What’s All the Hullabaloo about John O’ Groats?
Sunday, November 5, 2006 14:44John O’ Groats
10516 W. Pico Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA
John O’ Groats is massively adored. I have some friends who swear it’s the best breakfast joint in LA. They’ll wait for over an hour on a weekend for a table, and rave all the way home. The hooplah, my friends, is not to be trusted. Groats is good. But not the best, by a long shot. I’ve given it a go twice now, sampling all kinds of dishes, and I’m just not tasting greatness.
My companion for this round was one of the Groats believers. He has his birthday breakfast here every year, and loves to sit at the counter. This was the only spot available when we arrived, and so he got his way. I had a corner spot, a rounded edge, with a immovable chair that left me sitting at an awkward angle. Bah. But hey, we didn’t wait long. That’s quite the victory here.
Service is disinterested but efficient. The specials *do* always sound good. They remind me of trailers that far exceed the quality of the films themselves - false advertising. This time around, Val had a special and I ordered what is supposed to be their signature dish - worshipped by many. Here comes the lowdown:
Drinks:
We had coffee and water - both rather oogie. The coffee is all-diner style - watery and only a dab of flavor.
Entrees:
Huevos O’ Groats (pictured above)
* A tortilla made out of biscuit dough, served with black beans, sour cream, cheddar cheese, pico de gallo, and 2 eggs, over easy, with a side of home fries
On paper - hell yes this sounds good! But it came out a little on the cold side, with runny as can be beans (apparently draining is not their forte). Everything was bland. The tortilla made out of biscuit dough seems like a dose of brilliance, but within a few seconds, it was soggy and tasteless. Likewise with the home fries. Not a top tier breakfast. I would not order this again.
Frittata with Spinach, Crab, and Tomatoes
* Stuffed to the brim with the above ingredients
This was a much better creation. Absolutely loaded with all the crab and spinach you could want, with fresh ‘maters too. Nice firm consistency, warm and tasty. Still not BEST BREAKFAST EVER material, but totally solid.
The damage for two coffees and two breakfast entrees was about $36, before tip. Too expensive for what we had by about $10.
RESTAURANT REPORT CARD - John O’ Groats, Visit 2
Ambiance - C
Service - C+
Food (Taste) - C+
Food (Presentation) - C
Wine/Drinks - C
Value - C
Vibe/Energy/Scene - B-
Overall Experience - C
Final word - If it’s my pal’s birthday breakfast, yes, I’ll be back, but I won’t ever be the one to scream “Let’s go to Groats!”
Swing by The Land of Kitty.
By PoetKitty (see more of her posts). You can find more of PoetKitty's writing at her own website OMG Food!
Sam says:
November 5th, 2006 at 6:18 pm
The item that has made John O’ Groats so beloved is their PANCAKES. Until you’ve tasted their pancakes, you have not truely experienced John O’ Groats. Give them one more shot and you’ll understand what all the hype is about. Order a short stack of pancakes, a side of bacon (their bacon is thick and meaty, not fatty and greasy) and a glass of fresh squeezed OJ.
Evan says:
November 6th, 2006 at 8:48 am
I love their lemon curd pancakes. Going on a weekend, especially a Sunday, could be suicide. When I lived up there, I would always call while driving over to put my name down. The service could be hit and miss–some of the waitresses are (understandably) very rushed, and there was one my wife and I always hoped we didn’t get. But Paul is great, and when he remembered our names without us giving them, it was a great day.
(and shhh….don’t tell anyone, but Bake And Broil in Long Beach is just as good as John O’Groats, if not better).
PoetKitty says:
November 6th, 2006 at 4:10 pm
Oh, twist my arm! Clearly I must try zee pancakes - thank you for the recs :)
Jonah says:
November 6th, 2006 at 7:27 pm
The pancakes are definitely legendary at JO’Gs but I rotate through three dishes, mainly. I like the huevo’s O’Groats, but I will agree that your beans looked a bit too soupy. I also like the asiago potato pancakes with poached eggs. My favorite, though, is the Eggs Benedict with artichoke bottoms.
I’m suprised your bill was so high, the fritatta must have been spendy, because the huevos are only $9.25.
I agree with Evan, it is a reward when Paul calls out your name as you walk in. My wife has reached that status, sadly I have not.
One thing I really don’t like is sitting at the counter if you are with someone. The stools are spaced out too much and are fixed in place.
Dr. Alice says:
November 7th, 2006 at 12:36 pm
I agree, I don’t think John O’Groats is all that either. It’s pleasant enough and I have been there several times, since I live just a few blocks away, but the coffee shop at the public golf course just across the street is a true find. It’s cheaper, the food is better and the waiter always remembers my name… AND they’re open on holidays! The first time I went there was Memorial Day a couple of years ago with my neighbor (a golfer, so she knew about the place). Groats was closed, the coffee shop was open and I’ve been going there ever since.
map says:
November 7th, 2006 at 3:37 pm
JOHN O’ GROOATS HAS THE WORST SERVICE BY A SERVER EVVVEEERR1 FOOD IS OK.
Nanette says:
November 7th, 2006 at 9:54 pm
I’m one of the O’Groats believers. Their biscuits alone had me at “hello.” I also recommend calling ahead to get on the list.
Roland says:
November 8th, 2006 at 3:50 pm
Hi All. Figured Id chime in. Love the blog. I like Uncle Bill’s in Manhattan Beach myself. Lines are crazy tho.
Suzy says:
November 10th, 2006 at 12:26 pm
I think JOG’s Applesauce pancakes are fantastic (homemade applesauce). I order a short stack with a side of bacon (made chewy)- the bacon is very good.
Marc says:
November 11th, 2006 at 12:13 am
I had been wanting to try this place for years. I live in The Valley, so I hadn’t made it here. Finally, I met a friend who lives in Culver City. I was quite disappointed, considering all of the ‘hooplah.’ The biscuits were..well, biscuits. I admit, I should have tried the pancakes. If there is another time, I will. The Huevos dish was so-so. Everything else was very Denny’s-like and the bill was insane. Griddle Cafe is a billion times better.
PoetKitty says:
November 19th, 2006 at 2:55 pm
AMEN Marc, I am a Griddle Girl. Even if the sauce cakes are all kinds of good, they can’t possibly touch the pumpkin creations at the Griddle!
Protector says:
November 20th, 2006 at 1:13 pm
Alternatives? Snug Harbor, Bread & Porridge, about to re-open DuPars at Farmers Market (superior pancakes to any I’ve tasted, thanks to ample use of buttermilk), and BLD.
tedcat says:
November 23rd, 2006 at 11:05 pm
i went six years ago and never went back. the food was boring and over priced.
not sure if you’ve tried the peach cafe in monrovia (i’m new to your blog). the best blueberry pancakes around. another plus would be their baked goods made daily. i’m a sugar whore and they’ve never gone wrong by me.
bill van says:
January 19th, 2007 at 10:22 am
To all those who want a large, reasonably-priced, predictably satisfying breakfast at a feels-like-home Westside diner, go to Rae’s on a weekday morning a little before 8am, grab a copy of the Santa Monica Free Press just to the left of the door as you enter, park yourself at the counter (preferably in front of the short-order cook, flipping and whisking away at his ancient grill), and order the Hobo Breakfast. It’s all there. And except for the horrific coffee, it’s all satisfying. Total cost: $6.72.
katherine says:
December 3rd, 2007 at 1:56 pm
Just has breakfast this past sundayand it was absolutely SCRUMPTIOUS! those pancakes- pumpkin and lemon curd were wonderful. I tried the ggs benedict with artichokes and it was very tasty inded. You are right about the host- he is very friendly and presonable- made my party and i feel right at home. The chef- Guillermo is a GEM!