Tucked in an alley behind the trendy stores and sidewalk cafes of Main Street sits a 1970s style mom and pop diner, not far from Sony Studios. The exterior, well, if you’ve never listened to your mother’s advice before, now would be the time. Mama always said, “Never judge a book by its cover.” Though it’s easy to dismiss from the outside, step inside and you’ll see that it exudes a certain charm and nostalgia for the past that is quite simply endearing.

The linoleum flooring and wood paneled walls create the feeling that you’re sitting in bachan’s kitchen. In place of a refrigerator is a vintage soda pop cooler with a bottle opener on the side. Newspaper clippings of several Japanese notables adorn the walls, including Dodger baseball highlights from pitchers Takeshi Saito and Hideo Nomo, and a few articles on character actor Dale Ishimoto of Nissan commercial fame. There are also remnants of the Metro Goldwyn Mayer studio era evident, as framed autographed photos hang on the walls and rest atop the seating booths. 

The retro styled décor suggests that not much has changed, including the prices. $2.10 will buy you any of the three breakfast specials until 11 a.m.   

Their menu is separated into two sections: American food and Japanese specialties. The common denominator is their astonishingly inexpensive prices. Udon, fried rice, teriyaki bowls, and yakisoba are all under $4. All hamburgers and sandwiches range from around $2-3, with the mushroom burger coming in at $2.80. 

On my first visit, I opted to share the oyako donburi, Hawaiian royal, and the chili rice with a friend. Our bill came to just over $10. The meals definitely taste home-cooked, which is a refreshing breather from the oily, heart attack inducing junk food other places offer. Moreover, they don’t overwhelm you with enormous food portions but give you just enough. 

The servers are polite and friendly, mostly older Issei or Nisei women who take your order with a smile. They provide attentive service, walking around the cafe with their aprons tied around their waist and coffee pot in hand. When I asked what the coffee shop’s name stands for, Tokyo 7-7, my waitress replied, “I don’t know, but seven is a lucky number.  So 7-7...double luck!” And lucky it is. The establishment has been in business for over 20 years, earning the admiration of many morning regulars.

Perhaps just as surprising as the reasonable food prices are the customer demographics. There is an array of ages and ethnicities of the clientele that is somewhat uncommon, even in Los Angeles. This shows that modest prices and decent food can go a long way. 

Tokyo 7-7 is the type of place where customers have come to know each other’s names, having seen one another daily for so many years. They walk through the door and wave, give a nod, or spark up a conversation with their fellow patrons at the counter. The servers greet you with their cheery enthusiasm, and the customers leave with the same satisfied phrase, “It was really good as always!”