A lot has changed in LA's downtown since Clifton's opened near the corner of Broadway and 7th St seventy years ago. The same stretch of pre-WWII movie houses are still standing, but in various states of repair. I'm pretty sure the Mexican apothecary shop next door is new to the area, give or take 20 years. What hasn't changed is the chance to get a full meal of so-retro-it's-cool-again classics as mac & cheese (no shaved black truffles here), creamed corn or stuffed peppers. This restaurant is a relic in more ways than one. Once a small chain or restaurants which were each individually and exotically decorated (the last one that closed had a South Seas theme), this particular location is done up as a High Sierras/National Park lodge including various stuffed moose, deer and pheasants as well fir trees and a waterfall or two. In fact, Smokey the Bear himself might feel right at home if he didn't mind eating off of a tray. The food is more of a walk down nostalgia lane than a gustatory experience (I was particularly excited to see that they serve Texas Toast) but I highly recommend it if you're ever downtown and looking for a uniquely LA diversion. Clifton's is something of a treasure.
Clifton's Cafeteria
648 South Broadway
Los Angeles
213.627.1673
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