Schreiner's is such a neighborhood gem and institution. They are a deli with all types of…read moredelicacies and a full meat counter. The prepared sandwiches and other food sound wonderful. It is extremely clean and does not smell like a typical meat counter. The selection of smoked and cured meats as well as sausages is impressive. I used to go to Alpine Village before it closed, and this shop provides similar German style products. The service is great. They answer your questions and provide great recommendations. My favorite hands down is the butter cheese which is packed in the refrigerated case, sliced and ready to go. That cheese with pumpernickel bread (which they also offer) is so comforting. There are multiple types of salami, with the German style being my favorite. I really enjoyed the imported caraway crackers which was a lighter alternative to the more solid breads. It's the type of place where you will always find delicious specialty snacks with each visit.

Schreiner's used to hold a strong tradition and a wonderful practice of kindness and hospitality…read morethat went a long way... long enough to get the small and quaint establishment up to this point. And I was pleased to get to experience Schreiner's for a good 14 or so years up until now. But my visit yesterday with my son was the soul crushing final visit. Schreiner's has a new staff of younger people, many of whom exhibit an unfortunate lack of hospitality, and for an establishment that serves sandwiches and deli meats, if kindness and gratitude for your loyal guests is not enough for you to manage from your position with such a once great establishment, then you my young friends are without a doubt not cut out to be in the food service industry. I give Schreiner's a few years before they are shut down if this new staff has any say.

During the World Cup we checked out some German beer gardens, and somehow over saw this one,…read morepossibly the only heart-driven authentic German one. The most we have seen so far, it was more a "business plan" let's do what Americans may think a German beer garden looks like. Our friend, the LA promoter Vahe, took us yesterday. We found a little gem, grown over the years, with an actual German owner and a service that had more than basic knowledge of German food. Nice! The ambiance was what you would expect from a place like this, less stylish-designer but more owner look-what-we-brought-from-Germany over the many years. The food was actually good, reasonably priced and generously portioned - the sauce platter really deserved its name "platter"- Came with great German curry ketchup. It would be too much to brag about the food, it was decent better than just OK version of classic beer garden dishes. But one has to be fair: where in German beer gardens you find food really worth bragging about? So while I was really tempted to stop at 4 out of five stars, I give 5. After all, it matches my most key how-to-get-5 element: would I do a 30+ min detour just to go here. If someone asked me to show them decent German cuisine in a somewhat authentic ambiance, I would take them here. The Kiez may be closer to our home, the Wirtshaus more stylish, but here we found the hearty welcome we missed elsewhere.

The one star is for our server alone -- she was very kind, attentive, and honest, even if some of…read moreher recommendations ended up being a little misguided. Unfortunately, that's where the positives end. I ordered the chicken schnitzel with mushroom gravy, my boyfriend got the Hungarian brat with spaetzle, and our friend ordered the Hungarian brat on a roll. Starting with the schnitzel: it wasn't completely terrible, but it definitely wasn't good. The breading was some what soggy and sliding off the chicken, and the chicken itself had almost no seasoning besides an odd lemony sourness. The mashed potatoes were honestly awful -- extremely sour, like they were overloaded with sour cream but missing butter, salt, or any real flavor. I LOVE mashed potatoes and only managed two bites before giving up. The red cabbage was overcooked, mushy, and had a slightly off taste. Overall, the schnitzel plate was maybe a 2/10, and those points go solely to the fact that the chicken itself was technically edible. My boyfriend's meal somehow managed to be worse. The bratwurst was fine, but tasted frozen and reheated rather than fresh. The sauerkraut, according to him, "tasted like dirty socks." The spaetzle was genuinely offensive -- mushy, overly bland, and tossed with what looked like hydrated diced mushrooms that literally tasted like dirt. I honestly questioned whether it had gone bad. Beyond the food, the restaurant itself felt dirty and had a strange smell throughout. It honestly seems like a place locals may still visit out of habit or convenience, but it no longer reflects what I imagine it once was. It's unfortunate, because there's something special about a restaurant that's been around for 65 years and still tries to maintain its old-school charm. Sadly, the food and cleanliness just don't live up to that legacy anymore. Save your money unless you're only stopping in for an overpriced German draft beer. We definitely won't be back.

This was one of our favorite places in pre-pandemic Pasadena. We had some "could have been better"…read moreexperiences during the awkward period of reopening several years ago, but since then it seems to have mostly hit its stride. Overall, our recent experiences have been solid. It's always great when an "old favorite" still feels like a good value. I miss some of the menu items like the lentil shepherd's pie, but we have very much enjoyed the hearty English breakfast. They also have a good selection of European beers on tap. Service has been friendly, but it is lightly staffed and pretty slow, so it's not a good place if you are in a hurry. They don't keep an eye on the patio, so if you sit out there, it's best to go inside and let them know. They also seem to have more rules than before - but I have to imagine these have come from experience. I don't think this is an ideal place to go with a large group. If it's a quiet night you might be able to pull tables together long-ways, but most tables seem ideal for 2-4. We come with our dog and sit on the patio when it isn't busy. The dog meals are massive (more food than ours eats in a whole day and she weighs 60 lbs). It's a good value, but beware if your dog is on a diet! Overall, my favorite thing is that genuinely feels like a pub, in that you can just come as you are and take your time without being rushed. A good fit for both locals and visitors in Pasadena.

today I stopped at my favorite pub of 20 years to have lunch. Never really had a bad experience…read morebefore. whoever they had working at the bar is 30 something male with salt and pepper go tea you came in when I was having lunch between mine and 12. There was a friendly play working the bar she was half affable and charming. Partway into the shift a 30s something male came to join as the bartender. He was far more interested in the arsenal game than he was of taking care of clients. It was clearly lots to do and yet he just sat and watched the game, simple things like giving me my check as soon as I was done with my food were ignored so that he could watch arsenal. Never before in my 20 years of coming to this bar, have I ever noticed server or employee of lucky Baldwin's paying more attention to the TVs then to the guests this was very offputting and this guy should not be there if this is how he usually operates very bad experience. I hate so much to give this review because the fish and chips were absolutely ridiculously outstanding as normal I will be happy to remove this review if management will give me a call and explain to me why this happened and what I should expect going forward

Came back another time! This time I got the…read more Lamb Duck and bacon Rabbit and snake Pheasant I love this place the interior is so beautiful You really get to explore flavors here! Staff is always so knowledgeable!

Walking by Wurstküche you always get a whiff of really appetizing smelling fries. I'm happy we…read morefinally decided to stop by and try it out since it's always so lively here. Their menu consisted a huge selection of beer, sausages and dipping sauces for fries. We opted for the Duchesse sour, Dr. Browns Black Cherry pop, Duck sausage, Buffalo sausage, and small fries with curry ketchup. The ambience was great! It felt like a beer hall since it had long tables and benches in the middle, everyone was drinking beer having a great time. There were also smaller cozier tables on the side if you wanted a more intimate space. We enjoyed our drinks and people watched while we waited for our food. The Duchesse red ale sour was really yummy, it was a good balance of sweet and tartness. We got the duck, bacon, and jalapeño sausage with sweet peppers and caramelized onions, the hot dog was delicious!! The sausage was a bit rich but the savory flavours were incredible, it was grilled well with a nice crispy skin and paired really well with the sweet peppers. You also get a huge selection of different mustards to try - yellow, dijon, seeded, honey, brown, you name it, they've got it. The buffalo, cherry and mint sausage was very good as well, but it's a bit more dry and gamey than the duck. The grilled bun is just ok, it's a solid blank canvas to highlight the tasty sausages. The fries are fat boys and seasoned very well. I normally am not a fan of thick fries but these changed my mind, the curry ketchup gave it a nice complexity as well. I just wish they gave you more sauce since the fries are so chunky. :) Had a really fun time overall and can't wait to come back and try their other sausages and beer options.

Quiet neighborhood restaurant where you can chow down on some perogies. Got some boiled and some…read morepan fried--both were nice but the pan fried edged out slightly with a little more flavor from the light caramelization on the outside. I wish there had been more caramelized onions to provide a more tasty contrast with the mild perogies. The highlight was the flaming cherries & cheese (it was cream cheese) crepe. Tasty and fun! The modest sounding chocolate pudding is also surprisingly delicious. Service was attentive.

Polka is a quality Polish restaurant offering authentic polish foods in a cozy ambiance…read more Our family, including my Krakow-born, Polish-speaking and cuisine-discerning spouse, came to Polka on a Saturday evening. Disappointingly quiet, we entered the cozy restaurant adorned by newspaper clips, polish coats of arms, and were greeted by our friendly waiter. I had the meat patties ($24) which were delectable. Rich ground beef and pork spiced perfectly and fried with an accompanying gravy. Rich, but not greasy. My wife had the chicken schnitzel ($30) which was good but not groundbreaking, and the kids a number of perogis ($25) I found excellent. Accompanying the two adult meals was soup (a delectable tomato and a surprisingly sour savory pickle) and salad. We concluded with a delicious strawberry jam crepe ($15, see photo). The soup and meat paddies were the strongest entries on the menu that evening. The service was warm and genuine, taking our order, giving recommendations, communicating in polish as per our preference, and the restaurant was cozy and clean. Prices, as listed above, were reasonable considering the accompanying soup and salad. Overall, Polka is a solid restaurant with excellent food and service at a good price. Delicious, hearty, and with a cozy atmosphere it is perfect for a date or small family looking for a genuine taste of Eastern Europe. Food: 4.5/5 Ambiance: 4/5 Service: 4.5/5 Value: 4/5

I absolutely loved this spot! It was reminiscent of the pubs I've visited in the UK. It didn't feel…read moregimmicky like so many American attempts at a British pub, and the food menu is a good testament to what proper pub food should be. Plenty of seating on a Thursday night, and the wait staff were very friendly. I also appreciated being able to pay via phone -- another little touch that reminded me of my Wetherspoons experiences back in the UK. The cottage pie was the highlight for me. The portion was on the smaller side, but absolutely delicious. The chips were great too, though certainly not British chips (still very enjoyable regardless). I'll definitely be back for a pub quiz or whenever the UK homesickness kicks in. :)

Longtime customer here of 3 decades always trying to support this women owned business at its three…read morelocations --used to love this Luckys, but it's gone downhill. Not sure if the owner has changed because this one has gone downhill and is no longer the busy gem it use to be. We also had breakfast here a few months ago to watch soccer and the food was greasy and over salted but I just thought it was a one off bad experience. Came in during a Dodger & Lakers Friday playoff game and the bar was nearly empty while nearby spots were packed as I stopped at Der Wolf before. Upon arrival the Manager was smoking in their back entrance smoking area - Staff was friendly as usual, but I was served a raw, bloody, mushy burger (photo attached). The bar was dark, so I didn't notice until after I started eating it then I bit into the completely raw cold center and was grossed out (see photo). Easy fix (typically) here is where it gets strange. Manager offered a 50% discount or recook another burger - almost like I felt he was thinking I was chasing a free meal. I wasn't worried about the money and didn't want to wait for another burger after already being grossed out by the undercooked rawness --I said to just microwave it or to make me something quick and simple like a kids burger or a few wings to replace the uneaten 2/3 of my raw burger but I was told that wasn't possible due to "health code" reasons. Wait ....you are smoking out back and serving raw burgers and you can't microwave the remainder of my raw burger and to fix it you are offering me 50% off my burger when 2/3 was raw? The server did their best and I still tipped 25% since it was not his fault, management later comped the check and removed the tip, which unfairly penalized the server. Again I don't care about the money but I was so surprised how much this manager really didn't get it or cared until I mentioned that people get sick from raw burgers and it's a health department violation to serve raw hamburger products. This used to be a gem. Disappointing decline in food quality and management. The crowds have been dwindling. Ownership may have changed but many of the sports crowds have moved to other nearby Pasadena pubs where the food and management are much better.

First visit to this fun establishment. Cute front patio with umbrella covered tables, inside…read moreseating area, and a huge beer garden out back. Parking is on street only and can be challenging. Service was excellent, starting with Dylan who waited on us and was helpful, patient, and super friendly, as were the rest of the staff that chipped in throughout our visit. DRINK: Extensive German beer menu, but also cocktails, and non-alcoholic selections. We ordered a bottomless cup of Coffee ($4), a .4L Reissdorf Koelsch ($8.50), stein of Hacker Pschorr Weisse ($19), and a stein of Paulaner Oktoberfest ($19). FOOD: We started by sharing a Sausage Platter ($17) which came with 3 sausages, 3 mustards, and some sliced pickles. For our entrees, we tried the Beef Rouladen ($26) served over mashed potatoes, and the Jäger Schnitzel ($28), served with 2 sides. NOTE: The schnitzel was $5 more than shown on the menu. I asked about their Spaztel which the chef said was one of their specialties. He brought us a small sample, and it was delicious! We finished it off with Apple Strudel with Vanilla Ice Cream ($12.50). The flavors were very good, although some of the preparations were a little different than I'm used to. I'm half German and my mother is full, so we think we know German cuisine very well. All in all, it was a great experience and we will definitely be heading back for more!

What a wonderful experience our family had at Kiez Küche & Beer Garden…read more There were nine of us, and we arrived during a World Cup game, so the whole place was buzzing with energy and fun. Our family is German, so we know good German food....and let me just say, they nailed it, my friends. The Jägerschnitzel was the best I've ever had (sorry, Oma). The cucumber salad, red cabbage, appetizers, and beer were all fabulous. And the desserts? Absolutely heavenly. The apple strudel was even better than the one I had at one of the finest restaurants in Berlin, and the bread pudding was a warm ambrosia. I was honestly surprised to see a couple of reviewers taking off stars for the most dumb stuff, because our experience was outstanding from start to finish. The service, the food, the atmosphere...all of it was on point. If you're looking for authentic, delicious German food in a lively, welcoming setting, Kiez Küche & Beer Garden is absolutely worth a visit. Such a memorable meal and experience for our family. We will be back!!!!

Stopped by on Saturday, 04/12/25 for dinner! We were seated immediately. Ordered the following:…read more - 4 Orale beers = $40 - 1 margarita flight = $35 - 1 calamari = $17 SUBTOTAL = $82 TAX = $8.38 TIP = $12.30 TOTAL = $102.68 ** paid by my amazing bf ** :') We wanted to order some nachos however they were out (all good). This place is a very special place and will forever warmth my heart to the fullest. I personally really enjoyed my margarita flight, and my boyfriend enjoyed his 4 beers.

Here for SuperBowl Sunday. They couldn't get the tvs working smh, for the first part of the game…read moreonly one TV showing the game. Ladies room has no toilet seat covers and no paper towels. They don't have most of the beer available and same with the apps, not many of the selections are available. Sigh. I was told no chips and guac so I opted for Asada fries instead thinking they had no chips and lo and behold my Asada fries came with NO GUAC. Ughhhh.

Hailing from a Social Bar + Kitchen love affair, the concept was developed to celebrate the…read morecultural diversity, rich history, and the proud spirit of the original 141 residents* of the LA Basin**. Personally, I think this is one of the best happy hour bars around. Inside, it has a steampunk-y sensibility with rich, dark wood tones & comfy booths. Outside, there's a patio along Honolulu Avenue that's just the spot for people watching. HAPPY HOUR MENU :: - The wings are great. They're perfectly saucy, served with blue cheese or ranch. Pairs well with their Happy Hour Prickly Pear Cider (in a can for $5). - Also, there's Habiscus Cider on draft, which is also sweet and more soda pop-like. It's not on Happy Hour. $9 for a tall glass. - Potato Skins are stacked with toppings and super cheesy. We tried their house Ranch and asked for a side of Bleu Cheese. OTHER NOTABLE FAVES :: - $15 gets you 2 tacos with a side of chips. - Meatloaf Mondays - get a proper meal that sticks to your ribs + a pint for $20. - No wait for a booth. Food & drinks came out quickly. Overall, the service is great. Sorry, kids. This place is 21 and over only. It's a date night, bday drinks, or first stop on an adults night out kinda place. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- * That number comes from the 1st census count in the early 1800s ** The LA Basin includes Hollywood Hills to Coastal PCH Shores, San Fernando & San Gabriel valleys + Orange County too.

I almost always order one of my favorite dishes at Basin 141, but this visit I decided to branch…read moreout and give the Shrimp Pasta Blanco a chance. Despite being so close to a seafood restaurant, I never expected one of my favorite shrimp dishes to come from here. I'm glad I took the chance. The shrimp were tender and full of garlic flavor, and the creamy white wine sauce was rich without being too heavy. The spaghetti was cooked perfectly, and the fresh tomatoes, basil, and Parmesan added just the right balance. The warm French bread was perfect for soaking up every bit of the sauce. This dish completely exceeded my expectations and has earned a permanent spot on my list of favorites. Basin 141 continues to impress with both its consistency and its willingness to surprise.

Knock knock.. Opens the secret passage door to Choe's…read more Choe's is a speakeasy event center with bar, separate lounge rooms, and upstairs billiards area. I was fortunate to come here for business event. We were treated with some pretty good bites; meatballs with marinara, sliders, chicken sate, churros with chocolate, brownies, cookies. All the good, bad food to stuff your face while you're double fisting beers. The upstairs was empty but sizable rooms with billiard tables when looks down on the level below. The service here was great. Dedicated servers and bartenders made for a fun experience.

Came here for a private event with Heal the bay. Had no idea this existed!…read more Located at Golden Road, this is an event space. Not sure when you can access it, but it has its own bar area. There are booth seating and long tables. Love the decor. There is another back section for lots of space. Also there is a section that's like a lounge