If you think there’s no place like home, The Reyn’s cozy atmosphere and enticing menu is here to prove you wrong. The mom and pop’s diner provides an incentive to rise early: decorated walls to distract you from hunger and homesickness and a bustling atmosphere smelling of bacon and baked goods.

The whole place has a homely ambience. The walls are adorned with all sorts of quirky things, from license plates originating in different states to signs displaying relatable and funny quotes, such as “Drink coffee / Do stupid things faster with more energy.” At 11 a.m. on a weekend, the place is packed to capacity; pushed-out chairs, large groups and families created a loud, cheerful fire hazard.

To make it for breakfast — or a weekend brunch — you’d have to get to the diner before noon; it takes over a half hour just to be seated. Although the long wait is enough to discourage hungry eaters, the delectable food and wide range of options are definitely worth the wait.

For a restaurant that’s only open for breakfast, they have an extensive menu, spanning numerous pages and including mouth-watering fares such as cinnamon roll french toast, a chicken fried steak sandwich, and Reyn Rancheros (their spin on huevos rancheros).

I ordered the Reyn Rancheros, and for a place that is really busy, the food service is quick. The food arrived 20 minutes after I placed my order, and one glance at the heaping plate practically made me drool. The home fries were flavorful and crisp without tasting burnt, despite being surrounded by sauce and egg yolk. They didn’t go hold back with the cheddar cheese; a glorious golden pile of melting cheese sitting over steaming eggs and potatoes looked up at me, begging to be eaten.

Another lovable aspect of the Reyn: they have an eclectic collection of mugs and serving plates, each having a unique design and different size. Just like their mugs and plates, every aspect of The Reyn is unique and memorable, making customers enjoy a complete food experience that appeals to all senses.

The Reyn

635 N. Lake Ave

Pasadena, CA 91101

Hours:

Mon.-Sun. 7 a.m.-2 p.m.