Yes, The Pancakes are Yummy

Du-par's at the Farmers Market, 2018. Photo by Larry Underhill 

I've been going to Du-par's Restaurant my entire life. The branch at the Original Farmers Market is the one we frequented most when I was growing up. I also liked the Du-par's on the Miracle Mile, 5601 Wilshire Boulevard. Du-par's Restaurants have popped up all over the city in the past 40 years, most of them are gone now. As far as I know, only the Farmers Market and Pasadena locations remain open.

Du-par's on the Miracle Mile, 1978. Photo by Marlene Laskey

Du-Par's Vine Street, Hollywood, 1960. Water & Power Photo Collection

Du-par's was founded in 1938 by James Dunn and Edward Parsons, who combined their last names to create the restaurant's name. Various people have owned Du-Par's over the years. After 20 years of ownership, the Oberst family sold the chain in 2004 to "Biff" Naylor, the son of noted California restaurateur Tiny Naylor. Remember the old drive-in, Tiny Naylor's on Sunset at LaBrea? I remember going to Biff's Coffee Shop on Wilshire Boulevard in Beverly Hills! So, you'd think that Biff would know something about running a restaurant, having grown up in the business. I don't know what it is, maybe Biff expanded the Du-Par's chain too quickly. They've been dropping like flies since Biff took over. 

Interior, Du-par's, Third and Fairfax, Los Angeles.

Since the revered Studio City location closed last month, I thought we'd better high-tail it over to Du-Par's, Farmers Market to try their legendary pancakes. All of the years I've been going to Du-pars, I've never had their pancakes! I usually have the French toast for breakfast.

Just to counter-act the richness of pancakes, we started with a dinner salad. It was huge and filled with fresh veggies and homemade croutons.

Chef Salad

Yes, the pancakes were delicious. We ordered a small stack which consisted of 3 plate-size buttermilk pancakes, drenched in liquid butter. Hot maple syrup was served in a small pitcher alongside the pancakes.

Buttermilk Pancakes

The pancakes were fluffy, flavorful and yummy. It was like eating dessert!

Du-par's is open 24 hours a day, so if you need a pancake fix at 2 a.m., skip Canter's and get over to Third and Fairfax!

We had the place to ourselves at 7 pm on a Tuesday Night!