspectors.

 

[zephyr17]

We will be coming into LA a 8:40AM (or so) and CS is scheduled to leave at 10:15. Do I have time to find someplace to eat that would get me back without being terrified we will miss the train? Never been to LA's train station, but if I tried something like that from an airport I know it would be ridiculously impossible. I keep reading about a favorite sandwich stop, but I'm thinking they probably wouldn't be going at 9AM?

Phillipe's gets might vote too. I was a frequent patron at this establishment back in the 70's when I worked at the nearby Los Angeles Produce Market. I am still a patron when visiting my daughter who lives in nearby Anaheim. It is a must eat place. As The Traveler says it is cash only. Occasionally there will be panhandler or two outside either of the two entrances.

I have never eaten at Phillippe's. But I saw this report in the LA Times in February, and I thought I'd pass it along: Philippe's restaurant closed because of cockroach infestation. In the comments the owner says they are back open again with an A rating from the health inspectors.

They were only closed for a couple of days, and passed the reinspection with flying colors. It is an LA institution with the best French Dip sandwiches you can get anywhere (and a mean corned beef hash, too).

I never go through LAUPT without a visit to Philippes. Double dipped beef with bleu cheese...yummmmmmmmm

 

[Dan O]

If you have a good hour or maybe more, you could take the red line subway (in Union Station) to 6th/7th street (less than 10 mins) and walk to the Original Pantry Cafe at 9th and Figueroa. It's another LA landmark, being open 24 hrs a day since 1924. The food is good and the portions are more than generous. Cash only. We were there recently and split a hambuger between two adults..plenty of food. We got half a loaf of bread, a very large serving of cole slaw, fries and a huge hamburger. We each ate half and I'd guess each half was close to half a pound of meat. It was about $10.50 but not bad to feed two adults. Anyway, maybe difficult to get there and back unless arriving train is early but the food is good. I'd think you may want to allow a good 90 mins to get there, eat comfortably and get back on the subway.

Dan

 

[mercedeslove]

One word- Philippe's

THIS!

I so agree this place was amazing!

 

[gswager]

One word- Philippe's

For me, it's In-N-Out Burger!

 

[tp49]

If you have a good hour or maybe more, you could take the red line subway (in Union Station) to 6th/7th street (less than 10 mins) and walk to the Original Pantry Cafe at 9th and Figueroa. It's another LA landmark, being open 24 hrs a day since 1924. The food is good and the portions are more than generous. Cash only. We were there recently and split a hambuger between two adults..plenty of food. We got half a loaf of bread, a very large serving of cole slaw, fries and a huge hamburger. We each ate half and I'd guess each half was close to half a pound of meat. It was about $10.50 but not bad to feed two adults. Anyway, maybe difficult to get there and back unless arriving train is early but the food is good. I'd think you may want to allow a good 90 mins to get there, eat comfortably and get back on the subway.
Dan

This place is really good having been there several times when I head to LA for work. The caveat is that there can be lines out the door particularly on the weekends for breakfast/brunch. I'd recommend if someone wants to go there that I'd budget three hours in case of long lines. The food is very good though.

 

[zephyr17]

One word- Philippe's

For me, it's In-N-Out Burger!

Unfortunately, there isn't one within walking distance of LA Union Station...if there was, I'd be on it like a shot. That brings up a good question, is there one accessible on the Red Line within reasonable distance?

 

[ALC Rail Writer]

On this line of thought, similar to what was discussed in this thread is there a place that would sell to somebody making the AM 3 to 14 connection? I don't want to pay for Ambeer.

 

[Dan O]

One word- Philippe's

For me, it's In-N-Out Burger!

Unfortunately, there isn't one within walking distance of LA Union Station...if there was, I'd be on it like a shot. That brings up a good question, is there one accessible on the Red Line within reasonable distance?

There is one at 7009 Sunset Blvd in Hollywood. It's less than a half mile walk from the Hollywood and Highland station. So about a 20 minute subway ride and 10 minute walk to get there.

 

[kt1i]

We will be coming into LA a 8:40AM (or so) and CS is scheduled to leave at 10:15. Do I have time to find someplace to eat that would get me back without being terrified we will miss the train? Never been to LA's train station, but if I tried something like that from an airport I know it would be ridiculously impossible. I keep reading about a favorite sandwich stop, but I'm thinking they probably wouldn't be going at 9AM?

Phillipe's gets might vote too. I was a frequent patron at this establishment back in the 70's when I worked at the nearby Los Angeles Produce Market. I am still a patron when visiting my daughter who lives in nearby Anaheim. It is a must eat place. As The Traveler says it is cash only. Occasionally there will be panhandler or two outside either of the two entrances.

I will surely hit Phillippe's when I get to LA. Guess it's even closer to the Metro Plaza Hotel where i'm staying. BTW I will be coming in on the CS from SAC which gets in at 9 PM or so. Can I check most of my baggage at US? Also would it be safe to walk to the hotel at that time of night or would a taxi be in order?

 

[GG-1]

I will surely hit Phillippe's when I get to LA. Guess it's even closer to the Metro Plaza Hotel where i'm staying. BTW I will be coming in on the CS from SAC which gets in at 9 PM or so. Can I check most of my baggage at US? Also would it be safe to walk to the hotel at that time of night or would a taxi be in order?

Aloha

Considering where the Hotel is I doubt a taxi would take you there.

Here is the view of the hotel from in front of LAUS

Real close.

 

[leemell]

Is Phillipees in the station?
We are also interested in the old city (Mexican) close to the station. Have a few hours to kill before heading to the airport to meed daughter and friend.

Coming in also around eight. Do you know what time that area comes alive? It is a Saturday. Is it a easy walk?

That old city Mexican place is Olivera Street and it the very beginning of Los Angeles. The then pueblo was founded there. The full name of the city BTW is "El Pueblo de Nuestra Señora la Reina de los Angeles". That translates to "the town of our lady the queen of the angels".

 

[zephyr17]

On this line of thought, similar to what was discussed in this thread is there a place that would sell to somebody making the AM 3 to 14 connection? I don't want to pay for Ambeer.

Last time I went through LA, I stocked up at the Bev Mo (Beverages and More) discount liquor store in Pasadena. You take the Gold Line from Union Station up to the Fillmore stop in Pasadena, then walk back down Arroyo Parkway a block. You can see the Bev Mo store on your right as you approach the Fillmore station.

It isn't open early enough to make use of it on a 3 to 14 connection (opens at 10, I think), and may be too far anyway. There are drug stores that sell beer in downtown LA, though. You could take the Red Line to Pershing Square and check around. There may be other options, too.

BTW - the Gold Line uses the former Santa Fe Second District line route to get to Pasadena, former route of the both the Santa Fe Super Chief and Amtrak's Southwest Limited/Southwest Chief. So it is an interesting ride from a railfan viewpoint, too.