Breakfast Company may seem familiar upon first glance. In fact, it’s the same restaurant by another name. The eatery at 7141 Santa Monica Boulevard, which is in West Hollywood but just a block from the unofficial border of Hollywood on La Brea Avenue, sits on the same space with the same decor and the similar menu as its old self, Breakfast Republic. In October, the breakfast-and-brunch spot quietly reopened with a different moniker. In the past few months, Breakfast Republic was changed to Breakfast Company at multiple restaurant locations. According to the Beverly Press & Park La Brea News, there was no big reason behind the switch except to simplify the business name.
By Allan R. Ellenberger
The Breakfast Company, 7141 Santa Monica Blvd. (Photo Credit: The Breakfast Company)
The consistency of that approach is clear once you're inside. The style is still bright, casual and mid-century-adjacent—inviting, but not precious—and the menu is still essentially a greatest-hits album of contemporary breakfast culture: waffles, pancakes, eggs cooked every which way, sausages and gooey, indulgent comfort plates designed to appeal to both early birds and lazy brunchers. Reviews on Yelp since the name change have underscored that sense of familiarity, with many returning customers pointing out that, despite the rebranding, the food and service have been largely unchanged. The overall tone has been positive, especially when it comes to the classics, though some reviews, perhaps hoping for a more radical reboot, have noted mild disappointment that the transformation was more skin deep than substantive.
I got a mid-morning visit that reinforced this impression. Eating with a friend during a relaxed rush, I ordered the Buttermilk Waffles with Portuguese Linguisa sausage, and my friend ordered the Fried Rice Benedict which he pronounced “terrific.” The waffles themselves were, to use a not-quite-formal enough phrase, perfection. The thick and round waffles were beautifully crisp and golden outside and tender on the inside. They were classic in the best way, no tricks, no fluff, just a plain, well-made, waffle with real flavor. The only problem with these waffles was that they were slightly light on syrup. We politely asked for more and it was no problem, and if there is one motto to live by in life it is for breakfast time: do not skimp on the syrup.
The Portuguese Linguisa was a first for me, and curiosity won out over my usual sausage preferences. Spiced assertively and clearly well-made, it delivered a pleasing depth of flavor that suggested careful seasoning rather than heat for heat’s sake. That said, its density took some getting used to. It was heavier than I expected, and while that may simply be authentic to the style, it edged toward filling rather quickly. Still, it was more than acceptable—interesting enough to justify the choice, even if it may not become my default order.
All in all, the plates my friend and I ate would appear to show that Breakfast Company is at its best when it is serving comfort food – the familiar well executed, but with just enough spice to keep you interested and to tempt you back.
Service throughout was efficient and friendly, matching what many Yelp reviewers continue to note: that the staff has remained steady and capable through the transition. Plates came out promptly, tables turned at a reasonable pace, and there was no sense of a restaurant still finding its footing under a new identity. If anything, Breakfast Company feels settled—perhaps even comfortable—in its post-Breakfast Republic skin.
Breakfast Company, it turned out, isn’t a radical reimagining so much as it is a continuation under a cleaner name and a slightly expanded identity. Longtime Breakfast Republic aficionados shouldn’t be too worried by the transition; the core elements are all still there. For those coming in fresh, it’s a dependable neighborhood breakfast destination right on the unmarked border of Hollywood and West Hollywood, with big portions, comforting flavors and a menu both familiar and broad enough that you’ll want to keep coming back. Next time, I’ll probably try the eggs. But if the waffles are any indication, Breakfast Company gets it right where it matters: on the plate.
Have you tried Breakfast Company? What did you think? Please share your comments below.
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