Engine Co. No. 28 Reviews

Traveling through LAX is generally a ho hum to grueling event in transferring airplanes BUT happened upon Engine Co. NO. 28. Served by Keith who is gregarious and full of fun information since he worked at the original location for the restaurant. Meatloaf came with HOMEMADE mashed potatoes and spinach that was sauted perfectly. I consider myself a meatloaf officianado and this is some of the best. If you're passing through LAX, treat yourself!

Had never been to this Historic eatery, so I used a belated birthday celebration as an excuse to drag a friend with me. Walked in on Friday, 1/9/2015, a little after 5 pm and it was dead. The greeter was welcoming but the ambiance was dated and cold. We sat at the bar and I immediately sensed something was amiss...maybe it was the fruit flies? The blonde lady bartender fumbled around with bar ware, no greeting, no smile, no acknowledgement we were there - except she was looking right at us. We asked for a menu and ordered drinks. She begin pouring beer from the tap. I'm not a beer drinker but I've watched plenty of "bar rescue" to know the things she was doing were against all kinds of health codes. Also, I was wondering why she suddenly had all these beers to pour, because she was, as I said, fumbling with glasses and straightening bottles when we arrived as if she had nothing to do. Anyhoo, beer #1 was basically all foam and it ran all over her hands. She picked up what appeared to be a dirty bar towel and wiped her hands and the glass-including around the rim. Beer #2. once again very foamy and it got the same treatment. beer #3 was also foam, but this time she just took her hand and wiped it across the top of the glass to knock the foam away. I audibly said OMG, she looked up slightly and grabbed her towel and wiped the glass. Beer 4 she said to the waiter who walked up...that was nearly a perfect pour! I watched carefully as she made our drinks, which were just okay. I whispered to my friend, sorry, we have to go someplace else. If employees were that dirty in the front, I can just imagine what goes on behind the scene.

We enjoyed our brief time at this restaurant. My bowl of chili was just right, spicy, but not too spicy, and very flavorful. My husband also enjoyed his hamburger. The service was fast, and the price was reasonable for an airport. We'd stop here again if back at LAX.

We arrived in LA a bit tired and not sure how hungry we were. We went for happy hour but our waitress told us about a special menu that they had for restaurant week. We opted for that. We split the dinner and ordered a second appetizer. We had crab cakes and calamari to start. Both were tender and full of flavour. We then had the meatloaf with garlic mashed potatoes and it is delicious. We finished off with bread pudding and a coffee. The wine selection was great and we were glad we went here for dinner.

Love the food at Engine Co, but it used to be better. Another place where the economy seems to have changed the menu and the quality of the food. I hope they turn it around before it becomes an afterthought for business people. Strong menu, good location

This location is down the block from the Westin Bonaventure Hotel and so a good option for guests. The dining room was nicely appointed and welcoming. Only suggestion I have is to take out one booth so the others can spread out. Unless you are slender the booth seating was a bit narrow, at least in ours. There are other tables as well as booths.

In from CT had a good burger and really liked the firemans blonde ale. Service was good and like the the old firehouse location. Chili just right for the fire and a lot of beef

dropped in here as was recommened by our tour guide and was not dissapointed, the staff were very friendly and chatty , we told the manager as we arrived it was our first time in states and was prepared to be guinea piga and regards the food , so cud they bring us a typical american meal. we got a lovely bottle of red wine for free compliments for allowing them to experiment on us, we started with fresh bread and a cob salad, which is basically salad leaf, bacon, avacodo with a dressing that is specific to this restaurant and was delicious !! And huge, we then chatted with the chef chris who was new and he came out several times to ask us what steak we liked and if we wanted it spicy etc etc , we ended up having two differnt steaks...like a fillet and a sirlion...with purple potatoes, mine had spicy onions and mushrooms on top...and wowwwww what a steak the size was huge, the taste was amazing ....although not cheap about 40 dollars each was worth every penny as a treat , we were too full fro a desert , but overall was excellant, service, food ...and ambience, the restaurant ia a old fire station is is wonderful inside.!!! was the best dining experience i had in America .

I recently attended a trade show in LA and ate at Engine Co. No. 28. The food was excellent especially the chili. Top five chile I've ever had. Good comfort food. Cobb salad was fresh and very good.

Exploring downtown and found this restaurant! The service was great! You'll find a descent menu including a healthy chicken pot pie!

My wife and I had dinner here last night with a dear friend. We could not have had a better dining experience. Let's start with our divine, attentive server of the excellent cocktails: Jahmani L. Then he waited on us when we moved to our table. The steak frites and mussels and frites were delicious to say nothing of the deserts (pumpkin cheesecake and chocolate cake) that we enjoyed. We enjoyed a great Cab with dinner: Imagery.

This is a nice restaurant. It's large and a little loud, but also warm. The food really is good comfort food. The menu is varied and has something for everyone. The pan fried chicken was excellent, and the grill salmon also very good. A nice wine list with fair prices. The Staff was warm and welcoming, and very helpful. This place is truly comfortable.

Went there twice in the same week and really liked it both times. Service was really good - whether we were a group of 2 or group of 10. Specialty drinks are a little pricey, but everything else is moderately priced. Quality of food was very good - extremely good. Atmosphere of the restaurant itself is very nice inside, even though walking down the street in that area was a little sketchy at times. Definitely recommended!

Very nice restaurant in the touristy part of Los Angeles. Food was good, but not exceptional. Did not carry a number of alcohols (vodka brands), and the wine list was limited. Wish they would have saved the fire poles - holes in ceiling are still there, but missing the poles. Brick floor in bar area only. Service was very good! Nice evening with friends!

We found this place by accident, but liked it so much we went back the very next night. I had the fish and chips the first night and it was okay, but the second night I had the steak sandwich and it was fabulous. The coleslaw was outstanding! My husband had the classic cheeseburger the first night and loved it. The second night he had the meatloaf and mashed potatoes and that was great too. I can attest that the mashed potatoes were great, as I stole a fork or two from his plate! The cheesecake was heavenly and the Firehouse brew was really good. We would definitely go back if we were in town longer. The waitress was great and very attentive.

This place is in a former fire station. Too bad the food is so ordinary for a prime downtown location.

Looks cool from outside and pulls you in for the experience. Varied menu but when three items are out at 7 pm and you order an item and they are also out of the side (and didn't tell you) it becomes disappointing. Bland sauce with the linguini. The Firehouse beer, dopplebock, was outstanding but overall food and service didn't cut it.

Visited while staying at the LA hotel just down the street we arrived at about 6.30pm it wasnt very full being so early we were shown to our table by a friendly waiter who took our drinks order and explained the days specials which that day were Brisket or red snapper. My partner opted for the brisket whilst I chose the seared shrimp from the menu both meals were excellent and served reasonably quickly. We would recommend this restaurant and would certainly visit again

Engine Co. No. 28 is fantastic! The food is a amazing with large portions, and the service is even better. I have not had a dish that I didn't love. It gets pretty busy at lunch, so get in a little early if at all possible. You will not leave hungry!

We happened upon this gem in Downtown LA where we were pleasantly surprised by the good, southern style comfort food (amazing gumbo), excellent service and fascinating location in an old fire house. We will return.

I will start by saying that the eggplant marinara sandwich was delicious, as were the homemade chips. The wait time between ordering and food delivery, however, left a lot to be desired. We waited at least a half hour between ordering and food delivery, and the restaurant was NOT crowded. A shame, due to the high quality of the food.

The atmosphere was great. Service was fine. The food was NOT good. It's like eating at Uncle Charley's house.

Food has always been outstanding, we have not once been disappointed. The building has some charm as well in that it is a retired fire house. Some aspects of that are not quite as obvious, even to a former firefighter, unless they are pointed out. Even so, it adds to the ambiance. Give this place a go, you'll be glad you did.

By way of background ..I like eating at home best.LA restuarants are mainly trendy, small portions ,outrageously expensive , snooty and unwelcoming..NOT so Engine Co. no. 28.It is real it is friendly food is SPECTACULAR COMFORT FOOD and GREAT tasting and AMPLE.I was a guest at a diiner for 13.!From Gumbo to pot pie to meatloaf to salmon we ALL loved our food.. no dissenters..Many pushed the limit and added fanstastic desserts into the no space left in their GI tracts.. Waiters are really good too ,bar has a happy hour that is best in LA parking is easy and available..When i venutre out again..it will be here.. I work within 3 miles and had not been here since prior owners..The new owners did a turn around worth writing abt.. so i did

Very cool and unique building that is nicely renovated inside. The food was great but on the pricier side. Overall I would say it was worth the price though. Service was a little slow even though the dining room was practically empty as the bartender was also acting as the waitress. Overall I would recommend for a higher-end meal without time constraints.

We picked this restaurant at the last minute and were so pleased with our dinners. The chicken provencal was exceptional, cooked perfectly with an incredible sauce and amazing vegetables. My sister loved the devil shrimp risotto and my niece loved the lamb chops with mushroom risotto. The beet salad and side brussels sprouts were delicious, and the chocolate ganache cake was over the top! Everything was fresh and delicious. We would go back to this restaurant in a heartbeat!

The tour guide on our tour recommended this restaurant. It is a refurbished fire station which is so fascinating. The food includes good family style dinners and delicious desserts. The service was excellent, with friendly waiters. When they found out it was our 50th wedding anniversary they gave us our desserts on the house.

Went here with family. A bit on the pricy side but you get a lot of food for your dollar. I had the crab cakes and Brussels sprouts with bacon. My husband had the turkey burger and my brother-in-law had the NY steak. Everything was wonderful. They have a pretty good beverage selection as well.

Good service, great food. We really liked that it was an old firehouse, but thought there could be more fire related memorabilia to look at.

I fly through LAX a lot and if you are in the area of the 80's gates, there's not too many dining options so thanks to Engine Co. No. 28. Wish I tried them sooner. I was there the last two times I was in LAX in October and November. Both times, I've had their Firehouse Chili with sopapillas which makes the grade for me. I should try something else next time.

We go here every year when in Los Angeles on a business trip. Dinner is always delicious. Staff is friendly, good service. This year had the Gumbo and house salad. We shared the salad as was enough for two of us. Friend had the Rigatoni. Both dishes were excellent. Always enjoy a nice meal here and fun location being in an old firehouse. Pole intact!

We were passing this restaurant whilst looking for a pub to go for drink. A customer leaving recommended it so we went and sat at the bar. Loved the atmosphere so much we ended up staying a lot longer than we intended and accordingly had our dinner here. The food was great and the staff warm and friendly. Would recommend this to anyone.

The food and service were a delight! My husband had the meatloaf, I had the ancient grain bowl with chicken and both were excellent. It had been a few years since I had been to the restaurant and the food was better than I remembered. We were able to park in a garage 1/2 block up the street. Getting in and out of the restaurant is easy for downtown! The wait staff were wonderful, very friendly and efficient. Definitely will return and recommend for anyone in the downtown area. Very cool building which was an old firestation.

Amazing, well priced food. Chef was very accommodating and the food is really tasty. The service is excellent, Justice looked after us extremely well. Highly recommend paying this place a visit for a drink or food.

Beet Salad includes baby arugala, aged manchego cheese, and cumin scented honey. This is a market-fresh salad at its best. The arugula was fresh and peppery. The beets were roasted to perfection making them sweet and tender. The cheese added a little salty and slightly creamy flavor to the mix. Pickled sliced onions were a tangy surprise. The cumin honey added a hint of sweetness yet tied all of the ingredients together. Thumbs up, way up! Yeah Burger is topped with braised oxtail, shallot balsamic jam and a poached egg. Aptly named, you’ll be saying “Yeah” on every bit of this burger. The burger is freshly ground in house using a combination of short rib, chuck, and brisket. You’ll definitely taste the difference when you take a bite. The marbling was excellent and will just melt in your mouth like butter. It was amazingly juicy and flavorful. The braised oxtail was like the “pulled pork” of beef. The brioche bun was brushed with butter and rendered duck fat for a lovely shine and taste. The shallot jam was absolutely fabulous – sweet and tangy. The poached egg totally changed the flavor of this burger, like a loco moco LA-style. The fries were done Belgian-style, blanched and then fried again for a perfectly crispy browned outside. Don’t dare ask for any sauce like ketchup, mustard, thousand island, or mayo! It would be sacrilegious! OH YEAH, you’ll definitely have an OMG moment or two with this one! Thumbs up, way up! Cali Bennie is an English muffin topped with smoked salmon, avocado, spinach, poached egg and sauce cherone. You definitely need to come here for brunch! The Cali Bennie is awesome! It’s an upscale eggs benedict, yet so much better. The salmon was smoked just right and not too salty. The avocado was cool and creamy. The spinach was slightly wilted with a vibrant green color and flavor. Make sure you poke the yolk and let the yolk mix in with everything. But the best thing was the sauce cherone. You could put it on anything and it would taste great. Perfectly executed dish! Thumbs up, way up!

This restaurant had awesome decor but the food had room for improvement. I got a Tuna salad and it was just ok with bland and weird flavors. Appetizer of calimari was wonderful.

I brought a group of 20 people to this restaurant, and the food was wonderful! Large groups are never easy, especially on a Friday night, but they handled us beautifully! All the food came out at the same time, and everyone was very happy with their meal.

Ordered the Gumbo. Dish was served looked more like stew, presentation left a little to be desired. Found a hair in my Gumbo, manager comped meal, and provided another. Presentation on this dish was superb and it looked much better than the first.

The onion ring appetizers were very tasty - I loved my shrimp cocktail - large, grilled shrimp served cold with a very zesty sauce that was almost gazpacho like - with slices of avocado. But then the meal came to a grinding halt while we waited 45 minutes for the main course - with very little warning or info from our waiter - at the 30 minute mark he said the food was coming - and then 15 + minutes later - our meals! The baby back ribs were good - very moist - but it was a small "rack". The chocolate cake was ok, but the lemon meringue pie was excellent - not too tart and not too sweet - which is usually very hard to do - and the meringue was very dense but flavorful. Probably the best lemon meringue pie I have had since my Mom stopped making it. Great food, but expect a wait - and it wasn't even crowded the night we were there!

Great meal even though they sent out the wrong burger. Friendly and attentive staff, with the food served in a fantastic venue.

Great place to stop for a snack, some lattes, and to chill. The service was excellent as well. If I lived in the area, I'd be here all the time.

The restaurant is house in a former firehouse and the restaurant ambience is nice. The service is excellent and the seafood gumbo and salmon is recommended.

My husband and I recently had a LA Christmas Day. Started out at Spire 73 for a drink and sunset. On our way, we passed an inviting restaurant...Engine Co. 28, which called to us. Checked out the menu and decided to cancel our plans at another restaurant and give it a try....so glad we did! The atmosphere was fun and festive, and our server, Chad, was delightful and professional. The menu has a lot of down-home favorites...my husband is not one for “fo-fo” food, so he was in heaven! He had Shepherd’s Pie, I had the gumbo...both were excellent. Cheese cake for dessert was yummy and enough to share. It was Wine Wednesday, with all bottles of wine half price! We had a great bottle of Pinot Noir, which cost us less than a glass at Spire 73. Loved the restaurant...so glad we changed our plans!

Engine felt like it was probably a great restaurant several years ago. It is lovely on the inside and the staff was quite friendly. But the food was just OK considering the price. I had the sea bass with a rice and vegetable medley. The fish was simple and tasted fresh; however, the veggies were either not fresh or frozen. For a little over $35 a dish, I couldn't recommend this as a restaurant to go out of your way to visit.

Came here to celebrate a friend's birthday and it was DineLA time too. The place was not busy when we got there but service was a bit on the slow side. We ordered lobster pot pie (my friend said it was good but she was not thrilled about it). Another friend ordered the lasagna and the portion is quite small tough they love the flavor. I ordered the dineLA burger which was great. Their sweet potato fries were also really good. I've tried this place and I don't have to go back again.

I was at the LAX Airport location and the crew told me to sit down and find my own seat. I did as instructed then they seated 6 more parties and ignored me on purpose even as I tried to flag them. I left pissed. I have eaten here before and the same crew was there and they are useless. There is no management and no supervision and they are expensive. Forget this place!

Food choices are wide and the food quality is high. Also, the food is well presented by a friendly, attentive, professional team. Classic in the downtown LA area that still impresses after many years. Could tighten up the valet parking service out front.

The service is decent, the ambiance pleasant and the food is good, with generous portions. A bit pricey for what you get.

My husband has always wanted to try this place but we were a little underwhelmed. Place looks like it needs some TLC. Service was good but food was just ok. Cold meatloaf sandwich with wilted lettuce and generic coleslaw ... We won't be back

If you are looking for a pleasant place to meet people for a good but not too expensive dining experience in downtown Los Angeles, you could do a lot worse than Engine Company No. 28. The service is good and they serve well-prepared, hot and tasty meals.. It is also very good option if you are going to the theater in the nearby Music Center or The Disney Concert Hall. OK it's approximately six blocks and there's a bit of an uphill walk at times but It will do you good after hearty meal in this establishment . You can also get parking after 4 PM for approximatelyseven dollars and leave your car there and simply walk to the theater.

The breakfast was okay, nothing spectacular, good portion sizes, refillable coffee. good service

I'm giving this restaurant a 5 star rating because I've been a fan since it first opened. Today I visited for lunch and was so sad at the changes of the surrounding environment. Clearly the pandemic has done Downtown LA no favors, but for those in the area or tourists, visit this restaurant! Our server was excellent and while the menu has been scaled back, our lunch was delicious! I recommend supporting this 30+ year old institution (plus it was a real fire station before that, and has a very San Fran vibe!).

Food- Excellent! Service- Excellent! In the heart of downtown.

It had been a few years, and were looking forward to our favorites. Food was OK but not great. Service OK

Restaurant was highly recommended by Hotel concierge. The service and bar attendant was good, but unfortunately, the food was just average. Brought BBQ beef & meatloaf sliders, tacos, and cheese fries back to the hotel for my teenagers, and they barely touched the food. Of course I received an ear full of complaints the next morning. It was late evening on Christmas so maybe the regular chefs/cooks weren't available. We were disappointed given the fact that we were in LA where it's known for good food & restaurants. Next time I'll ask for suggestions from the locals instead of the hotels concierge.

Family friendly. Lots of seating. Food absolutely great. Little bit of a wait for food but way worth it! Friendly staff as well. I had "wedge salad" and added ahi tuna cooked rare. Family of 5 was 100.00 including dessert! Kids Mac and cheese was to die for!!!

Had business dinner here recently - had some calamri and shrimp cocktail first - calamari is calamari. Shrimp cocktail was good - fresh, succelent shrimp - with an avocado/salsa serving - good stuff. For main course I got the shepherds pie - was a little skeptical becuase you never know with that - can be old, greasy etc - but this was excellent - fresh, tasty and plenty of meat - they didnt hold back on the meat - and it was cooked beautifully. Atmosphere isnt great but the food is

My daughter & I had theatre tickets and had planned on a nice dinner at Engine Co 28. However the traffice was worse that worse and I arrived 1/2 late. Our waiter was excellant and our food was great and plenty. We each ordered a cheeseburger that was huge and perfectly cooked. It came with a lot of onion rings and a truckload of french fries. Our waiter made sure that our food was delivered and we were on our way in the restaurant's private shuttle in a timely manner. After the show, we didn't have to wait as the shuttle was there waiting for us. Except for my drive to LA, the night was a great success. The only reason I gave it 4 stars instead of 5 is because I didn't like the booths.

A friend invited me to a concert at the Disney so I wanted to find somewhere in downtown L.A. to treat him for dinner. While surfing the net, I found this place that looked cool and we decided to try it. We loved it! They have an efficient valet parking system, so we parked our car there, had a delicious meal (the Heart Attack Burger and Meatloaf) served by the friendly Dante, and were whisked to the Disney in about 3 minutes by George in a cute little red shuttle. After the concert, we gave George a call and he was there in a few minutes. Our cars were in front of the restaurant very quickly, and we felt satisfied and taken care of. Apparently, the shuttle transports to many of the concert venues in Downtown. I would definitely go to Engine Co. No. 28 again!

Treat yourself to dinner somewhere else. The service is indifferent and the food is just okay...a disappointing combination.

Talking about their much raved about meatloaf. Very average. Way too peppery. The cold sandwich version fell apart on weak untoasted wonderbread. The sides were great - spinach and smashed. Knowledgeable waiter. Cool old firehouse. Maybe better just for drinks. Perhaps past it's prime?

The menu has ample variety to meet multiple tastes. The food is well presented and prepared well . The service staff is attentive.Numerous booth seatings make business chats possible and the restaurant's conversion from fire station adds a little extra interest for out of town guests.

My hotel suggested this place for dinner. I checked out their menu online and decided to give it a try for an early Sunday dinner. When I arrived I found they offer happy hour pricing on the weekend; an unexpected bonus. I chose a table on the bar side and found the service to be prompt and attentive. What caught my attention on the menu was the Chicken Fried Steak, a favorite of mine, though I have been disappointed a number of times ordering it in various restaurants. I quizzed my server and she verified that it was indeed made from scratch, in-house, rather than something that was received frozen from some food factory hundreds of miles away. I placed my order and what arrived was one terrific dish; two generous portions of real steak, coated in light, seasoned breading, perfectly cooked, and covered in an excellent white gravy, accompanied by what appeared to be honest-to-goodness real mashed potatoes and a very good sautéed spinach, which I asked be substituted for the slaw. Comfort food indeed. I experienced very good service, very good food, reasonably priced for the location. Engine Co. 28 certainly earned a repeat visit the next time I’m in town.

For Airport food this was an ok spot. The food tasted good but was a little over priced ( but what airport food isn't ) wait staff was friendly and it was close to our gate. If I had another layover here I would eat there again!

Went here for dinner in January, it was dead that night so the service was excellent. The food is good and priced just right.

Having landed in LA and checked into our hotel at 2:30 local time but 5:30 stomach time, I went in search of a place to grab a snack and a beer. Engine Co. #28 was 2-3 block away and offered a fantastic $5 happy hour menu. Meatloaf sliders, carne asada tacos, chili cheese frees and draft beer and drink specials, all for $5. The food was great but being a beer snob, I found the choice (only 2 draft beers) lacking. I think it would be a good place to meet some people in the time between a work meeting and going to grab dinner.

The setting in an old Firehouse is unique and the menu varied. It's all good. Be sure to check out the fire pole.

We went here for a quick pre-game deal at the Staples Center. Although we were there at happy hour time, because they seated us at a booth (there were 5 of us) the proper menu, not the bar specials applies. Food came out quickly but the quality was variable. Overall the dishes were tasty but loaded with salt and a bit greasy at times. I had the grilled chicken breast with pea risotto and a lovely gravy but the gumbo was average as was the 'schnitzel'. Not bad, but not great either.

I ate here twice while staying across the street at the Intercontinental. The service is great - very warm and welcoming. Drinks are yummy (happy hour is a deal) and the food was the kind of stick-to-your-ribs comfort food you need after a long day at the convention center. I had the fried chicken which was great. Portions are generous. But do NOT skip dessert - I swear the housemade lemon meringue pie is the best I've ever had. And the slice was enough for 3 people at $8.

Varied menu and good service. Atmosphere is interesting but could use a better lighting plan. Felt a bit drab at night. Nice staff!

Repurposed firehouse right downtown. Delicious salmon and chicken entrees. Nice desserts. Large portions. Full bar.

Food was decent, I got the wagyu burger. Others got the salmon and steak sandwich. Very small portions. The server was awesome and friendly, but he was just about all by himself. Only one server for basically the whole place. Probably won’t go back.

A good stop at the airport! Burger is big enough to share! Drinks are a little pricey but the food is good! Nice friendly staff!

This restaurant is traditional in LA downtown, but I was not impressed by their food. As I remember one of us had a good steak with fries, another a pasta. It was not bad, but I experienced it as plain. The major interest I had for the place was the historical building, which was previously a Firehouse from LA. Looking at the ceiling it's possible to see yet a whole from where the fire-fighters use to get down to go into the fire trucks. Although in need for some renovation, the place is charming and the service is average. One visit is advisable to get to know it. they keep a truck painted as a fire truck in front of the building. Nice touch!

I was excited to eat in a former Firehouse - but there wasn't much ambiance or firehouse look. Totally disappointed. The cocktails looked nice, but they weren't the greatest. Disappointing. Much of the food was friend. Bummer. BUT the vegetables were all cooked perfectly and the brussels sprouts were delicious.

My business associate and I had a fine casual dinner. Food was 3.5 stars, and the restaurant atmosphere and service were 4 stars for sure. Recommended for a unique casual meal.

I had two meals at my favorite place to dine in downtown LA. Excellent service and reasonably priced meals. Drinks from the bar are EXCELLENT.

I was in LA for a few days at a convention and met up with my cousin and his family at Engine Co. No. 28. The food is decent comfort food and the service is slow and uncomfortable. The restaurant was half full on a Wednesday night and there was no excuse for this. The waiter did not come around too often, never apologized slow service, or even getting orders wrong. We even had to beg him for more bread during our long wait. If you can handle the poor service and have some time to kill, the pan fried chicken dish was excellent and one in our party enjoyed the meatloaf, a house specialty. I won't be going out of my way to go to this place next time I'm in LA.

This place was a fire house and has been renovated into an eatery. The building tells a story itself, the pole outside depicting various changes throughout the decades. Service was great as was the food. They are known for their meatloaf and it met all expectations.

We were staying at the Sheraton nearby and this restaurant was highly recommended. The atmosphere is cool. They were out of several items that that we ordered from the menu. We finally asked the waiter what they DID have available. Then they substituted side dishes that were listed on the menu without notifying us prior to the plates being set before us. The shrimp linguine was bland at best. Truly a disappointing experience.

Although we went in for happy hour which is only available in the bar there is a bar area suitable for wheelchair user. Barman was friendly and attentive, Wine was very tasty as were the happy hour snacks.

So so overpriced food. Poor service and the smoke from the cigar smokers out front which filled the restaurant. Not much good about this meal. My soup and salad bill came to $25.00. Not worth it.

Was in town for meetings and decided we needed a good place that was within walking distance of our hotel. Arrived and were amazed with the ambiance of the restaurant, being in an old firehouse. Facility was very impressive, to say the least. We found that the menu had just recently changed, which was nice. The majority of the group ordered the fired chicken, which was very good. The other two in the group ordered the lobster roll and crab cakes, and the each said they were also good, but not amazing. Service was very good and overall experience was great. When back in town, will make it a point to return.

good food and palce to eat. service is good to. the location is in Down Town LA. close to a lot of things and services. parking can be a little expensive around the area. atmosphere of the place is good too. i would go back again have been there twice.

A great place! A part of history at the same time. Food has always been fantastic! Been here many times and never had a problem. Little speedy for lunch but food makes up for that.

The food was a 4, but the service and not cooking the steak as ordered knocks this visit to a 3, although this place really should be a 4 or 5 and easily could be. Pros: * Some really good food- Did the Dine LA menu. The portobello/porcini mushroom ravioli was superb and the sauce with it was it's equally good match. The little muffin-like basket of bread served to begin the meal was fantastic as well as the butter it was served with. The red velvet cake was very good as well, although there was a tad too much cream cheese flavor in the icing, which is made out of cream cheese, but it could have used a little more sweetness. The tomato bisque was nice as well. Peanut butter cupcake was a bit dense yet edible. *Nice ambience- the place has a number of booths and it feels homey in this converted fire station. It also doesn't overly play the kitsch of it past while still incorporating the importance of it through several pieces. 1) Waiter- terrible service. At first we thought he was just very busy with lots of tables, but I'm not sure that was the issue. He offered to bring some more of the tiny muffins served before the meal began but never did. He mentioned about 10 minutes later they were in the midst of cooking some and they'd be out soon. That never happened nor did he apolgoize for it. The bus boy/food expediter, who was fantastic, was more interactive and helpful for everything from filling up drinks, removing plates, bringing table bread, bringing the food, sharing a smile, etc (he was a 60 or so year old Latino guy- just in case the Owner or Manager is reading who should be given a raise). He outshone the waiter to the point of embarrassment and it seemed like others took note as well. The waiter hardly ever helped, hardly ever came by except to fork over a bill. 2) My steak, which was order medium rare but closer to rare, was cooked medium well at the very least. That is a huge difference. I told the waiter to mention it to the chef because that is a big gaffe and might deter people from returning to the restaurant. He said he would show the chef the steak. Next thing I knew, in the waiter's quickest fit of energy, the steak was bagged up and on the table. He came by about 10 minutes later for the bill and I asked him what the chef said and he said he didn't get a chance to show him because he was busy. For the record, I never asked him to show the chef the steak but he said he would. I never wanted anything in return but customer service and for the chef to know that was a big boo boo. This really annoyed me. And, like an idiot, I gave the guy about 20% still. I don't know why. I also gave the older guy a few bucks because he was so helpful and very friendly! In conclusion, I would like to try the place one more time. I hope to have a better experience. I think it's very possible and I look forward to that waiter getting a "talkin' to" by the manager or owner! A waiter shouldn't ruin the owner's business!

I ordered the Firehouse Chili, which was just fair. It had large, tender chunks of beef, but the overall flavor was pretyy much so-so. I make better chili at home. The sopapillas served with the chili were a nice touch. Had Bananas Napoleon for dessert, which was outstanding and the highlight of my meal. Waiter was engaging and friendly. Paid way too much for a bowl of chili, but did enjoy my evening with friends.

Had the Dead Hippie...has everything I could ever want on a burger, but way too big to bite and experience all that yumminess together. I had to resort to eating with a knife and fork to be able to really enjoy it...but who wants to eat a burger with utensils?? Fries had good texture...crispy outside, fluffy inside. Pecan pie was ok...a little too sweet for me. Definitely needed ice cream, which was also ordered by the table and the helped cut the sweetness. Not sure I would be back ,which is a shame cause really nice spot, nice environment, nice staff

I can't speak to the downtown location, and the LAX one doesn't seem to be on TA. Prices are on the higher side, even for an airport, but the food was very good and staff very nice. I had the Dead Hippie Burger. Outstanding. The "salad" they gave me as a side instead of fries was kind of a joke. Literally a bunch of lettuce and a citrus-y vinegarette on the side. However, it was actually pretty good just like that.

Avoid for breakfast - not prepared to handle our group first thing in the morning. Hostess overwhelmed trying to seat folks, take orders and serve food. Shouldn't the wait staff be on site before open to prep? Food was average - got my order wrong. Others in my group like the eggs benedict.

Dinner at Engine Co. No. 28 was comfortable. The waiter was knowledgeable and personable. The food, while American fare, has a decided Southern preparation and is very good.

Very nice restaurant. We were there with a group of 30 and the food was wonderful. The wait staff was professional and friendly. I go to LA for business and I will definitely bring friends and clients to this excellent place.

The menu is ok but the food is mixed. A fellow diner had the lamb shepherds pie which they said was amazing. I had grilled chicken and risotto. The chicken was very dry and tough and the risotto had no flavour. Service was very friendly.

We ordered their fried steak, grilled New York steak as well as the Rib eye one. All were generously served and made really well. I would highly recommend sharing it with at least one other as the portions are big! Thank goodness they allow for take away if patrons cant finish it. You need to try the cheese cake and lemon meringue pie for dessert! DELICIOUS!! Go easy on the drinks too, our bill got way out of hand!

$30 "half" fried chicken was undercooked, undersized, and overpriced. Side of creamed spinach with what I can only assume is feed corn included lumps of floury blobs. Wine was comped and service was great. Try it for another dish?

If in the area, do yourself a favour and go here for dinner at least once. Chad, our waiter, was so helpful, courteous and nice. The food was amazing, the best we've had in the 12 days we've been in California. My 12 year old son had his typical chicken tenders, though they were no where near as commercial as everywhere else we've eaten. I had a Sole fish and WOW, absolutely delicious and cooked to perfection. My wife had a meatloaf and again, WOW. We were so impressed, we'll be returning tomorrow night.

This is a very nice medium-size restaurant, although not massively busy when we visited for dinner. Good wide-ranging menu. Although we happened to be in the mood for an upscale burger that particular night, they do a lot more than that. Service was helpful & attentive. Great onion stack, complex burgers, good accompaniments. Good craft beer range. Recommended.

I recently went on Open Table to place a reservation for Engine Co. No. 28. We made a reservation for 5:00 PM and planned on attending the Lakers game at 6:30 PM. We actually arrived early to discover that the restaurant was open early for Sunday football. When reading this review, keep in mind this place is not cheap. In fact, there is a bowl of Gumbo for $25 dollars, if that tells you anything. Prices are similar to Flemings, Houston’s, etc. First thing upon arriving, no hostess (We will circle back to this), so we proceeded to the bar for a pre-dinner drink. The bar area was a complete mess, old glasses and plates lying around from the prior group that was dining/watching football. No bartender to be seen. 5 minutes later, the bartender decides to bus the bar counter. It didn’t appear that the prior group had been there for a long period of time. Simultaneously, I kept poking my head at the hostess stand... still no hostess to check in with. Finally, the bartender takes my order, and serves up a cold beer. So, I’m thinking, dirty bar, and no hostess, what’s up? My antenna starts to go up. Finally, I see the hostess and check with her to let her know that I was in the restaurant, at the bar, and would finish my beer, then would like to be seated. She can’t find my reservation in the computer, so I show her the email in my IPhone from Open Table, so she decides to seat us. So far.....No hostess to greet, dirty bar area, can’t find reservation. Zero for three. Shortly after a waiter comes by with some water, and then walks away. That was the last we saw of him. In fact, he was the only waiter, server, bus boy. So I kept rubbernecking looking for the waiter to come back by to take our order. 15 minutes later, I walk over to the hostess, who is now bussing tables and ask her in plain English, "What’s up with this place, does anybody work here?" The hostess/buss girl looks at me dead in the face and just smiles and laughs. That’s we decided that enough was enough and decided to leave. BTW, no atmosphere.....This place needs to be turned back into a fire station.

This was among the first better-restaurants (Water Grill, etc.) when the gentrification of downtown Los Angeles began many years ago. It was built with expense-account fare and prices. It has not kept up with all the great restaurants coming into the area food and price-wise (what's with the logoed-tour bus parked in front?), thus its crowded with business people for lunch, but empty for dinner when people are spending their own money. The firehouse decor may have been special in the past, but with all the themed and high-design restaurants in the world today, this looked just blah. While mostly empty, it still took a long time to get drinks and food, although the staff was very attentive. That said, the food was a little above average. The chicken-pot pie was surprisingly excellent.

Came here before a Kings game; was pretty empty during a weeknight. Happy hour has decent drinks and food items for only $5 each. Service was good. Much more suited to a business lunch/dinner.

Great choice for good meal. Nice ambiance, plenty of choices and delicious comfort food. Meatloaf, mac and cheese, burgers, chicken pot pie.... how can you go wrong? Good service too. Our group enjoyed everything.

Hadn't been to Engine Co. in at least 10 years. I remembered it to be outstanding, but last night's visit was just marginal. The service was excellent; top notch all the way (My son left his glasses in the booth and the hostess chased us half way to Staple Center to return them to us; truly above and beyond the call). The food was a bit disappointing however. Had the whole family with us. We stopped in to eat here before going to Staple Ctr. last night. I had the Chicken pot pie which was good, but nothing exceptional. My wife had the filet which was flavorful, but quite tough for a filet. French onion soup was a big disappointment too; It looked unique and different on the menu (oxtail broth...interesting). Flavor of the soup was good, but lots of little pieces of gristle/tendon or something unpleasant. Sad to say it wasn't nearly as good as I'd remembered the place.

I met friends from Australia that were staying over in Los Angeles here for dinner. They have two small children so I tried to find somewhere to take them that would be easy and stress free and Engine Co. No. 28 was exactly that! There was a mix of customers from couples to executives finished work; great atmosphere and nice decor throughout. The food was delicious, fresh and well prepared. One of the children at our table sent a glass of lemonade flying and the staff were very helpful in cleaning it up without any attitude or fuss. Had a most enjoyable night and would highly recommend.

Stopped in for a business lunch during the week. It was about 2pm so later than the regular lunch crowd and it was almost empty. 1 server and 1 bartender/server were on duty, and seating and ordering was still slow as they seemed more content to chat with each other at the bar. Ordered the house burger which was substantial in size, but unfortunately the meat lacked any flavor profile other than just plain hamburger. With that size of patty a little seasoning is required. Although this is in a cool old brick wall building and has a lot of design character, I cannot recommend it based on food/service issues.

We've eaten at EC#28 more than 20 times over the years. Always a group of 4-8 people. Food variety broad and creative. Food quality excellent, tasty and well-presented. Service professional, but sometimes a little rushed and not totally cheery. Setting is historical and seating is well spaced. Reasonable QPR, (quality/price ratio) Recommend.

We had a group of about 20 for dinner. Usually service is not so great with that large of a group, but it was excellent. I ordered the cold meatloaf sandwich and fries. It was good, but nothing impressive. It is close to our hotel and good food.

I enjoyed this meal. I had the fried chicken and it was really good. The burgers were also very good as was the Meatloaf. The mac and cheese was also worth trying. There were not too many people in at the time we were there but it was loud and there were very loud people at the bar. I think if it was busy it would be extremely loud with the sound bouncing off the tin ceiling. Mentioning the ceiling, makes me want to tell you that this is a pretty cool space. We came from the valley and Im not sure I would come downtown to eat here again, it was good but not great and there are so many place I want to try downtown. So really that takes nothing away from this restaurant. I would think this would be a great place to grab a bit before a game atstaples.

A good restaurant receives a last minute request for a large party (50+) and advises that the last minute request can not be accommodated. An excellent restaurant accepts the reservation, contacts additional staff to come in and makes sure they have sufficient supplies to cover the evenings prefix menu. A poorly run restaurant accepts the large party, uses current staff to cover and fails to make adjustment to the menu. Guess which restaurant we experienced Saturday Night.... We made 6:00 reservations to visit Engine Company prior to the Elton John concert. We arrived early, were seated promptly and placed our order off the prefix menu right away as we were excited about the concert and wanted to make sure we got to Staples at 7:30. Drinks and bread arrived 15 minutes later. The first course arrived 40 minutes later (prosciutto/cantaloupe and tomatoes/gorgonzola cheese) . After an hour of sitting at the table and noticing a number of people complaining about the delay in receiving their food, we began to inquire about our order from the PREFIX menu.... We were told rather rudely that there was nothing they could do and the food would be out soon. We commented to the waiter that people who did not order off the prefix menu seemed to be being served and he advised that the large party all ordered off the prefix menu.... 15 minutes later we were again told the food would be right out. Other patrons of the restaurant we also getting notably upset, when one gentleman stormed out saying they had sat there for over an hour with bread and water having never scene their waiter. The hostess was wonderful and trying to help out were she could and we felt for her because she was the only person people could find to complain to. She was the only person in the restaurant with any concept of customer service. She kindly advised she would make sure someone discounted our meals for the delay. At 7:15 we asked for the check as we had two martinis and a bottle of wine. The waiter assured us that our short ribs were being cooked now. That was funny to us as short ribs take several hours to cook and at most all the kitchen staff had to do was warm and plate them. That is the reason they are on a Prefix menu.... Anyway before our bill arrived the ribs did finally arrive and they were very good. Very small portion, which makes one wonder that at a restaurant known for it's portions if they were trying to stretch one of the nights specials due to the large party. Our desert was thrown on the table by the kitchen staff who shouted and apology as he ran off. When we inquired about a discount the waiter as advised by the hostess, he commented well I am not the hostess and I will see what I can do. He took off one drink from the bill and as he tossed my check and credit card back on the table, said I took off a drink hopefully that helps.... I think you can tell from the review that did not help. We left the restaurant almost two hours after we sat down and ordered from a prefix menu for fast service. Fortunately Elton started late.....

We went here with friends for a pre-theatre dinner. They'd been before and had enjoyed the food. They were right - the food was good enough and the restaurant (an 'interesting' environment) had been redecorated since they'd last been. I had a very good linguine with shrimps; the boss, simple salmon steak, and our friends: fillet mignon (him) and the gumbo (her). Service good and prompt. There were some pictures of the old fire station and some artefacts (helmets, extinguishers and the like), but it's a shame that they were unable to make so much more of this unique location.

This great place is in downtown LA - an up and coming area - a bit like Canary Wharf in London - lots of office towers and great places to eat. In an old Fire Station, with lots of memorabelia - excellent food for a great price. Portion sizes excellent and service good too. Valet parking makes this a really easy place to get to - worth the drive if not in the area.

We met up with a group of friends (10 of us) for the Rose Bowl and ate dinner here on New Year's Eve. We celebrated at 9 PM as it was Midnight in Michigan (Go Green! Go White!) and the restaurant was really accommodating. They brought us hats and noisemakers for celebrating and were especially welcoming to our group of folks from the Midwest. Food was very good comfort food and the drinks were excellent. A very good choice!

I was very disappointed with the service and meal at Engine 28. We ordered salads to start and main courses. No salads appeared. Main courses appeared and we pointed out we hadn't received a our salads. They took the main courses away and brought the salads. While we were eating the salads, they brought the main courses again. Then again after we finished the salads. By that time, steaks ordered rare were well done. We had to insist that a new steak be cooked to order. Frankly, the restaurant messed up and tried to serve the same steak three times during our meal, even after promising us that the steak would be prepared anew. Bad service. Bad restaurant.

Celebrating our friends Birthday. Their were 4 of us from a vegetarian to a carnivore and 2 in between. The menu was accomadating to all our dietary needs!! The Hostess, Erin was so personable and the 2 bartenders, Jessica and Dante were great!! Chad the waiter was also great, fulfilling my off the wall requests for corn tortillas!!(not on the menu). great with the grilled salmon. Last but not least, Jacque!!! He is the manager and very very nice!! Offered a round of drinks for the bday boy!!!

Heard this used to be an actual classic firehouse. The decor is very classic. Food was ok, friend had country fried steak, claims it was the best ever. Crab cake sandwich wasn’t too bad, too many peppers for me though, unfortunately my other friend was slightly disappointed with the pasta. I’d give it another try, maybe dinner next time.

A warm welcome from staff who were very helpful. The meals were enormous but staff were happy to split them so we could share. The food was well prepared and attractively served. The surroundings were interesting.

Place was great. Loved the food and service. Would have never thought to have found a place this good in LAX. Great way to spend preflight time or layover!

If you are in a hurry, don't stop here. While it was lunchtime service was extremely slow - especially for an airport restaurant. While I thought maybe it was just my service, I over heard several others complain about the service. The food was good but there are better places to eat at LAX.

Started off poorly and went downhill. Valet was anything but welcoming when he took our car (and worse when I asked to retrieve it and paid the $8). Although we had a reservation, hostess told us that we'd have to wait 12-15 minutes unless we were willing to sit at high (bar-type) tables, which we weren't. No apology, no smile. It was somewhat chaotic at entrance as more people arrived but for much of the time, the hostess was not even there. (They need at least one more person at the desk.) Finally, after more than 15 minutes we got our table. The room is very noisy. Food and service initially were good, although nobody told us about a split plate charge. However, when we ordered dessert (fudge sundae) we waited more than 15 minutes and nothing happened. I told the waiter (who looked harrassed; seemed overworked) that we needed to leave fairly soon. Next thing I knew, he brought me the check without the dessert and, when asked, explained that the kitchen had indicated they were very busy and would take at least another five minutes to supply the sundae (i.e., more than 20 minutes' total). Without asking me, he had cancelled the order. Wouldn't go there again!

Was at LAX at 6 am for a flight to Texas - didn't think I'd be able to get a healthy breakfast - was I wrong! Edwin welcomed me and served me a fantastic egg white omelet, all the while listening to the Grateful Dead - this restaurant made me smile from the minute I walked in - great food, loved the place - will be back for sure!!

Located in the Financial District of Downtown LA, Engine Co., is a restored fire house. They still have the pole. The outside of the brick building is beautiful. Once inside there is a bar, which gets very busy every day (if you are looking for that dream lawyer husband, try there--it is filled with them :) ). The wait is never too bad and the service is quite good, not always spot on, but usually good. The menu has a lot to offer and all the items are good. Everyone brags about the meatloaf--been there, done that, don't bother. Their burgers and steaks are great and get mashed potatoes on the side. The daily whatever they are serving is always good. The Engine Co. is a fun place and if you are in town, it is so much better than Morton's (near by). Try it. You will love it.

Repeat visitors. Located in an olds fire hall the restaurant is nicely decorated. Enjoyed the restaurant the first time, years ago. On our most recent visit, was disappointed. The meatloaf wasn't very good and the fried chicken was greasy.

We gathered after work at this downtown establishment to celebrate a promotion. The ambiance is great....an old firehouse... and especially for a group, if you get the upstairs room. Service was attentive. The food, with no particular focus, was a good variety of meat and fish dishes. Appetizers were fun combinations and were easily shared with this group of eight. The restaurant is best accessed from walking as parking is scattered in assorted garages and some selected street spaces. It is one of the growing LA venues that deserves attention.

Had a quick lunch here, BBQ pork sandwich with fries. It was good. The best part of the Restaurant is the extras like fresh warm bread while you wait...yummy. The atmosphere is nice too.

Went here because it sounded interesting that it was a former firehouse. Were there at 6pm on a Sunday and it was only 2 other tables dining which we found surprising. The Mac & Cheese appetizer was the hi-lite of the meal. The other courses were just average. However we had a great waiter who helped to make it an enjoyable experience.

We were sat down and waited about 15 minutes before the server came to the table to greet us and take our drink order. It was not overly busy and the people around us had been attended to while we were ignored. The food was expensive for the quality, but perhaps this is standard for DTLA? My fries were cold the beef had not been rested properly so it bled all over my plate.

It was fantastic to find a great gumbo this far from Louisiana. All the menu is good including for breakfast and lunch. And the staff deserved a large tip.

Wow! Visited this restaurant earlier this month whilst on a tour of America. New chef at the restaurant - Chris and boy can he cook! We were treated to chefs own twist on Cobb Salad - a must for any traveller to this restaurant. Steak was on the menu and it was cooked to perfection. This restaurant is well worth a visit, and it's within walking distance of the Marriott Downtown Los Angeles

We came for lunch on a Saturday afternoon and was surprised to find the place almost completely empty. We had to wonder why and if we had made the right choice. The service was ok--no one came to refill our drinks but there was someone to clear our dishes. Turns out our waiter was doing double duty as bartender. There were people at the bar. The food was a bit pricey but really good! I got the mac and cheese and my friend got the heart attack burger. We shared both. Both were really good but the mac and cheese was especially good. I would eat there again. We had been at the convention center and took the metro over--just one stop from the convention center.

Staying at the LA Live Marriott and we were looking for something out of the immediate area for dinner. Read great reviews, easily made a reservation via open table. Not crowded on a Thursday night so had pick of any table. Service was PERFECT Our waiter was superb and the BEST we have had in a long time. Good beer selection and excellent cocktails\martinis. From the kids chicken fingers to entrees, did not disappoint. Prices fair and great atmosphere. A solid choice while in downtown LA.

Great atmosphere, very friendly staff. Very good wine list and great bear. Food is typical California cuisine but on of the great features are the ever changing daily specials.

The food was average, the menu was smaller than expected, the service was average. The line was really short, but I'm pretty sure that's because of the previous sentence... We went here because we thought it would be a fun night out in an off-the-beaten-path Firehouse setting. Other than the outside, there wasn't a firehouse them that I could find. Maybe a couple of menu items. Not a bad experience, just a meh one.

We went here for my Dad's birthday. We might be jaded because he actually worked here when it was a real fire station, but we couldn't have been happier with everything. The restaurant is in a former fire station. There are several original items and the menu gives a good history of the building. Their menu has everything from burgers and sandwiches to steaks and other items. We were here on a Saturday so they also had a brunch menu. We had some breakfast items, pasta, steaks and sandwiches. Everyone loved their meal. Service was very friendly and attentive. We will definitely return.

Visited eat,y afternoon after meeting and before catching a flight back home. Service was great and the food was good.

This is an actual fire house that has been converted to a restaurant with tin ceilings and the fire pole still in place. We were here with a group of 42 people and the service and food was very good.

Engine Co 28 is a nice restaurant located in a converted firehouse that was originally built in 1918. The brick exterior and fire pole in the back corner of the restaurant remind you of the building's former purpose, while the nice yet not pretentious decor set it apart as a unique dining destination. The food is really good as well (especially the steak), and the wine list is beautifully curated. Truly unique.

I am mildly allergic to onions and black pepper. I don't have to worry about minute amounts, perhaps transferred by accident. But, I don't want them as an ingredient. I ordered macaroni and cheese because the description in the menu seemed very normal. It came loaded with green onions. My mistake for not telling the waiter, but I didn't want to seem odd to my professional colleagues. At that point, I did ask the waiter to find me a dish that did not have any form of leeks/shallots/onions and could be made without black pepper. The waiter went to the kitchen. He came back and told me that they could grill some vegetables but even the cook to order steaks were marinated in black pepper. Are you kidding? A professional chef couldn't make me a pasta dish with this restriction. It was very awkward. So I had a small plate of veggies and crossed this place off my list. Others in my party said their food was okay, but not fabulous.

We were first seated at the worst table in the place, right next to the kitchen doors. Was so noisy we couldn't hear each other. Requested a different table, which was quickly honored. First I ordered one of their signature cocktails: didn't care for it, so they didn't charge me (+) ordered a long island ice tea, very good Wife had a glass of Castle Rock Merlot: average Shared a wedge salad: average I had the 16 oz ribeye medium rare: excellent! blue cheese mashed potatoes: very good, mixed steamed vegetables: over cooked (which is very common) Wife had the lamb shank: excellent, very tender, fell off the bone I had the lemon pie: very good, wife had the pecan pie: very good.

Food was good, but pricey. I like architecture. I was hoping to find a cleverly crafted eatery that was ingeniously laid out in an old fire station, but what I found was a trendy upscale restaurant that had saved some of the pieces of the original firehouse. Example, the opening where two of the fire station doors were, is now windows with some of the architectural features of the old station’s doors etched in the flat glass. You wouldn't know it’s a fire station from the street. They preserved the tin ceiling, and one fire pole. So what? You could have achieved the same result by just buying some old firehouse parts and sticking them in a new space. That is what you will find. No engines, fire trucks, or the spirits that moved them.

We had dinner here before a play at the Music Center. You can valet park here and take a free shuttle. The food was very good and the 3 course meal was tasty and very reasonable. I don't think the firepole is used. Darn!!

First, the good...it's in an old firestation and that's cool. After that, there's not much to recommend this place. The service was terrible and we spent a long time waiting for nearly everything...the menus, the drinks, the dinner, the refreshed drinks, the check. Our party of six took nearly two hours to eat a simple meal. One example is that before my entree arrived, I ordered a glass of wine which didn't arrive until I was finished with my meal. I thought the server had forgotten and decided to just let it go so I wasn't really happy when about the time I was ready for the check it was delivered. To make it worse, that house glass of red was $12, about $5 more than other choices on the menu. Additionally, one of our party had to send her steak back (but the chef very kindly delivered it personally with his apologies) and I was charged for one of my companion's sides. What a mess! It might have been forgivable if the food was great, but the quality of the salmon was equal to what I can buy in a grocery store and even a fancy sauce can't hide that. Also, don't be fooled by the online menu which makes it look like there might be some healthy choices. Most of those don't appear on the real menu which is primarily fried food, comfort food, and burgers.

Enjoyed a very nice brunch in this historic firehouse turned restaurant in downtown Los Angeles. Parked in the 7th Street Market Place for a flat rate, which was nice and inexpensive. The restaurant was not very busy, which was nice. We were greeted promptly, seated in a very cushy booth near the front of the house. The brunch menu had some very enticing choices. I am easily swayed by a Monte Cristo, and they have one! The Cristo was crispy, gruyere cheesy, sweet and savory. Just the way I like em. The Cristo was served with some delicious strawberry ginger preserves. My partner had the Cali Benni, which was smoked salmon, avocado, spinach, poached eggs, and a tasty sauce cherone. To top this off we enjoyed the bottomless Mimosas. What a way to spend a hot Saturday afternoon

Don't have the fish and chips I guess. Had to wait for my fish, I was told that the batter wasn't sticking to the fish, and they needed to refire it. In the meantime my Girlfriend got hers and her Calamari looked perfect (She had salad too). When my fish came (she was nearly done), it was a dark brown (okay, okay, burned), and my fries obviously sat getting greasy and limp while my fish was being incinerated. I paid way too much for a meal I didn't eat half of. What a bummer. Oh I forgot, the service was friendly, but oh so slow.

I chose to eat dinner here solely because it was just a couple minute walk from my hotel. The menu looked interesting with a couple of unique burgers. I opted to try the Firecracker and it was pretty bland. I has to douse it with ketchup to really get any flavor from it. The service really was top notch. My server was very attentive and helpful. Wished the food was nearly as good as the service and the drinks. If thinking of stopping by here, I would recommend you skip it.

A couple of people I traveled with ate here earlier in the trip and absolutely loved it. Maybe my experience was just bad luck but wow ...it was subpar. The food was ok ...not outstanding . The service was just poor. We had to order in a clockwise direction, which I understand to keep orders correct, but we had to pay in that same order. No refills of water and soda and asked only once if we wanted anything from the bar. I'm pretty sure I've had better service at McDonald's

Had a good dinner here with friends. Some unusal menu items and plenty of the usual choices. We all tried different main meals and everyone enjoyed their choices - don't think you can go wrong with anything on the menu. Desserts were great.

The first Firestation and now there is a tour center next to it. Worth a visit to see our city over only a hundred years ago

If you're in downtown LA and you want reliable & traditional steak, burgers and seafood fare in a fairly loud old-style bar environment, this is the one for you. Start with a coctail and don't expect to be excited by the menu, but do expect to be full at the end of the meal...

We visited this restaurant on a Sunday evening before a Los Angeles Lakers game. The waiter was inattentive and when he asked if we wanted appetizers one person ordered and he left the table without asking the other three people. Very strange. The food was ok but nothing special considering the price. We brought a bottle of wine and the waiter asked if we wanted wine glasses??? We won't return and this is disappointing as it was one of my wife's favorites.

We went to Engine 28 on a Friday night prior to seeing a play on Wilshire. This restaurant was very close, so a good option for us since it was just a mile away from our final destination. You can make reservations, however there seemed to be plenty of tables around the 6:15ish hour, however the bar scene was busy with a lively crowd, presumably enjoying a "pre" St. Patrick's Day beer with the gang. The restaurant itself is actually a former, working firehouse dating back to the early 1900's. You can read their history here: http://www.engineco.com/about.php They do everything here, breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner, banquets and catering, so a little bit of something for everyone. We enjoyed a special menu of corned beef and cabbage for St. Pat's Day, and are eager to return to try other menu items. We each started with a salad, which either was big enough to share as a starter. The other menu items seem like good, hearty comfort food in a casual dining setting with a cool ambiance. There doesn't seem to be much street parking, however a valet service is just outside the restaurant, and they charged a reasonable $8.

This is a place we stumbled across and only for a drink, the food and menu looks great and we were annoyed we didn't have enough time to go back for dinner. Do yourself a favour and visit.

in front for only $10. This beats having to find a spot in one of the parking structure's that are plentiful. We met for lunch at 12:30 on a Friday. We did make reservations one day in advance with no issues. You can also dine at the bar of chose a seat out on the floor. There are daily lunch specials and we picked two different burgers with fries and a side salad. looked like the burger's all come with cole slaw. Service was fast and efficient and reasonably priced considered it's proximity to LA Live. Enjoy

I'll keep this short: heard a lot about this place and maybe that built up my expectations, but in the end it was just average. Food was okay. Not outstanding. Not great. Just okay. Had a turkey burger. Flavorless. Crumbly. Overdone. (Can't do it right? Then why is it on the menu?) Everyone else in our party of four felt the same way. The service, however, was better than the food. Very attentive and friendly servers; No one rushed us. The place is nice, a refurbished firehouse with the shiny poles still in place. Our booth was comfortable (two-hour banquette, tush didn't get sore, you could linger). The fluorescent lighting, however, was not such a good thing. Prices were reasonable for LA. Bottom line: you could do worse. You could also do better.

Our bartender Jessica was great. We had a reservation for a table but when we got a drink before our table was ready we decided to stay and eat at the bar. Great happy hour prices, good comfort food. Large portions. We liked it so much we went back for a second day.

We tried to go there for breakfast one day as their website said they served breakfast but was informed they no longer did so. The reviews had been good so we went back for dinner that night. It was on the later side - probably 8-8:30 pm, there were still several tables with customers. We were shown to a booth, given menus and water, and 10-15 minutes went by and no one came to take our order. I can understand if they were crowded but they obviously weren't interested in serving us so we left.

The steaks are great but the pork chops are best. This is an old school style restaurant that is located among the hotels downtown. Plan your Disney Hall experience around dinner and drinks at Engine company No. 28.

Three of us went here on a Sunday night and we were almost the only ones in the restaurant. We really looked forward to the banana cream pie on the menu for dessert. After the waiter told us they were out of rib eye and a couple of other items, we made our drink and food order. The drinks were great as well as the entrées. When it came to desserts we were told they were out of two items and they no longer carry the banana cream pie. Big miss

Food was very good. Overall experience was okay though. On an extremely slow night, we waited for a few minutes before being seated. Very limited drink menu, even though a full bar is visible. One item was incorrect, though quickly fixed.

This is a great spot on Figueroa just down from the Westin Bonaventure. The menu has some good selections that made it hard to choose, but I chose the Shepherds Pie w/ lamb and it was soo good! I have never had it with lamb and it was meant to be! The lamb was tender and blended w/ the crusted potatoes so well! There is a lot this place has to offer and the building has some history and is really a converted firehouse!

Absolutely delicious food, highly recommend the meatloaf (just wow). The staff was so friendly, and very attentive. The atmosphere is so cool, being in a restored fire house, such a piece of history. Not just a chain restaurant. My son had the fish and chips, very good as well. All the food was delicious, homemade taste and done extremely well. Reasonably priced, especially for LA.

Great food, and great atmosphere. It's in an old Fire House. Who can complain about that?? Steak house service with a very nice feel.

The location is amazing in an old firehouse, complete with pole in the ceiling. The server was attentive and made excellent suggestions for our meal. The Mac & Cheese was perfect. We will definitely be back!

For frequent Music Center visitors the 2 places to eat in Music Center are now boooooooring. We ventured just slightly outside the center area and found Engine Co. No. 28. Terrific old building with retrofitted original architecture. Service was great. Prices were reasonable. Food was pretty amazing. Had Brussels and Bacon to start which was among the best I've had, followed by a soup and salad for a main course which was also enjoyable. Felt casual enough that we'd pop in again unplanned and yet we didn't look funny dressed up for the theatre either. Good date night option!

Visiting Los Angeles for the first time, the experience we had at Engine Co. No. 28 was exceptional. From the atmosphere, to the professionalism, it was a wonderful way to spend part of our evening! Our hostess, Heidi, was (outstanding to say the least), attentive, and we were treated like a family member. The history of the building itself was awe-inspiring, and oh yes, the food, was perfect. Presentation, the amount, and most importantly the flavor, is enough to recommend this restaurant to everyone I meet. 5 stars

Nice atmosphere and good food along with service. The downside is that the place is a bit expensive. I had a Turkey Burger that was good. If you crave a classic steakhouse experience in remodeled fire engine house then this is a great stop.

This restaurant is an old fire station converted to a bar and restaurant. We had a nice Sunday lunch there. The food was good, with large servings. The Sangria was very good. A neat idea for a place to eat.