Smitty's Grill
South Lake Avenue, Pasadena
Restaurant in Pasadena, United States
Book with PearlThe Read
Dress
Smart Casual
Why go
Smitty's Grill is a practical Pasadena dinner option when easy logistics matter more than a defined chef, cuisine, or awards story. Use it for a low-pressure evening on the South Lake side of town; cross-shop Mercado, Bistro 45, Green Street Restaurant, Deda Restaurant, or Celestino if the occasion needs a clearer point of view.
About Smitty's Grill
Smitty's Grill is a Pasadena dinner option with evening hours every day of the week. The schedule is 5–9 PM Monday through Thursday, 5–10 PM Friday and Saturday, 5–9 PM Sunday. The dress code is smart casual.
For a first-timer, keep the plan simple: plan around dinner service in Pasadena, check directly with the restaurant for cuisine, menu format, chef, price range, reservations, takeout, delivery, allergy accommodations, or seating setup before making assumptions.
Use it for a direct Pasadena dinner plan
The main reason to keep Smitty's Grill on the shortlist is its evening schedule. Use it for the basics: Pasadena location, daily dinner hours, smart-casual dress. If you are comparing other options, you can also look at Mercado, Bistro 45, or Celestino.
For occasions where specific menu details, price expectations, or service format matter, confirm those directly before booking. Green Street Restaurant and Deda Restaurant are other names to compare, but Smitty's Grill should be evaluated on the basics rather than assumptions about style, cuisine, or format.
First-timer guidance: keep the plan simple
Reservations: confirm directly with the restaurant before making firm plans. Timing: plan for dinner rather than lunch. Dress: smart casual is the dress code. Budget: check the current menu before committing. Group fit: confirm seating and booking details directly if the size or setup of the party matters.
Planning details
- Location
- 110 S Lake Ave, Pasadena, CA 91101
- Website
- smittysgrill.com
- Phone
- +16267929999
The take
The Take
The Vibe
Smitty's Grill reads as a dependable, neighborhood American grill anchored on South Lake Avenue. The room favorably balances weekday regulars with weekend retail-driven crowds, creating a steady, welcoming hum rather than a scene-driven hotspot. Its identity is plainspoken — approachable food, familiar portions and a dining room that feels like an extension of the street. The tone is warm and relaxed: nothing flashy, just consistent mid-market execution that neighborhood diners recognize and return to. It's a place built on reliability and an ordinary comfort that suits both repeat visits and casual stops while shopping on the avenue.
Best For
Smitty's is best for straightforward, sit-down dinners that prioritize familiarity and consistency. The grill format and signature mains make it a dependable choice for people looking for a no-surprises evening meal, while the restaurant's position on a busy retail corridor also makes it a practical stop for shoppers and weekday regulars. It suits casual meetups and reliably fills the gap between fast-casual and fine dining, offering a steady, mid-market option for local diners who want approachable American classics in a comfortable dining room.
Ordering Tips
Lean into the house signatures when ordering: start with the Iron Skillet Cornbread, then consider comforting mains like the Homemade Chicken Pot Pie or the Rattlesnake BBQ Baby Back Ribs. For a heartier entrée choose the Prime Rib or a seafood option such as the Cioppino. These dishes reflect the grill’s consistent, familiar approach to American cooking—ideal if you want a representative meal of what the kitchen does best.
Venue details
Ambiance
Dark, elegant New York-style modern setting with white tablecloths, subdued lighting, and pleasant decor that evokes a dining room away from home; granite-topped bar that is lively but not distracting.
Tags
Vibe
Best For
Experience
Sourcing
Accessibility
At the Table
- Dress Code
- Smart Casual
- Noise Level
- Conversational
- Service Style
- Upscale Casual
- Meal Pacing
- Leisurely
- Capacity
- Medium
Signature Dishes
- Iron Skillet Cornbread
- Homemade Chicken Pot Pie
- Rattlesnake BBQ Baby Back Ribs
- Prime Rib
- Cioppino
Planning details
Location
Also consider
Where to go if this is not the right fit
If the plan needs more atmosphere, try Bistro 45. If the group wants a livelier Pasadena dinner, try Mercado.
Restaurant context
How it compares in Pasadena
Smitty's Grill is the easier, lower-friction choice in this Pasadena set when the goal is simply getting dinner arranged without chasing a scarce table. Mercado is the better fit for a livelier group meal, while Green Street Restaurant reads as the more casual local fallback.
For an occasion, compare it carefully against Bistro 45. Bistro 45 is the stronger pick when ambiance and a more deliberate dinner setting matter; Smitty's Grill makes more sense when availability and simplicity are the deciding factors.
If cuisine is driving the decision, Celestino gives the clearest Italian brief in this group. Deda Restaurant is another Pasadena alternative to check when Smitty's Grill is full or when the group wants a different room without leaving the city.
Explore Pasadena
Around this place
Discover more on Pearl
Unlock the full Smitty's Grill guide in Pearl, including awards, comparisons, FAQs, planning details, and nearby places.
Compare Smitty's Grill
| Venue | Location | Cuisine | Awards |
|---|---|---|---|
| Smitty's Grill | Pasadena | ; | No published awards |
| Mercado | Pasadena | ; | No published awards |
| Bistro 45 | Pasadena | ; | No published awards |
| Green Street Restaurant | Pasadena | ; | No published awards |
| Deda Restaurant | Pasadena | ; | No published awards |
| Celestino | Los Angeles | Italian | 2025 OAD Casual in North America Ranked · #8452024 OAD Casual in North America Ranked · #8272023 OAD Casual in North America Recommended |
How Smitty's Grill Pasadena compares with similar nearby venues.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Smitty's Grill good for a special occasion?
It can be considered for a dinner in Pasadena if the basics fit your plans: evening hours every day and a smart-casual dress code. For a special occasion, confirm menu, pricing, reservations, seating details directly before deciding. You can also compare it with Celestino or other dining options.
What should a first-timer know about Smitty's Grill?
Plan it as a Pasadena dinner option. Hours are Monday through Thursday 5–9 PM, Friday and Saturday 5–10 PM, Sunday 5–9 PM. Check directly for cuisine, price range, chef, menu format, or reservation policy. Bistro 45 is another option to compare.
Is Smitty's Grill good for solo dining?
It can work as a Pasadena dinner option, with evening hours daily and a smart-casual dress code. If seating style matters, confirm directly before going. Green Street Restaurant is another name to compare.
Can I eat at the bar at Smitty's Grill?
If bar seating matters, contact Smitty's Grill directly before visiting. The schedule is dinner service daily, including Friday and Saturday until 10 PM. Mercado is another option to compare.
Is lunch or dinner better at Smitty's Grill?
Dinner is the choice because the hours are built around evening service: 5–9 PM most days and 5–10 PM on Friday and Saturday. If you need lunch or a different schedule, compare other options such as Deda Restaurant.
What are alternatives to Smitty's Grill?
Other names to compare include Mercado, Bistro 45, Green Street Restaurant, Deda Restaurant, Celestino. For Smitty's Grill itself, the planning details are simple: Pasadena location, daily evening hours, smart-casual dress.
