With the current cost of food, it’s no surprise that upscale diners are trending. Chefs are leveraging that people enjoy classic comfort food like biscuits and gravy, fried chicken sandwiches, and breakfast burritos but would delight in having them prepared with a chef’s spin using specially sourced ingredients. All Day Baby is one such example.
In 2016, Jonathan Whitener and Lien Ta opened Here’s Looking At You. Chef Whitener quickly achieved national attention when featured in the New York Times and Food & Wine Magazine. Through their success, the pair later opened All Day Baby in Silver Lake, and 2021 garnered a coveted LA Times Top 101 Best Restaurants in LA. Sadly, Whitener passed away unexpectedly at the tender age of 36.
Despite their tragic loss, All Day Baby continues to thrive. I recently visited on a weekday with a friend, and despite the warm weather, many people were dining alfresco. The inside is cozy and nicely air-conditioned. A counter provides each “to-go” service, where you can purchase coffee and pastries.
The menu is best described as a Southern twist on classics and features popular items such as the ADB Biscuit Sandwich, Fried Chicken Sandwich, and the Catfish Sandwich. Given LA’s large Asian community, a Loco Moco makes sense to include. With a kids menu featuring items like Grilled Cheese and Chicken Tenders, you don’t have to worry about the kids.
Be sure to check the selection of mini pies in the display case. Some recent ones include Passion Fruit and Miso Butterscotch and a Blueberry Boysenberry Galette. Believe it or not, miso and butterscotch flavors pair exceptionally well. I want to try the French Silk, a chocolate mousse pie with dark chocolate ganache topped with whipped cream and chocolate curls.
Given their diner concept, I was surprised to learn that they smoke meat onsite (brisket, chicken, turkey, and bacon). The smoked brisket is combined with lime rice, jack cheese, cilantro, onions, salsa, and avocado to create their noteworthy ADB Breakfast Burrito 2.0. It recently made Eater LA’s “19 Showstopping Breakfast Burritos in Los Angeles.”
The Catfish Sandwich looks like Nashville’s hot chicken inspired it. They add dilly onions and amp up the heat index with cayenne, and even include sliced pickles on the side. The exterior is crispy, yet the inside is moist and velvety. The Turkey ADB Club is a burst of flavors, including house-smoked turkey, bacon, green tomato onion, and fromage blanc.
They use quality local bread from Bub and Grandma’s. Achadinha Cheese, a California cheese maker, supplies their fromage blanc, an artisan California cheese available in many farmers’ markets across the state. Chef Catie Randazzo recently added two new vegan offerings, ADB Chopped Salad and the Simple Tomato Sandwich.
The comprehensive beverage list includes creative cocktails such as the Naughty Jolt with Whistle PiggyBack Rye, Mr. Black, Espresso, Yuzu Lemongrass Sour Mix, sugar, and frothed coconut milk. Alcoholic and virgin milkshakes, beer, wine, mocktails, and coffee drinks round out the beverage menu.
Dodgers fans take note. On a home day, they feature a $20 Dodgers Combo Meal. Pair a gourmet LA Dog, Barbacoa Burrito, or Chicken Tenders and fries with a choice of beverages—Drama’s Michi (michelada), Dodgers Blue Hawaiian, or the Designated Hitter made with Japanese whiskey. Best of all, they are located only 2 miles from the stadium!
If you’re seeking a solid breakfast diner but want to surprise your taste buds, invite a friend and head down to the corner of Sunset and Descanso in Silver Lake.
All Day Baby, 3200 W Sunset Blvd, Silverlake; 323.741.0082; alldaybabyla.com