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Nat's Early Bite Coffee Shop

4 star rating
based on 55 reviews

Categories: Diners, Breakfast & Brunch  [Edit]

Neighborhood: Van Nuys
14115 Burbank Blvd
Van Nuys, CA 91497
(818) 781-3040
Price Range:
$
Accepts Credit Cards:
Yes
Parking:
Street, Private Lot
Attire:
Casual
Good for Groups:
Yes
Good for Kids:
Yes
Takes Reservations:
No
Delivery:
No
Take-out:
Yes
Waiter Service:
Yes
Wheelchair Accessible:
Yes
Outdoor Seating:
No
Good for:
Breakfast
Alcohol:
None

55 reviews for Nat's Early Bite Coffee Shop

Review Highlights   

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"The hash browns are crisp and incredibly delectable." (in 10 reviews)
user photo
"I got corned beef hash and eggs and the wife got sausage and eggs." (in 4 reviews)
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"they make some of their own homemade stuff like muffins and jams." (in 6 reviews)
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Photo of Lei B.

 

96

120

Lei B.

Los Angeles, CA

4 star rating
10/15/2009 2 photos

I've heard good things about this place, and every time I pass by it there's always some sort of crowd hanging around. I came here on a Sunday, late morning, and it was starting to pack up. We had to wait about 10-15 minutes for a table. What I noticed while I was waiting was that there were A LOT of regulars. The staff would greet a lot of the patrons by name, even giving hugs. Now this is my kind of place!

We get our table and the guy helping us was really friendly. My friend and I rode our motorcycles in that morning and he was asking us about it. He was really excited about it because he wanted a bike too. He was real friendly when he took our orders. I got a simple order of pancakes and eggs, my friend got some spicy sausages with hash browns and eggs. My food was pretty standard and I liked my friends' dish. The coffee was good, not watered down like other breakfast joints.

I'm giving this an extra star because of their friendly staff. They were also aware of when to refill our coffee mugs which is always a good thing. I noticed they make homemade muffins so that will be my target the next time I'm here.

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Photo of Brian C.

 

0

76

Brian C.

Chicago, IL

3 star rating
11/1/2009 2 photos

Nat's is a great place- nothing pretentious, great service and all, but please note I only give 3 stars b/c I usually do not go for the fare that Nat's is good at.  
For me, the standout element of Nat's is the friendliness of their entire staff.  When I am in town and staying w/friends who live 2 blocks away, we inevitably catch at least one breakfast at Nat's.
With the volume of reviews, I doubt that there is anything I could say that has not already been said.  So...

Pros:  friendly staff, all around
         consistency of food, above average for me (all breakfasts)
         muffin variety
         prices not outrageous
Cons: parking lot should be passed over in favor of street parking
         potential for wait
         not open later for dinner/late night dining

If your not looking for anything fancy, Nat's will fit the bill.

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Photo of Jessica W.

Elite '09

9

97

Jessica W.

San Francisco, CA

5 star rating
10/14/2009

Cheap, quick (yes even on a busy Saturday morning--I waited about 10 min to be sat) and tasty.

Lots of specials to choose from, with all sorts of options in addition to the regular menu.

Friendly service! Great spot for brekky.

Parking is quite challenging, save yourself the hassle and look for a street spot. The lot is tiny for the amount of businesses it serves.

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Photo of Dion C.

 

0

15

Dion C.

Los Angeles, CA

3 star rating
11/16/2009

From all of the reviews I've read here, I expected better from Nats.

Although the food prices are VERY reasonable and the restaurant has an A rating at the front door window, their food is just average.

The restaurant is in DIRE need of renovation and redecoration inside and outside. The restaurant decor is old, and the men's bathroom reminds me walking into a third world country (there's gang tags and graffiti on the walls- but what do you expect from a restaurant located in Van Nuys?).

Although our waiter was friendly, he kept forgetting to bring us our new forks every time he would take our dirty plates and eating utensils away.

I decided to review Nats the following way.

Cleanliness- 2 stars

Decor- 1 star

Ambiance- 1 star

Food- 3 stars

Service- 3 stars

Value/pricing- 5 stars

Food portions- 4 stars

Parking- 0 stars - there is no parking at the restaurant, you will need to park on the street -if you can find parking nearby.

I believe the main reason people go to Nats is because of the value. There is no question that their large portion meals are reasonably priced because the small place is packed at almost any hour of the weekend. But Nats needs to serve food that is more appeasing to the savory glands and also to the eye if it wants to stand out from the ordinary.

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Photo of julie n.

 

28

100

julie n.

Sherman Oaks, CA

4 star rating
9/12/2009

Great place for breakfast people!

I had a Denver omelette with hash browns and it was perfectly made.

It was a lot of food and it kept me feeling full until dinner time.

I wish my coffee tasted better, but the food was great.

I was there on a Friday morning around 9:00 and people were waiting for a table, so the weekends must be really packed.

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Photo of Corinne M.

 

28

7

Corinne M.

CA

5 star rating
9/9/2009

Great no-frills diner food.    No fancy decor, just fair prices for delicious home made comfort food served up with a smile.

Nat's is the kind of greasy spoon where you wouldn't expect to be able to substitute soyrizo or get skim milk for your coffee. But surprise, you can!   Despite the unassuming decor and clientele, there is a level of sophistication in the food at Nat's.  It was a welcome surprise that kept us coming back often.

They make condiments in-house like jams and salsa, and have their own fresh baked breads & treats.  Delicious house-made corned beef hash.  Lots of fillings for omlettes and scrambles.   They know how to cook an over-medium egg, and if you ask for your hash browns well-done they actually do it.    Delicious french toast and pancakes... with the carmelized bananas cooked right in.  None of that fruit-dumped-atop-plain-pancakes BS.    Check the white-boards for daily specials before ordering off the menu!

When Nat's has a wait, you can put in your name and then peruse the fun vintage hobby shop a few doors down.  When your name is called at Nat's they will call that shop so you won't miss your time to eat.

Why anyone would go to nearby Denny's or Norms when they could go to Nat's is beyond me!

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Photo of Amanda Jo H.

 

0

8

Amanda Jo H.

Los Angeles, CA

4 star rating
10/22/2009

Nat's is a great weekend breakfast spot. No frills, but all the basics plus! Family Dinner Style, Regulars, Decent Priced Breakfast! And located next to a cute 50's toy store. They even have a PA system that will call you when your table is ready while you shop next door. Parking gets a little crazy though.

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Photo of Caroline B.

 

713

222

Caroline B.

San Diego, CA

5 star rating
6/16/2009

I've been a regular for years.

Of all of the breakfast diners I've been to over the years...Nat's deserves the highest rating.

Their food is always fresh and made to order. Their service is generally accommodating. I often ask for specially prepared items. I've never had a server flinch here.

They can get a bit of a wait going on the weekends but it's only because they're one of the best spots in the area. Unfortunately...they close at 3 p.m. each afternoon.

Their jams are made fresh. I've never tasted a marmalade as fresh, chunky and delicious as theirs. We've bought it by the jar to take home.

I've also run into Tom Selleck here...a number of times. Apparently...he appreciates good old American Diner food as much as the rest of us do.

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Photo of mike f.

 

25

70

mike f.

Los Angeles, CA

4 star rating
7/5/2009

This is just the kind of cheap ass greasy spoon I've been looking for.  It's a bit far from my home but well worth the trek.

By far the standout here is the fresh jam and salsa served alongside your meal.  Salsa is spicy and has the fresh taste of tomatillos, and the jam is perfectly sweet and fruity.

The breakfast - which cost me a whopping 7.50 - had everything I needed, eggs, potatoes, toast, and a heap of homemade hot links.  I would have preferred the hot links not sliced, but I'll be sure to order it that way next time.

They also have a variety of lunch and dinner dishes, which I'd love to try sometime.

Oh, and while you're waiting for your table, be sure to drop by the toy store next door.  It's awesome, and they'll page you when your table is ready.

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Photo of Jay V.

 

5

61

Jay V.

Valley Village, Los Angeles, CA

5 star rating
7/9/2009

Thank you Yelp for giving me enough knowledge to stop in today on my way from the Westside to Valleyland.  This place was fantastic.  While in L.A. this week, I tried three different spots for my favorite meal of the day, breakfast.  Nat's takes the cake over Dinah's near Howard Hughes Center and over John O'Groats on Pico.

The value for $7.50, I got two sunny side up eggs, a bunch of home fries (nice and crisp), a bran muffin (delicious, homemade and chock full of raisins) and four strips of turkey bacon.  I coudn't eat it all and now have leftovers.  Plus the service from the waitress was efficient and friendly.  

Yesterday, I spent more than double for less food at John O'Groats.

I will be back many more times when I visit Porn Valley.

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Photo of Faye-Lee C.

 

9

17

Faye-Lee C.

Van Nuys, CA

4 star rating
7/6/2009

1st time eating there today. I've driven by it several times and checked out the reviews before I went.  I had the corned beef hash and eggs. I asked for rice instead of potatoes. It's not white rice (sticky), but it was good. I also had the banana nut muffin and shared a cinnamon roll with my bf. My bf had the breakfast burrito that was HUGE!

The salsa definitely has a nice kick to it, so for those who can't handle heat, don't try it.  My bf got the grits and it was hot, hot, hot.  It took a long time for it to cool down to eating temperature.  The homemade jams were delish. The food was great!!!  The service was great!

This may be my new favorite place to eat.  So many more things to try on the menu.  Plus, they are open for dinner Tues thru Fri until 8pm.

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Photo of Julia V.

 

0

8

Julia V.

Van Nuys, CA

4 star rating
7/15/2009

Great breakfast food. They had pies they looked good but I didn't get any. The only reason why it's getting 4 stars and not 5 is because VIPs in Tarzana is absolutely amazing and they are my standard of great breakfast food.

Okay price: $10 for a waffle 2 eggs and 2 bacon, and a coke. (VIPs is cheaper)

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Photo of Maian T.

Elite '09

72

141

Maian T.

Los Angeles, CA

4 star rating
4/4/2009

Nat's is what's for breakfast when you're in the Valley, kiddies! This place is TOPS. The best damn greasy spoon in the area. I wouldn't recommend straying far from the breakfast or the soups, unless you like generic diner sammies and such. I've tried the beef dip, the turkey sandwich and the club, and I always think, "Why didn't I just order breakfast?" The curly fries are the only non-breakfast or soup item I can vouch for.  Eggs, house-made sausage, turkey hash and muffins are always on my mind when I'm at Nat's.

Ask the waiter what the soups are. If albondigas (meatball soup)  are on the menu, ORDER imidietamente! They taste just like how mom does em. If at this point you realize I am an Asian and not Mexican, it is because I was pseudo adopted by a friend's mumsies. Shoutout to Mrs. Morales! The clam chowduh is good too, and served with a buttered toasted roll.

It is amazing they still sell their muffins at only $1.50 each. Honey oat bran, served warm, will make you melt like the butter it's served on.

And service is always EXCELLENT! Waiter-homie always let me take a big ol' iced tea to go. And smirks when I don't finish all my food. "Damn I though you could get through more of that. I'm a little disappointed." Next time, homie, next time!

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Photo of Daniel S.

 

0

7

Daniel S.

Montebello, CA

4 star rating
9/6/2009

I ordered the breakfast burrito to go and this thing was massive.  It was stuffed with bacon, sausage, eggs, cheese, bellpeppers and onions.  It came with a pretty tasty little salsa.  Needless to say I am stuffed.  It was on the pricey side at 8 bucks for a b burrito but it was a huge serving.  Looking forward to going back and trying some of the other stuff on the menu like the scrambles.

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Photo of A T.

 

0

10

A T.

Sherman Oaks, Los Angeles, CA

5 star rating
6/15/2009

OK, REALLY didn't want to write one. It's already SO crowded. But some serious waffles here. Best I've eaten since Gelare's Wednesday Special in Perth, Australia. But caution, they stop serving waffles after 2pm.

Maybe one day I will venture into their other breakfast delights.  

I love places where they do simple items very very well.

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Photo of janet b.

 

1

15

janet b.

Van Nuys, CA

4 star rating
3/11/2009

Breakfast is good at Nat's. Sadly it ain't organic, or totally vegetarian, but at least I can find food that functions for me in the world of carnivores...   breakfast-wise. I'm a pancake fan so,  I usually order their oat bran pancakes -not on the menu, but just ask for em.. - with bananas and walnuts and real butter.  If you're a real syrup nut, as am I, you'll need to bring your own real maple or agave syrup.  Or if I'm feeling slightly animal protein deprived I'll  order one of their omelettes - my fave is the one with artichoke, sundried tomatoe and feta.  My bf will order their greasy spoon stuff- you know, eggs, bacon, hashbrowns... and loves it.

Lunch is typically coffee shop fare, but you can ask for this and the wait staff are friendly and glad to accommodate.  I order their greek salad and have them add all the other vegies they have for an unboring salad.

Parking is a bitch on the weekends - so don't even look at the lot unless you have excellent parking karma - just find a spot a block or two away and walk... you'll need the exercise after a Nat's meal.....and the wait is , well, long, but if you're going to brunch on the weekend...that's just the way it is, so get over it or get out your own frypan and cook breakfast!

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Photo of Lillian D.

 

2

33

Lillian D.

Sherman Oaks, CA

4 star rating
4/14/2009

I have a new fav restaurant and it's Nat's! While the decor isn't anything impressive the food more than compensates for it.

The hubby and I went in today for lunch and it was absolutely amazing. I had the turkey burger and he ordered your basic good ol' fashioned cheeseburger and french fries. I should note my husband tastes run to the classics so this was right up his alley. To top it all off we had a delicious slice of Strawberry-Rhubarb pie. I will definitely be coming back again and again to this place.

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Photo of Marion S.

 

12

74

Marion S.

North Hollywood, CA

4 star rating
3/22/2009

You'd never even know this place existed. Tucked away in a tiny shopping center lies one of the valley's best kept secrets.

Thankfully I've never had to endure the long waits most people do but I hear it isn't rare to drive by this place and see a group of people waiting for a table.

As a previous reviewer wrote, "don't go there for the atmosphere, there isn't any." I'll second that thought. The place is bland and boring. It's just two dining rooms, a bunch of tables, and white, drab walls. I'm a believer that going to a restaurant is about the food and the experience you have. Sure atmosphere and ambiance plays a huge role in the experience you have, but I've always had a great experience despite the lack of atmosphere and ambiance. I've always found Denny's to be a nice place to eat, but Denny's has got nothing on Nat's food.

Speaking of that food, it's never managed to let me down. The menu is filled with items you'd expect from omelets to pancakes. I'm a creature of habit and almost every time I've been here, I ordered the eggs benedict. Maybe it's just personal taste, but a splash of lemon and a shake of pepper always perfects the meal.

If you're lucky enough to get in on a weekend or a holiday, try the biscuits and gravy. It's a specialty they have on those days and you'd be hard pressed to find a better biscuit in the valley.

Speaking of experience, I guess it's a bit cliche to think of that old diner waitress that flirts with her customers but it happened to us one time. Just one of those things that adds to the character of this place.

Sure I'd prefer this place be kept a secret. It might help in getting a table quicker but Nat's is the quintessential breakfast place in the valley and if everyone finds out how good this place is for themselves, I'd be happy to let everyone in on that secret.

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Photo of Trini P.

 

0

11

Trini P.

Los Angeles, CA

5 star rating
9/22/2009

I love this place! The staff is well seasoned just like the food. If you want to avoid waiting, get there early. If not, be prepared to wait at least 15 minutes but its well worth the wait. Delicious home made diner food with a Mexican twist for a great price. They have chorizo, chilaquiles, huevos rancheros, but also all the American fare (pancakes, omelettes, eggs, sausage) I loved the Baja omelette. Ask for your hash browns crispy - trust me, you'll be shoveling every bite in your mouth. Gr8 selection of food. I'm coming back for more. I'm so glad I discovered this place.

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Photo of Selby J.

Elite '09

105

376

Selby J.

North Hollywood, CA

5 star rating
9/1/2008

What a pleasant surprise.  You know how hard it is to find a decent breakfast place.  And most of the time you're happy to get a place that can do toast and coffee right.  But this place takes chances with its specials.  It's something different and very good.

The place is crowded so please stay away.  I don't want to fight off fellow Yelpers for a seat.  I'm just telling you all about it so don't accidentally discover it and invite a whole bunch of people.  

Thanks for your understanding.

BTW - how come the Yelp dictionary doesn't have Yelper or Yelp in it's dictionary?  C'mon now.

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Photo of cherie c.

Elite '09

97

1032

cherie c.

Denver, CO

4 star rating
10/14/2008

How have I never reviewed this before?!  

Today I baked corn muffins, and we ate them with butter and jam.  It made me really miss Nat's.  I never lived near Nat's, but the best mechanic I ever had was in Van Nuys. So whenever I made the trek over the mountain for a 7AM appt for my Civic, I'd head to Nat's for breakfast while Bekah checked out my car.

Breakfast is cheap and hearty, but it is definitely greasy.  The real reason to head to Nat's, though, are the muffins and jam.  Both are homemade and indescribably delicious.  I'd be sure to buy some muffins to bring back to my friends and jam for my cupboard.  I especially loved the banana muffins. The pineapple jam was good.  And who can resist something called a Love Muffin?!

Since I only visited early on weekdays, Nat's was never crowded for me.  If you're in the area, stop in for those muffins.

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Photo of Doug L.

 

1

46

Doug L.

Oakland, CA

5 star rating
2/2/2009

Nat's is the greasiest of greasy-spoon breakfast joints I've ever eaten in, and one of the best.

Don't go there for the atmosphere, there isn't any.  Count on a 10-15 minute wait for a table on the weekends, and iffy service.  The food more than makes up for all of this.

Their "California Omlette" with Turkey, Bacon, Jack Cheese and Avocado is one of the best things on the planet.  You can hear your arteries hardening as you eat it, but one bite and you'll realize you didn't want to live forever anyway if you can't enjoy one of these once in a while.

They serve home-made jams and preserves (the apricot is one of my favs) and fresh baked goods.  Their home made salsa, which goes perfectly with their breakfast burrito, will set your head on fire.

Added to great food and reasonable prices, there is very often celebrity site-age there, as this is a favorite spot for locals in the Valley.

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Photo of Kim S.

 

2

10

Kim S.

Encino, CA

4 star rating
9/13/2009

Good food.  Good prices.  Not enough parking and you may have to wait a little bit because the place is so popular.  Overall, a good place for breakfast

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Photo of Ron S.

 

0

10

Ron S.

Van Nuys, CA

5 star rating
9/2/2008

There are God knows how many coffee shops in the Valley. Most serve a nearly interchangeable menu that does little more than pass the edibility test. Nat's is light years beyond that.

Everything on Nat's menu is quite good, with a distinguishable flavor that has obviously been hammered out in the kitchen over the years. For example, its sauteed chicken breasts lend a buttery tang to many of the dishes. So are the grilled French rolls that are served with virtually every salad and entree.

Some items are standouts. The waffles have a snap and cinnamon undertone that make them among the best in L.A.  The hash browns are crisp and incredibly delectable. The salsa is a remarkable sleeper; far better than what's available in 95% of the Mexican/Latino restaurants I've ever visited (it's not served with most meals, so you have to ask for it specifically). Another sleeper is the quite-addictive Gazpacho (yes, Gazpacho in a coffee shop!), which makes an occasional appearance during the summer. Nat's also makes all of its own baked goods, which adds to the distinctly homey feeling of the place. My daughter is understandably addicted to the chocolate cookies.

Prices are also extremely reasonable. Breakfast for two can be had for less than $20 (compare that to a stunning $35 at nearby Jinky's). Our family often eats dinner there for less than $30.

The staff is like a family. Owner Victor Carlos worked his way up from busboy, and then eventually bought the place from his former boss. He pays his staff well above prevailing wages, so they stick around.   As a result, they know the preferences of myself and my family and are always quite warm. Suffice to say I feel guilty that I only tip 20%. One of the servers was severely injured recently in an automobile accident, so my wife and I now donate to the collection fund every time we visit.

I've lived down the block from Nat's for nearly a decade, but only in the past five years or so have I been a regular. That was because I made the error of judging a book by its cover. The strip mall where Nat's is located has a mildly scabrous feel to it, often amplified by paint peeling from the roof (which the mall ownership has only successfully addressed in the past year or so). The place has been harboring a hidden gem. Of course, I  now kick myself for having missed nearly five years of Nat's meals.

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Photo of Thomas B.

 

5

16

Thomas B.

Sherman Oaks, CA

5 star rating
7/4/2008

This proper diner offers the best breakfast in the Valley.

Prices are excellent and service is always -- always -- very friendly. Howie's Waffle with bacon is perfect way to indulge your hangover.

Only negative is if you get there too late (11ish) you could be stuck waiting outside in the unforgiving Valley Sun, but then again that's your lazyass fault, isn't it? :-)

Highest of recommendations.

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Photo of Christopher H.

 

0

31

Christopher H.

Van Nuys, CA

4 star rating
10/28/2008

Super neighborhood feeling at this place.  The waiters where busy, but got to us in good time and the food was classic American Breakfast.  The place was quite busy, but with my party of two it was only about 10 minutes wait.  I had a spicy turkey scramble and it was very good.  I'm  going back for sure.

Also the wait staff was quite sassy with little quips and jokes.

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Photo of Megan B.

 

11

131

Megan B.

Washington, OR

4 star rating
2/24/2009

AHHH!  How could I have not reviewed this place yet?!  Granted, this isn't the best breakfast food I've ever had, but it's a coffee shop in Van Nuys, what can you expect?  The obviously downfall of this place is the ridiculous wait for breakfast on the weekends.  I can say, however, that they do their very best to get people in and out of there quickly.  Also, the parking lot fits like 3 1/2 cars so expect to have to find some street parking.  The menu is of a decent size and has all of the traditional breakfast staples.  The food, again, isn't the best ever, but it sure beats Denny's or any of the other local breakfast places I've dined at.  I will say that it's great hangover food.  The wait staff didn't really leave an impression on me either way.  I suppose they were always just too busy to be excessively helpful or rude.

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Photo of Mike M.

 

2

23

Mike M.

North Hollywood, CA

4 star rating
11/18/2008

I'm not a morning person.  Thankfully, I don't have to be to catch breakfast at Nat's Early Bite! Don't let their name throw you off as they serve breakfast all day.  

OK, the parking blows and jeez were they busy, but once my name was firmly scribbled onto the waiting list I made my way over to a very cool toy store sharing their building.  Go there--trust me.

The food: good to downright scrumptious.  I had the maple turkey sausages which were too sweet (and turkey-tasting) for my palate.  However, the hash browns were the bomb and the eggs were surprisingly good too.  My partner had the corned beef hash and that was a 10 out of 10.  

This is a great choice for breakfast any time of the day.  We would definitely go back.

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Photo of John B.

 

7

24

John B.

Van Nuys, CA

5 star rating
5/15/2009

Thanks Yelpers this place is awesome.  Our new favorite spot for breakfast.  I got corned beef hash and eggs and the wife got sausage and eggs.  Both of us got muffins which come with the breakfast, and are great.  Also the fact that Nat's has an extensive sausage menu was a plus.  It's nice to go into a place for breakfast and feel like everything you ate was fresh.  We went on a Friday morning, and I get the feeling there is a nice long line on the weekends, but the food flys out of the kitchen, I'll have to check it out some weekend..  See you at Nat's.

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Photo of Gladis P.

 

2

4

Gladis P.

CA

3 star rating
11/6/2008

I always see this place on the way to work in the morning. I'm so glad I finally checked it out.

Their muffins are yummy!!!!!!! I love the carrot and bran! They even warm them up for you. I'm the biggest coffee freak and love some strong coffee. Nat's has the best dark roast coffee. It does the job.

Now I just have to try their breakfast. :)

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Photo of Erika B.

 

0

7

Erika B.

Van Nuys, CA

5 star rating
2/28/2008

I have been coming to Nat's since I moved down the street from it 12 years ago and I still like the place. It is not fancy, far from it but the food is good, the prices very reasonable and the staff is friendly. Nat's can get very busy so unless you get there at 9am or before you might have to wait a little... but it is never more than 5 minutes or so.

I love their chorizo con huevos, my girls love their traditional american fare (eggs, hash brown, sausage, pancakes) combos... they make some of their own homemade stuff like muffins and jams.

Only real problem with Nat's is the parking but I am lucky enough not to have to deal with that living down the street. For those of you that must, there is street parking.

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Elite '09

67

136

Andrew H.

Van Nuys, CA

4 star rating
1/11/2007 1 photo

If you've heard that everyone is beautiful in LA, you might want to come here for breakfast, and get a reality check.  

This is where the real Valley eats. Old, tattooed, fat, sweet, wrinkled, young.  Mom and Dad with screaming kids; that actor who made it big in the Excedrin commercial in 1974; ex-drummers and band members who once played back-up for Van Morrison and ELO.  

Nobody comes here to be seen, they eat here because they don't want to be seen.

If you've had lots of sun, smoked cigarettes your whole life, love to drink vodka straight up, and you've spent every Sunday since 1964 riding your Harley down PCH, and your hair is six different shades of blue...you'll fit in.

The muffins are homemade, there are delicious omelettes with turkey sausage; great pancakes with blueberries; French Toast. The waitstaff is eager, friendly and experienced.  There is a wait, but you never have to wait long.

The decor is as homely as the clientele.  Nat's is a real place with real folks. Nobody puts on airs. The prices are cheap. This is a place for those who are have money and don't want to spend it, and those who are struggling to make it, or just hang on and live for a few more years.

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Photo of Melissa A.

Elite '09

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168

Melissa A.

Sherman Oaks, CA

4 star rating
2/9/2007

I am so totally over Jinky's.  Who helped me get over Jinky-with it's fake country kitchen feel, Nat did.  That's right.  Good ol' Nat.  This is a greasy spoon dinner with charm, great food, reasonable prices.

This may sound gross to some of you, but our favorite dish is Matzo Brei with salami and onions.  It's really tasty.  Everything there is good.  

But just like every other breakfast place in the valley, you've got to get there before 10 if you don't want to have to wait.

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3

22

M. P.

San Francisco, CA

5 star rating
3/7/2008

Trendy breakfast joints continue to open across the Valley, but Nat's remains my favorite.  I no longer live in that neighborhood, but it's still worth the trip when the need for a real American breakfast arises.  

Nat's servers set the standard.  If you're a regular, they know your name.  If you want something prepared a certain way, or desire a special that's been off the menu for 5 years, they'll make it for you.  No problem.

At Nat's, your coffee mug stays full.  And your toast is already buttered,  as it should be.  

Their scrambles destroy the competition.  Their hash browns redefine crispy.  They feature lots of homemade baked goods.  Nat's also serves lunch, but I haven't had much since I'm hooked on the breakfast.  Good coffee shop fare, I'm sure.  

Another great aspect of Nat's is their good selection of Mexican-inspired breakfast dishes.  They come through with the chorizo, and you can (and should) always ask for their homemade salsa if you want to spice up your breakfast.

I love the people at Nat's.  There's nothing cool or trendy about it.  Come in scruffy and in your pajamas, feel like a king.  It's my alternative to the Cafe Aromas and Jumpin Javas of the valley, which tend to get a little sceney.  Nat's costs less, too; you won't be paying $15 for breakfast.  

I've been hitting up Nat's for 10+ years now, and they've yet to disappoint.

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17

4

David K.

Van Nuys, CA

4 star rating
4/9/2009

classic, classic, classic, classic, classic...more "family style" than a diner, it is, in fact W.A.G. ("weird alone guy") friendly...

uhm, the chorizo scramble? a grilled blueberry muffin...it just really doesn't get any better...tasty and the atmo is supreme...I walked in there with an old NYC friend and he was like, "wait, are we in Vermont?" It's real. It's good.

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6

34

Tamara S.

Van Nuys, CA

5 star rating
7/14/2007

Mmmmm....we just got back from our first visit to Nat's, thanks to all you Yelpers!

My boyfriend wasn't down for breakfast this morning, so the roommate and I headed out to test out the joint. I haven't had such a good breakfast in ages! I had bacon & eggs, and the roomie had chorizo and eggs. We also split a waffle - he's a bit of a piggy, and wanted to try everything at once - it was a lot of food though, and we left a quarter waffle uneaten (as well as some of my toast, and hash browns). All in all, the food was delicious.

Service was very attentive - my coffee was refilled constantly, our dishes were cleared as soon as we had finished and our waiter (and the new guy he was training) were both really friendly.

Parking in the lot is a bit tight, but we managed. We also didn't have to wait at all, although it seemed like there were other people waiting (bigger parties, maybe?).

I will definitely be going back!!!

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36

55

Bonnie G.

Van Nuys, CA

4 star rating
12/30/2008

Admittedly I'm a breakfast food person and can eat breakfast anytime, any day as long as it's not morning. Go figure, I can't eat breakfast for breakfast.  But I love coffee shops and I love this one.  Good food, good service.  The only thing bad is the parking.  I've actually gone somewhere else just because I couldn't find a parking spot.

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6

24

Clare W.

Van Nuys, CA

5 star rating
11/30/2008

This place is awesome!  They have delicious breakfasts, I especially recommend the vegetarian omelet, and their lunches are great, too.  They look like a greasy spoon, but are actually not that greasy, with lots of healthy options and substitutes available.  Though there's usually a bit of a wait for a table, that's only because they're so popular, and they will page you if you go next door to the Big Kid Toy Store to kill some time (a nice touch, I feel).  Once you've ordered, the food comes quickly and is always nice and hot.  My new favorite place for breakfast!  A small note: I'm lucky because I can walk, but the parking lot is tiny and seems like it would be a nightmare.

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Elite '09

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99

Rick R.

Riverside, CA

3 star rating
12/9/2007

A great old time coffee shop with great looking breakfasteessss. Only thing missing was Mel and Flo...There was no "Eat my grits",  but the staff was friendly, albeit a bit slow.  

I came in during lunch, but people were enjoying eggs benedict, belgian waffles, muffins and other breakfast fare.  Since it was lunchtime for me, i decided to go with the corned beef reuben on rye. Very tasty with with some golden crispy fries. Now I'm not a huge sauerkraut fan- traumatic experience with a cousin when i was young- but this was a nice addition to this sandwich. First time having sauerkraut with a sandwich and I must say it was pretty damn good with the tender peppery beef.  I definitely won't be ruling this condiment out of future excursions.

Maybe after i come back and try some of the breakfasts, i adjust my rating.

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Elite '09

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169

Guy S.

Woodland Hills, CA

4 star rating
10/7/2008

This place really is really good for breakfast. I came here on a Saturday at around 11 and it was PACKED. A table for 2 took about 30 minutes. The nice thing is waiting around kinda goes by fast because there is a really cool store next door that sells all these things from decades ago. Once we sat down, I ordered a glass fo fresh squeezed OJ. It was definitely fresh squeezed. I ordered the Mexican Omelet which was really good. It had chorrizo and spicy salsa, and i got it with potatoes which were crispy on the outside but soft on the inside. Really well cooked. It was a great breakfast and I would definitely come back here again.

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