Welcome to Uncle John’s Cafe
"Uncle John’s Cafe" in Los Angeles blends Vietnamese, American, and Chinese cuisines, offering a diverse menu with options for everyone - from egg dishes to griddles and sandwiches. The welcoming atmosphere, along with features like outdoor seating and happy hour, make it a go-to spot for locals and visitors alike. Customers appreciate the flavorful and filling dishes, like the Lemongrass Pork Vermicelli Bowl and the Hong Kong French Toast. The fusion of flavors and affordable prices make Uncle John’s Cafe a hidden gem in DTLA, perfect for a satisfying meal any time of day.
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421 W 8th St Los Angeles, CA 90014421 W 8th St Los Angeles, CA 90014 Hotline: (213) 623-3555
Welcome to Uncle John’s Cafe, a beloved dining haven nestled in Downtown Los Angeles at 421 W 8th St. This eclectic venue uniquely marries Vietnamese, American, and Chinese culinary traditions, effortlessly appealing to a diverse audience seeking comfort food with an international twist. With a reputation for being one of the oldest diners in the area, Uncle John’s has rightly positioned itself as a must-visit spot for both locals and tourists alike.
The menu at Uncle John’s Cafe is a delightful exploration of flavors, ensuring that there’s something for everyone. Breakfast enthusiasts will appreciate options like the Bacon Omelette featuring hearty servings, or the unforgettable Hong Kong Battered French Toast—a sweet delight embraced by peanut butter and drizzled with maple syrup, perfect for a morning indulgence. For lunch, the crowd-favorite Lemongrass Pork Vermicelli Bowl serves crispy, perfectly seasoned pork alongside succulent fresh greens, offering a refreshing taste that resonates especially during warm days.
As the sun sets, Uncle John’s transitions its offerings with an enticing dinner menu available after 5 PM. Highlights include Mongolian Beef, renowned for its bold flavors, and Spicy Pork Chops topped with serrano peppers, each dish meticulously crafted to elevate the dining experience. Customers rave about the generous portion sizes and reasonable prices, making it a superb value for the quality of food served.
The ambiance is vibrant yet cozy, providing a clean and modern space that welcomes everyone from families to solo diners. It’s not just the food that attracts patrons; the service stands out as well. Diners often mention how attentive the staff is, creating a warm atmosphere that complements the culinary offerings.
For those seeking variety, Uncle John’s Cafe proudly blends classic American diner experiences with Chinese-American favorites and innovation with Vietnamese dishes. From healthy options to indulgent treats, the expansive menu guarantees satisfaction with every visit. After all, as one patron noted, it’s a place that caters marvelously to every palate—making it a cornerstone of the local culinary scene.
If you haven’t visited Uncle John’s yet, it’s high time to experience what many have come to cherish. Whether it's a hearty breakfast, a relaxed lunch, or a delightful dinner, Uncle John’s Cafe is ready to welcome you with open arms and a plate full of deliciousness!
Breakfast of champs!!!! Best spot in town whether it's for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Food is very tasteful and filling. Definitely coming back.
The food isn't awful or extremely exceptional. Would I come back? Yes. I found it to be good for the price point in combination of portion size. You can't beat steak and eggs for $18. The steak isn't paper thin which was nice. It's a place you'd come back to but you won't be raving about it to your cousins who came to visit as tourists from overseas. The staff were on their A-game bussing tables, refilling waters. I really enjoyed the chili oil on the table. Come to find out, they make a batch every week. It was actually spicy and had some kick, so that was nice. My favorite item to get is steak and eggs. I get rare, with a side of fried rice. I know it's still mooing. The seasoning was just right and my steak was rare which is great. Parking can be tough in these parts. The restaurant itself is clean, bright and modern. The Chinese and American offerings is signature Uncle John's. If you're in the area and want a nice big meal, this is the place for you.
I had the Lemongrass Pork Vermacelli Bowl which is on special this month. Served chill - great on a summer day. The pork was crispy as well as the greens and sprouts, which makes it a refreshing dish. The suggestion was Sriracha. Instead of directly I added it to the sweet and sour sauced and used it as a dressing. Good service and a great find in DTLA that it is not a pricey fancy place. Good to support
What a unique restaurant! They serve breakfast food like pancakes and eggs, but what they're really good at is their Asian food. I came in for a Saturday lunch and they were busy as one would expect. We had to wait a bit to order and get seated--nevertheless, the service was great. I spicy pork lunch (4.5/5) is really good. The spicy pork itself isn't spicy, it just comes with jalapeños. The chicken fried rice (5/5) was amaziiiing. I liked it more than the pork! Serving size was great as well. The viet coffee (3.5/5) was good but not strong enough imo. Still gave me the caffeine kick I needed though. Overall this place is a MUST. Price is good, service is good, and food is great :)
Rediscover DTLA's oldest diner: Uncle John's. With its new look and layout, it welcomes all with its amazing menu of American Diner Classics to Chinese American favorites and newly added Vietnamese dishes. My sons and I had an amazing time. That Hong Kong Battered French Toast stuffed with peanut butter and then drizzled with maple syrup was heavenly! What did we grub on at 8:30am? Classic Cheeseburger & Fries HK Battered French Toast Stuffed w/ Peanut Butter Sunnyside Eggs, Bacon & Sausage X.O. Combination Chow Fun Noodles Spicy Fried Pork Chops & Fried Rice Crispy Pork Spring Rolls Hot Chocolate Vietnamese Iced Coffee I highly recommend @unclejohnsdtla where there will always be something for everyone! Picky eaters, this spot will be your favorite! The service is prompt and friendly! Just love them! Visual Review: https://www.instagram.com/reel/C9LdOFsyYRn/?igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
So, so good. 11 tables (mix of two and four tops) so be aware you may have to wait a couple minutes for one to clear. Worth it though. Service was awesome - friendly and quick staff. And food...Hong Kong French toast makes my life better. Peanut butter in between two slices of thick bread, fried, and topped with butter and condensed milk. YUM. Partner had spicy pork chops, and was surprised the batter wasn't spicy - it's more the peppers on top - but didn't stop him from eating it all. Currently rocking out to System of a Down on the playlist in here - it's been late 90s early 00s music the entire time.
Great food at a great price! I came here for some breakfast and I was not disappointed. The fried rice was cooked very well with lots of wok hei! Definitely my favorite part of the meal. I think they were in the process of moving the restaurant elsewhere so the seating was a little strange. However, it was clean enough and I was happy. The place is cash only but they take Venmo and other pay apps.