Black Cow Cafe
Category: American (New) [Edit]
Neighborhood: Glendale2219 Honolulu Ave
Montrose, CA 91020 (818) 957-5282
- Price Range: $$
- Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
- Parking: Street
- Attire: Casual
- Good for Groups: Yes
- Good for Kids: Yes
- Takes Reservations: No
- Delivers: Yes
- Take-out: Yes
- Waiter Service: Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
- Outdoor Seating: Yes
- Good for: Breakfast, Lunch
- Alcohol: None
10 reviews
Neighborhood: Pasadena
"Ok I'll be honest with you. Most of the food in Pasadena over the years hasn't really stood out to me. Typical restaurants with typical…" read more »
52 Reviews for Black Cow Cafe
This my brother's favorite restaurant - he loves everything on the menu. I accompany him once in a while and admit their perfectly prepared fish dishes with tasty Jasmine rice is the entree I almost always order each time. I like the bread they give you right away... but try not to dive into it because I gotta make room for the good stuff! What to order: any of their jumbo stuffed potatoes, the pork loin or the enchilada suizas. All of these are good, but I find myself always ordering out of the daily specials.
I do love brunch here on the weekends, there is a bit of a wait, but if you go on a Sunday, you can pass the time at the Farmer's Market right outside.
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Cool (1)
I love Montrose restaurants, I have to admit food wise I have really good luck with them, and my only set back at any has been service, but BLACK COW has awesome food and services... and they have ICE CREAM, and good ice cream at that.
I had their fish tacos for lunch, and my friend had a chicken and brie wrap, both dishes were delicious. We followed up the food with ice cream, I had their Mango and she had their Mint Chocolate Chip, both awesome ice creams. I like the vibe they have there too, it's authentic and fun.
Black Cow goes into my top Montrose places for now...
You're experience here really depends on what you order. If you get the french toast, smoothie or pasta, then generally I think you'll leave happy. The other foods... are just not my cup of tea. Parking is in the back and it can get busy here on weekends.
People thought this was:
Useful (2)
Pros:
-the food -- they definitely have a great menu and awesome daily specials. i always go with the special fish dish (usually served with jasmine rice and asian slaw), but if they don't have one that day, the legends bbq sandwich is the next go-to item on the menu. their breakfast menu is good too.
-service -- this restaurant has the nicest and most helpful waiters/waitresses.
-strawberry lemonade -- refillable.
Cons:
-the wait -- you usually have to wait 20-30 mins for a table, but it's worth it.
- - - - - - - - - -
Out of Wallet Costs -- $40 for two people (including tip)
Chance I Would Go Again -- Yes when i'm craving good fish
Would I Recommend This Place -- Yes
This place gets a big old "Ehhhh".
I don't think this will ever be anybody's favorite restaurant.
The biscuits and gravy sounded good; jalapeno, cheddar biscuits topped with sausage gravy. I was hungry so I ate them all, but that's not necessarily saying much.
This place was full of fat, old people and a couple of whispering gays (maybe they were lost).
Montrose looks like a place my stepmom would like. That bitch loves turquoise jewelry.
People thought this was:
Useful (2)
Funny (2)
Cool (2)
pretty good breakfast. Very mid western - PEPSI kind of place. Lots of old people and fat people, you can translate that for yourself. Veggie omelet was tasty but covered with sour cream, cheese, and chili. Not really what I had in mind when I ordered the veggie omelet, which is my fault as I didn't read the fine print. My husband had the biscuits and gravy which were just OK. I am an okie, and therefore a bit of a biscuits and gravy connoisseur. Everything on the menu seemed heavy, highly seasoned and/or sweet. which explains the old people and the fat people. Service was blah, bordering rude. I might go back, but I am in no rush.
if you go to black cow cafe for brunch then you must order the banana bread french toast with corn flakes and served with fresh sliced bananas and strawberries and maple syrup. it is heavenly!!!
beware, the portions are huge! our waitress was also top notch!
People thought this was:
Useful (4)
Funny (2)
Cool (5)
We just love going here for breakfast or brunch. The wraps are the best! The only thing that keeps them from getting 5 stars is a lack of chocolate ice cream (no chocolate syrup is not good enough).
I've never been disappointed during all my visits at the Black Cow. Food is always delish and never disappoints.
Only problem is it's starting to get way too damn expensive... at these prices I could pay a few extra bucks and eat at Ruth's Chris.
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Funny (1)
I love this restaurant! The food is always delicious and the coffee is very unique (it's not just a good cup of joe and it's way better than starbucks could ever imagine itself).
Make sure you go on Sunday so you can walk off your amazing breakfast at the Harvest Market that happens right on Honolulu every sunday. Be prepared to wait a while if you have a group larger than 4 people. I go early in the morning to beat the crowd.
So good! Get their French toast and you will not be disappointed. My sister swears by this restaurant (it may actually be her favorite.) I had a really good cup of coffee here too, and they always give you this cute and yummy candy at the end of every meal.
We've been here enough times with enough visiting guests that I've sampled every single thing on the breakfast menu. None of it is bad, just decide early: "do you want to go into a sugar coma or not?" That will cut your choices in half and make it easier to select.
my favorites:
Sugar Coma: Montrose Cristo, anything from the "waffles and french toast" section (especially if it's dipped in cornflakes or strawberries), and crepes
No Sugar Coma: Biscuits and gravy (I dig the home made jalapeño cheddar biscuits), and Benedict or Florentine on a croissant.
Starts serving at 9, but you can go a little early to get coffee from the bar and stake out a seat and wait. if you get there after 10 you will wait, especially if you are more than two. But I've never had to wait for longer than 20 min ever, and I've never had to wait more than 5 min if there's just the two of us.
Parking lot in the back, or meter parking in the front.
Go on Sunday to throw in the farmers market. Party. Bonus.
Excellent. I came here after a family member suggested we go and I was pleasantly suprised. It is really cozy and intimate and it definitely has a small town-ish feel.
I had the lobster bisque and it was absolutely excellent. I generally don't have real high hopes for lobster bisque. I love it but I'm really picky. This was lovely. Creamy and a hint of spice that added a nice kick. I also nibbled on my aunt's fish which was tender and had a great flavor.
I'm actually kind of sad I don't live closer so I could try more on the menu. Service was quick and friendly. My aunt apparently comes here all the time. This is a place that I can see myself frequenting a lot.
People thought this was:
Funny (1)
Cool (1)
Black Cow Cafe is a cozy and relaxing restaurant located in a small-town atmosphere that is the city of Montrose. My kind of place!
Breakfast is awesomely delicious here. They have a huge breakfast menu so there are many items to choose from. I had my usual bacon & eggs, but next time I want to try their blueberry pancakes. They also have an espresso bar and bakery counter if you want to grab a quick breakfast to go.
With the great service and wonderful menu, I now know why Black Cow is always busy in the mornings. They also have a lunch and dinner menu, but for right now, the breakfast menu is my favorite.
People thought this was:
Useful (2)
Funny (2)
Cool (2)
My lovely realtor, who has lived in Glendale for thirty years, recommended Black Cow, since we're in the process of buying a house in nearby La Crescenta. We're totally new to California, (been here a week), so our restaurant choices (unless we check yelp first or get a personal recommendation) can be hit-or-miss. It was a great relief to find this great place.
I loved the daily special, a corn-flake encrusted chicken salad -- or I should say, salad with chicken on top. Generally, I avoid chicken because I have some kind of gristle-phobia, but this was really, really good. Nice and crispy. Light. Unfortunately, I can't remember what my husband ordered. He was happy, though.
The outdoor atmosphere was lovely, and the service was prompt and friendly. Our server brought out a big bowl of water for our dog, which was thoughtful. We'll definitely return for lunch.
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
great food, great atmosphere,(i like sitting outside) i love this place.... can't wait to go back.
Breakfast Menu had so many YUMMY choices, i wanted everything!
check this place out if your ever in town.
People thought this was:
Useful (2)
Funny (3)
Cool (2)
I only had their breakfast menu and it was pretty good. Great place to be at when you're in the mood for that small town atmosphere.
People thought this was:
Cool (1)
I love this place for brunch. They have awesome french toast, coffee and eggs benedict. The waiters/waitresses are very nice, prompt and get your orders right! The ambiance is also great because you get the small ma and pop feel.
The only downside is that there might be a little wait.
ps. Another plus is that they are dog friendly when you sit outside.
I went here for lunch today because it was my friend's birthday. I ordered the Primavera Quiesce and a Caesar salad. My friend got the tri-tip sandwich and regular side salad. We also got the creme brulee for dessert. The food was really awesome, but my favorite was the dessert. I really enjoyed the fun environment because the waiters and waitresses were really nice as well as the other customers. The restaurant was small and cute with a county feel. I would really go back to this restaurant
and try the other varieties that the restaurant offers.
People thought this was:
Useful (3)
Cool (2)
What can I say? I am in love. I grew up in Glendale and went up to visit the old hood. My friend took me and the kids here for a nice brunch. The wait was a little long, but the food was so worth it. I rocked the chicken sandwich with the dill potato salad and side salad with the strawberry lemonade, and the kids made out with the fresh sea bass shared between them. Holy Crap was it all good! I can't wait to drag my husband on the 2 hour ride up there just to sit on the patio and eat that potato salad again!!!!
One of my favorite restaurants. I love downtown Montrose for food. There is plenty of parking and tons of places to eat. Black Cow has the best salad, I've ever tasted. I believe its called the chicken crunch salad, it has a yummy honey vinaigrette and topped with almonds.
The only downside to the place is that there could be a long wait.
People thought this was:
Useful (2)
Cool (2)
Good omelets. Menu is a little out of the box.My boyfriend loves the apple chai. Last time I was there I had a fantastic bleu cheese burger.
I usually go there on Sunday mornings, long wait but you can peruse the Montrose farmer's market while waiting.
A Lovely Sunday morning ritual.
Baked goods leave a bit to be desired though.
People thought this was:
Useful (2)
Cool (1)
This place is soooo cute! I came here for lunch with one of my best girlfriends. We both ordered a salad. I got the chicken cashew mango salad and she got the bbq chicken salad. YUM! Service is friendly and attentive. Very nice. Cute and comfortable ambiance. Feels very country and quaint like tea in the afternoon sun. =)
These guys suck big time. My wife and I went up to Montrose on the 4th of July, looking to have a relaxing day.
All was going great until we went to go grab something to eat for dinner. First of all, half the restaurants in town were closed because of the holiday...ok, whatever. We saw this place and thought like it looked pretty good and not too busy.
The person who seated us was very dismissive, like she had way better things to do than to bother helping a customer, which definitely didn't start things off on the best note. We said we'd like to have a table outside so she quickly rushes us outside, however none of the tables are clean...rather than say something like "oh, we'll get one of these cleaned up for you right away" she simply slaps a couple menues down on a dirty table and mutters "enjoy your dinner" as she heads back inside.
Ten minutes pass, my wife and I have had plenty of time to peruse their sparse yet surprisingly pricey menu ($12 for a barbecue sandwich and fries? really?) two servers have already made stops to other tables next to us out front. However not once has someone asked us for even a drink order.
after another 5 or six minutes a busboy finally comes out, however instead of wiping the table off he simply slaps down a couple place mats and some silverware, once again mutters "enjoy your meal" as he skulks back inside.
at this point I am extremely aggravated as they are not even what I could begin to call busy. Yeah I know "small town feel" well I'm actually from a small town originally and let me tell you this is not a small town cafe feel.
after another 5 minutes of being ignored by the help (that's right 20 minutes without so much as a drink order!) we got up and simply walked off.
I have never been treated so rudely that I would actually leave a restaurant before even being served. I guess there is a first time for everything.
I guess what frustrates me so much is that from the looks of the other reviews on this page it seems like a really great place
OMG i freakin love there chicken avacado sandwich and i only wish i lived closer to them its a cute place to go on a sunday morning very cozy i love this place!
People thought this was:
Useful (3)
Funny (1)
Cool (2)
Went here for lunch today with my boyfriend and I was craving Mexican food so I got the Chicken Quesadillas with Caesar Salad and he got i think, enchiladas?
The food was pretty good but I really liked the atmosphere of the place.. it's a cute lunch place and I would probably go back to try their salads cause those looked really good!
People thought this was:
Cool (2)
My girlfriends and I always seem to turn to this place when we're looking for a nice spot to grab lunch or dinner very last minute. (I live maybe 5 minutes away from Montrose) Their salads have never failed me, their pasta/Italian selection is kind of weak, and their sides are generous and delicious!
Their ice cream is from Fosselman's in Alhambra (aka amazing) but since I'm sure the ice cream is not delivered or made daily, it doesn't really live up to par of what the original ice cream shop offers.
Take note of the cool belt and pulley fans they have!
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Cool (1)
Oh how I love the black cow, there's always something special about colorful dishes. The atmosphere is comfortable, and reminds me of the cafes in San Francisco.
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Great food, (I always get the same chicken sandwich) a bit pricey but worth it. Service is great. A lovely atmosphere. They also have a coffee and ice cream bar. The ice cream shakes are really good. Worth a visit in downtown Montrose.
Oh how I love this place. I'd venture to say that it's my favorite restaurant, full stop. The waiters are always incredibly friendly and very nice. Their food, be it salads, sandwiches, fish, or Mexican is always great, and they have that excellent coffee bar.
I do have to complain that the wait for tables can get annoying because of how popular Black Cow is, but I suppose you can't really hold that against them.
I recommend this place for everyone. There is a good rotation and selection of daily specials, their sandwiches are a great lunch choice, and there's always something amazing for dinner.
A great way to spend a weekend morning is to go to the Farmer's Market in Montrose and eat brunch at the Cow. Delicious brunch and good sandwiches. They also have great coffee -- I have even bought a pound of their beans to make coffee at home (but usually only when I know I'm going to be too lazy to go to the grocery store). Weekends can get very very crowded and sometimes the wait for food and a table is too long. If it happens to you, try the Star Cafe a few doors down which is owned by the same people and has some similar fare.
People thought this was:
Useful (3)
Funny (1)
Cool (3)
Check out beautiful Montrose, and when you do, hit the Black Cow. If for nothing else than a milkshake! Great menu and friendly service -- a bit of a wait on weekends it seems, as well as quite a few families, but the food is delish... the home fries incredible, and yes, the aforementioned shakes. Full coffee / espresso bar, including several varieties of French press.
I hit this over the weekend on the way up to the Angeles National Forest for some hiking and was well-fortified with starches that included a half-order of cornflake-encrusted French toast topped with bananas and strawberries.
Sadly, I missed out on Oktoberfest the day before. How come nobody told me?!? You can trust me with your secrets.
People thought this was:
Useful (3)
Cool (4)
3/7/08____
CRAB CAKES ARE SO GOOD HERE!!
also tried the cali-salad..not that great. i prefer the house salad
i love black cow!! their popcorn chicken salad is so amazing. also the chili cheese fries are to die for. i really never had a bad meal here. i also love the coffee bar! order italian soda and you'll receive an italian soda like you've neever seen before..mmmmm so good
People thought this was:
Useful (2)
Cool (3)
Went here with K and his mom on a Saturday morning for brunch. It's an adorable place and I am hoping that they had an off day.
Kieran ordered a monte cristo his mother ordered some sort of Enchilada Egg Omelet type thing, and I kept it simple with 2 eggs, bacon and toast.
This is how it came to us (note: I AM NOT EXAGGERATING)
1. Just my eggs
2. 15 minutes later Kieran's mom's dish
3. 4 minutes later my bacon
*at this point we remind her Kieran hasn't had his dish* She apologizes and asks if we need more coffee. I tell her, "I put too much sugar in my coffee, so if you can just tap it off, it should be perfect". She takes my coffee and dumps it. I guess she doesn't know the term "tap off".
4. FINALLY Kieran's food comes, but the two of us are done eating.
When it came time for tipping, I was going to stick with a high percentage, thinking she was in her later teens or very early 20s. When Kieran and his mom mentioned she is probably my age or older, that just made me tip just fairly because any 25-year old she realize how unacceptable it was... it's like she didn't notice how key it is to serve all diners as close as possible as you can.
People thought this was:
Useful (3)
Funny (3)
Cool (3)
Black Cow Cafe is the no-brainer pick if I want to hip people to the great food places in and around Montrose. I've been here for breakfast, lunch, dinner, coffee breaks, and dessert and have never left unsatisfied.
It's not too big of a secret though, so on weekend mornings and some nights, the wait is formidable. Once you're seated though, you've got quite a selection on the menu (I could've sworn I saw and ordered sushi on the menu before!) and the wait staff is attentive, friendly, and occasionally quite entertaining.
To be honest, I can't nail down one killer entree - I'm always in the mood for something different when I get there - but try anything. Heck, try everything. Especially the corn-flake crusted french toast (beat the morning breakfast rush on weekends for the optimal dining experience) and the Mexicali Latte. (Ibarra chocolate, orange zest, and cinnamon)
I love black cow cafe. The only drawback is that it's usually crowded and there's a wait. However, it's worth it once you try their rotisserie chicken and mexican mocha. Their rosemary bread is unlike anything i've ever tried. the service is decent, but the great food makes up for that.
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Cool (1)
It's a nice little restaurant very close to my house. It was my first time dining there today and enjoyed the atmosphere and friendly service. I had the warm salmon spinach salad and liked it very much. It was a little bit bland but I liked the cool greens plus warm salmon contrast. I would like to go back to try the other stuff on their menu.
I used to eat here for breakfast all the time! They have wonderful zucchini bread that they give as a starter. Great for take-out. Very cute and cozy inside. It does get rather crowded though so if it's a weekend morning be prepared for a wait, sometimes isn't worth it if it's just for some eggs. I've never actually been disappointed here and have had many lunch & dinner plates. Definitely my neighborhood go to restaruant back in the days...
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Cool (1)
Probably the best breakfast spot in the Crescenta/Canada/Montrose triangle. As Rebecca H. noted, they serve great coffee.
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
BC chicken sandwich is incredible.... served only at lunch time. They have a decent tea list not to forget their coffee bar. Their gigantic potatoes are really good. The poached salmon nicoise is decent... I just wish they would bring back the lemony dressing they use to put with it. Over all the foods OK.
People thought this was:
Cool (1)
People Who Viewed This Also Viewed...
Related Lists
-
Top Restaurants
Some of my favorite dining destinations in the… -
My Neighborhood
the places i go to when gas is too high to drive… -
The Most Important Meal…
Breakfast! Inspired by a Yelp friend (you know… -
Top Restaurants
Some of my favorite dining destinations in the…
Hot and New
- Daisy Mint
70 reviews
Neighborhood: Pasadena
- Kitchen 24
80 reviews
Neighborhood: Hollywood
- Soumarelo
23 reviews
Neighborhood: Pasadena
- Crane's Hollywood Tavern
25 reviews
Neighborhood: Hollywood
- Carousel Restaurant
60 reviews
Neighborhood: Glendale