Pacific Dining Car Reviews

Gotta say I dont eat burgers much any more. Last week, after some lunch hour haggling with some youngsters, I suggested this place. And away we went. I have to say I haven't enjoyed a burger so much in ten years. Amazing service. Ambitious plans were buttressed by the feeling of history that enveloped us when we walked through the door. Menu was deluxe but the burger called my name. Nowhere was there a disappointment cohort. In sum, it was perfectly prepared, presented and inhaled! Yum! Yum! Yum!

We wanted someplace special for Christmas Eve dinner. This place (the original downtown) seemed to fit the bill. Every review warned of the sky high prices but we figured it would be worth it. It wasn't. We arrived early so sat by the bar for a bit to wait. we sat in front of six dirty glasses until the bartender came over (5 minutes) and moved them to the edge of the bar but didn't take the them away. OK distasteful but not such a big deal. I ordered a martini and it was great, my husband ordered a martini and was told they were out of martini glasses so I have to make in on the rocks - not asked if it was ok..just told and it was brought (it was 7 PM!) and my son ordered an old fashioned which was made with Jack Daniels -not even a bourbon. not great. We get ushered to our table and seated..and wait for a waiter. we waited almost 30 minutes for a waiter to appear. We had a very attentive bus man who brought us water, and bread and a place setting for my husband and a menu when we asked about 20 minutes in. But we went through two bread baskets before the waiter appeared. The prices are ridiculous (higher than any other top rated steak house) and the food took a long time to come. The steaks were slightly over done - ordered rare but no pink in the middle except in the middle of the steak . the onion rings were greasy. The food was overall fine but certainly not worth the price. I suppose because it was Christmas Eve it was busy but that is not an excuse when you are paying top dollar. I am glad we tried it but won't be going back. Too bad because the decor is charming.

We had the baseball steak special for $0.98 each. Normally priced over $20. We made the reservation because of this special offer. Restaurant is an old LA establishment. Steak was good and all the sides we ordered were yummy. Mushrooms, cream of corn, cream of spinach, mashed potatoes and Mac and lobster. We left a little room for the creme brulee desert

We ordered the Baseball steaks and lobster mac n cheese from the (discounted) late night menu. Everything was cooked to perfection. Shame we couldn't visit the area where the Training Day movie was filmed.

Warm, comfortable ambience, with a whiff of LA history but $70 for a filet mignon and $14 for a side dish is an insult. Service was perfunctory, verging on rude. The fact it is open 24 hours may give it a whimsical edge, but it sucked the life out of any energy the place should have had. Sorry, disappointed.

5 star steak house in Downtown LA; w/ the very best wait-staff every-time .... plus fab-menu!!!! Happy customer for over 13 years !!!! Feels like 1940's celeb-type service every time ... Great-smooth team work!!!

I love the Pacific Dining Car, and I worry that they don't get enough business. It is expensive. It is kind of off the beaten path. Even I don't think about it all that often. I hope they are around for a long time. All kinds of dining options from breakfast, to afternoon tea, to pre-theatre, to middle of the night.

First, the food is comically overpriced - 1/3 or more than comparables. Upon entry there is a musty, almost unclean smell that hits you. The carpet desperately needs a clean. The idea that you "step back in time" is NOT a positive, except in respect to the service, which was perfect. Table for four. Roast chicken; clam chowder ($17 a bow l!!!); Asian salad; 2 x Rueben and fries. In our case, because we had two sandwiches, we might expect a bill half as large as it was. The chicken was badly overcooked (probably pre- cooked an hour before, the fact of which was hid by the sauce) and the rice was slathered in a sickly rich brown sauce. This is exactly the kind of prep they loved in 1955, but today it is a dinosaur. Figuring in price in particular, this is the worst 'formal' meal I have had in years...except it was a unique step back into the 1950's to see what 'luxury in LA' was like for my parents. Two sparkling positives: if you like the food, it is open 24/7(!) and the service was old school formal (i.e., without 23 year old actors and instead experienced professionals) which was great.

This is the standard of excellence and has been since 1921. Wonderful, friendly, hospitable staff and bar tender. Top quality meat and fish cooked just the way you want it by terrific chefs. I had the baseball beef sirloin medium rare with compound butter melted on top and sautéed mushrooms--to die for! But, it's not cheap. Everything is a la carte except for some sauces on the beef or fish,...so break open your piggy bank and bring it all. You can't miss having a wonderful meal here!!

My wife and I took our son and daughter-in-law there for her birthday, and we took advantage of a Groupon offer. The rating I gave is frankly an average for the food being excellent and the service being terrible. I don't understand-if you're trying to entice future business with a discount offer, I would think you'd try to put the best effort forward. For the prices they charge, the service really needs to be as good as the food. Definitely proceed with caution with this place.

The prices on trip advisor are very out-of-date. Steaks are $35 - $80 dollars. The steak I had was large and not particularly tasty. The restaurant was almost empty - easy to see why. Interesting environment - once.

I have been eating at The Pacific Dining Car for over 30 years. I've always looked forward to enjoy a great meal and equally great service. No matter what time of the day, midnight, 4:00am, breakfast, lunch.... I always left happy. Except for the last three or four times, it just wasn't the same. I was there recently for lunch on a Friday. The parking lot was almost empty and there were plenty of tables available. The restaurant just seemed drab and sadly outdated ( which was one of its charms). It didn't have the spark or pizzazz or elegance it once had. I have always loved this place because it was so special.

I love PDC...have been coming here for years. The service is excellent, so much so, that they know what I usually order and don't even have to give me a menu! The steaks are fantastic, as well as the sides. This is where I go when I want to give myself a special treat. It's expensive, since everything is a la carte. But nice for a special night out or you can go in the back to the bar area. Plus, it's one of the few places in LA that is open 24 hours.

I think since Groupon started selling deals, the restaurant shamelessly hiked their prices. We used to stop by after theater for some drinks by the bar and appetizers, but I think we are done at this point. We could have had a three-course meal in a good steakhouse for what we paid for two drinks and two appetizers, and be exposed to a loud sports program on TV.

I first visited the Pacific Dining Car (PDC) about 25 years and was completely blown away by the elegance, the menu and the service. Old school would not begin to describe it. I was thrilled when they opened a location in Santa Monica in the early 1990's, which was more convenient (and more intimate). My wife had purchased a Groupon for PDC and I didn't notice it was limited to the downtown location. No worries. She had never been and we planned to make an adventure of it. the neighborhood has changed dramatically (I do NOT hold PDC in any way responsible for this) and I'm not sure I would feel safe in the late night/early morning hours (PDC s open 24 hours). Anyway, we arrived on a Saturday for a late lunch/early dinner. the prices did not surprise us; however the portions did. Years ago, your entrée would fill your plate, assuring you taking something home for Rover. I ordered what was supposed to a 10 oz steak, which was smaller than my fist. I requested medium well and the steak was overcooked. My wife ordered crab cakes with the jasmine rice, which the waiter forgot to bring. His response was "Oh, I thought I heard you say something about jasmin, but I wasn't sure." The service was mediocre. For the prices they charge I expected more.

It’s so lovely to go to breakfast and be served by lovely gentleman in tuxedos with wonderful attentive service. And, the food was delicious. There were five of us ladies and four ordered eggs Benedict. One an omelette that she remarked was the best. Not over cooked. It is pricy but so worth it.

I just finished eating lunch here and decided to see if the hamburger was worth the $39 price tag. By the way, it comes with plain fries and two sliced tomatos and two leaves of butter lettuce. You can choose the cheese you want, and the hamburger is ground from 3 top shelf beef varieties. So . . . the burger tastes extremely unique. However, at this restaurant, you are still better off ordering the steaks in my opinion. Most of the steaks at lunch are close to the total price of this hamburger. You pay a lot for the service here. Unfortunately, I have to say I think they treat you like you look when you walk in the door. I came to eat lunch by myself and they put me at the table by the kitchen. Wonderfully thoughtless, but I got the message that I was low rent in their eyes. [I think if you do go there often you can sit better.] This restaurant does serve great, but expensive dinners. Their breakfast is the closest to affordable and worth what you pay. I just think this restaurant is not in an area of the city that deserves the prices they charge. And I have eaten at a lot of restaurants of this quality that would have made sure I felt important while there. This place left me feeling I can terribly inconvenienced them.

We went there for a friend's birthday party. Perfect place for an older crowd that wants to whop it up! Great steaks. Ask for the Bearnaise sauce. To die for.

OVERATED!!!! OUTRAGEOUS PRICES...cannot recommend to anyone. Better going to a Sizler or Steak & Ale!!!

This has always been our favorite place to go for a weekend breakfast...it is expensive, however the service is fantastic, and the food has always been as good....BUT recently the chef apparently took it upon himself to change the bacon...which is now greasy and soggy.... unbelievable!! If they change back I will give them a solid 5 star rating..... Remember all else is perfect.......just the new bacon sucks....

I'm two things, a foodie and a train buff so when I was staying in LA my Dad took me here. First of all, it's a fun atmosphere, nice and intimate and cozy with dimmed lighting, old style seating and good service. There is some railroad memorabilia but not enough to write home about. Now, everything I ate was excellent, the cocktails were mixed right and the wine list superb, however, the prices are utterly outrageous. I know the importance of paying top dollar for quality (hell, I grew up in New York and love eating at a fancy steakhouse in Chicago) but this is a restaurant in a bad part of LA next to a hospital, not in Beverly Hills. Just to give you an idea, the shrimp cocktail (four shrimp) is $21. The cowboy ribeye is $70. The rack of lamb pictured was $48. Also, the waiter brought my Dad the wrong food. I enjoyed eating here and will recommend it, but be prepared to pay a lot. Take note: the only entrance is through the parking lot, so if you get dropped off, don't try walking around to the front...there isn't one.

The food is spectacular - everything cooked perfectly. The service is perfect and every employee very knowledgeable. Great atmosphere. Fun times. I always enjoy myself here and look forward to returning.

Took my wife for Mother's Day to this restaurant that I remember from my youth... It was simply terrible! They obviously lost the reservation... the service was rushed... sat by the kitchen...It was like nobody wanted to be there. What a disappointment from it's glory days. Awful!

The last time I was here was Valentine's Day 2015 with my family, however we usually dine here a few times a year. This place truly is a gem. The food here is delicious, the service is impeccable and the vibe that is has transports you to a time when old fashions were popular, ladies wore fancy dresses and men dinned in suits, and that is how I like my fine dinning experience to be.

Visited here on 08/19/19 with a friend for lunch to partake in the restaurant's limited time 98 year anniversary special. Anyway, we made our advanced reservations as required and met for lunch. I arrived first and was seated in the "dining car" area. I've been to the restaurant before, but this is my favorite area because it looks like the inside of a rail dining car. The dining room area is nice don't get me wrong, but better for larger parties in my opinion. The waiters were very kind and greeted me, and brought water for me until my friend arrived. After she arrived we were not rushed to place our orders which I liked. Gave us time to study the menu. We placed our orders and they brought warm fresh baked bread and butter to the table while we wait. Soon our appetizers and salads (heirloom tomato salad, onion rings) arrived and then our main course (baseball steak, sauteed mushroomand onions, steamed asparagus, garlic mashed potatoes, baked potato, mac'n cheese). Everything was delicious, especially the quality of the steak. The only thing we were bummed by is that they didn't have any lobster for the lobster mac'n cheese because the truck hadn't arrived with their supply, but we ordered the regular mac'n cheese anyway and it was still delicious. After we were done eating we asked for to go containers because there was no way we could eat all the food we ordered. The waiter brought us a dessert menu, but unfortunately we were too stuffed to indulge this go round; but I do recommend the strawberry shortcake, and the chocolate souffle. All in all it was a nice lunch and we will definitely be back again. Side note: they do have a parking lot with valet parking and its a flat $9. You could park on the street, but good luck finding a meter because this location is located right across from a hospital.

This restaurant is a treasure. The extrerior and the neighborhood are not imressive, but the interior style and the food is amazing. This is a classy restaurant and my one regret is that I felt under dressed for the setting. This really is a place where it feels worth getting dressed up for. It has the feeling of an old and respected LA instituion. The prices are higher than an averge restaurant, but the quality and presentation are excpetional. The bread is served on a special plate and the butter is "sculptured"

This is in a run down part of town, with required valet parking. However, the atmosphere (particularly if you can sit in the actual dining car) is great, the food was great, and the service solicitous. It is very expensive for a restaurant in this neighborhood, which is a definite negative.

From the outside you see a train car, inside it is magically transformed with white linens, beautiful paintings and velvet. The prices are high, but the food was delicious. We had a tantalizing "baseball" steak, mushroom risotto that sent your taste buds to light fantastic, luscious lobster, roasted garlic mashed potatoes, and mac n cheese. Our bill was out of control, but we just stumbled in, if you plan for it, it's worth it. I would love to go back for the late night snacks they advertise and try more of the menu. It's making my mouth water just thinking about it. A "trip" worth taking!

This is a repeat trip to Pacific Dining Car. When I am in dowtown LA on business, this is the automatic place to go. The bone in ribeye was an excellent cut of meat, aged well and cooked to perfection. The asaparagus was grilled and very good as well. The service was attentive but not overbearing. Very quiet as the place was basically empty. The waiter was knowledgable about the menu and made fine recommendations. The restaurant itself is unique and enjoyable. This is a great break from the chain steakhouses that pop up everywhere. The food is pretty expensive, but where in LA is it not?

This place was probably great 50 years ago. However, now it is just a mediocre restaurant in a bad neighborhood and very rude staff. The food is ok but not worth the extremely high prices. If you are a non-drinker, you will be punished. The bar does not make any special non-alcoholic drinks and the staff is very rude about it when you ask. This is Los Angeles, home of many wonderful restaurants other than Pacific Dining Car.

Best steak 🥩 in the world. Impeccable service. Very expensive, but worth every penny. We ate at the original which was within walking distance of our motel.

I had the Chilean Sea Bass and my husband had the rib eye steak. Both were the best we've ever had and very generous portions. The most tender steak and perfectly seasoned and cooked fish. Couldn't have asked for a better meal. The service was also excellent. Where the shock came was the bill. With tip came to $250 for 2 and only had one side of asparagus and a soda and ice tea, and one after dinner coffee. Though the food was worth every penny, the prices were quite high for what you got.

This place is expensive but has two easy hacks. If you show up after 10pm the prices drop dramtically. Otherwise if you can get into their quirky loyalty program (opens once a year) they drop 21% off all prices. Also has promotions during the year for free or cheap stuff. It's in an odd spot but just a cool building. Service is always great and got some awesome touches (crystal glasses for cocktails, eclectic artwork, etc...)

It's been years since my family and I have been to PDC, but it is still the same. Food all around was wonderful and overall service was great. I would definitely recommend the Creole Benedict, the PDC burger, or the tempura fried onion rings. They also have a nice wine list, although a bit on the high side. It may be a few years, before we go again, but that is only do to the proximity of PDC to where we live.

Excited to go here but disappointed, place was very nice, service was fine but the food was the disappointing part of the evening. Wife's prime rib over cooked horse reddish sauce plain we thought it was butter. My baseball cut steak which I was looking forward to having and which you don't find manu places that have that cut was disappointing have had better steak at the Sizzler. Would not go back or recommend to anyone.

Let me start by saying I don't mind paying for quality. After sitting down for breakfast, we definitely had some sticker shock. $13 orange juice. $12.95 side of hash browns. Most breakfast entrees between $20 and $30. Despite the prices, we decided to give the place a chance to blow us away. I should have known we were in trouble when the coffee wasn't accompanied by sugar cubes, but rather packets. We had 3 diners. Order: egg white omelet, buttermilk pancakes, scrambled eggs. 2 coffees, 1 OJ. Total cost $124. To top it off, they automatically added a $23 tip! So let's talk about quality. First taste. Nothing special. Very Denny's-like at best. Two, an unforgivable flaw, horrible presentation. The butter and syrup plate gave us some early hope. But that was the high point. The meals were plopped onto a plate as if we were at a diner. They forgot some accompaniments, like hash browns (with the omelet) and corn tortillas (gluten free option with the scrambled eggs). This price point should deliver presentation and service at a minimum. Atmosphere was nice, but otherwise I would classify as a total rip-off.

This seems to be more for business meetings than couples or parties. At least all the people in the restaurant looked like business people when we were there. The layout of the place is old style, heavy furniture, low/dull lights. I got a 12 oz filet mignon ($69) which were great, tasted well and just as pink as I asked.. my wife got the King Salmon ($40) and it was a big piece and she liked it a lot also.. The meat comes in on the plate with absolutely nothing else, so you have to buy your $14 sides as well, which all adds up..

Great eggs benedict. Perfection of service. For a special treat worth the money.The staff was so kind and helpful.

This is still an outstanding restaurant for the true LA experience. Old school waiters and maitre d. If you are a hipster this is not the place for you. Outstanding menu with a comprehensive offering of steaks, seafood and wonderful desserts. Breakfast served all day and night. Great cocktails and a very fine wine list. Always quiet and elegant. This is not a diner or coffee shop, it is a high end restaurant. Where else can you have china, crystal and white linen 24/ 7. The Pacific Dining Car is a culinary experience you will truly enjoy!

I have wanted to dine at Pacific Dining Car for years, but I seldom get to Los Angeles. I also wonder if places like this - which promote their history - are worth the steep prices they are charging today. PDF is not worth its prices, though it was a mostly pleasant evening. We had reservations for a party of three for 6:30 last Saturday night (10-26-2013). The restaurant was 80% empty when we arrived and 90% per cent empty when we left two hours later. In retrospect that was very telling. We were seated immediately by a very nice Maitre D' who could have worked there since the place opened. He must have been in his 80s or even 90s. No problem with that but you don't often see people working at that age. After being seated we noticed we were across from the women's restroom and had an excellent view of its interior every time the door opened. We asked to be relocated and we were. However, the restaurant should not be seating anyone at the three tables that shared this view. They should be out of service, especially in a mostly empty restaurant. But after we were relocated I noticed that new guests had been seated at this table. Service was very good at the outset. Water, wine and bread were brought promptly. And the orders were taken promptly. Water and wine were promptly refilled. Service became less attentive thereafter. Salad plates were not promptly removed. Bread was not refilled. Dinner plates were painfully slow to be removed. The tablecloth was not brushed before dessert and coffee. I wonder what the service would have been like if more than 10 tables were occupied? We ordered several wines by the glass, all of excellent quality. I was very pleased that they had quality wines by the glass. My wife and daughter were reluctant to order salad and sides with their filet mignon - no doubt because they were in sticker shock over the steak prices. When I asked them in front of the waiter if they were sure they did not want to order additional items, the waiter offered to split their orders of salads and sides. This was well received and they ended up splitting - at no plate charges - both a caesar salad and a baked potato. They were both pleased with the filets. I had a taste and can confirm that their were perfectly cooked and the highest quality prime beef. But they were not worth the $65 per. I had sand dabs. They were very good, not excellent. Compared to the price of the steaks, they were quite a value. A very large portion and only $30. However, the sauce served with them was supermarket tartar sauce and the highlight of the plate was not the fish but the mixed shoestring vegetables. The vegetables were outstanding. I ordered a chocolate souffle when placing the dinner order. It was ready at the appropriate time and was quite good, outstanding in fact. Souffles are old school steakhouse and it is nice to find them on the menu. I also ordered their pecan pie after being told it was housemade. It was pathetic. It may have been housemade, but the crust was pre-fab and the custard was dried out. It tasted liked it had been reheated in a microwave. To top if off, it was served a full 10 minutes after the other dessert. I would lean toward giving this place 3.5 stars, but since I can't, I bumped it up to 4. The wine, the initial service, the steaks, the vegetables and the souffle warrant high marks. The initial seating, the deterioration in service, less than stellar salads and sides (other than the vegetables) and the pecan pie seriously hinder a high rating - no way could you call Pacific Dining Car a five star restaurant. Quite frankly, the steaks and service at Ruth Chris or Mortons are just as good and the meals there will cost you about 40% less. I mentioned earlier in this review that the lack of guests on a Saturday night was telling. I think the PDC has to charge so much to make up for the fact they they have so few customers and/or that many of their customers only order sides and avoid the entrees all together. I noticed two tables near us where only soup, bread and wine were ordered. I am glad that I went. I can cross it off my bucket list. But I would not return and I would not recommend it to others.

People are surprised to learn, first, that this isn't a "diner," and second, that it's open 24 hours a day (or used to be, so please check). It's on the ultra-high-end price-wise but the food is really good - all the classic steakhouse items plus some fine surprises. A great destination after Staples or another local event.

Its a step into the past with décor and waiters. We had purchased a groupon which specifically stated when it could NOT be used on specific holidays and listed them(Christmas, NYE etc) but had no mention of Vets Day. So we went on Vets Day and they refused to honor the groupon so we were not pleased. Food was very expensive and I have had better steaks for sure (Royce in Pasadena and the Arroyo Chop House). Baked Potato which was 14.95 was a medium sized spud...nothing special. Only one Pinot by the glass. I would not recommend it. The only reason I gave it a 3/5 was because of the décor and historical significance.

I don't know how I have never been to or heard of this restaurant. But, now I have. It's like walking into a classic restaurant from many, many decades ago. Heavy dark wood everywhere, carpet on the floors, old school table cloths and very old school menu. The waiters are professional waiters, not the young people doing it until something better comes along. If you go in knowing what this restaurant is about, you'll enjoy it. I would give it 4 stars but the prices are a bit steep for what you get from an experience standpoint.

Way overpriced for the area, atmosphere, and food. Need I say more? The steaks were Ok. Nothing to sing about. The atmosphere is ok, nothing to sing about. The area is poor. I don't mind spending cash on really good food, I don't think this place even has good food. It is very average and very pricey.

The Pacific Dining Car located at 6th and witmar in downtown Los Angeles. This is a fabulous restaurant open 24 hours a day so if you get the urge for surf and turf at 3 in the morning they have it. This is a great place for a birthday or just a family get-together or if you're on business a great place to stop in for a fine meal. The Pacific Dining Car ages their own meat, they have a fabulous bar fantastic service at its best. My rating for this restaurant is five stars ☆☆☆☆☆.

Small place, great food. Some of the best steaks in LA.

This place comes with plenty of humble history but has gotten a tad big for its britches. Can only say the prices are breathtaking. Ridiculously so even by LA's inflated standards. The main 'dining car' would be my choice. The room off to the east smelled of dead fish or something nasty. Uneven service. Left a filthy tablecloth covered with food throughout the entire meal. The baseball steak was big but pretty dry and somewhat tough. Salmon had a fishy overtone. Grilled artichoke might have been better off steamed. Quite dry. Moderately good wine selections, but be certain to bring your banker. If you absolutely MUST go to this place, would go for dessert and scoot. The apple tart was quite good, but the side of ice cream was granular.

I give them two stars because I do like the food there and I really would like to see a restaurant with as much history as Pacific Dining Car to succeed, but, I did have a bad experience and I would not like someone else to have a repeat of what happened to me. I bought a Groupon recently and I planned to use it today, Labor Day. I checked the blackout dates, which included about 7 holidays but not Labor Day. I called to make the reservation per Groupon instructions. The person who answered the phone said there was no wait, just come in. I told him I had a Groupon, he said, "Great, come in." When we arrive at PDC, we were informed that they do not accept Groupons on Labor Day because it is a holiday. I show the gentleman the Groupon and the fine print with the list of blackout holidays. He called his manager who said no, they would not honor the Groupon. We left after that, obviously. I have eaten there three times before and the food ranged between okay and very good. It's extraordinarily expensive, and every time that I have been there, whether day or evening, I've only witnessed a handful of other diners. I will say that the gentleman who told me he wasn't allowed to accept the Groupon was very gracious with me. As a consumer, I was very frustrated but I appreciate his kindness in the way he handled a delicate matter. Ultimately it was not his decision whether or not to uphold the terms of their Groupon agreement.

Great food, overtly expensive. Service was attentive, menu expansive. You’re paying a lot more for ambiance and history. I would love to go again, but this is borderline robbery.

We were so glad that we had treated ourselves to breakfast at this fabulous little gem, i loved the old school glamour feel and the service and food were top class , the menu had so much choice that i think we would have to go every day for at least a week to sample all the delicious food that was on offer !

I worked in banking and finance in DTLA for over 25 years. The hours were long, and the demands were substantial. It was commonplace for me to be found sending a telefax to Hong Kong or Tokyo at midnight from the 42nd floor of one of the major high rises. When I would pack it in - sometimes at one o'clock or thereabouts in the very late hours - I would occasionally treat myself to an expense account "close it down" meal at the PDC's location, some 8 minutes' drive away. "Another place, another time." Elegant and old school in its ambiance, the PDC never failed to sooth and to allow for a quiet place of reflection and recentering. It was a toss up as to which was the more calming, the decor and the atmosphere, or the very excellent food. Highly recommended. Being from New Orleans I was frequently reminded of Antoine's or Galatoire's in the French Quarter. Or Jack's or Ernie's in earlier days in San Francisco.

It's across the street from the Los Angeles Police Department's Rampart Station House, and it must be that level of protection that explains why the prices are so high here because I can't find any other reason for it! You will pay $50.00 to $75.00 base for your food here without alcohol. So basically $75.00 to $100 a person with a drink and tax and tip. Here is how we sum up the meal: Parking: On the street at your own risk, or Valet at 7 a pop. Atmosphere: It was packed when we were there--Dark, Old School, Upscale. Bathroom: Denny's Basic with the addition of cloth hand towels. Table Bread A: 3 of 5 (Nothing special--you have had better.) Table Bread B with cheese: 4 of 5, Not bad. Salad (14.00) : We asked for dressing OTS, came out with dressing but they quickly replaced it: 4 of 5. Baked Potato (10.00): 4 of 5 Why 10 dollars? Because this potato was grown by a family with a small garden in Italy. It was sent to the Pope who blessed it and then overnighted it to PDC. (I came up with this story to make myself feel better and justify the costs.) Steamed Asparagus (10.00): 5 of 5 (The farmer who sold them to PDC cried for 2 days...) White Rice: 2 of 5 . Same as you would get at Denny's. Wild Rice: 4 of 5. Wild is always better. Fillet: 4 of 5 . It was very good--but you will find better out there for the same $$. Mashed Potatoes: 2 of 5 . Nothing Special. Pumpkin Pie: 4 of 5 It was good. Service: It was very good and friendly, but you had to stay on top of them a few times to make sure things were right, and they corrected quickly. What we liked, but you may not like is after we were all done eating and forks were down, it took 30 minutes for anyone to come over and clear a plate--this gave us more time to chat--they were not rushing us. This is not really the place to go if you are in a rush anyway--it's a slow meal place. Allow at least 2 full hours for your dinner here. Value: 1 of 5. We don't see it. The food was fine, but at these prices. As one of our friends explained on the way home, "You know David, the amount of money I spent on one meal here is equal to all the groceries for a month's worth of meals."

WOW! We went here purely on a whim after a day of sightseeing in LA. We were staying at Jerry's Motel which is a couple of blocks walk from it. The service was impeccable! Water was constantly topped up, wine was the best glass I've ever had! We had massive portions of steak and their cajun potato skins were absolutely amazing! I would go all the way back to LA just for those! It is more expensive than we would normally look to pay for a meal but it was worth every penny. They even let me take the remainder of my cajun skins home in a parcel to finish later.

Twenty bucks for lettuce...$65 steaks a la carte...peeling prints above the urinals. Yet it can be libraryesque in its peacefulness, and the service is always stellar. Often empty, this relic of a restaurant would be much more crowded if an MBA taught the owners about "price point."

I feel bad for the lovely staff at this Resturant, I can only imagine how many people walk out after seeing the prices on the menu. It is open 24 hours a day, and is sitting on what is probably a very valuable piece of real estate, but 16.00 for a baked potatoe side is outragious! My husband and I share meals, so we split a Wedge Salad which was good, but it better be for $20.00. We also split a small Filet steak which was served naked and alone on a large plate, we skipped the sides due to the prices. Meat was OK but nothing to write home about and was priced somewhere north of $40.00. The interior is nice and it is not a bad place to go if someone else is buying.

The quality of the food was excellent, the sauces were obviously freshly made and the sizes of the servings were generous, even by American standards. The prices were definitely top end - think of $100 and up per person excluding drinks, but the service didn't measure up to the standard of everything else; for those of us who have been to quality European restaurants in a similar price range there is just no comparison in the service.

I would give 4&1/2 star if I have a choice. Here are my pros and cons: Pro: 1. All staffs were very accommodating. 2. The ambiance was very soothing, and the decor is elegantly done (including the original curtains according to my waiter). 3. The waiter was very informative about the restaurant. 4. Food - The vegetable that comes with scallops was a little salty for me, but the scallops were good. The texture of the fillet mignon (medium-rare) was softer than what I'd expected, but very juicy. The grilled lobster was moist enough. I also had a chance to taste a bone marrow, which I liked. My favorite part was their fermented sour dough. It was crunchy outside, but very chewy inside. 5. A tour of the restaurant is available upon request - My waiter, Hyman, was very informative about the restaurant. He has shown me several interesting spots in the restaurant, like the original part from the train, a few spots where they appeared in movies, Christmas room, and etc., (It was like seeing a part of the history). After seeing the entire restaurant, I felt like dining part was only 1/2 of the experience at the restaurant. The tour definitely made the dining experience unique. Cons: 1. It is pricey - Get a Groupon when you can. 2. The portions were relatively small. 3. One of the restaurant bathroom sink needed attention. Overall, I considered dining at 'Pacific Dining Car' fun and definitely unique. I would definitely recommend this place with Groupon.

This place is the most expensive restaurant I've ever been to in my life. Appetizer salads for $20!!!!! My husband & I had the open face prime rib sandwich. There was nothing "prime" about it. Ordered medium & came out well done. It was a "select" piece of beef and one of the toughest I've ever had at a restaurant. Plus it was obvious it was one of those pre sliced pieces that you would get at a Denny's. Both pieces were exactly the same size..I mean identical. It was awful. Both of us ate, maybe 5 bites. Then they threw on some re-heated fries...regular & sweet potato. I think I ate 4 of those. Was waiting for someone to ask how our meal was, but no one did. Plus $6.50 to park!!!! My advice is to go anywhere but here...in fact, I wish we had gone a couple miles away to Bandera's. This place is AWEFUL!!!!!!

We met a director friend of ours after his show at a local university at the Pacific Dining Car. Coming from the Monterey Peninsula, we aren't used to eateries open past 10PM. This is such a unique place. The wait staff was wonderful to us, although most of our group only had light bites since it was so late. We sat and talked and noshed until 2AM and at no time did we feel rushed by the staff. I had the BEST split pea soup I've ever eaten. It was more of a consume than a "cream of". It also had a nice little bite to it. LOVED IT.

Had lunch there this week. Have been their a few times and always enjoy the meal. Service is good, so is atmosphere. Only things that bugs me is $7 valet parking... Worth going to.

Perfect upscale dining spot when visiting friends or family recuperating at Good Samaritan Hospital. My vegetarian wife ordered a $12 baked potato and a side of asparagus. She claims the potato was the best she's had, something I can't say about the almost $60 New York steak I ordered -- though it was very good. Excellent service and nice atmosphere make you easily forget you that the restaurant is in a not-so-nice location on busy 6th street.

Eeekkkk!!!! Boy was this expensive! Imagine paying for one shrimp cocktail app (which consisted of only 4 shrimp) one crab cake app (which consisted of two small crab cakes) and two glasses of house wine for a total of $150!!! Yikes! Granted, it was one of the best shrimp cocktails I've ever had but geez! The restaurant was very nice, older looking. The servers were very polite and professional as well. It's a good thing they severed bread because I think that's the only thing that filled us up so we didn't have to go to another restaurant afterwards! Nice quality food but extremely small portions and insanely overpriced!

When we arrived at the previously reserved hour (exactly) no one was at the reception desk. What greeted us there instead was a half eaten food plate. We stood around with that "lost sheep" look typical of unattended restaurant guests until, finally, one of the serving staff saw our plight and led us to a table. The dining area though beautifully appointed was far more empty than well attended, yet we sat quite a while until finally someone showed up to begin the inquiries as to drinks etc. When the drinks arrived we had to ask for bread etc. The wait-staff, though certainly efficient exhibited a certain hint of condescension unfortunately extant, albeit rarely, at some high-end dining venues. We made our selections, and dinner arrived in a timely manner. Each of our selections was superb!! My wife chose the Rack of Lamb which was done to perfection and very flavorful. I had the soup of the day Potato Leak, and it was delicious, ample and hot enough. We then split a Caesar Salad which turned out to be just average. It may have exuded a hint of anchovy, but we found nary a fillet of the delicious creatures apparent amid the leaves. I went on to my entree a small portion of New York Steak. A very good choice! The meat was not only grilled to perfection (Med-RARE), but was also very flavorful, and certainly ample. We finished with coffee and declined dessert. All in all, our experience at Pacific Dining Car was OK, but far from memorable. Food and decor both were outstanding, ambiance and service; not-so-much. I'm sure we'll be back---someday; a date isn't yet marked on our restaurant calendar.

Before eating at the Pacific Dining Car two weeks ago my previous "last time I'll ever eat there" was years ago when on the wall next to where I was eating a huge cockroach was taking a leisurely stroll. Having had parents in the food industry I understand how these things happen but it was a BIG turn off. So after an awards event that did not serve food ended late an old friend suggested eating at The Pacific Dining Car as of course it was still open and serving dinner at 10:00 PM. Willing to forget the cockroach I said yes. Well all these years later I did not know that the prices had gone through the roof. Every entree was WAY overpriced for the quality. And to add insult to injury all entrees come with no sides included. So adding on anything was another $11 or $12 on top of a $30 plus main course. And trust me the food is a little better than average. Not sure how this place stays in business. I am more than willing to spend big bucks for a great tasting meal but paying a King's ransom for mediocre food is outrageous. The cockroach was strikes one and two, this is strike three and I am out of here for good!!!!!!!

The Pacific Dining Car is an LA institution, having served fine dining in the downtown area for almost a century. A quick view of the website will show you the nice "railroad" car ambience. The prices are steep: think between $40 and $50 for your steak (prime, of course) and everything else a la carte at not-cheap prices. So with wine, you are at close to $100 per person. But the food will be cooked to perfection and to your preference. But the service is iffy -- one of our guests never did get his soup -- and we needed to ask for water re-fills. This was not because the place was busy -- there were only a few other tables being served. The place is spotless -- very nicely maintained. Valet service was fast and efficient (that is the way to park in this neighborhood.) All in all, if you haven't been here, you should go -- just to say you've dined at the Pacific Dining Car.

I'd give the food a five but this place is so expensive that the food has to be better than out of this world. The service is great too, it better be. $40 for a prime rib open face sandwich and fries! Really nice cut of p r but pricey.

LA's original dining car restaurant open 24-7-365. Outstanding food and service. Our go-to spot for special occasions.

The dining car was recommended as having the best steaks in town, so we were with the 3 of us and decided to go. We arrived 10 pm, rather quiet inside. The place has been there since early 1920 I believe and it actually smells "old" inside. We only ordered 3 x NY Sirloin, the 12 oz. We were really disappointed, my steal was overcooked and tasted strange. My other 2 table friends had the same. Cream spinach was OK, and in in all fairness, probably the sour dough bread served "complimentary" relatively was the best. High prices by the way, 3 x NY Sirloin + 1 x cream spinach + 3 beers $ 250 Excluding tips.....not sure if I will go back to give them a second chance, probably will need a discount coupon to be motivated to do so!

I've been going to PDC for more than 25 years - sometimes for dinner or lunch, but mostly for breakfast. I've tried other downtown locations for breakfast and nothing compares to the food and the service at PDC. Also, the wait staff are truly professionals and most have been with PDC for many years. I go at least twice a year with a group of friends, usually between 10-12 of us. Granted, the prices are high, but most of us share a breakfast because they are large servings. There is nothing to compare to their Swiss Eggs, and they're worth every penny! If you like good strong coffee, this is the place for you. Going again in on 12/19 for our annual holiday gift exchange and we're all looking forward to it.

We dined here for lunch on Thursday June 4th, thankfully w/ a Groupon otherwise we'd have eaten someplace else. But this is about a "Fine Dining" experience on par w/ what one had at Chasen's Do not let the outside fool you, although the outside is fugly (and if you are not careful you will drive right past it), the inside has the decor of an upscale railroad dining car and has lush green velvet seats that are not only comfortable but have ample seat room. The thing one has to know about PDC is, they are an "established" fine dining restaurant. They have been in business since the 1920's and they are not in business for anything other than the elite & business/law crowd. They are open 24/7 and I was told that this is the place to go for blueberry waffles on Sunday morning...... PDC has over 300 bottles of wine and a room dedicated to this wine as well as a sommelier.... So, we ordered: the Reuben sandwich, the open faced Prime Rib sandwich, 2 cappuccinos & tiramisu...... all for $98.00 (but we had a Groupon).... Yep, no beer, no wine.... water. The food was delicious, the Reuben came w/ a green salad and the Prime Rib came w/ mixed fries (regular & sweet potato)..... My only complaint: the poor selection of beer (you have over 300 different wines, but regular cheap non-craft, low-end common beer) and the only type of iced tea is "Passion-fruit".... The only parking is Valet, $8.00, which is fine. It is a tiny lot, and I'm sure that if they didn't charge for parking the Valets would most likely get "stiffed".... We were happy, we have 2 more Groupons and we will be going back for a birthday celebration next month!

I'd heard of the Pacific Dining Car for years but never bothered going. Yesterday a friend and I just happened to be driving by and he recommended it so we went. Not the best neighborhood but the minute you walk in the door you feel like you're in another world! Very nice decor, extremely pleasant staff and service. We were seated in a nice quiet booth and enjoyed a wonderful brunch, the food was perfect, the service - the best I've seen in Los Angeles in 25 years! I had creamed spinach topped with heart of artichoke, scrambled egg and hollandaise sauce, and the best iced tea I've had in a long time. I can't want to back and share it with friend who have never been!

We’ve eaten out in many fine restaurants and steakhouses, and we do expect them to be expensive, but $37.95 for a hamburger steak?! $84.95 for a filet? A bit much. We also don’t usually order cocktails, so I’m not sure if $19 is out of line for a Manhattan. Prices aside, it was an enjoyable experience. The dining car ambience was pleasant, the service attentive and the food was good. The saving grace was the special “Dine LA” menu that offered 3 courses for $49, by an order of magnitude a better deal than anything else on the menu. There were few entrees alone that were less than that. Among the 4 of us we sampled all the choices on the limited special menu. The strawberry caprese salad was exceptional and the shrimp scampi looked good and was described as delicious by our guests. The flat iron steak was a good size portion and prepared perfectly. The braised short rib was quite large and just ok. The cheesecake dessert was very good and thankfully not too huge. The apple tart with cinnamon ice cream was excellent as well. So. A good meal at a historic LA restaurant for 4 people came to almost $350 (including tip). Had the special fixed price dinner not been available we would have been hard pressed to get out under $500. Not sure any meal is worth that.

Well, to my surprise I happened to enter a 20th Century old style American joint almost in Korea Town area. You must check it out. Such a cozy and stylish place with very cool, darker light atmosphere! The food is just amazing, the steak is prepared to your expectations! Jose, the waiter, knows his job and the menu very well! His classic look, style of presentation and the restaurant design make you feel like you are had a trip in time machine and you appeared in a different century when we were more real, did care more about each other and paid more attention to conversations in person, than using electronics... Highly recommended that terrific getaway!

Los Angeles has some legendary restaurants that one is supposed to put on their bucket list as a place to try. Apparently the Pacific Dining Car is one restaurant that is also on that so-called list. What people don't mention is these sort of places are either old or overpriced. In the case for this visit, I thought it was both old and overpriced. The general menu is outrageously expensive. Steaks start at $60 and up. A dinner for 2 could easily cost over $200, and that's including the $8 you pay for the valet. They do offer a Late Night menu from 11:00 pm to 6:00 am, but while its more affordable, its still expensive. We came on a Friday night at 11:00 pm. The place was pretty empty and we had our choice on where we wanted to sit. The host led us to the "Pacific Dining Room" which was full of eclectic tables and chairs. Not really what I thought for a high end place such as this. I had the Filet and Eggs from the late night menu. The eggs were actually very good. Fluffy and not overcooked or runny. Probably the best scrambled eggs I've had. But at $34.95 for a breakfast meal, I would expect nothing less. Unfortunately I was not a fan of the filet. The steak itself was buttery, and melted in my mouth. It was the flavoring or seasoning they used. It had a middle eastern or curry-esque flavor that took away from the steak's natural flavoring. I really could not taste the meat itself, so it makes me wonder if the PDC was trying to mask the meat somehow? I ended up taking 1/2 of my filet home, and it was probably a 6 oz cut. My meal came with bread (from muffin to toast) and I chose an English Muffin. It came plain, but hot, but by the time my butter came out, the bread was cold and the butter didn't melt. I also never got jam or jelly to accompany my bread, and I was too afraid to ask for some in case it was going to cost me an arm or leg. Stephen had the lamb burger, and the late night price was $15.95. While still pricey, it was more reasonable for the size and what you got. It was a huge burger and came with a fries/ sweet potato fries medley. They were crispy, and not overly greasy. We both had coffee, I had a brewed hot decaf while Stephen ordered a brewed iced coffee. Stephen didn't make any comments on the coffee, but I found it to be bitter, like it was sitting there. However when the waiter came to refill my cup, the coffee still tasted bitter. I had to add extra milk to counter the bitterness, and didn't find the coffee delightful at all. I declined a third refill, because it was that bad. At $6.95 for a cup of coffee, I expected more. Overall it was a disappointing meal. The price for a discounted, late night menu for both of us came to just over $70.00 after tax. Fortunately I had a Groupon for $70 (which I paid $42), so it covered the meal, and I just paid extra for the gratuity. Still, I don't think it was worth the money, even with the Groupon. This place may be a local institution, but given the location and price, I am glad to check it off my bucket list, and move onto places that are just as good, but for a fraction of the price. If you want a fancy steakhouse, there's plenty out there that will do the trick, and they're opened late, too.

I don't mind spending especially when I'm out with family. We were expecting to enjoy a steak dinner but were disappointed. It was overpriced and the ny steak tasted like it had been frozen for months. Maybe they forgot them in the bottom of the freezer. My daughter was lucky because she ordered a combination of steak and shrimps. The shrimps were good. The lobster and filet mignon were alright. But the "baseball steak" was bad. I will never go back to that place again.

There is no way of saying this but as follows: the Pacific Dining Car is no bargain. All of its dishes/side dishes/desserts/cocktails are enjoyed but only at premium price. But if you are coming here for a bargain, particularly a cheap breakfast, there is now an IHOP downtown for your convenience. The ambience of this place, the 24-7 availability, the service and the food quality are in the end worth it, at least when one feels the need--and ability--for a $plurge. You might even run into a celebrity or two during your meal.

Wonderful steaks here! As it happened we ate at both of the restaurants in the same week. The Santa Monica restaurant is great but you cant beat downtown, it is a restaurant that has been open since 1921. Oh and they are open 24/365, so all you need is a reservation

I took my two grown uo kids here for dinner last night, I've been before but a very long time ago, the kids had never been so it was fun. Its an interesting place and has been the Mecca for L.A. steak-lovers for almost 100 years, since 1921 according to the sigh in the car park. The food is everything you would expect from an old school place like this, a couple of the waiters look like they've been working here since it opened and are really good. It's full of character and has different dining rooms going off all over the place with a wonderful old bar in the back room. Needless to say the steaks are very tasty, I had the 'Cowboy' which is a bone in 16oz ribeye, juicy and delicious. All in all it was a lovely evening full of historic and culinary delights. However, what they don't tell you on the website menu is the prices, $84 for a steak? It was good but not that good. Its in one of the worst areas of L.A. the infamous Rampart District, historically the home of some of the most corrupt police in the country. Dinner for 3 with 2 glasses of wine and a tip was over $400 and they have the audacity to charge another 10 bucks for the valet! It's a great spot for the ambiance and yes it's open 24/7 for some strange reason, but for what it is, it's way over-priced. We could of had the same meal elsewhere for half the cost, but luckily I'm not bitter, just broke!

We'd passed by this restaurant for years and never really knew what it was about. Then while staying in LA we decided to go. Man oh Man had we been missing out. We've been to Morton's, Ruth's Chris, and many local "great" steak houses all over the country. This was the first time my steak was so tender it didn't even seem like meat. I had the filet mignon medallions and my husband had osso bucco, which is usually more tender than any steak...not this time! His wonderful dish didn't compare to mine, although it was "fork cut tender". One misstep though...I ordered medium rare, I got well done. Thank goodness I decided I could not choke that down (it was so dry it was hard to swallow) so I sent it back. They were very apologetic and quickly brought me the correct steak, that has turned out to be the very best I've ever had. Also, the restaurant itself is very interesting. It used to be a 1921 dining car. It has since been expanded and is fun to explore (martini in hand) and look at all the old pictures.

We went to this place for the first time - an LA icon. We thought we had to experience it. Never Again. Over inflated prices are one thing, but what can you possibly do to a steak to make it cost $75? Just because it was a holiday weekend? Well then it better come with the best service ever, and be cooked to perfection - but NO CHANCE. Lousy service from old waiters with no bounce left in their step. Took forever for the food to come - the kitchen staff must be tired and old too. Then the food was not cooked to order. Who wants a $45 pink pork chop? Or a $50 raw piece of veal smothered in cheap brown gravy with canned mushrooms? Most expensive dining disappointment we have ever had.

Pacific Dining Car, appeared in training day the movie! 24 hours ! Amazing oasis for steak lovers !!! Lovely Fillet Mignon, Dijon Chicken and Truffled Mac & Cheese !!! Great place in LA! Steak it is spectacular, really worth visiting if your in LA!

Disclaimer: My friend and I were recipients of the Free Baseball steak promotion. Review; We were provided the best service from the moment we valet'd (sp?) our vehicles through our return to said vehicles. We began our afternoon in the bar and Colby was fantastic! A great bartender, who made sure we were taken care of as well as regaling us with travel tips and jokes. When our table was ready, our waiter, Jose, was great and 1st rate. He made sure everything was as we asked and so very helpful in giving us info. Our busser, (sp?), Rufellio, (and I am sure that is spelled incorrectly), was also brilliant. The food was great and only surpassed by the service! We were there for lunch but it turned into a 5 hour event. Ambiance was awesome! I hadn't been to PDC in a few years & this was a pleasant reminder to return sooner rather than later. I'd like to thank Wes Idol for the 2nd chance at the Baseball Redux promotion and the fantastic staff there at the DTLA location. I'm sure I'll be seeing y'all soon!

Can you imagine a gourmet white tablecloth restaurant downtown Los Angeles that is open 24 hours. True! And such a cool luxury environment in train cars!!! The only weird thing is not having wine with your steak at 4:00 am because California bureaucrats thinks that is bad. Supper delicious meat. Will be looking forward to being awake at 4:00 am again just to go!!!

If you love steak this is definitely the place for you. it is really tasty, We ordered same steak and They both were so good!

At My Lady's suggestion, we had a pre-opera dinner at the Pacific Dining Car, which she said I had to experience. It was a very good suggestion! The interior decor is enough to impress you that you're in a very classy environment, very elegant. Service is very attentive and helpful, your waiter is ready to suggest alternatives and additions to your order. We both have limited appetites, and our request to split a wedge salad and a prime rib was met with aplomb. The wedge salad, with a bleu cheese dressing, was very well presented and had a marvelous taste. The prime rib was one of the finest that I've experienced, flavorful and tender. The accompanying baked potato was flavorful and tasty. A half bottle of cabernet accompanied us through our dinner. This is a dining treat, one that shouldn't be missed!

I went here with a friend and had a really nice meal. Started with a cocktail, then grilled artichoke, osso bucco and finished with cheesecake. The food was delicious - very good. Service was not what I would have expected from a place with these prices. Server never asked if we wanted another cocktail or wine with dinner - really?!? Entree came out while our appetizers plates were still on the table. Total tab - was $110 per person - and that was only one cocktail, no wine. Good food, but be prepared to pay!

Like stepping back in time, one expects to see Detective Phillip Marlow deep in thought, organizing his deshelved notes while occupying one of the white tableclothed booths. A very unique dining experience, the main dining room in an actual passenger railroad dining car from lthe early 20th century. The wait staff is very old school attentive and the food is fantastic. We started with a freshly prepared Heirloom Tomato Salad, a very nice way to start the meal with the combination of balsamic vinegar and olive oil waking up the taste buds. My date had wonderful Crab Cakes, a burst of wonderful flavor in every bite. I had the Baseball Steak, an aged prime sirloin cooked to perfection. Our sides were a nice portion of sauteed spinich to share along with surprisingly delicious Cajon baked potato skins. Both sides complimented our entrees perfectly. We were dining prior to the Bruce Springsteen concert and Joe, their driver, was nice enough to give us a ride in a shuttle van to the Sports Arena, around four miles away. He also picked us up afterwards and called in for a soufle to be prepared for us upon our return... very cool!! A wonderful night (phenomenal concert) and the only thing keeping the restaurant from getting 5 Stars was the price. I brought a bottle of wine and the corkage fee was a steep $40. The food, although outstanding, was perhaps a notch beneath Ruth's Chris or Flemings yet the price was actually a bit steeper than those two. Still, an overall great experience and I would defenitely go back next time in Los Angeles for a major event, particularly since Pacific Dining Car is open 24 hours a day!

The steaks are incredible... and dont miss the home made Vanilla bean ice cream. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner and late night... it is a historic place to what LA was and is. Do not go to LA and not try this place out! Service is great and the staff are friendly and helpful if you can not decide.

I have been coming to Pacific Dining Car since the 1980's when my uncle brought me here (the downtown location). I must say, the prices have gone way up (beyond even Beverly Hills places) and the location is not great to say the least. At $19 the Caesar salad should have been fantastic but was just ok, and my steak was ok, but not great for over $60. Drinks at $19 for a Martini are above even hotel prices. The service is good, but the place was empty on a Thursday evening at 7 to 9 pm. I guess this place will be out of business in a year - too bad because I used to like it. I would like to have a talk with the owners because it could still be saved - for better food at lower prices Musso and Frank's in Hollywood - from 1919 is a MUCH better bet - old school but better food and service.

prices are way too high 15.00 for a bake potato 70.00 for a rib eye that was about 20.00 over for what it was worth

I must admit from the start that we don't usually go to such expensive restaurants, but we had a Groupon coupon, so it was well worth the trip. Everything was very very nice . . . the ambiance, the service, the food. The only thing that annoyed me was the fact that I had to grind my own pepper on my salad . . . with these prices, the waiter should do it for me! The waiter brought lovely warm bread to the table to start. We began our meal with a beautiful basket of potato skins and then the 3 of us shared 2 salads. My husband ordered the beef osso bucco and said it was superb. Our daughter ordered a cowboy steak with sauteed mushrooms and onions; it was perfectly cooked and full of flavor (there was enough left over for 2 meals). I was not hungry enough for an entree, so I ordered the scallops and spinach with lobster sauce appetizer. It was just enough and perfectly prepared. My wine selection was a glass of Malbec . . . it was satisfactory. Drink prices, as with everything else, are high. None of us had any appetite left for dessert, but if we were going to try one, it would have been the chocolate souffle. Service was very attentive. The location in downtown LA was easy to reach. I especially recommend Pacific Dining Car if you have a lot of money to spend or if you have a Groupon. Either way, you will not be disappointed.

Recently took my husband to the Pacific Dining Car for his birthday. Though it is pricey, the food is outstanding, and the service is exceptional. Tucked away on a dark corner, just west of downtown you would never know what lies behind the doors. Valet parking is a must and you enter through the narrow dining car, but don't let that fool you. There are several dining rooms available, so its a great place for a special occasion. We had a comfortable spacious booth and enjoyed a five-star meal with appetizer, salad, entree, dessert and coffee. I can't say enough about the exceptional service, and each wait-person made just enough casual conversation to feel as if we were old friends. This was only the second visit, but it is a favorite on our list. For out of town visitors, this is a great nearby alternative to the hustle/bustle of downtown - a short cab ride for those without a car.

After visiting a friend at Good Samaritan Hospital we decided to have a late lunch/early dinner at Pacific Dining Car. It was right across the street and came with a good recommendation from a friend. We were seated promptly. The interior of the restaurant was very nice. The service was prompt, pleasant, and efficient. My wife had the lentil soup, an heirloom tomato salad, and a glass of wine. I had a cocktail and the Cobb salad. Both meals were good but fairly pricey, although I do not live in Los Angeles so have no frame of reference. They do serve breakfast all day and our waiter advised us on some "special" touches to ask for such as mint and berries on the fresh grapefruit. The restaurant also caters to theatre goers by offering shuttle service from their valet parking to the music center. Generally speaking I recommend this restaurant but be prepared to pay top dollar.

We've enjoyed both the service and food at the Pacific Dining Car Los Angeles for many years. It seemed a natural choice for New Year's Eve pre-concert dining with friends. The ambiance is traditional and rich with classic touches of leather, wood, paintings and other art work. The service on this particular evening was touch and go at best. We felt rushed and at the same time there were lulls in service. For example, it took forever to get cocktails and wine. We ordered more bread, but the butter came at a later time. My wife's iced tea never did arrive. The server seemed indifferent though the other members of the staff were cheerful and pleasant. The food was as good as ever, but the service lacked a certain luster that is expected when paying these prices. By the way, they were not too crowded so I doubt that the server was stressed.

The Pacific Dining Car has been around for decades. Back in LA after having moved away 20 years ago, we decided to see how it has fared and stopped in for a Friday breakfast. It did not disappoint. Yes, the neighborhood isn't the best, with the lower-rent areas surrounding it, but we walked several blocks from downtown nonetheless, with no issues. (Not to mention we avoided the valet charge, which is shameless.) Food was excellent, service very good, too. Portions are quite large, as is the bill at the end. About the only negative was the tree trimming crew right outside the window. Gas powered trimmers don't add much to the ambiance.

This is a great restaurant with a fabulous wine list. However, it is very expensive. For the price of a steak here you can get two at an alternative very good restaurant. And the markup on the wine is a pretty serious gouge. However, the beef cannot be beat and you will find wines on the list that you cannot find anywhere else in LA. Now, here is the major catch. Look at your bill very carefully when it comes. My last visit nearly cost me an extra $140 plus the tip for that. The waiter tried to sneak that past me and I called him on it and asked for the manager. Of course apologies were flowing, but no offer of reduction for their attempt. So, I then had to nick the waiter on the tip for his tomfoolery. Plus, I will never, ever return to the Pacific Dining Car, either location. When I pay that much for a dinner, I DO NOT want the waiter trying to cheat me, or even making that kind of a mistake if that was what happened. However, I do not think this was a mistake, I think it was purposeful.

We stopped at Pacific Dining car for lunch with some friends. We were seated right away in a nice booth. The menu has some nice selections but I wanted to try the prime rib. I was disappointed with the way the meat was cooked. For the price I fully expected it to be superb. It was a little tough and not seasoned very well. Our friends also commented that their food was not exceptional. When our bill arrived it was a little over 300 dollars for lunch. This included two drinks each. I said "ouch!" I dont mind spending good money for lunch but this was not worth it. When we left the restaurant there was a veteran sitting in a wheelchair in the parking lot, asking for money. I told him I should have given him the money we just spent on our lunch. It would have gone to a better cause. He just smiled and said "feel free to help me." So I did and that was the best part of our visit to Pacific Dining Car.

Besides the fact that it is an old railroad car, this is not any mainstream steakhouse. The service is old school polished professionals. Over the years, we have dined here a couple times a year. Always, always - excellent service. The steaks are very good, prepared perfectly. Personally find this to be a significantly better than Brooklyn's famed Lugar's for service, menu options and food preparation. The mashed potatoes and creamed spinach are my favorite sides. If Eggs Benedict is your thing, it is excellent here. The restaurant is open 24 hours and it can be busy in the wee hours of the morning. The bar always makes an excellent drink. For breakfast or brunch, try the bloody mary. The wine list is well thought out, good values for excellent wine selections are found. There are even some good half bottle options on the list. Overall, this is a great steakhouse - old school but often outshines some of the new trendy steakhouses and holds its own against some of the more popular upscale chains. Totally recommend this to LA visitors - you can dine at the nationwide chains anytime.

Wow! People really pay this kind of money to eat this food and experience this service? I read the reviews, and am sorry to say we just didn't have the high caliber dining experience others on TripAdvisor seem to have enjoyed. Our party of four went here to celebrate Christmas Eve, and because we asked not to be near large groups (and mentioned this when we made the reservation), we were seated opposite the ladies room entrance. The service was mediocre and not the uber experienced professional waiters mentioned in other reviews....maybe they were off! The roast beef was good, but not outstanding. The sides were all very nice, but again not outstanding. At these very high prices, we all felt let down.... The wine list starts at $100+ a bottle so making the right choice is important. There was no sommelier on duty, so we were left to our own devices. The waiter advised that he only knew about the wine of the day by the glass.....So, we picked out a vineyard we all knew, and thankfully made a good choice given the price of the bottle. The restaurant "comped" us one desert to share which was meant to make up for the lack of sommelier, which was appreciated. The restaurant did not seem to be enforcing any dress code, and people were literally wearing t-shirts and jeans while dining here, even at these prices. This is an LA anti-fashion thing which this ex-NY-er still can't accept. Emperors new clothes, if you know the story....Really high prices, but not the outstanding steak house experience that one would expect. This is not a classy place, but rather tired with mediocre food and service. Also, the lesson may be to never go out Christmas Eve, New Years Eve or Valentine's Day....

First time diner. This is an old time L.A. landmark steak house. It reminds me of fine dining establishments that still existed through the 80s and later. Reservations were promptly acknowledged and we were seated at a comfortable booth. Restaurant was tastefully decorated for the holidays (mid-December). Very comfortable and upscale feel to the place. Wait persons were knowledgeable and helpful. Service was prompt and courteous; highly professional. Full bar served drinks that were generous in size and were well prepared. We were a party of 2. We started with a classic wedge salad and a warmed spinach salad. The spinach salad was outstanding; the wedge was very good. Bread (with butter) was placed on the table that was fresh but not especially interesting. Both of us had the New York steaks, medium-rare. Steaks were perfectly cooked and seasoned. They were among the best steaks we have had anywhere. Entrees are all ala carte so we ordered potatoes au gratin as a side dish, large enough to share. We then shared a cheese cake for dessert: very good traditional cheesecake. This is a special occasion restaurant: while it is pricey, it is very comfortable, you are made to feel comfortable, the setting is very nice, you are not rushed through your time there, and you feel good when leaving.

Seventy dollars for a 14 oz. New York steak? You would expect a fantastic steak. It was average at best!

I have been going to the Pacific Dining Car for over 40 years. It is a quiet oasis just west of downtown Los Angeles. The service is warm and efficient. The staff having been there for ever. They know their customers and are very friendly. The restaurant is also the most expensive in Los Angeles. Steaks al a carte are over $70 and the lunch salads are around $35. The problem is that the restaurant is very worn and needs to be refurbished. Old carpet and furniture. Seats starting to get uncomfortable. There is also an smell like you are in an old building. The other problem was the two salads I had at my table. The Cobb had way too much dressing and I had to send it back. Another person had the shrimp salad and the shrimp tasted like they were marinated in salt. Last visit, I had the lamb chops and they were so small I ate them in three bites. Very pricy at around $70. So sad to see this Los Angeles gem going down the hill.

Open 24 hours, this is a real late night treat. Finally had a meal here and it was awesome. Pancakes at midnight? Yessiree!

The Pacific Dining Car is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. I don't know how they justify that, but it might mean they have to jack up prices during dinner hour to subsidize the breakfast, brunch, lunch, tea, etc. Maybe those meals are great, but I'm telling you that I would avoid this place for dinner unless money is no object. It's not that the food was bad. In fact it was rather good. My filet mignon was very well-cooked, the onion rings were good, the macaroni and cheese (a rather amusing, and welcome, dish to see in a fancy restaurant) tasty and my companions' steaks were also top-notch. But you're paying $11.50 for mashed potatoes. You're paying $70 for a cowboy steak. Yes the food is good, but it just doesn't justify the high cost. None of the food we ordered was distinctive enough to make me say "Well at least I'm paying for uniqueness." They were good, but they were what I expect at a steakhouse. I'm sure some of you out there are richer than me, but even so, I'm telling you, for these prices you could go somewhere more interesting culinarily, even if it doesn't have a railroad theme.

If you want the best aged steak ever, then you owe it to yourself to check out the Pacific Dining Car in Los Angeles. This is elegant dining at it's best. Now if someone said they know a place that is open twenty-four hours, three hundred and sixty-five days a year, you'd think Norm's or Denny, but that's the Pacific Dining Car. Great, great food with a wonderful atmosphere. If you like Ruth Chris or Fleming's Prime Steakhouse, you're going to love this place. This is not an inexpensive place by no means, but again the food is fantastic, the service is spot on with timing. It's just a great dining experience.

The service was eceptional, the double cut pork chop was enough for my daughter and I to share. Kitchen cooks took it upon themselves to give us each our own plate--nice and classy. Husbands filet was SOOO good, you fidn't need a knife to cut it. Twelve dollars for six asparagus spears was a bit rich while the mac & chz was ouei goey good. Next trip dowm we'll find the original dining car

Strange Saturday night, where the waiter told several groups (including me) that they had to wait 1.5 hours for the burger. Hmmm... also they served the appetizer at the same time as the entree. Forgot to clear tables and menus unless I pointed it out. The food was decent. Scallops and spinach was delicious, but too cold. The burger was very plain, with thin slice of cheese, a few thin slices of pickles and one lettuce. The apple tart was delicious but should have been served warm, with the cold ice cream.

When we arrived there were two tables occupied and they seated us right next to a threesome that thought their discussions should be heard by everyone within shouting distance. This a very large room with scads of unoccupied tables. As we left we spoke to the hostess, who commented that that group had been there for hours and they were noisy, but there was nothing they could do about, so apparently they were aware of the problem but seated us next to them anyway. The food was excellent and the service was great,but, much too expensive to put up with noise.

I have visited the downtown Pacific Dining Car numerous times over the past few years because it is close to work and because they have a Groupon offer almost all the time. This classic steakhouse has been run by the same family since 1921 and is open 24 hours. There are at least 4 menus. The first dining room you enter looks like a classic elegant railroad dining car (NOT AMTRAK!), and there are numerous other dining rooms and a bar that split off in 2 directions. Diners new to the PDC may be shocked by the high prices. Indeed, even with a Groupon, you'll be forced to shell out extra bucks. On the dinner menu, salads now run about $15, appetizers about $30, steaks start at over $40 (except for the $38 hamburger steak), and the least expensive non-steak entree is the roasted chicken at $41. Most sides are $13. The good, perhaps surprising, news is that many of the above prices are LOWER than before, at least for the salads, apps and sides. The menu has been revamped, with new items added, including vegan, and others removed. I'm quite sure portion sizes were reduced on some dishes. I actually don't always order an entree. A decent meal can be made from an app and a few sides. Over my several visits, I would say my favourite steak is the Cowboy Steak, a $85 bone-in ribeye. I've also enjoyed the short ribs ($56), pork chop ($42) and veal chop, which is no longer on the menu. The non-steak entrees usually come with a starch and veggie, but the steaks , which used to be served stark naked on the plate, now come with a small piece of bone marrow and a half head of roasted garlic. There are, however, a variety of complimentary sauces/accompaniments for the steaks--I usually get smothered mushrooms and onions, My standby sides are creamed spinach and creamed corn, formerly $16, now $13. They are served in a wider, shallower dish than previously--the portion size was not noticeably smaller. The complimentary sourdough bread is delish. Service is amiable but not always super-attentive. Most of the waiters have been on the job a long time. The place has similarities to the Original Pantry Cafe, another Los Angeles classic, but is much more elegant and much more costly.

This restaurant was simply lovely. Old school, dark wood, red leather, varied menu and terrific steaks. The Osso Bucco is a traditional favorite here and it was fabulous. Even though it was News Years Eve, the service was perfect. We loved it.

I ate here with my son and his friend today. There seemed to be only one other table seated, so it was a slow business day, although we could see some 5 staff members. The staff just didn't seem to notice us. We waited while they chatted and discussed and traded pleasantries. The low level of customers must have inspired them to slow down and to serve us, now the only customers, in some sort of equivalent way, slowly. We ordered coffee, but only one of three got it. We waited more than 10 more minutes, so I finally telephoned them, which brought them to the table without their answering their own phone. We ordered, and the hostess traded her menu order pad to the actual waiter who at this time had been gone some 35 minutes. Wanting this to be an excellent experience, it was frustrating as well as irritating. Once we finally ordered, some 35-40 minutes after being seated and after ordering coffee, service was restored, things came to the table, and the meal went better than well after that. We ordered baseball steaks, all cooked rare, a salad to share, and macaroni and cheese; and eventually coffee for all three was served. Steak, salad, pasta were all excellent. Coffee was rich and hot. The food was first-rate; we all agreed. Still, the neglectful manner of service needs improvement because it is dismaying to receive their treatment. It was almost as if there were no supervisor. I have noticed this at the PDC: when they are busy (evening hours for example or lunch time during the working week), service is on the mark and competent. When it is a slow period like 3PM, service gets in the way of a satisfactory experience, each time. In future, I am planning to ask for regular attention so their discipline does not disintegrate, again. The waiter took the coffee off the bill, so he knew they had all fallen short, and he made an attempt at making amends. The bill was about $140.00 for the three of us. The place is charming, decorated well, and the chairs and tables are well spaced. It's a good even special place, just step up the service.

I have always wanted to try the Pacific Dining Car. I had heard a lot about it but never ended up there. I finally had a chance to try it. The prices are high. I had crab cakes, caesar salad, and the cowboy steak. The steak was one of the best I have ever had. The atmosphere is like going through a time warp. I really love this place. There are not many places left like this. I will return if I am ever in Downtown LA and want to eat a great meal.

The baseball steak was great - medium rare with truffle butter or peppered sauce. The lobster and Mac and Cheese was amazingly delicious. We ended the night with chocolate soufflé which the vanilla cream was dynamite. This 24hr 1921 dining car restaurant was featured in Training Day. With good food and historical background, this is a must visit!

Los Angeles has so very few great truly legendary landmarks that still exist, especially when it comes to restaurants. Pacific Dining Car was such a place. It started literally in a converted train dining car back in 1927, and then sort of grew outward with more additional converted train cars, as well as a few actual buildings. Pacific Dining Car always became the place to go for that very special celebration, or the perfect person in your life. And it never, ever disappointed. It’s service is always impeccable, with long-time waiters who see their job as a honorable profession, not as a way station to acting glory. However in the past few years Pacific Dining Car has done some strange things with prices. And with that, they now have become one of the most expense restaurant in Los Angeles. Sure there a few other places, especially those with a prix fixe menus where, in the end, you could spend more money. However in those places, you’re not just getting a steak and potatoes, but a full menu with dozens of special dishes with exotic ingredients, many courses, good portions and a sense that the price was truly worth the experience. But at Pacific Dining Car everything is à la carte. And they mean that in the truest sense of the word. If you order a steak, that is all you get. Everything else is extra. And this does become an issue when, for example the ever popular T-Bone Steak is $83. Their other cuts of beef, plus the usual fish and chicken dishes are also priced in the stratosphere. But, one doesn’t live on steak alone, and a usual meal will also consist of a vegetable and perhaps a potato dish. However, here, for example, mashed, baked or fried potatoes are an extra $16, as are most vegetables. What is even more eye-opening is a basic starter salad. The standard “mixed-green” or Caesar is $20, and the old diner standard of a wedge of iceberg lettuce with some ranch dressing poured over it, is actually the most expensive at $22. That means, if you were a couple and wanted a nice night on the town, with the typical ordering of perhaps a few bar drinks, an appetizer, salad, a protein (meat, fish or chicken), with a vegetable and potato, a dessert, and perhaps an average priced bottle of wine, your total for the evening at this steak house (with a tip and taxes), will total at around $600 One of their advantages is that this ultra-high-end restaurant is opened 24 hours (though of course the bar and wine service stops at 2:00 AM). They do have a breakfast and lunch menu. But these prices are not reflectively that much less than the ones described. Pacific Dining Car has always been a beloved grand Los Angeles institution. It’s a shame that they now seem to have out-priced themselves to the very people who have kept them in business for almost a 100 years. NOTE: This review is for the original restaurant on 6th Street in Downtown Los Angeles. They also have a second restaurant on the “Westside”. However it has the same menu with the same prices, and without the atmosphere that makes the original so unique.

I travel with a generous expense policy for my company, so I can afford to splurge once in a while. But this place was ridiculous. It definitely has snob appeal with white linens and tuxedoed waiters. But the prices do not equate with the quality of the food. $35 for a sandwich and soft drink was outrageous. The meat was tough! My lunch companion chose steak that was subpar in taste and tenderness. I honestly would have had a better quality sandwich at Denny's or Big Boy. If you are wealthy and have money to throw around, your ego will be stroked and you will be impressed by the $100,000 plus cars in the lot. It's a paradox, because it is a poor area. The only thing keeping this area from destruction is the presence of a medical center.

Many years ago (in the 1950's) when The original Cook Family/ original owners were running "the best steakhouse in the country" (never had better food since before their kids took over)...The Pacific Dining Car was known for their in house (basement) aged Prime Beef that was B-B-qued to perfection right in front of all to see, and incredible thin lucious onion rings with fabulous salads and buttered buns to die for. 6th St. at Witmer near downtown Los Angeles was the gathering place of the stars and the wealthy. Among many others, Bob Hope was there weekly as was most of the entertainment and upper crust business crowd. Air and Aerospace was just booming, and money was flowing...good times were here. Prices were high even then, but more than worth the price for the best in the west. Since then, (when the younger family took over and among other things, stopped their beef aging on location), this place went way downhill on everything except prices. It completely changed...but for people who never knew the original to compare, it was ok, but nothing like the original...and I have had fine Steaks all over the country and overseas, and have never tasted a finer steak in well over 50 years since they took over their parents Pacific Dining Car restaurant. I have been there 3 times since, and it does not even resemble what the original Cook's started (food wise). Only the prices resemble the original, high, but totally unwarranted now. Sad!

This place opens 24/7 and serves real food (seafood, steak, etc) all day long. It is considerably expensive ($$$$ 4 dollar signs is an accurate description), but some dishes are very delicious. Recommend the lobster mac n cheese! Freshly baked, warm and delicious. There are many pieces of lobster, and the sauce is very smooth. I personally like dipping the bread in the sauce, and it tastes great! Do not suggest the baseball steak from the last night menu. It was missing a bit of flavor, and the piece I got was burn =( Get a Groupon online =)

i met a friend there that i did not see for a long time and we had a leasurely lunch. we both had a salad, hers topped with beef and mine with chicken. it was well done and tasty. the atmosphere is great, cosy with many booths. the waiters are super friendly and they are opened 24 hours! i enjoyed it. but this is a restaurant. not a diner. dont expect diner's prices.

Service here was great...very attentive! But this place is a bit over rated and definitely over priced. Very good food though. They serve their steaks with a small bone and marrow. The steak was cooked exactly as ordered. Wedge salad with candied bacon was really good as well. We had the creamed spinach which was 'ok' and the sauteed mushrooms, which were 'good'. Not sure that I'd go back.

My wife and I wanted to enjoy our first night together in LA having dinner at a grassroots downtown restaurant; PDC didn’t fail. The quality of the food is exceptional, we enjoyed roasted vegetables and mushroom risotto accompanied by a cheeky Cabernet which were all mouthwatering. The old school charm is so well worth the dining experience, the gentleman who work the tables are gems. Prices are rib ticklers if you’re not appraised, I took photos of their latest menus so first time diners aren’t taken aback. I love the joint, experience your meal at the back bar or finish up there with a dessert and cognac.

My father-in-law was visiting and he wanted some prime rib so I found this place and it was absolutely wonderful. My father-in-law really likes things to be top quality and he was very pleased with everything here. The service was impeccable. Our waiter spoke 5 languages and could speak Spanish with my husband and father-in-law. I am American but speak German as well and our waiter joked around with me in German too. Top quality food. I had the filet mignon and it melted in my mouth. My broccoli was cooked perfectly. I normally can't just sit down and eat a bunch of broccoli with nothing on it, but here I could. Very quiet, lovely atmosphere. You are transported back into the 20's, eating in an elegant dining car. Open 24 hours, 365 days a year.

The Pacific Dining Car has been a Los Angeles experience since 1921 and it only keeps getting better. Four of us had a Sunday brunch in late November at the W.6th Street restaurant, and it was just marvelous. The food is outstanding; our server was attentive without being intrusive and the staff greeted us from the moment we entered the restaurant all the way to our table. For elegant dining, great aged meats, and other delicious offerings, the Pacific Dining Car is it. I highly recommend this restaurant for all occasions. Visitors to the Los Angeles Civic Center should consider it a great option. The Pacific Dining Car is open 24 hours a day. A convenient feature added by the owners of this great restaurant is a shuttle service to local entertainment centers—Dorothy Chandler Music Center, The Walt Disney Concert Hall, the L.A. Sports arena plus other areas. I would like to extend a personal “Thank You” to our server and the restaurant for the slice of birthday cheesecake. I am not fond of cheesecake, but this was truly the best I have ever tasted. “Bon Appetite”

The service was really lacking for what is a very expensive steakhouse. It simply was not living up to its reputation and I do not think we will go back. Nonetheless we had a special family gathering to celebrate two graduations!

Had 8 oz filet. Was done perfectly and truffle butter put it over the top. The sides were great and large enough to share except for the potatoes au gratin which was the best and cheesiest I have had. The cheesecake made a nice finale.

This classic upscale 24-hour diner is delicious. Just a heads up this is on the pricey side so buyer beware. You have to get the baseball cut steak if so mouth-watering. Everything in the menu is made 24/7. It's located just a few minutes outside of downtown LA, you can't miss it look for the Big Bull on the sign

This was the best tasting prime rib that I had ever eaten, lovely vegetables, great salad, Coffee could have been better, should have asked for a fresh pot It was a good choice for a pre-opera at Dorothy Chandler.dinner.

I have only been there for lunch and breakfast, not dinner. It's always quiet and peaceful. The staff treats me well, like they are glad I'm there. It's rather elegant, but they never give me dirty looks if i show up in jeans and a t-shirt. The valet does hide my truck in a corner, but he's the one who has to go get it so it's his problem. They never try to rush me out the door. The food is great. I usually get a California omelet with tomato slices and can't eat the whole thing. Before the meal comes, they bring out a little dish with strawberry jam and orange marmalade, which i think is made in-house. Their coffee is really good, strong but not bitter. Too bad i stopped drinking coffee a couple years ago. I'm always tempted to have some when i go in there. I once had the roast beef hash. It's made with big chunks of prime rib, delicious and enough for two meals. The orange juice is fresh. I wish i could afford to eat there every day, but it's a nice treat sometimes. And they're always open, which is great.

Very expensive...Had the steak and lobster...steak was ok...lobster tail was over cooked. Drinks were good

I LOVED this restaurant! I was very surprised based on the exterior which is unassuming and downtown with a walkup to a very small hostess area. It is dark but the layout looks like a train car to a degree. Raphael at the bar was fantastic and clearly has seen a lot of people and poured a lot of drinks -- a MASTER though. The waiters wear green dinner jackets and our's was fantastic. Didn't "want" for anything. It was NOT crowded at all which was strange to me as it is downtown near the Staples Center and there were two big conferences in town BUT it is -- and YES, this is true -- a TWENTY-FOUR hour restaurant. Get the filet! It was cooked perfectly. I added in scallops also and they are bacon-wrapped. "DEE-RISH!" The entrees are a la carte and healthy portions. The mushrooms are a must also. AND, they wine menu is great and has respectable prices. 4.5 stars!

We went to Pacific Dining Car for Christmas dinner, expecting something really special. Years ago, it was the favorite of one of our fathers, and it's where we had our first date. So we were particularly looking forward to returning after an absence of some 40 years. Boy, were we disappointed! First, they couldn't find our reservation, even though we'd made it sometime in advance and checked the same day by phone. Then they seated us opposite the ladie's restroom, and we do mean opposite. Sitting in a horseshoe-shaped booth, 10 feet from the door, we had a full view as patrons entered and exited. No booth should ever be placed like that, for the sake of the diners as well as the women. The table had no napkins or silverware when we were seated, and it took quite some time for the busboy to locate and place them. After a while, we were brought a couple glasses of water. Then some bread and butter. Finally, a waiter brought the menus but didn't return for over 15 minutes to take our order. It was Christmas, so we ordered turkey and all the trimmings. When it arrived, after another long wait, it was lukewarm and fairly tasteless. The turkey was dry, and the dressing soggy. About the only thing that tasted good was the cranberry sauce, made in-house. Kudos there. Once we'd finished, it seemed to take forever to get the bill. At $80 per person, each of us having a glass of house wine and no dessert or appetizer, we felt we hadn't got what we'd paid for. Had the food and service been what we remembered, we'd have been happy to return and to hand over the credit card. To give some ccommendation to staff, the maitre d' and hostess kept coming by and apologizing. But apologies don't make up for poor food and service. Sorry to say, we won't be back.

The restaurant is compartmentalized into cars, as one would expect from the name. Each compartment feels like a smaller private dinning room. Food was terrific, but not inexpensive.

The service was excellent, the food was amazing. Both my husband and I sat eating our steaks with big smiles planted on our faces in astonishment due to how delicious they were, we had never had steaks like that before and I doubt anything will trump them till we return one day. We stayed in LA for a week and the Pacific Dining Car was our favourite thing of the entire trip. They had the best food in LA that we experienced (we dined at quite a few restaurants during our stay), the best service we received and we will be back one day. Seeming it was our anniversary dinner, when we asked for the bill - they came out with a cake and candles saying 'happy anniversary' - they were amazing to us. They were our best experience of LA. The place is amazing old time but tres cool. We loved they maintained it so well, it looked ritzy from the inside and they know how to treat their customers. We've been back in Australia for two days now and we are still marvelling about our experience there and how fantastic the food was and the service. A must for anyone visiting LA, and a must for the locals, I don't understand why the Pacific Dining Car isn't #1.

Six of us went there for dinner on Tues 12/20/16. Ironic that it's in an old rail car because our evening was a complete trainwreck! Arrived at 5:50 and told them we had to be to the theater by 8:00, so we were on a schedule. The service was positively GLACIAL, the food so-so, and GROSSLY overpriced! One meal needed more fire, ours needed less, so they had to completely redo our overcooked halibut. 25 minutes later, after our guests had all finished their meals, our properly-cooked entree arrived. Wow! Do yourselves a favor and go out to TWO meals at any other, hopefully better restaurant. The total will be the same as one night of misery in this establishment. P.S. After Uber/taxi racing to the theater we arrived JUST before curtain.

A magical meal was to be had on a hot Sunday afternoon, sitting in a cool, elegant dining room with soft light, crisp linens, impeccable service, and food from heaven's kitchen! The classic Baseball Steak was cooked to perfection and garnished with a tasty marrow bone. The Seared Scallop appetizer was amazingly sweet and succulent with an incomparable lobster sauce that put it over the top. Being served on classic fine china, crystal, and silver is such a delight after so much trendy minimalism elsewhere. Our wonderful waiter Jaime made sure we had everything to our liking, and shared stories of earlier days of Pacific Dining Car as we looked at the amazing photo collection lining the walls. With an ambiance steeped in so much Los Angeles history, one senses a continuity that is not usually associated with Los Angeles.

This is an old fashioned steak house that haas been in LA since the early 20s. Steaks were excellent but you do pay for it (as well as the atmosphere). Everything is Ala Carte (as one might expect). The sides were good but not exceptional as the steaks were. Chocholate soufflé was excellent!!! Great meat, a good wine list and atmosphere but you do pay for it!!

Very pricey, but the portions; quality of food offered; service and ambiance more than offset the cost. (Plus you might look for a Groupon) Table of 4, we ordered a specialty of the PDC: Crab Cakes, prepared with fresh Blue Crab meat to share as an appetizer. Since the PDC is first a steakhouse serving Prime, Aged, Corn fed Beef, we all chose a different cut and presentation to try. Highly recommend the "Baseball" steak; "Cowboy" steak; the "Filet Oscar" and Ribeye steak. The well seasoned crust sealed in the juices for tender, mouthwatering carnivorous bites of love. As Midwesterners, we felt right at home. Salad, Seafood, Fish and Chicken entrees are also available, and sound tempting! Potato options and Vegetable are ala carte. The wine list offers a full selection to satisfy the casual or finicky palate. We chose a nice Pinot Noir. The wait staff was friendly yet professional and dressed to present an elegant atmosphere. They made us feel very special! Our birthday girl was surprised with a complimentary slice of cheesecake, candle too! The furnishings were immaculate and well maintained. With a sometimes crazy LA lifestyle, it's great to know they are open 24 hours. Can't wait to go back and try some of the Late Night fare. Their mission statement of, "Always Open, Always Outstanding" rings true!

I visited the PRC twice and just liked the experience both times. My first visit was after waking from the Convention Center on a fairly hot late afternoon dressed in T shirt, shorts and sandals. I thought there might be a dress code but only I was bothered it seems. I was looking for a Pimms Cup at the bar but settled for Gin and Tonics. Nicely poured with lime and ice that was chipped not cubes. Very refreshing. Bartenders Colby and Raffi were attentive and entertaining. I learned a lot about the restaurant's history and we had a lot of banter as well. My second visit was the next morning for breakfast and was seated in the original train car. I really enjoyed the opulence of the wood interiors and the China and silverware. Service was outstanding by Luis. Not overbearing but my coffee never went dry and all my needs were anticipated. I had the filet and eggs with the steak perfectly done and very flavorful. The scrambled eggs were just right and the potatoes with the onions were very good although too many to eat. The orange marmalade was quite a treat on the English muffin. I took a short tour through the various rooms and wished I had more time and that my wife was along. This is a fine place for special events. Yes, the place is pricey but I felt well taken care of and that has value.

Visited for a birthday brunch. Unfortunately, the food was cold. And simple items, like bacon and eggs, were not cooked well or tasty. It was a disappointing experience. I would have been unhappy with the same level of quality if I went somewhere cheaper like Denny's. The atmosphere is dreary and dull. But if you like quiet, you will appreciate the ambience.

My Husband and I went to The Pacific Dining Car to celebrate our anniversary. It is overpriced but I had purchased a Groupon. The food was good but not great. I had the salmon cesar salad and my husband had medallions of beef. I liked the historical dining cars.

Use a Groupon otherwise, you'll be spending an 'arm & a leg' for your meal. For those who desire popular flavored martini, such as Mango, forget it--Apple and 'traditional' are the only types available. I ordered the milk-fed pork chop which had to be sent back, and butterflyed--cut open/grilled to be appealing and palatable for me. Our meal of Crab cakes (2), apple martini; pork chop; 'French 75', and one gin/tonic was over $150! on which we paid $36 (with Groupon deduction) plus $22 tip. (Groupon suggests tip on the total bill before the discount) Classic fine dining ambiance, with service from idle wait staff at 5:30 PM on a Thursday evening where there were exactly 4 diners including my party of two--i counted. Two parties of two entered as we were exiting at 8PM; Park on the street after 6PM; or pay $6:50 service charge to park in their lot. I chose Pacific Dining Car Santa Monica for nostalgic reasons. My previous dining experiences there were paid for by my lovers at the time. The 'French 75', was one of my required nostalgic elements which i was positive the bartender knew how to make--he did--it was the best item of my meal.

If you enjoy quality food served with the respect and attentiveness of the entire restaurant staff, you'll enjoy your meal coming here. A total Old School atmosphere which happens to be open 24 hours as a plus.

My email was chosen during an promotion in honor of the PDC being in business for 98 years plus the start of baseball season. The food and service was phenomenal!! It’s also cool to know that the restaurant was in the movie Training Day with Denzel Washington

We have come here before, and unfortunately the food sucked the first time we visited (the baseball steak was so dry that my husband could not chew and process it). But we don't want to turn it down completely so we came again. This time the food was really good! Recommend the Reuben sandwich, the lamb burger, and the lobster Mac n cheese! Make sure you get a groupon deal, otherwise this place is a $$$$ (yes four dollar signs) restaurant. Now the service - we placed an order for the lobster Mac n cheese but it never came. When we checked on the order, the server said that he didn't place the order. It was really odd, because my husband I placed the order before anything else :( So the server went back and re-placed an order for us. It took forever for the dish to come. Overall, four stars for the food. I gave it three stars only because the service was terrible.

We've heard about this place for many years, yet never went inside until today despite the good reviews and the fact that we had passed by many times. We decided to go for brunch on father's day and were pleasantly surprised by the decor inside. We had known it was themed as a railway diner car, but hadn't imagined the tastefully decorated rooms adhering to this theme. The service was also exceptional. Unfortunately, the food only rated average, but I would still highly recommend a visit.

We needed to get out of the hospital after my daughter had a premature baby and needed a place that was very close. I admit we should have done our own research first but it was a very stressful time and I found this restaurant through Trip Advisor and it was only a half a block away. It was about 8:30 a.m. Sunday morning and only one other person was in the restaurant. The restaurant was really beautiful and looked like the inside of an elegant train car. There were other rooms that also looked like different rooms in the train car. The menu was interesting and we had great service (but we were the only other table). If it hadn't been such a stressful time, and if I hadn't had two first time parents who were still in a bit of a state of shock of having a baby 3 1/2 months before the due date, I probably would have gone somewhere else. The cheapest thing I could find on the menu was 29.00 and that was traditional 2 eggs, hash browns, bacon. Two of us had coffee and one had orange juice and we each ordered a breakfast. The bill for the three of us was $145.00 (that includes tax). Yikes.

We visited Pacific Dining Car for the first time about two weeks ago. I was so excited to eat at the restaurant because 1) I love steak and 2) I love history. The Dining Car is a restaurant from the 1920's, so I was already hooked before we walked through the door. Unfortunately, once we walked in, my husband and I both immediately noticed how quiet it was. Very strange. No music whatsoever. We were out on a rare date night and we felt like instead of being on a romantic date, we were in a morgue. The original dining car area is very nice, and there are other rooms that have been added over the years, which are also very nice. We just couldn't get over the fact that it was SOOOO quiet. Then, we got a menu. WOW!!! Any love for history and steak was suddenly dampened by the menu prices. The steaks range from $50 - $85 dollars, and each side order is around $14 bucks!!! The salads range from $18 - $35 dollars!!! This is crazy! My husband and I have eaten at many steak restaurants in LA, and this one seems by FAR the most expensive. If the atmosphere was great or the service above average, I might be able to justify the cost. But no, the waiter seemed annoyed that he had to serve us (just wanted to get his day over with, I guess) and the restaurant decor seemed tired and dated. No energy at all in this place. The food was actually pretty good, but I don't think we will ever come back. It's just too cost prohibitive... and QUIET. Like I said at the beginning of my review, I love history. I wish someone could bring this restaurant back to life. If they don't, I fear that its long LA history will be just that... history.

After a late flight into LAX I decided to take my accomidating friend to the only place I know of in LA with a fine dining steak experience available 24 hours a day ! The dark elegant ambiance is just how I remember it 35 years ago, the quality of the hyper expensive steak is not. The steak was tough and only looked prime. Come if you appreciate a place steeped in Los Angeles history and can ignore mediocre extremely overpriced food.

We went here recently to redeem our 150$ Groupon voucher. It was definately worth buying that voucher since this restaurant has prices that are "out of this world" on their menu. The service was attentive and nice, no complaints here. The food (we had two filet mignon with different sides) was great. The only thing we didn't like is the strange smell that exists in this restaurant. I don't know where that comes from but it seemed a little awkward to us.

An LA friend took me here and I was pleasantly surprised. I say surprised because it was very dark inside and empty when we walked in. But the service was excellent, the steaks top-notch, and all-in-all I had a great experience. And only in LA can you can find a quality steak restaurant open around the clock. Amazing!

Hadn't been there in years, but still as good as it was 40 years ago. The service is lovely and the food is delicious. A little pricey but worth it. Nice memories.

I was taken here for a business lunch. My associate had a shrimp cobb salad which looked great and he said was excellent. The portion was so large he could not eat it all. I had the crab cake entrée. It was almost entirely crab and served hot. It was just a little too salty but not so much that one would send it back. The service was excellent. In the course of the mea my companion mentioned that he sometimes comes here early in the morning (4 or 5AM) from Woodland Hills when he has meetings in downtown Los Angeles in order to avoid rush hour traffic.

My husband and I went here for our anniversary. It was late night around 11pm and the restaurant didn't look like much from the outside. Inside it has old vintage decor yet classy. My husband ordered the salmon and I ordered the NY strip. This place is very expensive BUT the food was soooo good that it was totally worth it. We thoroughly enjoyed our dinner. I especially enjoyed the grilled asparagus and the Riesling that we ordered. I would recommend this place to anyone looking for a great steakhouse in L.A.

Usually eat there if in LA for breakfast , last time last year for a play, never again, 29.95 for eggs Benedict, 7 bucks for coffee, our dinner at the Omni was less and better see ya

I purchased a Groupon voucher and boy was I happy afterwards, not only was the food very delicious but the prices was high and I needed every discount available. Thanks to Groupon I was able to enjoy a great meal at an Historic Resturant in LA. Remember, you always have go for yourself for true personal opinion.

We had the best time at the PDC. A group of 8 friends and we had great drinks, a very good bartender!, sand dabs were perfect, roast beef wonderful, someone had the cheese plate and declared it great, someone had the pecan pie and said it was delicious. Fabulous food, drink, desserts and open 24 hours!!

I went here once as part of a holiday brunch for work. The restaurant, if you can call it that, smelled moldy. I was almost holding my nose the entire time I was there. I don't even recall what I ordered, just that I thought the prices were high, and the food non-memorable. The waitstaff were non-existent. Perhaps they thought that with a large group, we were having fun on our own and didn't need attention. Wrong.

There must be a way for classic experiences not to fade into something as sad and out of date as Pacific Dining Car.

There's nothing spectacular about the food. It is basic restaurant food – not upscale restaurant food – just restaurant food. We had steak and we had fish. As I said, no great shakes. The prices are absurd. Everything is an additional cost. The service is OK. I hear that it's a good place to go for power breakfasts, but I would not recommend this place for dinner

We went on a recommendation from the concierge at our hotel. As the American Film Market was in town, he said places filled up fast and would be noisy but that this would be quieter. He was right. It's not in the best location in town, but the atmosphere inside was great. The service was acceptable. While the food was very good, it was very expensive and I've had better steaks at steak houses in SFO and NYC for less. We had drinks, appetizers and meals with sides (no desserts) and the total was close to $300. I'm not sure why it only has 2 $$, it's certainly well above that range, even in LA. The place was nearly deserted as well. I think there were maybe 4 other groups in there. I wasn't upset I went, but I don't think its worth going back for a second time.

This is Los Angeles so the high price steak house competition is pretty stiff. Overall there are places I prefer over Pacific Dining car. You can't beat the meal if you want late night grub of fine dining. This location has a Groupon available lots of times...USE IT! The service is fine. Nothing over the top just average. At other fancy places they will at least put the napkin in your lap. For $100 please, put the napkin in my lap thank you. I've eaten here a few times before but his this last visit I had the pork chops and I was pleasantly surprised with the flavor. The sides were creamed spinach and potatoes au gratin.

Always a treat to have dinner here. The service is consistently over the top, the food classic steakhouse and the ambiance nostalgic. Pacific Dining car will even serve you breakfast at night -- helpful for the after party meal. The bar is quiet and the bartender is a true mixologist not a novice hipster. Amazing wine list. Enjoyed a hard to find Zin at a decent price. Fully enjoyed this experience.

A grand L.A. institution. We have been coming here for 30 years. The service is first class and the tables are far enough apart to give privacy. The menu is excellent and pricey. The food and service are first class.

Always a favorite with locals, it's great for visitors too! A place to see (and be seen -- depending on how one views it), it's also a very unassuming place. Had enjoyed Goddess salad, grilled chicken, creamed spinach, and mashed potatoes, with all the fixings. Very classic menu, with great service and presentation. Hadn't been to the restaurant since I was a kid -- and it was just as I remembered. Thus, it's great to see an establishment of high standards never settle for less.

Baseball Redux is tenderly delicious, excellent! Try it, you will come back for more. Pacific Dining Car in Santa Monica has very friendly staffs and clean place to have an evening to remember to eat dinner or lunch.

I went to this restaurant expecting good food after hearing from a friend how good the food was. The food was o.k. at best and that's being generous. The service and staff were courteous and professional. The 3 rating is due to the service and not the food. For the price of the food you could enjoy a meal at Mastro's or other high end restaurants.