Union Station in Los Angeles recently celebrated it’s 75th birthday. Quite an accomplishment for a station that almost didn’t get made. If left up to the separate railway companies at the time, it wouldn’t have been. Thankfully, it was made after ten years of struggle and legal proceedings. For it’s birthday, the Metro (who own the station) gave it a face lift. The gorgeous art deco building was updated and refurbished. It’s definitely a treat for the thousands of people who pass through it every day.
I spend a lot of time in Union Station because I commute via Metrolink, but I hadn’t been at the famous Traxx restaurant until recently. This white table restaurant is tucked into the fabulous main lobby of Union Station right by the front entrance to Alameda Street. While there are several fast food options within Union Station, Traxx gives a glimpse into the era when train travel was a classier affair. If you have time for a more leisurely meal I highly recommend stopping in. The decor and ambiance are first class. You are seated within the main area so people watching is a huge plus here. The restaurant area is small and I was sure it would be too noisy with most of the tables being outside the restaurant, but it was surprisingly peaceful.
My favorite part of my experience was the staff though. My server Tom was top-notch and on top of making sure my service was splendid. Even the bus boys were polite and sweet. Sometimes in a white cloth restaurant you feel like you’re bothering the waitstaff, but not so with Traxx. From the minute I walked up to the host until I left I felt like I was, indeed, a star. It’s easy to feel that there’s something glamorous and magical about Union Station with a service like the one you get a Traxx.
For my lunch I tried the hanger steak. It was tender, moist, and fantastically presented. I was full, but the desert menu also looked amazing. Everything tasted fresh and the wait time for my food was not long at all.
Great little piece of LA and a great piece of history. If you’re in the area or traveling through Union Station, be sure to check it out.
