Los Angeles Breakfast Club — Restaurant in Los Angeles

My wife and I recently had breakfast at the Los Angeles Breakfast Club. It was so enjoyable, that I felt compelled to share our experience via this review. Prior to my attending a meeting, I sent the club an e-mail expressing a desire for my wife and I to attend one of their meetings. (It is a private club after all and neither my wife or I are members.) I received a lovely response from Barbara Adams, the club's Chairman of the Board. In it she mentioned that the club would be delighted to have us visit. Although a private club, she assured me that they always welcome guests. In fact, when we arrived, we were guests in every sense of the word, as first time guests receive their meal complimentary. You might think that this was done to encourage my wife and I to be members, but you would be wrong. The club was fully aware that my wife and I were visiting from Chicago and therefore we were geographically unsuitable for membership. My wife and I were treated warmly by the members as if we were long lost relatives. After breakfast, there was a speaker who spoke on the topic of service dogs. Frankly, this was a topic that I had never given much thought to, however the speaker made her subject fascinating and enlightening. After the entertainment that followed, it was time to part company. The club is known as the "Shrine of Friendship." Well, that expression is no lie! So warmly received were we, that my wife and I made arrangements to stay in the Los Angeles area three extra days, just so we could attend a second meeting. At that second meeting, we were greeted even more warmly than the first time. Program Chairman Richard Gilson, a very nice man who possesses a delightfully droll sense of humor, was particularly kind in greeting us. After breakfast, there was a fascinating presentation on the topic of Los Feliz and the silent film era, followed by entertainment. Once again it was time to say goodbye to all these lovely people. Everyone was so kind. Sometime afterwards, my wife said to me, "You know we're never going to forget those people." I replied, "Forget them!!! Are you kidding??? I'm halfway thinking of moving to LA just so I can join!!!"

Members that I met were kind enough to share some of the club's history with me. It started in 1925. A number of horseback riders thought it would be nice to have breakfast after their ride. From those simple beginnings, it began to attract a number of people from the motion picture industry. The membership today is not as strong as it once was, and is mainly made up of retirees. However, on my first visit, the club acknowledged a young lady as a new member and introduced two others applying for membership. So their numbers are growing; in fact, my wife and I are thinking about becoming "members in absentia" if that is possible. I found it interesting that the facility where the club is located, was built by the club and donated to the city, who in turn utilizes it for various events and not just for Breakfast Club meetings. The club in turn pays the city a nominal rental fee. It would seem that the club's arrangement with the city seem quite generous, reasonable...

Their breakfasts are at $7 a great bargain, most of their speakers/programs are bland, 'Fillers', except for monthly appearance of Saul Jacobs and Bob Lipson who travel from Ventura, as paid talent, and entertain about music history and are always educational, fascinating, making you want more.

Sadly the club is dying, It used to have 100 and struggles to get 20. It is rich with endowments from aged members who assured its perpetuity in their Will. It must pay for 40 catered breakfasts at $15 and might be able to sell 25 at $7. It refuses to publish that bargain price in its Los Feliz New monthly display ad, does no recruiting, and its operation reflects the fact that members average age is probably 80. It is not open to suggestion, in fact any criticism from any source is considered treason.

And it may legally die, if it has a 503(c)(3) charity designation, that is abused, and its lease of City-owned facility for $1.00 a year(for past 80 years) may end as it has labeled itself a "private club" not-open-to-all(strange, giving its public location), and has threated to call police to remove someone who comes to see a given program who is not-a-'member'. It will be missed; unless it somehow learns it is the 21st Century and public properties are always open to the public.

Their greatest asset is a comparable kid, Don Synder in his 60s, a real estate professional and most talented vocalist, who adds greatly to every meeting. And there are many sweet souls among the 20 who show up but until the bully-in-chief, Richard Gilsen, realizes what is going on and looks to the future there is no hope. In the beginning the club was fill of celebrities from performing arts, politicans, judges, probably average age of 50, today only Mr. Snyder and the remarkable visiting performers Saul and Bobare recognized by our society and media. They are the success, the Club? Not so much.

The Club would do much better if its monetary reserves were $500 and not $500,000. Power breeds arrogance, and arrogance breed contempt. But it has enrichened the lives of many elderly and is an important part of their lives. I guess nothing lasts forever, but would call this clubs expected demise a...

They should get 0 Stars but the app forces you to give at least 1 star. Ordered food thru Delivery Service and LA Breakfast Club confirmed the order. 30 minutes into the order I get a text that the Delivery person was not available. Come to find out that they are based out of Atwater Village but on Delivery site they show up as in Glendora, which neighbors my hometown of San Dimas. I called the restaurant and it goes straight to voicemail that says to leave a message but their mailbox is full. Awful...