And that is what Callahan’s on Wilshire is: an authentic diner, right out of the ‘50s. It felt like a ’57 Chevy should have been parked out front.
We popped in this past Sunday for a mid-morning breakfast and were warmly welcomed by a lady named Lupe whom I later discovered was the wife of Abe, the owner since 1988. Abe is assisted in “sailing this ship” by other family members including our waitress, a delightful lady called Letty – Abe’s daughter-in-law.
It appears that Abe is something of a “Duke of the Diner” having previously owned another classic, Rae’s on Pico, and so clearly understands that a diner need not be cluttered with sophisticated appendages either in regard to décor or dishes.
This traditional menu includes biscuits with gravy and hot cakes. I suspect that there is a secret ingredient in the gravy, as the flavor quota was off the scale. Perhaps a touch of garlic or maybe allspice? The hotcakes were good too – and piping hot.
My friend chose the Wilshire Breakfast as his main dish (minced ham, scrambled eggs, potatoes, toast or biscuits & gravy, $5.95) while I had a penchant for an omelet and opted for the Mexican Hot (tomato, onion and Serrano peppers served with toast and home-style potatoes $6.50, cheese is extra).
My omelet was good and hot and well-balanced with just enough of the Serrano pepper to provide the desired effect. The potatoes were as expected, and thankfully not greasy at all. My friend commented that his breakfast was superb and he was particularly impressed with the hot cakes, as I only managed a couple of bites before he inhaled them from the plate!
Callahan’s is a spacious eatery with a full menu of the type that one would expect from the era of apple pie, white picket fences and duck and cover.
Breakfast is served all day and they also provide some classic lunch and dinner options including filet of sole (fresh lemon and tarter sauce served with your choice of potato with hot rolls and vegetables, or baked potato and mixed green salad or cup of soup du jour, $7.95) and Callahan’s style pasta (sautéed chicken, sliced mushrooms, spinach and heavy cream, $8.95).
So if you desire the diner experience (albeit without said Chevy), good, simple food at a bargain price, pay a visit to Callahan’s on Wilshire. You will probably enjoy it. I did!
Callahan’s Restaurant,1213 Wilshire Blvd, 6am–9pm 7days a week, 310.394.6210
