CJ's Pantry

3.5 star rating
50 reviews Rating Details

Categories: Diners, Sandwiches, Breakfast & Brunch  [Edit]

324 S Catalina Ave
Redondo Beach, CA 90277
Neighbourhood: Redondo Beach
(310) 318-2411
Hours:

Mon-Fri 7 am - 1:30 pm

Sat-Sun 7 am - 2:30 pm

Good for Kids:
Yes
Accepts Credit Cards:
Yes
Parking:
Street
Attire:
Casual
Good for Groups:
No
Price Range:
$$
Takes Reservations:
No
Delivery:
No
Take Away:
Yes
Waiter Service:
Yes
Outdoor Seating:
No
Wi-Fi:
No
Good For:
Breakfast
Alcohol:
No
Noise Level:
Average
Ambience:
Casual
Has TV:
Yes
Caters:
No
Wheelchair Accessible:
Yes
About This Business:

Hot and Juicy. Hot and Sticky. No matter how you like 'em, Daddy J's is serving them up deliciously right. Think you know wings? Try our Garlic…   read more »

Review Highlights   

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50 reviews in English

  • Review from Jim C.

    • 0 friends
    • 3 reviews

    Manhattan Beach, CA

    5.0 star rating
    4/3/2012

    This place is Great!  I really enjoy the friendly staff, good food and clean environment.  they have a great location just across from the beach and park, and plenty of free parking in the back parking lot.  
    I always try to get a seat at the counter and they always take great care of me.
    The fruit is always fresh and you can't go wrong with one of their signature omelets.  
    I would definitely recommend coming here and bringing the family as well.  It's no wonder they won the South Bay's Best Award from the Daily Breeze.  Great atmosphere and perfect place to take a walk along the beach after breakfast.  

    Plus, Chef Man is a historical icon in the community!

  • Review from Eric H.

    • 4 friends
    • 74 reviews

    Redondo Beach, CA

    5.0 star rating
    3/12/2012 1 Check-in Here

    We kept reading great posts about the place and also got a coupon, we decided to give it a try.  

    The atmospehere and decor is very cool with a beach theme.  Lots of memorabilia on the walls.  

    The promptly greated us and were offered to sit anywhere.  Service was quick an  we were offered coffee right away, and the cups were never empty!  

    We split CJ's Special Omlette with egg whites, homefries and coffee cake.  The omlette were very tasty and the homefries were rustic style with skins on the potatoes plus they were not at all greasy.  The portion of coffee cake was very large.  

    This place really impressed us.  Great food and excellent service.  By far the best breakfast place in Redondo Beach.

  • Review from Anthony M.

    • 3 friends
    • 5 reviews

    Redondo Beach, CA

    5.0 star rating
    5/11/2012

    If you want the best breakfast in all of Los Angeles you must go to CJ's. The ingredients are always fresh and they purchase them at local farmers markets. The staff is friendly and food is awesome. There too many things to list but i love the waffle with fresh fruit or stuffed french toast. I always leave with a side of the famous coffee cake. Delicious!!!!

  • Review from todd S.

    • 16 friends
    • 34 reviews

    Minneapolis, MN

    5.0 star rating
    3/20/2012

    Best breakfast I've had in years. VERY large portions. Extremely delicious quality food. Wonderful service. A model breakfast joint that all other breakfast joints should aspire to live up to. If you're in the south bay, this is your breakfast spot without a doubt.

  • Review from scott h.

    • 2 friends
    • 7 reviews

    Hawthorne, CA

    4.0 star rating
    2/24/2012 1 Check-in Here

    Wanting to try new and different breakfast places in the south bay and came across this on on Yelp.  
    Went here with a friend during Christmas break, it's great being a teacher.  The portions were good sized and delicious.  I have to agree, I thought that they were understaffed (one waitress and I think one cook) but it was a week day morning around 9 and there were only a few tables filled.  Service was a little slow, but that gave us time to talk and catch up.  And the coffee kept flowing, so I didn't notice the time.  

    This will be on my list of place to come back to.

  • Review from Janice W.

    Redondo Beach, CA

    1.0 star rating
    12/30/2011 1 Check-in Here

    I can't stand this place. I had a horrible experience here and will never be back. First, you could tell they were understaffed when I went. One waitress and one manager even though every table was taken. We were stuck in the corner next to bathroom and it took 15 minutes to just get coffee. Another 20 to order our food and after we waited ANOTHER 40 we asked where our food was. They immediately brought it out and based on the browning on the guacamole and that lovely dark sheen on the cheese you could tell it was sitting there for over 30 minutes. No apologies, nothing. Believe me there are way better places to eat than this spot. Just because its a "local establishment" doesn't mean you need to make excuses for them. Just go anywhere else.

  • Review from Francine Y.

    • 0 friends
    • 3 reviews

    Redondo Beach, CA

    3.0 star rating
    2/16/2012

    Time of visit: Thursday (11am) for brunch

    Service: great (Melanie) even though there was only one waitress

    Food: Overall, food was not too salty which is GOOD because you can add salt/ketchup/tabasco/mayonnaise/whatever-your-hear t-desires if necessary.

    1) Steak sandwich: steak was a little overcooked but otherwise very satisfying as it also came with fruit.

    2) Chicken crepe (x 2): not French-styled but more like chicken & mushroom wrapped in eggs. The chicken didn't have much taste.  I had asked for the sour cream & cheese on the side.  There were also a couple slices of fruit (orange & cantaloup),
    AND a choice of fruit/potatoes - I chose potatoes, which were pan-fried with some unknown seasoning (orange-coloured)
    AND a choice of banana bread/blueberry muffin/coffee cake - I ordered the blueberry muffin which was not too oily/sweet but "just right" for my taste - it also came with a side of butter.

    Portions: Large - I took home a crepe & the muffin.

    Ambiance: Dive-y restaurant with the "beach feel".

    Conclusion: I think I'd only go back for the large portions of food and perhaps take my friends from out of town to experience the Southern Californian cuisine...?

  • Review from Elizabeth H.

    • 21 friends
    • 8 reviews

    Palos Verdes Peninsula, CA

    2.0 star rating
    12/4/2011

    So, when you walk into an establishment with intent of spending your hard earned cash for service and food you at least expect to be treated with a little bit a gratitude.  A smile, a hello, anything really.  Not a frowning face that could care less about you then the last guest.  We were immediately snubbed, then denied the table we wanted which remained empty throughout our meal.  This started things off on the wrong foot.  The food was okay and the choices were actually semi-creative but my eggs were runny service was so atrocious the entire time and slow to get anything to us.  I am glad I went there to try it and perhaps it deserves another chance, people have bad days.  But the first impressions were sour to say the least.

  • Review from Bee R.

    • 0 friends
    • 28 reviews

    Redondo Beach, CA

    1.0 star rating
    1/15/2012

    I have been here a few times because of the convenience to my house and the coupons they regularly send out, but I think this was the last time.  

    We presented the waitress with our coupon and ordered.  I had a couple requests for my food because of food allergies and preferences and she seemed to be writing them down.  When my food came out, I immediately noticed a long brown hair in it.  As I looked at the rest of the plate I noticed TWO more hairs in and on the food.  On top of that, the requests I had made had been ignored and there was the food I was allergic to right in the middle.  I immediately approached the waitress by the kitchen (so as to not make a big scene in front of the other patrons) and she did not apologize or even look surprised that there was hair in my food!!!

    She did not tell the kitchen what the problem was, but threw away the food and asked them to make it again.  She again neglected to tell them of my special requests so I chimed in and told them myself!  

    The second round of food came out and no hair was to be found.  I ate it, but couldn't really enjoy it knowing someone in the kitchen was shedding.  

    The waitress offered no apology, no compensation, and so I will not be going back.

  • Review from Marilyn M.

    • 2 friends
    • 13 reviews

    New York, NY

    3.0 star rating
    1/23/2012

    It is small but charming, it reminds me of the sidewalks caffee in Manhattan. The portions are huge, and not so expensive. We were served fairly quick, we were greeted, and the waitress was nice not overly friendly just nice.

    I had the pancakes, and eggs and ham on the side, the pancakes didnt have much flavor to it everything else is basic taste.

    I will def go back when i dont feel like waiting at the HOuse of Pancakes thiss would be my second option...

  • Review from Aaron F.

    Hermosa Beach, CA

    4.0 star rating
    12/27/2010

    The girlfriend and I were looking for a place to eat the day after christmas and kept finding crowds everywhere but here.

    As soon as you walk in you see all the signed pictures of celebrities, LA sports stuff on the walls. Then you go further inside and see the old but really cool and current paintings of surfing culture from the Redondo Beach area. This place definitely has a down home and local atmosphere which I really like.  

    I read on Yelp about the big portions and people weren't kidding!  I ended up ordering what they call the pancake sandwich. It consisted of three buttermilk pancakes, two scrambled eggs and two pieces of bacon. As soon as the food arrived it came on TWO plates. My pancakes were that big. It filled me up very quickly that I couldn't finish the last half of my pancake.  My girlfriend got a fruit crepe which she enjoyed.  One minor complaint on her end was since her fruit was a little cold, it cooled down her crepe.

    To sum it all up, I really like the place, especially the huge portions. Arrive hungry!  Service can be a tad slow at times but I am sold.

  • Review from Chris M.

    • 99 friends
    • 17 reviews

    Palos Verdes Estates, CA

    5.0 star rating
    6/7/2011

    I frequent this place. A lot.

    There's just something so homey, so cozy, and so charming about this place that even after a night of drinking/partying (e.g., Oktoberfest) I woke myself up early the following Sunday morning to beat the morning rush at CJ's Pantry.

    Like another reviewer said, the coffee is like crack! I don't really drink coffee. It doesn't keep me up, it doesn't wake me up, and I don't really crave it as a dessert. However, I could drink this coffee all day. Another thing I love about this place is the muffins they serve to compliment your entree. There's just something that makes me feel like a kid again when I butter up one of their warm Angel food muffins and bite into it. The muffins also vary. As far as I know, the fruit used to make the muffins are chosen at random. So far, I've fallen in love with their blueberry and their raspberry muffins.

    As far as their meals go, you get a lot of food for what you pay for. Whenever I come here, I usually have lunch/dinner or breakfast for the following morning. Primarily, I've stuck with their omelets, and I have yet to find one that I don't like.

    I've been going here for 4 years now, and I have yet to try any of the other entrees, but I swear I'll get around to it. It's just that their omelets are so good!

    Highly recommend this place.

    P.S. Parking can be kind of a hassle on Sunday mornings as this place has no dedicated parking lot. All the parking is along the sidewalk (metered parking). Be sure to try to beat the morning church-going crowd on Sundays, or be prepared to wait a while to be seated.

  • Review from Emily R.

    • 242 friends
    • 149 reviews

    El Segundo, CA

    4.0 star rating
    12/27/2010 1 photo 8 Check-ins Here

    Yes, the service is sometimes slow...but it's a small kitchen and this place is always full!  Believe me, the wait is worth it.  

    The coffee is like crack...it has a perfect blend of richness and flavors.  And you will NEVER see your cup go emtpy.  They are like ninjas, sneaking in and filling up that cup like they are on a mission!

    If you order an omlette...get the petite!  The portions are still huge and you save $$.  I recommend getting the coffee cake as your choice of bread.  It is homemade and they give you a GIANT slice so you can share with the table (if you are feeling friendly).

    The service is super friendly and the astmosphere is similar to my grandma's house in Wisconsin.

  • Review from Joetta G.

    • 26 friends
    • 47 reviews

    Manhattan, NY

    2.0 star rating
    10/16/2010 1 Check-in Here

    I just don't get this place.  It's fine, but the portions are absurdly large, and the food just isn't that memorable.  I think this is the kind of place to go when you're not too into the food but just want a lot of it.

    Because it was just down the street from where I lived, every once in a while I'd feel the pull to give it another try.  But I never ended up pleased.  And I'm an egg *fanatic,* so breakfast should be an easy target!

    The staff is always really friendly, and I *wanted* to like this local place more.  It was the only breakfast joint within walking distance...and yet...instead we'd drive up the Martha's in Hermosa, where the food is really something!

  • Review from Chris S.

    • 39 friends
    • 8 reviews

    Redondo Beach, CA

    5.0 star rating
    9/12/2011 2 Check-ins Here

    Good Local food. The large portions are appreciated. A nice place to wake up with coffee inhand.

  • Review from Donna S.

    Glendora, CA

    4.0 star rating
    7/31/2007

    I had a really nice meal here a few weeks ago.  The wait was quite a bit longer than they told us it would be, and we had to send in someone to inquire.  I am not sure if they forgot about us...but

    ..my omelet was one wonderful. I ordered a spinach a vegetable and cheese omelet and asked to leave out the cheese and requested spinach and broccoli be put in instead. I also asked if they could sub out my potatoes for some cole slaw instead.  They did this happily with no extra charges on my bill.  That was impressive since I am often charged for my subs or added veggie requests or just denied altogether.  And the cole slaw was freshly made and came in a bowl. It was about three servings.  Very cool.

    so I think my extra star goes to the substitution and extra veggie requests without a blink of an eye or extra burden on the wallet.

  • Review from Shane C.

    • 5 friends
    • 9 reviews

    Torrance, CA

    5.0 star rating
    9/27/2011

    Best breakfast I have had for many years.  Small place, but when you get inside, the service comes quick and the food is fresh and tasty.
    My youngest teenage daughter is allergic to eggs.  The staff were only too happy to check if certain dishes that she wanted, contained eggs.  She had no problem finding something to eat.
    Bottom line, we will be there again, when ready to eat out for a breakfast.

  • Review from Richard K.

    • 300 friends
    • 747 reviews

    Manhattan Beach, CA

    4.0 star rating
    7/24/2008

    I agree.  This is like going to Grandma's house.  

    Portions are huge, very flavorful, etc.  Cozy interior as well.

  • Review from T.J. G.

    • 15 friends
    • 24 reviews

    Redondo Beach, CA

    4.0 star rating
    1/12/2012

    The pancakes are excellent!  The coffee cake is tasty also.

  • Review from Natasha W.

    • 1 friend
    • 32 reviews

    Hermosa Beach, CA

    3.0 star rating
    11/4/2008

    We are fan's of the waffle with fruit. They pile on a huge variety and amounts of fresh fruit. It does not require syrup, so better for you.

    I started eating here about 5-6 years ago but don't remember what I ate before the waffle came into my life and swept me off my feet. My roommate at the time ate the waffle with fruit religiously since the beginning so, one day I tried it and am hooked.

  • Review from Steve A.

    • 5 friends
    • 33 reviews

    Carlsbad, CA

    4.0 star rating
    9/28/2007

    I used to live a block away, back when I was young and single. The food was filling, (usually) hot, and fairly cheap for a beach place.

    Corky was always very friendly with me, and I was usually accomodated as a local. Saturday and Sunday mornings are mob scenes after 8:30.

  • Review from Matthew S.

    • 12 friends
    • 4 reviews

    Redondo Beach, CA

    4.0 star rating
    8/22/2011 1 Check-in Here

    I live about a block from CJ's, so I have many experiences to draw from. For the most part, all the reviewers are right on. Huge portions, good food, decent prices and a nice local charm. Be prepared to wait if you have a large group (more than 4) and arrive late sat or sunday morning. The omelets are great (try bacon, avacado & tomato). The petite omelet is plenty (regular size seems to be 5+ eggs and a pound of cheese). The $3 mimosas are an excellent value and nice way to start any Saturday or Sunday. My favorite is the pancake sandwich with with blueberry pancakes (comes with eggs your way and bacon or sausage); good choice if you want a little taste of everything.

  • Review from John R.

    • 8 friends
    • 30 reviews

    Rolling Hills Estates, CA

    3.0 star rating
    9/19/2010

    I've been eating here for several years and I can criticize the place rightly, whilst still appreciating what it does, because I think they do it well.

    First off, CJ's has a very extensive menu. It is the place mat, so when you sit down the choices immediately hit you. It is not the largest menu, but the omelette's alone show a diversity in offerings that is sure to satisfy most hungry breakfast fanatics.

    The omelet ranges from Eat at Joe's style, covered in meat sauce or otherwise "heavy" with meat, sauces, and items more familiar in dinner environments. These are very filling. Vegetarians can get by fairly well here with choices like avocado and artichoke heart. Pancakes and French Toast are delicious and sweet, and again, very filling. The potato choices are good too - has browns or chopped up potatoes.

    I nearly always get the petite or smaller side entrée because all the egg dishes are quite large in my experience. The choices of toast or muffins, cakes, and so on, is very nice, and provides for a dessert for the morning. The environment is friendly and busy, not a quiet setting at all. The ocean is in sight and there is a usual hustle and bustle to the wait staff, who I've found to be likable and on point.

    CJs strength isn't quality per se, but the diversity of offerings and above-average ingredients done in big portions, which are very satisfying.    

    The place is expensive unfortunately.

  • Review from Scott S.

    Chino Hills, CA

    2.0 star rating
    6/20/2010

    Huge portions! I mean, if you like a couple pounds of cheese on your omelet, you'll probably love C J's. The problem is that CJ's is all quantity, not quality. While the 3000 plus calories of food they shovel on the plate could last me over a day, the quality and taste of the food is nothing special. The Monte Cristo was a greasy mess and my side of bacon was completely burned together. The service also leaves something to be desired. They are very disorganized and at times very slow. We saw them totally forget about a table so long that they just got up and left.

    In spite of having the look of a hole in the wall greasy spoon dive, the prices are actually expensive, with most breakfasts costing over $10. I suspect they need to charge so much with the portions they serve.

    I came here a second time because I had a coupon. I won't be making the mistake of coming back a third time.

  • Review from Wayne P.

    • 34 friends
    • 14 reviews

    Redondo Beach, CA

    4.0 star rating
    6/11/2011 1 Check-in Here

    Can I say just like mom's kitchen?  Love this place to get a bite to eat when you are looking for some good old American cooking.  Right off from the pier, you can get almost anything there.  The menu is broad, but what I enjoy most is the homemade corned beef hash, with coffee cake or banana bread.  I am just getting hungry writing about it.  The inside brings you right to the beach with a truly local experience.  Never been for lunch, but when looking at the menu, I am sure that is in the near horizon.

  • Review from Cherryl M.

    • 65 friends
    • 29 reviews

    Redondo Beach, CA

    3.0 star rating
    5/2/2010

    I give it a 3 stars because two times I had the same thing to eat and it tasted like two completely different meals( lack of food consistancy), the man there is hardly ever friendly,waitresses are very nice and helpful at least, they have been they since the stone age and they are making $$$$$$ with $15 breakfasts etc so why not update a bit?

    For a local dive prices are a bit on the fancy side. Parking can be a pain if you dont get lucky on the street parking. Good food options & easy to get a table.  Time to update the place and the menu.

    The buy one get one free coupons help cut the price when u can find one. I would still go back and hope 3rd time is a charm.

  • Review from Rick P.

    • 1 friend
    • 79 reviews

    Randolph, MA

    4.0 star rating
    7/18/2011

    The portions are huge, the breakfast are good, the price is so-so. This is a good place if you live nearby and want to walk for a nice big breakfast.  But there's not too much special about it, and I'm guessing there are many breakfast places around your area similar to this one...no reason to go out of your way to come here though.  So if you live nearby or are staying near the Redondo Pier, then yes, come by for breakfast, you won't be disappointed.

  • Review from Ru C.

    • 54 friends
    • 189 reviews

    Los Angeles, CA

    4.0 star rating
    10/10/2011 1 Check-in Here

    really large portions! cheap and fresh! i think i had eggs benedict and it was de-----licious, im drooling as im typing this. that was my 1st time there and id love to go back for more!

  • Review from A A.

    • 0 friends
    • 76 reviews

    Los Angeles, CA

    5.0 star rating
    11/15/2011

    Excellent omelets! The pancakes, fruit, and banana bread were great too. Reasonable prices for everything I saw on the menu. I'll definitely be back!

  • Review from Terry T.

    • 0 friends
    • 18 reviews

    Redondo Beach, CA

    5.0 star rating
    6/15/2011

    I don't honestly know if this place has the best breakfast but it's probably in the running. It's within walking distance of my house and I can't be bothered to go anywhere else when this place is so good and so close.  What I do know is that the owner is almost always there. His daughters are often the server and it feels a little like going over to a friends house. It's comfortable, the food is great, the coffee is always hot and fresh and the service is honestly the best I've ever had. I don't always go out for breakfast, but when I do I prefer CJ's. The most interesting breakfast in the south bay.

  • Review from Monique v.

    • 11 friends
    • 5 reviews

    Torrance, CA

    3.0 star rating
    5/7/2011

    After reading reviews, I had expectations of what to expect.  Maybe, I went during an off time or whatever but it was "ok".  The service was "ok" and the food was "ok".  I ordered coffee and the spinach and swiss omelette with hash browns and banana bread.  The coffee was SUPER bland but tolerable and I usually love diner coffee.  The spinach and swiss omelette was gritty, chewy and had grease all over it.  It was the first omelette I've ever had that I didn't finish.  The hash browns didn't have crisp to them but edible.  The bonus was that they put fruit on the plate which was nice and the banana bread that I chose instead of toast.  The banana bread was probably the highlight of the meal.  The decor inside was actually pretty cool.  But, to be honest, I probably won't be coming back here.

  • Review from Megan W.

    • 6 friends
    • 9 reviews

    Redondo Beach, CA

    5.0 star rating
    1/31/2011

    The "Best Breakfast in South Bay" sign in the window caught my eye one day when I walked by this place so I had to try it. I went there on a Sunday morning and can say CJ's lived up to it's claim!

    I had two eggs over-medium with homestyle potatoes, bacon, and coffee cake. Everything was yummy but my favorite part was the homestyle potatoes! They are cooked with onions and peppers and have a great flavor. The eggs and bacon were cooked perfectly and definitely hit the spot. I love coffee cake and this one was good, but I still haven't found a place that can quite compare to Carolyn's Cafe in Redlands. So next time (because there will definitely be a next time) I will probably try the banana bread or a homemade muffin.  

    The service was great. Our waitress was super nice, as was the rest of the staff. We were in and out pretty quick, probably because we got there around 9am. However, by the time we left it was definitely much more crowded.

    CJ's definitely makes my list of favorite breakfast spots!

  • Review from Nikki M.

    • 4 friends
    • 8 reviews

    Redondo Beach, CA

    1.0 star rating
    4/2/2007

    This place "WAS" a neighborhood favorite of my family and my neighbors.  It's across the street from Veteran's Park, and the ocean.  So the view is nice.  The food is often served cold, the coffee is really bad.  Our last visit made us stop going there.  The owner called for our party to be seated, and my husband & I were in the back parking lot changing our baby, and other people in our party told him we were in the back parking lot.  There were a lot of people outside waiting to be seated, and so he rudely announces to everyone "I hope you all don't mind waiting for them to get it together".  It was embarassing and really upset us since we ate there quite often.  To top it off, we complained to one of the waitresess.  She said he was upset since he had to come into work that day, someone had called in sick.  Seeing he was such a jerk, and treated his own customers so poorly, we stopped going.  There are PLENTY of options to eat at in town.  
    CJ's blows.  So now we eat down the street at Cozy's Cafe.   The food, is better, the service great, & priced just right.

  • Review from Leila N.

    • 3 friends
    • 4 reviews

    Redondo Beach, CA

    4.0 star rating
    1/10/2010

    I will always love CJ's for breakfast...as long as I'm in the mood for eggs, bacon, hashbrowns, and toast.  I've tried to be adventurous and try omelets, pancakes, scrambles, etc. and they are ok.  That said, I probably go here once or twice a month for breakfast.  I just always stick with the basics.  They are always very friendly and are usually really really good with refilling coffee and water, which makes it a nice place to enjoy breakfast.

  • Review from Kathy W.

    Redondo Beach, CA

    3.0 star rating
    4/11/2010

    Ate here today--we had omelets which were pretty tasty.  Only problem was, part of mine had uncooked egg so they had to throw it back on the stove for a minute.  I liked the coffee cake; the banana "bread" (I say that because it wasn't sliced, it was more like a piece cut from a sheet cake and not a loaf), was overdone and dry.  I like that you can order a "petite" portion of any omelet, although I still couldn't finish it.  The fresh fruit you can substitute for potatoes was fresh and good.  Service was friendly and efficient.

  • Review from Edwin O.

    • 0 friends
    • 7 reviews

    Moraga, CA

    1.0 star rating
    1/24/2011

    Went on a recommendation from the hotel flyer. It said top rated. Corned beef hash was good but my wife got burnt pancakes. My toast was black and so were the potatoes. Not even an apology from anyone they're so used to it.  What a pit.  Definitely NOT going back.  We walked by Polly's on the pier and if I go back to Rodondo, I'm going there.  Everything looked great.

  • Review from Gen D.

    • 11 friends
    • 5 reviews

    Glendale, CA

    4.0 star rating
    5/4/2010

    I gave it 4 stars because of the parking situation. But the food is 5-star. Huge portions at good prices. Also love the window bucket seats.

  • Review from Jane M.

    • 0 friends
    • 6 reviews

    Los Angeles, CA

    4.0 star rating
    12/30/2010

    Stormy rain - had to do a drop off at LAX.  Driving home, I had a sudden urge for some real mojo and home cooked breakfast.  A quick call to local RB resident for referral didn't disappoint.  CJ's hit the spot...their specialty coffee cake, for starters.  My sister and friend had the homemade corned beef hash.  I had their Mexican omelette and the chorizo was outstanding.  But for sure, the "petite" portions are enough for most.  We found the 2 daughters of CJ to be charming and friendly.  Lots of regulars sat around unfazed and uninterrupted by the storm.  A "keeper" for us in our list of local breakfast eateries about town!

  • Review from Joan S.

    Los Angeles, CA

    4.0 star rating
    5/15/2005 1 photo

    My first day living in my new neighborhood brought me here for breakfast.  This very cute family-owned restaurant is across the street from the ocean, open daily at 7 a.m..  I was fortunate to have the owner's daughter as my server.  She told me her father hand-selects the freshest produce & other ingredients, as opposed to having them delivered.  I enjoyed colorful whimsical  beach-themed painted wall murals as I sipped my coffee.  My breakfast was one of the daily omelette specials.  The unfilled omelette was on a bed of fresh spinach and perfectly-cooked bacon with feta crumbled on top.  I liked this better than if all the ingredients had been cooked inside the eggs.  My choices of breads included blueberry muffin, banana bread or coffeecake, all baked fresh on the premises.  The juices are fresh-squeezed.  The menu included a few vegetarian selections.  I was so enticed by the assortment of burgers (topped with avacado, mmmm) that I might just return for dinner.

    5/27/05  Update:  I am now a frequent visitor to CJ's.  Joe's Diner is usually just too crowded!  I like my early mornings to be peaceful.  CJ's owner has a few daughters (3 or 4), who all help out as servers.  Gina just graduated college.  She loves coconut, so she serves it with the oatmeal, on the side, along with fresh banana, walnuts, brown sugar & raisins.  Oatmeal with coconut is really good!  And the cornmeal pancakes knocked my socks off.  Didn't even need syrup & I love syrup.  And I am completely taken in by those murals......they are amazing.

    8/19/06  Update:   Those breakfasts were just too fattening so I had to give it all up!  I do have one complaint about C J's and it is an important one:  the food often arrives cold.  In fact, towards the end of my frequent visits, it always arrived cold.  I did return months later with out-of-town guests for breakfast, and all 3 of our meals were cold when brought to the table.  In every case, it was a family member who was the server.  (I lowered their rating from 5 stars to 4, and it probably should be 3.)

  • Review from Patrick T.

    • 3 friends
    • 9 reviews

    Torrance, CA

    3.0 star rating
    10/15/2009

    I'd love to like this place because:
    1. It has a contender for the world's worst mural on the interior walls of the local beach (it looks like it was done by someone with wet paint on their ass) which is fun to recreationally pick apart while waiting for chow.
    2: On the sidewalk outside C.J's entrance is a creepy, carved wooden  figure on wheels--a likeness of a formal chef naively intended to lure passing traffic into the place (I can't imagine he's very successful as he resembles a "Megan's Law for Mascots" offender on a prison work furlough program!).
    3: C.J.'s is a terrific and nostalgic location being located next to beach, the Fifties Modern Elk's Club, the old Reb Foster's Revelaire Ballroom (the building is still standing) where now-historic surf bands used to perform--which in turn is next door to where the old Redondo, then Strand Theater stood! (dem'od). But, here's lies the rub: the scrambled eggs I've been served at C.J.'s taste like--no offense to Proctor and Gamble--WINDEX!
    Being a reasonable/fair-minded guy, I try to give everyone a second shot and so I returned to C.J.'s and was served WINDEX eggs again! (I wonder if it's not some chemical the cook cleans the grill with?). I hope this review finds it's way viral-like back to the owner because I'd sincerely like to return to a Windex-free egg breakfast at C.J.'s Pantry!  

    Bon Appetite!

    --papa tango

    PS: I've had the same experience at Cantor's (see my review). They must be swapping cooking secrets with C.J.s !

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