Pann's


Pann's is a coffee shop restaurant considered an institution in Los Angeles, California, for its history, role in movies, and distinctive architecture. The restaurant was opened by husband and wife George and Rena Poulos in 1958 and is still operated by the Poulos family as of 2011. It is also known for its neon sign, Googie architecture, and 1950s decor. Pann's is located at the intersection of La Cienega Boulevard and La Tijera Boulevard in Westchester, Los Angeles. The building and its iconic neon sign were designed by architects Eldon Davis and Helen Liu Fong of the Armet & Davis architectural firm. Pann's remains one of the best preserved examples of Davis' Googie designs, according to the Los Angeles Times.
Like many coffee shops it serves breakfast all day. The restaurant also serves "blue-plate specials," complete meals that vary daily.
Pann's includes an angular edifice and large plate glass windows and has been described as having "the classic coffee shop architecture". It was designed by Helen Liu Fong, who also designed the Holiday Bowl, Johnie's coffee shop, and the original Norms Restaurant. She included tropical landscaping in the design, and was part of the firm of Armet & Davis that one commentator refers to as "the Frank Lloyd Wright of 1950s coffee shops." Pann's is currently owned by Rena Poulos and son Jim Poulos. Ed Begley, Jr. told a story about running into César Chávez at Pann's in the 1980s.
Pann's was featured in a story in the Los Angeles Times, "Going on a hunt for Googie architecture," which noted the restaurant's tilted roof and sign, tropical plants and exposed stone walls indoors and out, and glass windows wrapping around the restaurant. Pann's celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2008.

Recognition