The final meal that shed tears was served Sunday at the original Pantry Café in downtown Los Angeles. There, longtime employees and dedicated customers said goodbye amid the restaurant’s expected closure.
After more than 100 years of operation, Downtown staples are closed on Sunday evenings. The closure comes after a dispute between the owner and the union representing the employees. After they were unable to sign a new contract, the restaurant owner decided to shut it down.
It was a bittersweet day for workers who have served their clients for years as they wondered what was next for them. The usual menu staples were served at the cafe, but as both customers and employees looked back at their time at the restaurant, there was a sense of sadness in the facility.
Workers protested the potential closure of the original Pantry Café, a century-old diner serving customers in downtown Los Angeles. Jonathan Gonzalez reports on NBC4 News on Wednesday, February 19th, 2025 at 3pm.
Wesley, a Monterey Park resident who chose not to share his last name, said he felt compelled to have his final meal at the pantry.
“This place is iconic, you know, it’s LA,” he said.
Wesley explained that he had been eating in his original pantry since the late ’60s when his father took him. When he grew up and started his own family, he made sure to take his daughter to a restaurant.
“It’s emotional just because we’re not here tomorrow,” he said. “You talk to people lined up and they all have stories… that really means a lot to them and that’s why there’s a line around the corner.”
The original Pantry Café was once owned by former LA mayor Richard Riordan. After he passed away in 2023, his trust took over and listed the diners for sale last August. Here, amid a labor dispute with Unite local 11, we decided to close the restaurant.
The restaurant is closed on Sundays at 5pm.
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