As a lifelong angeleno, I’ve known myself to be a bit jaded when it comes to trying new restaurants. I spend so much time bouncing between the classic places I’ve grown up loving, and I don’t explore LA the same way that someone who has only been here for a few years might.
Because of this, I rely on a few trusted non-angeleno comrades who seem to know about all the cool LA stuff before I do. My good pal and frequent collaborator Phil Steiger is one of those people, and a couple years back he took me to a spot that was walking distance from my house, right under my nose: Thank You For Coming.
The quaint little brunch spot was started as an experiment in 2012— an opportunity to run a restaurant with a rotating collective of willing volunteers from all over the city. Their initial crowdsourcing manifesto encourages a community forward business model that promotes comfort, inclusion, and welcomes anyone passionate about cooking and service to get involved.
Not surprisingly, when you invite passionate people to participate in a restaurant experiment that prioritizes on intrinsic value… well, you get good food.
The first time I ate here, I had some of truly next level pulled pork. It was a heavy, slow cooked slab of meat that must have fallen right off the bone, but was still light enough to eat on a piece of toast with a poached egg. The next time I ate here, I tried the shakshouka, a beautiful red color that matches it’s tangy taste. And with each brunch, I was delighted to try some expertly made juice, fresh squeezed and ice cold.
The handwritten, photocopied menu changes frequently, so I’ve tried something new every time I’ve eaten here. If you prefer a more regular tasting menu, a set of staple sides will keep you honest: perfectly poached eggs, soft and colorful potatoes, or fresh seasoned kale.
So, what’s the catch?
Thank You For Coming is in kind of a weird location— the farthest you’d want to walk on the Glendale Blvd strip of Atwater Village. And, it’s only open on the weekends. But the delicious food, good vibes, and extremely affordable menu make this a staple brunch spot, especially if you live in the neighborhood (like me).
Thank You For Coming
@thankyou4coming
3416 Glendale Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90039
Sat 11:00AM - 3:00PM
Sun 10:30AM-3:00PM
$ Parking: Street (neighborhood) My Order: Basic Breakfast, Juice (apple-pineapple-celery with ginger & turmeric) Pro Tip: Get the juice, whatever it is. Pairs Well With: Dreams (350ft), Alias Books East (.7 Miles)