DuPar's Restaurant050

For generations, DuPar's has been a signature coffee shop in the L.A. area. From its beginnings at the Original Los Angeles Farmers Market, DuPar's any-time-of-the-day breakfasts and pastries have been the main reasons for its staying power. For your first visit, go for broke with the hot cakes, which you can top with maple or boysenberry syrup, or (heaven forbid) real melted butter. The omelets are also nice, as is the french toast. Less breakfasty fare includes coffee-shop standbys such as tuna and open-faced turkey sandwiches, as well as decent greasy fries. But aside from breakfast, your best bet is to go for some pie or date-nut bread, which headline a terrific sweets menu. A time-honored late-night hangout for teens, the weekend days find the place full of families. The wait for Sunday brunch is a long one (averaging a half-hour at 10:00am and on), so plan on perusing the bakery case for something to nibble on as you while away the time. The cost is moderate to expensive for anything but hot cakes and French toast, depending on the item. There's also a kids' menu that is very affordable. But it's the food quality, old-fashioned atmosphere, and friendly servers (dressed in ‘40s-era uniforms) that make the visit worthwhile. High chairs, booster seats, crayons (with a colorable menu), and clean bathrooms add to the family-friendliness of this classic coffee shop.