LAReview
photo credit: Jakob Layman
Clark Street Diner
Included In
If you have ever cried to a friend at 1am, it is possible you are familiar with the 101 Coffee Shop. Or as fans simply called it, "The 101."
The same holds true for late-night lovers, breakfast devotees, and anyone on a practice team at United Citizens Brigade. On the ground floor of Hollywood's Best Western Plus, the iconic diner was once an all-hours gathering place. To seek refuge in the 101's well-worn, tan leather booths was an LA rite of passage, right up there with inaugural parking tickets and client service jobs. So, when the decades-old restaurant closed permanently in 2020 and LA bakery, Clark Street, announced it was taking over, we felt worried—and very much protective. Would they destroy it? Rip out everything we loved, like the Flintstone-esque stone wall, or sticky carafes of maple syrup? Thankfully, the answer is no.
Hours have been reduced (Clark Street Diner is a daytime spot, open from 7am to 3pm) and the menu has been halved, but this Hollywood icon remains the quirky '60s-themed diner we hold dear to our hearts—but now, with better bread.
photo credit: Jakob Layman
In fact, you might not even notice a change. The signature midcentury modern color palette remains intact—Formica still tops every table, the same orb-like fixtures light the restaurant. A wraparound mirror hovers above the bar, reflecting the diner and its hungry patrons. And behind it, you'll see many of the original 101 staff—servers, cooks, and food runners who were hired back for the reopening.
There are differences, however. Look a bit closer, and you'll notice the subtle changes: a new, gleaming pastry case packed with croissants, chocolate chip cookies, and sticky cardamom buns. Shiny espresso machines that use House Roots beans and premium blends from Devocion. They also sell extremely cute bucket hats.
photo credit: Jakob Layman
As you can imagine, Clark Street Bread excels at baked goods and pastries. Avocado toasts are served on inch-thick seeded sourdough loaves. Breakfast burritos come wrapped in a wonderful, spongey Tehachapi grain tortilla and stuffed with bacon, onion, cheese, potatoes, and gloriously yellow eggs. And if you're in the mood for something hefty, get the patty melt. Butter-slathered slices of Jewish rye are pan-fried then smothered in freshly ground beef, swiss cheese, and grilled onions. Oops, we were drooling? We didn't notice.
Don’t skip out on the pastries either. Although not formally on the menu, these are what made Clark Street famous—the delicious, sugar-dusted building blocks of its Los Angeles empire, which now spans Echo Park, Brentwood, and the Grand Central Market. Swedish vanilla buns are intricately folded, the dough twisting and weaving to create a Princess Leia-like treat. Kouign-amanns come spun with a crispy skirt of caramelized sugar. And biting into the overstuffed cardamom cream bun is almost too pornographic to write about. Grab a baguette before you go. Whether you eat at home or hurriedly in the car is up to you.
photo credit: Jakob Layman
There are millions of ways to mess up a revival (just look at Fuller House). And while Clark Street is not the late-night haven the previous tenant was, this legendary Hollywood diner is still all the things we loved about the 101. Except now, with improved bread, coffee, and quite frankly, merch. After all, what other LA restaurant can say it starred in a Megan Thee Stallion music video? The answer is none.
Food Rundown
photo credit: Jakob Layman
Assortment of Pastries
photo credit: Jakob Layman
Toasted Almond Flour Waffle
photo credit: Jakob Layman
Breakfast Burrito
photo credit: Jakob Layman
Patty Melt
Challah French Toast
photo credit: Jakob Layman
Chocolate Shake