Historic L.A. cafeteria serves nostalgia

It opened in 1935, billed back then as the world's largest cafeteria. Following decades of decay and declining business, Clifton's is getting more than a fresh coat of paint. Restaurateur and developer Andrew Meieran has had a crush on Clifton's for the longest time and now he's turning it into the go-to spot for comfort food. Lee Cowan reports on the resurrection of a classic Downtown Los Angeles eatery.

[@giovanniediaz829]

I would go to Cliftons when I was young.I would eat there with my mother and grandmother .it was a place where only we would go It was our place to go too enjoy life and have fun.where we would escape the negative energy in our lives now looking back I miss those days when things were simple when I was happy Now all I think about is how much I miss my grandma she brought so much happiness and positivity in my life.

[@leslieanne226]

this venue means so much to my family, providing cheap meals for them when all 8 of them immigrated from Colombia. Now, all of their children go to this venue to dance every few weeks. It's certainly a place in our hearts!

[@patriciagarcia5954]

Inthe 50's My grandmother and mother took Myself my brother ,aunt and uncle,We were all under 10yrs old.We loved the waterfalls And they gave us a little toy After our meal Then we went to the mexican movie house. We took the city bus home To stone avenue in East LA. A beautiful memory🤗😘

[@juliangarcia2010]

😞It’s sad to say but, back in Sept. of 2015 I was part of the opening staff at Clifton’s Cafeteria and it was possibly the worst openings I’ve ever done at any restaurant here in Los Angeles. I already had a stable full/part time job when I was offered to work as a bartender at Clifton’s. I said “Why not I might make good tips at Clifton’s.” Little did I know🤦🏻within weeks of the opening the head chef was fired/quit as well as the bar manager, floor managers, general manager, bartenders, bus boys, cashiers ALL QUIT or were fired. I left due to chaotic mess it was. Less than a year after opening I walked in there and a bartender told me “95% of the original staff is no longer here.” Clifton’s downtown L.A. location is considered an historic building so there’s no large freight elevator for the staff. The staff had to share two small elevators with guests. Imagine a guest standing next to a busboy holding a bus tub filled with old, swampy, smelly, wet food I saw that happen numerous times. The name was changed from Clifton’s Cafeteria to “Cliftons Republic” service went from 7 days a week to only Weds-Sat evenings only. So no lunch service during the week. It was a big ole mess. There was good intention to preserve the past and keep a classic alive but, sometimes you have to let some things go. Barbara featured in this video was sweet and kind to work with she really cared about reviving Clifton’s cafeteria Andrew/owner the only interactions I had with him were a quick hello/nod. It would be nice to see a Clifton’s revival again in 2021 but, this time as only as a bar/nightclub venue step completely away from cafeteria food keep the drinks🍹🥘on all 4 floors the same. All the millions of dollars invested into that place, and half a decade later nothing really to show for it.😞I Hope Clifton’s bounces back again.✊

[@imapaine-diaz4451]

My dad met my mom at Clifton's every Thursday while they were courting in 1942. When we lived in Ventura after the war when I was small, and had to go to LA for any reason, or to visit my grandparents in Long Beach, Lunch at Clifton's Cafeteria was the highlight of the trip

[@dburch7894]

There were two Cliftons. One had waterfalls, one did not. I liked the one with the water features. We used to go there in the 60’s.

[@fiercemakeup31]

There were about 14

[@dburch7894]

Used to go here in the 60’s. Loved all the neat stuff to look at. I remember a sign that said something to the affect that if you couldn’t pay it was okay. It was a awesome place with a feeling of adventure in the atmosphere! I am sure the sale and remodel lost all that.

[@suzyukla]

my grandma in the thirties would go there and eventually took me too it was like I was in another world the same experience I felt like when I went to disneyland...it was magical

[@fiercemakeup31]

Disney hired the same guy that designed this place

[@01K02K95K]

It’s December 2022. I’ve been out of it for a minute but I am so shocked and saddened to learn at this place close down a few years ago.

[@1zDiegoz1]

Looks like it's still open.

[@vbrown6445]

My mom and I used to go to Clifton's a few times a year when I was a kid in the 80s and 90s. Best tapioca pudding I've ever had, and have never been able to replicate it or find it anywhere else.

[@joylove1182]

My mom would take me 2x a week when I was young before school would start and I remember going down to the restroom 🚻 downstairs it always gave me a creepy eerie feeling this was back in 80s

[@formallyknownascorn-pop870]

I lived in L.A. around the same time. My parent's use to take me here.

[@illseeyouindisneyland5192]

Omg, I had that same experience as you when I would go there too at Clifton with my parents and sisters. I recall an eerie experience that my sister had in the restroom😱

[@hebneh]

One of the Clifton’s locations was decorated in a South Seas theme.

[@gail3136]

My parents took us kids after church to Clifton's Cafeteria we loved seeing the indoor waterfall and the interior was just like being in a beautiful cave warm and cozy and it smelled like the most wonderful food was being made And it was 😊❤ . We were sad 😢to see it go down hill but glad to see its back again .

[@danielaml1956]

I heard they are reopening , sooo excited!!! Love this place so much,!

[@larryseibert4102]

Well done. I was born in 1947 in Los Angeles. My grandmother took me to "Clifton's Cafeteria" many times where I got to choose a toy from the treasure chest. Wonderful memories.

[@chaideelove1819]

Yay....it is still there Awesome....

[@Porsche996driver]

My mom would take me as a kid on weekends for visitation in the ‘70s. Great because you can choose what you want. Turkey and stuffing and jello yes. Think they had one in Lakewood too? Peace guys. 💙🙏🏼🙏🏾

[@samanthasimental3788]

My dad used to work there.

[@wicksreality]

Use to eat here as a kid...Special memories...Glad to see its still going...Gotta love unselfish people with a vision to make a difference...#Salute

[@handsome526]

The architecture is unbelievable in there

[@roberthernandez9720]

I remember going there with my parents in1972-75 on Sunday every other Sunday at around 3:30pm right after spider man cartoon on channel 9 finished raining days we lived in los Angeles near dodger stadium!!!

[@illseeyouindisneyland5192]

where do you now live? I use to go to Clifton with my family too ??

[@handsome526]

It's a very romantic 1930 ambiance feel, you'll love it

[@ernestochaides3913]

I pass by there all the time

[@derekgrrr6982]

It's lost it's charm once the new owner commercialized the business for profit advertising it's name brand as an excuse to amp up prices and cater more to the bar scene rather than what it once was, a thriving cafeteria that catered to the low and working classes.

[@athom718]

This is only open on weekend nights.

[@LURKING323]

Is the cafeteria gone?! I was searching for this place after many years of not going there anymore .. but from recent pictures I’ve seen on Google, it looks completely different inside.. looks like a bar.. not sure if I’m looking at the wrong one? My mom and I would always go there when I was a kid, I’m now 36 and was hope’n we could have lunch there again, but I guess it’s game over 😭

[@lpcno5030]

This place makes u feel super welcome.. no matter what .. 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

[@handsome526]

They say Downtown is dangerous, but I got you ybaB 💜💙 always

[@KisLaDyANT]

I went there as a teen i wonder id they still mane peanut butter pie

[@KisLaDyANT]

If they still make peanut butter pie

[@bpeteyp]

They dont mention the hidden door to the secret bar??

[@badchunky1]

Still open?

[@BabyTiROS]

Yes

[@handsome526]

Or we can have lunch here. Check this video out. This place is pretty cool 😎 ,💙💜

[@handsome526]

Let's hang. We could go here

[@square-on-wheels]

Looks like they've ditched the cafeteria concept in favor of a hipster watering hole. 😒

[@someperson9049]

also he fired all the staff

[@handsome526]

Or we can eat here, same location

[@edgarturner7032]

What makes me think when he opened it that it was segregated?

[@josephgioielli]

No, it was not. It was listed in the "Green Book" as a place were it was safe for African American travelers during the "Jim Crow" era. The LA Times has a story about this.

[@user-ci7iy3ge1t]

I eat here for free and never tip

[@handsome526]

😻 ybaB ereh uoy ekat ot tnaw yllaer I 💙

[@Chester_Copperpot]

That's going to be some nasty smelling pee. 3:46

[@handsome526]

Gnimrahc yrev s'ti 💙🙏💜

[@someperson9049]

he ruined it

[@SchwinnXchange]

Went there last night June 9th 2018 for my sister's birthday all the food is terrible doesn't anybody taste test anyting for a Saturday night 7 they had no variety the turkey you show in your video with nowhere to be seen the only turkey they had was boneless turkey legs which they sliced for you and it was terrible had the macaroni and cheese and mashed potatoes for my sides the potatoes tasted sour like somebody added rancid sour cream to them with garlic it was terrible the macaroni and cheese tasted like it was me weeks ago they had a sign that said bring your party and we will supply the cake we asked him about it they've supplied the cake tasted like old pound cake with no flavor covered in whipped cream icing if you can't get mashed potatoes macaroni and cheese even a cake how do you f up a cake they should reach out to Gordon Ramsay for sure taste what you are serving it was horrible. It is a unique Place something to see would be nice for a first date but not for dinner I think they're more concerned with their nightlife than the cafeteria aspect they are definitely making more money on their alcohol consumption for sure