My first walk through Westwood Village in months was stunning as there is currently no trace of Northern Cafe in the Village. This is the same Northern Cafe that a decade ago as a little known noodle house out of Hacienda Heights became the first San Gabriel Valley Chinese restaurant to set up shop in Westwood Village adjacent to the UCLA campus and eventually prospered so much that they had three locations in Westwood Village within a three block area, each with a different menu. Now the pioneering location on Gayley is gone as is the hot pot location on Broxton. And the remodel of the Weyburn location has been stalled for months, with the help wanted posted outside telling applicants to contact “Xibei” which is the name of a different chain.
This is curious as besides paving the way into Westwood Village and dominating it, they had been expanding all over the place and creating new restaurant brands for seperate specialties such as dumplings presumably so there wouldn’t be too many restaurants running around using the plain Northern Cafe moniker. I wonder if they’ve hit some kind of bump in the road.
I have never understood what Northern Cafe is or how any of the locations are related to each other, but a couple of the locations made a cumin lamb dish that I loved.
My understanding (and feel free to correct me if I’m wrong) is that every NC location is not related to each other. Each has its own separate operator, it’s own finances, and its own menu. The hope is that the public will be confused enough to think that it’s a unified brand (which kinda seemed to work lolol)…
As long as no one touches my beloved Monterey Park location, it’s all good.
I’ve only ever gone to one of the Westwood locations. Found them rather meh… good Chinese for the area, but still leagues beneath what I’ve had in SGV. Since it was mentioned that they’re independently owned, maybe the experience elsewhere is better?
It does make me sad to see businesses leave Westwood… if any of you are in the area and want Chinese food, give Mr. Rice a visit! It’ll break my heart if they close.
I thought that the MP and San Gabriel locations might be related, but only b/c they seemed to have such similar menus. Quality at the SG location seemed pretty good, based on my one visit.
My willingness to visit the Village has gone way done since the Broxton lot changed its fee structure! But what do you like from Mr. Rice (I’ve never been)?
My feeling is that Westwood village has been pretty customer unfriendly for a while. Unless you are a student or live immediately adjacent to the village. They don’t want your business.
Westwood street parking isn’t the worst, but the Target/Ralphs has 2 hours free with validation (I don’t think either checks for purchase, you just walk in and scan).
The signature mixians are good if you like that style of thinner rice noodle, but I usually get something from their “Meat Sauce Rice” section of the menu. The signature beef sirloin with rice and the braised chicken with rice are so comforting. Tastes like great home cooking! Their sides and small bites are quite nice too – hard to find pig ears and beef tripe in west LA.
99 Ranch Market Westwood carries those items. Or rather, carrieD them. They were in the Bakery section at 99 Ranch until recently, when a driver lost control and crashed the car into the Bakery section. It looks like the Bakery section won’t reopen til 2027…
Literally just walked in the door after shopping there and there’s not a single piece of bread available for purchase. I can’t imagine all those pre cut loaves were made in house, but maybe I’m wrong.
But what do you like from Mr. Rice (I’ve never been)?
