If you’ve lived in Los Angeles, really for any amount of time, you’ve probably eaten at Du-Par’s Restaurant & Bakery, but according to a recent interview with the owner, the local institution of nearly 90 years is struggling to stay afloat.
The beloved diner-style restaurant, famous for its hotcakes and pies, first opened its doors in 1938 in the famed L.A. Farmer’s Market in the Fairfax District, according to its website,
The original location is now the last of a once thriving chain in the city.
Frances Tario, the president and CEO of Du-Par’s, began her career working as a server in the restaurant before taking over ownership.
“I had no idea what I was getting myself into,” Tario told Evan Lovett, creator of L.A. in a Minute and host of the podcast “In a Minute with Evan Lovett.” “I just thought, ‘Okay, I’ll just keep doing what I’m doing on daily basis,’ but now it’s wearing different shoes and hats.”
Tario explained that Du-Par’s, like many other L.A. restaurants, has been struggling since the pandemic and to make matters worse, the Palisades and Eaton fires only added to the challenges of keeping the doors to the iconic diner open.
“Although we weren’t in the fire ourselves, it felt like we were, because the fires, the [increased cost of] eggs and the situation about immigration – all of that has hit us hard,” she explained to Lovett.
Tario said what’s been missing for the restaurant is the volume of customers it used to draw and says they are making moves to bring people back, especially the late-night crowds.
Starting on April 4, Du-Par’s will stay open until 2 a.m. on Friday and Saturday nights with a “Blue Plate Special” for $12 that includes coffee, the restaurant’s website noted. The owner added that there will be an additional “early bird” special announced soon.
Du-Par’s Restaurant & Bakery is located near the intersection of 3rd Street and Fairfax Avenue.
