Christmas morning train change LAX

[oregon pioneer]

Hubby and I will be arriving at LAX on the Sunset Ltd at (shudder) 5:35am on Christmas Day. Yes, I know this train can get in even earlier than that, but I am going to pull the covers over my head until I feel like getting up! Anyway, they are not going to give us any breakfast, and the Coast Starlight doesn't leave until 10:10 (though I believe they board the sleepers around 9:30), so i'm hoping there is a better choice available than eating cold granola bars, and waiting till the Traxx lounge opens to get coffee, tea and juice.

I emailed Philippe's, and they replied that they are closed on Christmas . I've found the Pacific Dining Car is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, but it looks kinda pricey, and it's also over 2 miles away (probably necessitating a taxi ride, even though we like to walk). Any locals here with good ideas? Thank you!!

 

[the_traveler]

The SL, even though scheduled for a 5:35 arrival routinely arrives at 4:30!

 

[Dan O]

It would require a mile ride on the subway but you could go to the Original Pantry. It's open 24 hrs a day and has been since 1924. The portions are more than generous. I ogt a hamburger which seems a lot at $11.35. I split it w/ my kids. I think my half was about 1/2 lb of hamburger. It came with cole slaw and half of a loaf of bread. Cash only. http://www.pantrycafe.com/

Dan

 

[Steve4031]

The Marriott downtown has a good breakfast buffet.

 

[trainman74]

The Original Pantry would be my vote, too -- it's almost as much of a local institution as Philippe's (it's even owned by a former mayor of Los Angeles). And, on Christmas morning, the line to get a table may well be shorter than on most other days of the year.

 

[oregon pioneer]

Good options, thank you all!

I know the train can (and probably will) arrive earlier, but we have the right to remain in our sleeper till 6:30, so I at least expect to not have to rush off the train!

 

[zephyr17]

Pacific Dining Car is too far to walk, and you would walk through dicey neighborhoods just west of the Harbor Freeway. I vote for Original Pantry, too. They serve a great breakfast.

 

[shelzp]

I immediately thought of the Pantry too. You would take the purple or red line subway out of Union Station and get off at the 7th Street Metro Station which IIRC is the first stop-about a 5 minute ride. When you get up to the street level turn to your right and head west a couple of blocks to Figueroa Street. Turn left and head south to the corner of Figueroa and 9th streets and the restaurant is on the nw corner. An LA classic!! You would want to check to see how the subway runs on a holiday schedule though.

 

[oregon pioneer]

Here's the schedule. It looks like they are very frequent, and they specify that Christmas day runs on the Sat/Sun/holiday schedule. It's the third stop from Union Station (Civic Center, Pershing, 7th/Metro). Thanks!!

 

[Amtrak George]

Hey, pardon my ignorance, but how far in Phillipe's from LAUS? Wife and I are also doing the Sunset to Coast Starlight connection and I was thinking about something for breakfast between trains.

 

[manchacrr]

Philippe's is only about two blocks from LAUS. Just go out the front entrance to Alameda Street and take a right. It will be on the left side of the street at the corner of Alameda & Ord.

 

[oregon pioneer]

I've walked by Philippe's once or twice while passing time in between trains. After looking at their website and breakfast menu, we really wanted to go there. I emailed to ask and, darn it, they are closed for Christmas. I guess they need a day off once a year, ha, ha! Oh, well, there's always next time.

 

[zephyr17]

Philippe's is only about two blocks from LAUS. Just go out the front entrance to Alameda Street and take a right. It will be on the left side of the street at the corner of Alameda & Ord.

They're kind of long blocks. It's about a 7 minute walk, IIRC.