Pat’s Topanga Grill

I can’t tell you how sad I am that this place closed. In the past 16 years I have spent many a glorious morning seated on their patio, hanging out with the local pups who are always welcome (Pat is a major pooch-​lover, as evidenced by the enormous paintings inside, all of which he did and which are mostly of his dog/​s) and eating some of the best diner food I’ve ever had.
Yes, Pat’s wife could be prickly and have an attitude, which always baffled me but I never had that issue with anyone else there, ever. And I dealt with her so seldom it never deterred me from going. I found the other waitresses lovely and the chef would smile and wave at me from the kitchen, knowing I was about to order (most likely, anyway) the tuna melt and fries, because they were just that damn good. Even my honey fell prey to those from the first bite and anytime we were heading towards Topanga he insisted we stop there for a leisurely brunch.
Pat’s was a unique community hub, and while we didn’t live in the area I always felt more comfortable in Topanga than just about anyplace else in LA. The terrain is wild and beautiful, the pace of service is slower than the usual but that has more to do with a relaxed vibe than bad service (usually) and I recall some lively morning crowds with Pat making the rounds, followed by his dog, and always offering a friendly smile or some cool story. When I asked him why his fries were the best in the world, which they seriously were, he told me his secret (flash frying them straight from frozen, which made them crispy on the outside and perfectly cooked on the inside and not a single bad fry in the basket, ever!). Sometimes you might see a local musician on the patio, bikers coming through the canyon stopping by for a quick bite and families, including the dogs, relaxing over lunch and connecting with friends who just happened to be there. I always wondered about the weekday morning regulars; I’d imagine that was an interesting and loyal crowd. I know if I did live there, I would have been at Pat’s almost daily. It just felt lived-​in, warm and inviting. I can’t tell you how many cold rainy days I spent on that covered patio next to a roaring gas heater, watching the rain and the swaying trees while sipping my iced mocha and eating my first-​class diner grub. I penned ¹⁄₃ of a novel there while unemployed one year, driving all the way from Burbank several days per week just to be there smell the earth and trees. I don’t think they had wifi, I never checked or cared to know. And I never saw someone sitting there with a laptop, the way I do at any other diner or café in the LA area. People came to Pat’s to unplug, to relax, to eat really good food and to just «be».
I am terribly sad to hear that Pat is gravely ill and seeing a flashy new eatery in their spot just about broke my heart. I heard that they did keep the same chef and if so they are fortunate indeed because he is both kind and talented in the kitchen. But the vibe was far from relaxed… so far. A night and day difference to what it was, now it’s a trendy «hot spot». We really have more than enough of those in LA. Pat’s was something wholly unique and special. So special I could never allow one sour apple to spoil the experience for me.
I will miss my Topanga sanctuary and will love Pat Burke forever for having created something so magical for a time.

I will really miss this place, even though the reviews about poor service are consistent with my own experiences there. The head waiter/​host definitely has an attitude, and it has been that way for years, but if you’re very nice to her, she warms up a bit, and the service is usually OK. The (now former) owner’s wife was an absolute pill. She was overbearing and cantankerous, as if she resented every minute of being there. I had a terrible encounter with her, for which Pat, the owner apologized profusely, and admonished her to apologize as well. But despite this, it remained a favorite destination because there were qualities there that transcended all of the negatives. The conversations among locals that would spill over from table to table, the neighborhood dogs that everyone knew by name who would wander in and out, the lovely setting on the patio beneath the Pepper trees, and that occasional spontaneous live accoustic music were all very alluring. The reasonably priced food was always excellent and lovingly prepared. I used to take some of the Pepper corns that would fall on the table from the trees and crush them with a salt shaker to sprinkle on my scrambled eggs. Their subtle, flowery aroma was very pleasing.
So, while there were a few hurdles to getting to enjoy the place — it was kind of a learned skill, once you adjust your expectations, the place was a treasure.

Went there today for the first time! Today is the last day they are going to be in business :(really a great spot! I mean don’t expect to get great service but the food is good and the location is just lovely. We had breakfast and we were told that they are closing down for good. Would’ve come here again.

This place is horrible my wife and I sat for 30 mins someone finally came to take our drink order and told us our server would be out shortly after waiting another 15 mins nothing came out no server no drinks. So I went back inside and the same guy who took our drink order asked us if we wanted a table outside or inside. basically he was so negligent he didn’t even realize he had already spoke with us and completely forgot about my wife and I.
Worst part is they were not even remotely busy so disappointed this was the first and last time I will ever go there.
DO NOT RECOMMEND

Ugh the worst!!! MY husband and I went for brunch last weekend with our eight month old and we left after a half hour of not ONE person coming to our table. When she finally did come, (we were on our way out) but she didn’t even acknowledge or apologize for the wait. We said we were leaving and all she said was «fine» I’m a waitress myself and I usually give bad servers the benefit of the doubt, but these people?! They were a joke. It’s a bummer too because I’d been wanting to try their food for quite awhile.

I almost didn’t go because the rating was so low, but I’m so glad I did!
Excellent food and service! Beautiful patio!
Maybe I should give it a low rating so that I can keep this little treasure all to myself.

This review is long over due. My friend and I went there a couple of weeks ago and after joining my chipper friend who had gotten there first, the older Mexican waitress was super rude for no reason what so ever.
I had vowed never to go back once before after Pat’s girlfriend was so rude to me that he made her apologize to me in front of the whole Saturday morning packed restaurant (AWKWARD!)
Since we have very few choices for breakfast in Topanga and after years of not going back, I gave them another try. The waitress was SO rude for no reason at all.
We paid for our drinks and left without eating breakfast and went to The Corner Bakery in Woodland Hills. When I told the waitress I wouldn’t be spending my money at a place that was so rude to me, she said, «That’s fine!» I bet Pat would not agree.
I’m a business owner and a local and I will NEVER be going back. If someone wants to make a killing in the restaurant business, offer breakfast in Topanga. I guarantee you will get all the business. The only reason ppl go to this place is bc during the week there is no other choice.

TIPS of staying to eat the food. BRING FLYS AND YELLOW JACK BUG SPRAY.
BRING YOUR OWN WATER AS THE WAITRESS DOESNT EVEN ACKNOWLEDGE YOU ARE THERE. AS FAR AS PAT AND HIS WIFE WHO SEEM TO BE OUT OF THEIR MEDS, BRING SOME XANAX FOR BOTH OF THEM. THE WAITRESS MUST HAVE GONE TO SOME DOCTOR AND GOT A PROCEDURE TO STOP HER FROM SMILING.
You will have guests eating with you and they love to take a taste of your food. I am speaking of all the flys and yellow jacks. I have been to many other restaurants in the canyon and not one of them have flys or yellow jacks buzzing around.
So just a reminder:
1. bring xanax for pat and his wife
2. help the mexican waitress and pull her cheeks up to make her smile
3. bring bug spray
4. bring your own waiter as you sit there for 30 minutes before anyone helps you and you can be the only one there.
5. do not tip as the service is horrible.
6. bring a fly swatter
7. eat before you go there
8. notice how the waitress hates her job
9. maybe order food that flys and yellow jacks don’t like
10 DONT GO THERE
READ ALL THE REVIEWS. THE ONES THAT HAVE A 5 STAR AND THERE ISNT MANY AT ALL, WERE THERE ON A DAY THAT PAT AND HIS WIFE TOOK THEIR MEDS.

I drive Topanga nearly everyday. I’ve seen this spot over and over again. «We should stop there» and finally did.
Service is good, not great. There are definitely favs they serve first, but if you go there regularly, you’d expect that.
Coffee: good
Food: good
Atmosphere: Woodstocky!
If it’s out of your way, don’t stress going. But if you do Topanga Canyon, you got to stop in. I go every week here for omlettes and potatos and leave happy every time.

Wow. When you get the nickname «Señora Hitler» from my family, you know you are in the wrong business. The waitress was rude, rude, rude! She was always telling us and our kid what to do… don’t do this, don’t do that, sit here, not there, use this chair, not that chair… on and on… granted, our 3 year old could have had better manners, but he certainly wasn’t out of control. He’s only 3! I haven’t experienced such poor service in eons. To top it off, the food was only mediocre.

Pats is our favorite weekend breakfast escape. The shaded front porch has a very authentic country feel. The no rush vibe makes it perfect to bring a book, your dog, and enjoy the beauty of Topanga canyon.
Incredibly friendly staff makes you feel comfortable and at home. A transformative restaurant in an amazing canyon nook.

This was the worst breakfast experience my sister and I ever had anywhere. Surly waitress who was better suited to be a security guard. Bees and flies EVERYWHERE… especially on our plates. We made the big mistake of requesting coffee which actually was supposed to be included with the breakfast price. We waited after she told us 2 times she was too busy and she was the only one there (why?). A group of 9 people came in and was seated close by so she went to get them water and place settings. Still no coffee for us. We once again asked for coffee and she emphatically said «I am busy!». So with that we left our bee/​fly laden eggs and potatoes and left. This place is in a great location and it is too bad they have no help or customer service skills.

I have to say this place was recommend by a friend as a place for good food and atmosphere. I guess he forgot to tell me about the service quality. We came here around 11:00 am and placed our order by 11:15. Well let’s just say it is 12:10 and still waiting for our breakfast. Not a place to take your hungry kids. Food was okay. Belgium waffle comes plane and they just lay the sausage on top of waffle. No fruit on top of waffle. If I wanted waffle and chicken (sausage) in this case I would have gone to roscoe’s… It was an experience which I will not be coming here…

When I was a local, I dined here all the time for the convenience. Service is rude (like everyone is saying) but again, it was for the convenience.
Basic diner food.
It is nice to sit on the patio & get the woodsy vibe.
It’s a shame as they’ve got a great location & set up. Just hire some happy people, get a few great dishes & desserts, bam, they could be a gold mine.

A buddy took me to Pat’s on a motorcycle ride through the area. He’s been going there for years it was my first time. Great little place to eat out on the patio. Food was very good and service also. He said he didn’t understand why they got such bad reviews on Unilocal.I enjoyed my visit there and will be going back.

I’m a local and I still get treated like dirt. Worse than dirt. I’ve been made to wait for more than hour before the waitress, the owner’s wife, even deigned to come over for our order. We had arrived almost an hour before the family who came in and sat at the table next to us, yet they were served first. We were rudely ignored and as I watched with my mouth hanging open, Kathy yelled loudly: «These people were here before you! «Whoa! My daughter was pushing me to leave and not take this behavior but I really wanted to relax and have some coffee. (The coffee’s good.)
This type of treatment occurs every time I forget and go to the café on weekends. Kathy is seriously mental and sadistic. If you approach her or ask her for service, you will be intentionally disregarded forever and she doesn’t care if you get up and leave. She’ll yell at you not to come back (as though you’re the bad guy.)
The food is okay, «the local spot» kind of food. Juan the chef is warm and very nice. The waitress during the week isn’t a psychopath like Kathy, but she’s not terribly warm either. l like her and It does make me happy to see her smile once in a while.
My advice: don’t come hungry on the weekends. A few times I have seen angry people get up and leave. Unless a kid sits like a statue, he could be screamed at by Sgt. Pat, the owner. (Hope you read these reviews BEFORE your experience!)

This is a lovely little diner nestled in the Topanga canyon. I’ve been meaning to try this place for a while and finally did this past weekend. The hobby and I came here for lunch on Saturday. I had the hunters omelette and the hubby had the grilled chicken sandwich. Both dishes were delicious. The coffee was nice as well.
The decoration was unpretentious and warm just like grandma’s house. The staff was very nice as well. There were plenty of patio seating for people who bring pets. It really felt like a nice neighborhood restaurant.

DO NOT WASTE YOUR TIME! And you WILL waste time because the service here is HORRIBLE, slow as molasses on a winter’s day! And here’s the thing: IT’S INTENTIONAL. The woman who runs the joint — I think she is either Pat or Pat’s wife — is well aware that weekends get busy, and she very purposely does not staff the place adequately. Also, she is one of those uptight diner server/​manager types who offers no warmth, who very purposely will walk by and ignore you or your needs, who apparently has as her muse the waitress from «Five Easy Pieces». She’ll wait on you when she’s good and ready and directs her employees via the same criteria. I go in there every couple years to see if they have evolved, and nope, they haven’t.
This last time, i sat down with a smile on my face… and waited 10 – 15 minutes just to have someone ask me if i wanted something to drink. Now, this was early morning, and any breakfast joint that doesn’t take the 30 seconds it takes — no matter how busy — to get a cup of coffee in front of the customer does NOT deserve the business. That is SO against the time-​honored tradition of hosting. At the 45 minute mark, my order STILL had not been started. As I got up to leave, the Latino lady and gentlemen working there were very nice and said it was going to go up «now», but my hour for breakfast was nearly over, and I wasn’t going to cram everything down in 5 minutes.
And here’s the thing, the owners could care less if they ruin your breakfast/​lunch hour by wasting your time, and in my case, leaving you hungry. (Not the first time either. I’ve waited over an hour there before and had to leave).
OH! And all the folks who remark that this place is unfriendly or indifferent to outsiders or favors Topanga regulars are absolutely correct. It’s palpable.
Hey, you may go there and have a great experience. But go there a few times, and you’ll see you got lucky. Too bad, because the food is indeed OK. But again, the managing attitude is rife with passive-​aggressiveness. At Pat’s Topanga Grill, the customer comes second, unless of course you live next door and go there every other day.
Never going there again.

I have been meaning to write this review for a little while now. The food here is so so, but the service is horrendous! The way that they take and fill orders is backwards and the owner acts like customers are a burden to her.
We came in one Sunday morning for breakfast. There was a good amour of customers seated but it was by no means crowded. We walked inside and no one greeted us. The owner and one waitress were walking around, back and forth, clearly seeing us and another group standing there but saying nothing. After about 5 minutes we took it upon ourselves to sit at the counter. 20 minutes go by and the waitress still hasn’t come by. I noticed that she takes an order and then goes behind the counter to bring out their drinks. It would have been a lot more efficient to take everyone’s order all at once and then bring out all of the drinks.
We finally got our drinks and a while later the food. It was ok, not really worth the long wait. While we sat at the counter we noticed that the owner was pretty disinterested in serving people. People continued to walk inside and she continued to ignore them. Several groups had to ask to be seated. At one point two women walked in and stood at the door for a while. The owner walked by them with a tray of drinks in her hand and snapped «don’t block the door!!» They promptly walked out. I have never seen such disrespect from a business owner to the customers that keep her bills paid. If this isn’t what she wants to do she should just sell the place.
Avoid this restaurant!!!

I live in Topanga. And when I moved up here I was so excited to find a nice little diner. Until I met the wait staff. SO RUDE I CAN’T BELIEVE IT. So rude that I can’t ever walk into this place ever again. The waitress, the head waitress who’s probably been there a while, should just retire. She doesn’t want to do her job any longer, and her attitude has driven me, and my girlfriend from this place permanently. She was rude every time I’ve been in there. And this last experience made the decision really easy.
Never eating at Pat’s again.
I’d rather be stung by one of your yellow jackets on the back porch than be waited on by that woman. If you own Pat’s, you should take notice.