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Al Read's Restaurant
Category: Restaurants Steakhouses Steakhouses [Edit]
10504 Mount Gleason AveTujunga, CA 91042
Neighborhood: Sunland
(818) 353-9070
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- Yes
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch, Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
13 reviews for Al Read's Restaurant
12 reviews in English
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Review from Patty K.
La Crescenta-Montrose, CA
1/29/2012 1 Check-in Here
I can't believe I've never been to Al Read's until now! Having grown up and lived in La Crescenta, Tujunga and Sunland, practically my entire life, you'd think I would have gone here at least once in the last 28 years. But no, If we felt like having a nice steak for dinner, we always made the drive to Glendale to go to Damon's. Well, not anymore!
New years eve, the husband and I were just kinda driving around aimlessly, wondering what we were gonna do for dinner, when we drove by Al Read's. Eh, Why not? We'll give it a shot. I hopped on Yelp and saw that the reviews were good, so we went on in.
First impression, Good atmosphere, nice staff, old clientele. We were by far the youngest people in the place, by at least 20 years. We were seated quickly and the server took our drink order. We asked what she recommended, and she said the mai tais were good, so we both ordered one. While the mai tai was stiff, I would not say it was good. Bright red in color and way too sweet for my taste. But on to the food. We ordered the garlic toast . It was delicious! I ordered on of the specials, potato crusted halibut and the husband ordered the prime rib. Both were excellent! I liked mine better and he liked his, perfect! The fish was moist and cooked perfectly. As was the prime rib. I ordered the baked potato but wished I had gotten the twice baked. The baked potato had that microwaved texture. But overall, we both loved Al Read's! I will stick to Damon's for the mai tais and chi chis, but we will definitely return to Al Read's for the good food! -
Review from Gail C.
Tujunga, CA
4/4/2012
Al Read's has great seafood and steaks, and there is no where like it nearby. The bartenders and staff are very good and many locals regularly go there for holiday or bithday parties.
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Review from Paul W.
Pasadena, CA
Updated - 1/6/2011
My brother and his wife were visiting me, and we went to Al Reed's for prime rib.
It was a winner.
The wine selection is red or white, so I skip wine here and just have a beer. I will have to talk with Del (Mrs owner) next time I am in, and make some suggestions.
Good experience.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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12/13/2010
Local restaurant for me, and if I want a steak, beer, and watch sports while eating in a dining room… Read more »
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Review from John G.
Sunland, CA
8/30/2006
Must let out the secret.The Famous Damen's in Glendale was noted for there Mahi tai cocktails.
Then when the place changed ownership,some of the staff changed to.The bartender quite ,(Ron) and took the secret recipe with him.
He is now at Al Reads tending bar and mixing up this exquisite elixer.
This is a beverage only review. -
Review from Anita F.
Marietta, GA
Updated - 11/3/2010 1 photo
I too love Al Read's steak sandwich
That alone makes Read's *****
A special thanks to those of you that read my review & took time to check it out for yourselves; also for telling my sister... "Your sister said that this is a very good place to eat". LOL! That really surprised her & tickled me.
Thanks again!
Missing my favorite restaurant... Anita In Ga1 Previous Review: Show all »
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5/6/2009
I just returned home from a 14 day trip to Ca. I ate dinner at Al Read's almost every night, as my… Read more »
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Review from Patrick T.
Torrance, CA
10/14/2009
The votes are in! Al Read's Restaurant/bar in Tujunga has an excellent midish-twentieth century American menu and atmosphere!
My girl Sheryl and I went there as twilight got under way Sunday evening. It's situated picturesquely, in a village atmosphere, high on a hill in a series of which eventually culminates in the Angeles National Crest Forest range, barely visible against the inky sky behind it that night, but with it's silent, awesome presence felt. It was as though we had entered a whole other sub-Alpine micro-climate!
The 3 planet alignment event in the Southern sky glinted off our shoulders as we ducked under the competing roof neon signature of Read's and into the warm 'n' cozy interior. It's ambiance unfolds as "forties, local desert roadhouse". The bar on the right was abuzz with a welcome wagon of friendly regulars who turned to greet us as we entered, and is manned by Ron, a Damon's ex-pat barkeep who specializes in--to no surprise-- tropicals. Not being fond of Trader Vic variety chick drinks, I asked apologetically for a gin Gimlet rocks, and for rare "chick" Sheryl, it was a gin martini up. Both drinks were of Boston bar guide regs. I chatted-up Ron just long enough to get his M.O. when our table came up.
There's three dining climes to choose from at Read's, depending on your mood du jour. There's the acceptably noisy bar area , the short transitional hall to the banquet area, and, of course, the banquet area. We chose the romantic sequestering of the latter. It was clean, a little sparse (Sheryl and I agreed that a gaggle of friends would help decorate the room), and could use a tad twist to the left on the dimmer switch, but overall, other features more than compensated. Features such as the cushy, Bing cherry-colored naughahyde banquettes with table candles, and the holiday specific standards by the great song smiths of the hi-fi-age purring from from the muzac speakers in the ceiling as we dined (in the distant bar, the talk-over musical entertainment is supplied by the tastefully curated juke box).
Sheryl and I both ordered the 10 ounce New York cut steak special (around 20 green Washingtons each) which was done perfectly medium rare, and as tender as a poet's heart, and comparable to Westchester's Buggy Whip Restaurant in quality. The audibly crisp green salad was served on a chilled plate, available by request with Al Read's own savory Italian dressing--Sheryl opted for what she said was a wonderful navy bean soup, the only problem being she said, is there wasn't enough of it!
Sheryl also enjoyed the double-baked potatoes, while the teenager in me indulged in the plump, seasoned and grilled potato wedges--the aristocratic cousins of the french fries. For desert we both ordered black coffee, and a huge tumor of a deformed, sugar coma inducing,
brownie sort of affair sitting atop a softball-sized clump of vanilla ice cream. As we commenced the scooping, shoveling and shivering, I anticipated curious dreams that night!
The service was extremely attentive and as friendly as you wanted it to be. Ron the ex-pat Damon's bartender popped-up to chat with us on his break. He seemed eager to find out what brought us there.
For me, the query conjured amber-colored memories of hearing that at so many places in the Eighties--at the Dresden in Los Feliz, the San
Franciscan in Torrance, and on and on. And although much older and less conspicuous now, Sheryl and I were somehow identified as a whisper outside the native demographic--a good sign, I believe, meaning there hasn't been a damaging infestation and occupation on Friday and Saturday nights of hipsters--aged and otherwise--YET!
Happily, I suspect Al Read's may remain an unendangered species status by virtue of it's--even by L.A. standards-- geographical undesirable-ness.
Sheryl and I concluded our engagement and exited Read's, with the dominant, vast, dark valley sky above, and the twinkling lights of Tujunga village below. It was an awesome spectacle to our coast dweller sensibilities. The immediate businesses and boulevards were buzzing with visceral holiday spirit. Even at an adjacent biker bar, we glanced a cluster of lively celebrators spilling out into it's back parking lot as we climbed into our car.
Descending the southward slope through night time's fairy tale Tujunga, Sheryl and I agreed it felt as though our experience may have been but a dream on the road behind us.
--papa tango -
Review from Greg W.
Los Angeles, CA
10/1/2007
Quite a lovely spot to find out behind the Verdugos. My pork chops were neatly grilled, fairly tender, and well-accompanied by a perfect baked potato, apple sauce, and tasty cream spinach. Don't expect the latest culinary invention; this place is a classic.
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Review from Ann P.
Redondo Beach, CA
5/19/2009
I ordered the prime rib dinner (to go) and was mortified when I bit into my (tough) steak. The meat tasted like it had gone bad. My boyfriend's prime rib had the same rank flavor. We ended up throwing the totally overpriced dinners away. I had thought this was going to be one of those cozy local hole in the wall hangouts that we'd end up loving, but no, we will not be going back- well, maybe for drinks.... if we're already drunk.
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Review from Luis A.
Sunland, CA
8/25/2010
Great place to have a peaceful dinner. My wife and I go here from time to time and love their food and service. I would highly recommend you visit Al Reads.
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Review from F. T.
Los Angeles, CA
Updated - 9/1/2010
Great neighborhood restaurant where very quickly, "everybody knows you name." Chicken, pasta, shrimp, steak, all very fairly priced. Comfortable atmosphere, no frills but homey and warm. In business over 30 years. They must be doing something right!
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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3/16/2009
Been driving by this place since 1958. Never went in until last summer. I grew up on Damon's steaks… Read more »
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Review from Zack M.
Sun Valley, CA
6/19/2008
Best Steak Sandwich EVER. And that's me and my fiance in the photo, enjoying those ribs in a devious manner. Al Read's is the sh*t. I love this place!
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Review from Jon S.
Altadena, CA
6/5/2009
I really love this restaurant. I get the steak sandwich at lunch and it is the best. The meat is always tender and cooked just how I like it. There is also a healthy portion of piping hot steak fries on the plate. I also recommend the prime rib dinner as well as the clam chowder available on Fridays. The prices are quite reasonable and nowhere as high as your "fancy" steakhouse establishments. I can also assure you that the preparation area and restaurant are as clean and well maintained as they come.
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