Russell's is our go-to Burger restaurant in Old Town, but they really do have so much more than just great burgers. Still, I'd say Russell's makes my FAVORITE burger almost anywhere. Either their Frisco burger or the bacon/avocado burger is worth coming here for. This is the best comfort food joint in Old Town with all the staples you'd expect. Other items I love are their chicken strips, the Croque Monsieur (grilled ham/cheese sandwich with an awesome french sauce), and their BLT is the best I've had in a diner restaurant. the staff here is always attentive and very genuinely nice. We've had breakfast here a few times and that's always been a good meal as well. We eat here at least 1-2x/month and always leave satisfied. read more

This is the best breakfast spot in Pasadena! Everything is always cooked perfect ! I've been coming here for years! Come try it you have my word. read more

Came here for brunch. The Belgian waffles was excellent. The chicken Alfredo plate was freak'n huge! The garlic bread though.. nom nom nom. pretty damn soft. Our server was very attentive and friendly. I will be definitely be coming back. read more

Came here for breakfast, amazing customer service we were instantly greeted, and my server Dennis was Great ! I would definitely be back soon :) read more

Russell's - Abc omelette - American Near Me - Pasadena, California

Had the famous word of mouth Croque Madame. It was tasty. Also ordered the corn beef hash, that was delicious. The coffee was actually very good. It gets very busy at times, practice patience. Because the waiters are being pulled here and there. Once it dies down, the waiters are very attentive. Good place to visit for the location, ambieance and food. read more

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With all the trendy eateries in SoCal, it can be tough to find a place that does the basics and does them well. That's Russell's. I've been here a few times, and having moved from an area where there's a diner on almost every corner, it feels like home. Service is quick, the food selection is huge and diverse, and the people working there take pride in what they do. I sat at the counter today, and it was really cool seeing so much food leave the kitchen so quickly. I'm a fan of this place, and if you like good, simple food at decent prices, you will be, too. read more

This is a pretty limited review...and it only covers breakfast. Stopped in this morning because of the reviews here and lucked out with this choice. I had the Corned Beef Hash with poached eggs and it was great. My only complaint was that they were a little excessive with the side of hash browns and a little light on the corned beef hash. The end result was that I left more than half of the potatoes and polished off the hash. The prices are reasonable and the service is great. Food came out quickly and it was presented nicely. All-in-all, I'm very happy to have found this place and I'll be back. read more

LOVED the service here. We had a reservation and the wait time was 30-45 min so we decided to just give up our spot in line. But the bar manager (guessing on this title?) found ya seats at the bar and our order was placed and food was out in less than 10 min! We made our reservation and were able to enjoy a great breakfast. I got the French toast breakfast with bacon and scrambled eggs. And my fiancé ordered the Big One with pancakes, hash browns, sausage, bacon, and choice of toast/English muffin. Favorites: French toast; hash browns read more

Russell's - The Big One and French Toast Breakfast - American Near Me - Pasadena, California

The place was good especially their Croque Madame but definitely have had better breakfast places. The decor was fairly cute and unexpected with many Van Gogh paintings everywhere. He service was okay but had and price range is average. Once again I recommend the Madame plate read more

Russell's - My version of the Croque Madame, this is the best plate out of the three! - American Near Me - Pasadena, California

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Great value for foods and excellent service of the service team. They all are nice and pleasant. Highly recommend to anyone. You will not be disappointed. read more

Always great breakfast and excellent service . Too bad the word is out and the wait times are always long on weekends but Definitely worth the wait . read more

Been coming to this gem for the last 7 years, best breakfast place ever, the people working here love their job and it shows in their customer service to you Sitting on the counter is so much fun for a single Eater. Frank who is the manager, makes the place come alive , he place buddas between the tvs, And the classical art and music brings ambiance while enjoying a great meal . This diner also serves lunch and dinner and I just found out that Breakfast is served until 4pm. Has free WI-FI Come Early , opens up at 7am They also serve champagne, wine and Bloodly Marys, and Mimosas !!! craft beer on tap too . read more

I ordered a hamburger and fries. The burger was decent (slightly overcooked and dry) but the fries were not fresh. The fries were probably not fresh cut and seemed to be these bulk precut fries but not sure. The salmon burger that my wife ordered was VERY delicious though. Perfect. The waiter was also super polite and they also validate parking. read more

I ordered the bacon eggs and hashbrowns with a side of 1 blueberry pancake. The food came out really fast. I thought everything was really good! Way better than Denny's or ihop but the service wasn't the greatest. My boyfriend ordered something and they brought him the wrong dish. The server wasn't apologetic and seemed annoyed. I would go back to try the waffles! read more

Russell's - Blueberry pancake had fresh blueberries inside - American Near Me - Pasadena, California

Went for breakfast yesterday, was amazing, me and my sister had breakfast there a while ago we decided to go again , and we are going again and again, great atmosphere, tasty food , try their Belgium waffles they're so good . Until next time Russell's read more

It's normally pretty hard to find a good breakfast spot unless it's a hole in the wall somewhere you wouldn't expect. Russell's isnt that place, they are right off the block. One of Pasadenas best. I'm told they're know for the french toast but all I get is the pancakes lol they have some of the best pancakes I've ever had, the blueberry & banana connection is unstoppable lol definitely a great environment to bring friends or family. It's pretty busy so you'll always wait at least 25 to 30 min in on a busy day but it's worth the wait. They serve Mimosas and other delicious drinks , definitely a town favorite. If your ever in Pasadena, stop by. Friendly host, patient waitress. A breakfast spot where everybody is eating good and a having a good time with plenty art surrounding you creating a colorful ambiance. Enjoy, check em out!!! read more

Busy place and had a 30 minute wait but well worth it. Food was unbelievable. Service was excellent. Chicken fried steak is my wife's go to whenever it is on a menu. It is definitely the reason we will be back many times. Best she has ever had. My omelette was great as well. Everyone should definitely check this place out. read more

Best Blueberry pancakes ever! They were so good we went twice during our brief vacation. Blueberries were plump & juicy, pancakes were moist & service was great! Will definitely make a detour anytime we are close enough to get to Pasadena. read more

I love coming here when I'm feeling like indulging. I always get the chicken fried steak and eggs which comes with hash browns. I get my eggs overeasy. The hash browns taste amazing and are perfectly cooked and crispy. If I ever feel like there's too much gravy on the chicken fried steak, I just scrape it off. It's not a big deal to me and I think it tastes good. The eggs are always overEASY runny and perfect. I've never tried asking for over hard or over medium but I'm sure it'd come out that way if I did. I love the atmosphere at Russell's with its history and American diner feel. Food comes out in a timely manner. Coffee is meh but I don't drink coffee often so I don't entirely care about that. Waiters are nice and are constantly paying attention and bustling around. One star off cuz I wish it wasn't so pricey for a breakfast place, just so I could come here more often. read more

The food is amazing and so delicious and comes out fast. The wait is the worst and they keep telling you that you're next but it's like an hour wait. Even the bar has a wait. Thy don't have a ton of healthy options but this is a DINER guys. Expect to indulge. Would come back for sure. Patty melt and onion rings and burgers were so so good. read more

Their breakfast was great i had waffles with egg bacon and hash brown with a side bagel. I wouldnt order the bagel again but would probably order the rest again. I do like the waffles but I also would love to try the pancakes and French toast. I think serving breakfast till 4 is a little late but it work for me since after lunch hour it isnt that busy anymore and its super busy in the mornings. Price is reasonable considering the atmosphere of the place seems fancy high end food, when they just serve normal breakfast and lunch foods. read more

Love Russell's have been eating here for years! If you're a fan of breakfast all day, it doesn't get any better than "The Big One"! Usually the service is excellent as well, Host Dennis is amazing, very attentive and great with food delivery fresh and hot! AVOID SERVER ANA! She is beyond rude! Literally just had an unfortunate interaction with her today, in which she was snarky with one of my friends who I was bringing to Russell's for the first time today. Without going into detail, I briefly informed the manager of her behavior, and she still did not have the decency to apologize for her rude behavior, which left me no choice but to go against my dine out principals and instruct my party to leave absolutely no tip. In summary I would say Russell's is awesome in both food and staffing so don't let one rude server ruin your experience! read more

This place is ok but it's pricey for breakfast. The coffee is good and they take care to make sure you're happy with your food. Corn beef hash is not so good. Eggs are standard. Bacon is thick. The sausages and waffles are good. Nice decor. Like all the restaurants on Colorado street this place appeals to the tourist or the person who has too much time on their hands. Go because you and your bridesmaids want to giggle over mimosas and pretend to eat food. Go because you're comfortable wearing large fashionable hats from an older era. Go because you're on vacation and want to experience a leisurely breakfast with ambiance. Me...I will not be coming back. read more

What a nice place. The food was good but the service was excellent. Even validated parking. Great experience. Come early morning.

The service was great the food was even better we were not disappointed this Father's day :-) we ordered the big one meal and it was worth it we will definitely stop in again when we're back in town read more

The best breakfast in Pasadena. The chef does an amazing job. The servers accommodate the best to their abilities. Come early there can be a wait at times. I guarantee you will not be disappointed. Thank you Alfredo you seem to always make our visit a pleasurable one! read more

Russell's - The chef.... Lucky wife!!! - American Near Me - Pasadena, California

Delicious waffles, delicious bacon, delicious chicken fried steak and eggs, and delicious biscuits with gravy. (Hmmm... I just realized that maybe I shouldn't order everything on the menu at one time. That would explain my huge thigh problem right now.) This place has delicious breakfast food at reasonable prices. There was a bit of a wait which was annoying because it didn't seem that crowded, but that is the one downfall. read more

There are plenty of reviews here so I will keep it short and sweet: Usually when I order a club sandwich my plate is left with a pile of gross flimsy or burnt bacon pieces. At Russell's, my companion turned to me and said, "The bacon must be good here, your plate is clean." read more

Russell's is a great place for breakfast. I've only been once SO FARE, but their Blood Orange Mimosa and Chocolate Chip Pancakes (4 buttermilk pancakes with chocolate chips inside) will definitely have me stopping by next time I'm in the area. :) read more

This breakfast joint is really unique. It has the elegance of British/French decor and music but then has really yummy diner food. It's a good mashup, if you ask me. The music gives the place a really calm atmosphere, which I found super appealing. Would recommend if you want a calm/peaceful start to your morning! read more

3.5 stars We just happened upon Russell's while in Pasadena for the Christmas tree lighting. It's a cozy little restaurant located across from JCrew. I had the chicken fettucine, which I really wanted to like, but the sauce was pretty bland and needed more flavor. The chicken, however, was flavorful and cooked perfectly. I think I'll come back for breakfast since other reviewers rave about it. Service is very friendly and efficient! read more

A friend and I just had breakfast here this morning, and it was excellent!! They are now open for in-restaurant dining and it was our first dine in since March. We had a choice of sitting next to each or across from each other, according to their seating. The restaurant was spotless. It looked like everything was new, except, of course, the artwork and the chandeliers which we loved. Very inviting. The waiter was so sweet in welcoming us and took good care of us with plenty of coffee and food was timely. We both had the Corned Beef hash with poached eggs, and it came with potatoes. The hash was soooo good and it was homemade hash. A real treat! What a great way to start the day. Their breakfast menu had so many choices. We both were pleased with the total experience. Breakfast is a favorite meal for both of us and we look forward to going back many times. read more

Loved this place. The food was not greasy at all, fresh and for the price we got an amazing dish with lots of food. The service was also great. Thank you read more

I really dig RUSSELL'S as, obviously, do a lot of other Yelpers. So will someone please tell me why in the six times I've been there it's basically empty? Other than one or two atrocious paintings the classic, up-scale decor is fantastic, the food is good, the prices are down-right cheap and the staff friendly and helpful beyond any reason. So why last night, a Friday night at that, were my Father and I the only people sitting in the entire north part of the joint? It was 9PM, the streets were teeming and almost nobody was walking in. And those in there all seemed to be regulars. The only thing I can think is that the windows are so heavily tinted that people don't get a sense of the place at night. Plenty of folks peer in but you can tell by their squints that they can't really figure the place out. As I don't get out of bed up until 11am breakfast isn't my thing so maybe that's the crowded time? That crap-hole Mexican restaurant on a corner on the north side of Colorado is always jammed but Russell's sits wanting for customers? Lord... A true mystery... read more

We wanted to get out of the Valley and roam around Pasadena on a Saturday morning, so I picked Russell's out of the Zagat guide and off we went. We were really, really happy with the food, the coffee and the service, and look forward to going back. If you park in the public garage (entrance on Fair Oaks) Russell's will validate, good for 90 minutes. My husband had the omelet and hash browns, and I ordered the biscuit and gravy breakfast. The omelet was fine, but the potatoes were *heavenly*, crispy on both sides and smooth and fluffy inside, like a latke-hash brown hybrid. The gravy was really tasty, just peppery enough without overwhelming the flavor of the sausage. The sausage had a wonderful melt-in-your-mouth texture and imparted a lot of great flavor. And the coffee was good too. Prices were on the lower edge of average for breakfast in L.A. The omelet was $10.50, the gravy biscuits with eggs and sausage (and another side of bread, which I certainly didn't need) was $9.50, and they had a generous portion of French Toast on the menu for $7.50. Service was quick, efficient and attentive. Our food came out in a flash. The wait to be seated was so-so, but not bad for breakfast on a Saturday. We arrived at 9:30, were told 15-20 minutes, and didn't actually get seated until 10. The rush was clearing out by 10:45, so those who are brunch inclined could probably get in with no problem. read more

Russell's is one of the better restaurants in the neighborhood. I had a strong desire for waffles. So, you know what I decided to have for myself. The Waffles, bacon and eggs with a glass of O.J. The waitress was very attentive to and the food was out in no time and I almost forgot. The food was delicious. read more

I ate lunch at Russell's in Pasadena, CA on 2/29/2016 (Leap Year Day). I've eaten there many times before. This time I had their bacon blue burger ($11.75) with onion rings ($1.00). My coffee was $3.20. Our server, Dennis, was very good. Plus, I took photos. read more

Russell's - Photo taken 2/29/2016 - Russell's (coffee) - American Near Me - Pasadena, California

We came around 5:00, and we were lucky to have no wait at all being so early in the evening. I remember the original Russell's in Long Beach and recognized the sign! I love the cheeseburger & pecan pie! You can't beat the $12.95 special which includes a burger, pie, and a side. read more

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Service here is really good and sincere management. I've​ been here a few times and everyone always enjoys everything they have. Great interior and super comfortable. Pasadena classic read more

Amazing breakfast!!! There's usually a wait up until 3:00pm...but worth it! The blood orange mimosa is delicious!!! Worth the wait :) read more