When the wait at John O’Groats looks too daunting, walk east across the street (Patricia Ave.) to the Rancho Park Golf Course. Located in the clubhouse, the Rancho Park Gardens Restaurant offers traditional coffee shop food in a traditional coffee shop restaurant. Most of the patrons are golfers, with a smattering of ladies who have just walked around the park and maybe a table or two of John O’Groat refugees.

John O’Groats may offer better food and friendlier service, but the Rancho Park Gardens Restaurant is better in the following ways:

1. No wait
2. Comfy booths

3. Cheaper food – An omelette here is about $8 vs. $14 over at John O’Groats.
4. The view

Stepping into the restaurant is like traveling back into time. There is nothing hip or trendy about it (thank goodness). No overpriced avocado toast, no quinoa, no kale – just straight up coffee shop classics like sandwiches, burgers, pancakes and omelettes. The most unusual thing on the menu is the udon section (perhaps in a nod to the Asian golfers who frequent the golf course), featured under the title “Let’s Go Noodling.” I’ve never tried it, but my husband has. If i’m getting udon, I’m sticking to a Japanese restaurant.

I usually get a burrito (either breakfast or one with chicken) because the I rarely eat Mexican food (my little one doesn’t like Mexican). It’s nothing to write home about. Yes, I know I’m better off getting a burrito from a Mexican restaurant, especially after my udon comment, but I don’t care.

My husband always orders something different – udon, tuna melt…this time it was a Greek omelette.

No biscuits from heaven here, but they did have toast or english muffin as an option. I don’t think they have a gluten-free bread. I would be surprised if they did.

My daughter always gets the caddy dog. Always.

At least, she’s not gorging herself on the chocolate chip pancakes from down the street, sugar bombing her stomach.

Which brings me to the fifth way, The Gardens is better.

5. They serve alcohol.

OK, we’ve never taken advantage of this one (even though we can walk home), but the option exists, thanks to the bar next door. They have an $8 Bloody Mary and draft beer for $5-6 to go with your weekend brunch.

I could add a sixth point which would be that you don’t leave feeling stuffed. Of course, this is entirely my fault at not being able to stop myself from eating too much at John O’Groats. Thus, I will refrain from adding this sixth reason.

So if you are looking for a no fuss, no wait brunch place, don’t care too much about the food, and happen to be in the neighborhood and can’t easily get into John O’Groats, please give Rancho Park Gardens a try. Sit back in a comfy booth, have a drink, and enjoy the view.

Location:10460 W. Pico Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90064.
Website: none
Kid-Friendly – Yes
Kid’s Menu – No
Pesco-Vegetarian Friendly – Yes
Vegan/Vegetarian Friendly – Yes
Gluten-Free Options – Limited