Kitchen 24...better diner food needs better diner service

1608 N. Cahunega Blvd.
Hollywood, CA 90028
(323)465-2424
Open 24 hours 7 days a week

As anyone who's ever read this blog for some length of time knows, I have natural affinity for diners, having grown up in a world of diners in the New England area. Recently there's been a lot of talk about a new 24/7 diner in Hollywood called Kitchen 24, so obviously it wasn't long before I was in there to get my own take on the place.

With the attitude of diner cuisine "reinterpreted" as their standard of operation, I think they've put an appropriate spin on it that's new while remaining old.

Even the lighting fits the bill (though I shutter to think how much they weigh).

Above you see the K24 Tuna Burger. If Ahi is your thing, you'll like it. Nothing strikingly new about it, but very tasty nonetheless.

This is the "Bartender's Banquet", for the undecided at your table. The waffle was tasty and crispy enough, though the bacon and egg wrap with sprouts, sour cream and salsa was definitely the highlight.

Here lies the Caheunga Chop Salad with a myriad of ingredients: grilled chicken/tofu (your choice), tomatoes, bacon, feta, apples, cucumbers, kalamata olives and sweet apple cider vinaigrette. While it sounded all over the place, it turned to be a great signature salad that I think Celeste will get next time we make it back there.

Now this particular item is their Cinnamon Roll French Toast. Sounds amazing right? To their shame, it was the weak link of the table. And really, how can you mess up something with that much fat and sugar? I'll tell you... the rolls themselves seem like their day old pastries they were trying not to waste, they should have been sliced thinner, and should have actually been dipped it in egg(I'm still wondering if that step was somehow left out).

But beyond that blaring mistake lies the best plate on the table (at least in my opinion), their open faced meatball sandwich... which they've chosen to name "The Big Baller".... aaaaaahhh LA. The meatballs were sweet savory, the focaccia just toasty enough, the provolone a great choice, and the sauce was great... thin enough to move but chunky enough to grab on to everything else. This ones a feather for their cap.

H-O-W-E-V-E-R... though a great meal was enjoyed, and everyone around us was pretty much wowed by their food... every customer was a wallflower to the wait/hostess staff who seemed to be making efforts, amongst each other, to get laid. If you're a manager of the restaurant, and your reading this... please... please... please do something. It's the one big thing bringing you down. It took 15 minutes to get a coffee refill for my wife after getting up, finding our waiter, asking a bus boy, then finding our waiter again. Thankfully... the coffee was very good.

SO, if you're up late and want food that's actually good, hit this place up... OR if you're very low maintenance and don't care about refills, then you'll be fine. Otherwise prepare to be persistent as we will prepare to be persistent the next time we go to see if their staff's any better. If they are, the next time you read this post, it'll be updated.

Refills: Yes. (if you can get them)
Prices: Breakfast $5-$15, Lunch $6-$12, Dinner(served 5pm-2am) $10-$15