The sizzling of bacon and hash browns on the grill, the buttery crunch of those iconic planks of buttered sourdough and the clatter of heavy mugs and plates hitting the tables will return to one of the city’s most historic restaurants after more than a year-and-a-half-long closure. On Nov. 19 the Original Pantry Cafe will reopen under new ownership, with new dishes and a philanthropic focus.
Founded in 1924, the diner famed for staying open 24/7 and serving generous portions began humbly with five employees and a hot plate but grew to a downtown destination serving visiting luminaries like civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. and countless Angelenos through the century. In March 2025, it closed abruptly following pandemic-spurred hardships and an ongoing labor dispute.
But like another historic downtown restaurant, Cole’s, the Original Pantry is coming back.
“I thought it was an L.A. institution, and I invest in downtown L.A., and I thought this was a great opportunity,” said new owner and real estate developer Leo Pustilnikov. “I’m thankful for being chosen to lead it for the coming century.”…