Naka’s Broiler

This place is the best yet in the state of California.
Must eat it there!
And must have a good attitude. And watch the delicious food come out

Let me first say, the food here is a 5 star! But the service is a 2. The man that runs this place is VERY RUDE! From phone in to sitting in his face. I’ve often had to think long and hard if I feel like being yelled at or ignored when going into Nakas. Very mean to the lady «Maria» who’s name I learned from this man yelling at her like a child. It was demeaning and very uncomfortable. The food is so good though. On the 3 occasions I’ve been here, nothing changes. The arrogance and rudeness just bleeds from this man. From telling you what I should and shouldn’t order,
to getting a full blown attitude if he’s busy. Make sure you order breakfast before 11 because he starts serving lunch. He pretty much chewed me out for not knowing that when I asked for a Big Breakfast around 10:45am once. His customer service is non existent. But that food is worth 10 minutes of annoyance I guess. Cash only, diner style.

Came here for lunch for the first time after hearing so many good things about the food (especially the breakfast). I was very disappointed to say the least. Someone suggested we get tacos but they were serving everything BUT tacos because the cook said, he didn’t feel like fixing them right now. So we got burgers. The waitress/​cook was SO RUDE. I really wanted to say never mind and leave. She kept cutting my friend off while he was ordering. She was not friendly or welcoming at all. She appeared to not want yo be there. She was friendly to what appeared to be her regular customers but appeared very bothered by us «new» people. I would not recommend coming here and I will not be returning.

Open since March of 1956, its approaching its 60^th year, Wow!
It’s a small restaurant. 7 or 8 counter seats and 1 table for 4. The vibe is definitely 1950’s (old, old school)
They’re only open for breakfast & lunch, Breakfast being their specialty
Here’s the rundown:
Big Breakfast w/​Pork Chop. You have several choices, I went with the following: Grits, 2 eggs (over easy), 2 pancakes & 2 pork chops. The Grits were GOOD. Slathered in butter and perfectly cooked. Yum! Pancakes were also very Good! The pork chops were disappointing. They were thick pieces that were drenched in flour and seasoned with salt and pepper (too aggressively with the pepper) and pan fried. The pork was not tender and very oily. My co-​worker and I both ate one chop each and we both didn’t take home our second pork chop, not good.
The big breakfast was indeed Big and delicious for the most part. I would opt for bacon or grilled turkey (definitely not the pork chop) next time.
I’ve been here for lunch too and got the Egg Burger w/​Cheese — This was grilled in front of me and the aroma was making me even more hungrier. Flame grilled is the way to go for sure. And the grill was super clean. The egg was fried (no yoke), but that wasn’t a deal breaker this time. The burger was juicy and everything worked well together.
Fries — skinny fries that is and they were so good. I ordered the large and it was indeed very large. Enough to share with 2 and maybe 3 peeps.
This is a CASH ONLY joint.
Service — my co-​worker & I dined in for the breakfast. We placed our order and waited 25 minutes for our food to come out. The chef cooked the order of two regulars who came after us first. That wasn’t cool.
Parking is also an issue here. It’s small and basically one way. You better back into the parking spot or you might have a hard time getting out.
After almost 60 years, it is showing its age, but the food is still good (except the pork chop) lol.

I had the worst experience at this place I came in with My service dog and the guy immediately jumps at my throat is told him that she was a service dog and he yells out he doesn’t care and got very hostile I told the man ok and walked out and took a photo of the name of the dinner and he comes out side and yells they been here for 40 something years and threw around threats saying I wouldn’t be able to make it out of there to make a complaint we was on there verge of having a fist fight till my gf jumped in the middle I’m pressing charges and seeing through a lawsuit very unprofessional I wouldint have my worst enemy eat here

I’ve had the honor of eating here every time I’m in la :)
The food is delicious, Well cooked, & they have great prices
My favorite would have to be the delicious grape lemonade they make from scratch
After experiencing a breakfast theres no other reason to go any where else.
Long story short my ex showed me this place for the first time and let’s just say I’m still dating breakfast ;)

Went here the other morning for breakfast 1^st time since 1997 when I was a 9^th grader @Centennial High I’m giving this place 5 stars one cause Dave has NOT change one bit (same rude ass attitude) and two the food is so authentic like your grandmother’s cooking glad to see this place is still around after all these years!!! Consistency comes along way even with the rude attitude lol hasn’t nothing change good food radio blasting took me back down memory lane when I was in 9^th grade buying fries for breakfast:):):):):)

I love the beef tacos with no cheese. Dave is an excellent cook! The only bad thing is that they close at 3pm. I would definitely recommend this place to others. Did I mention breakfast is delicious! It’s a must try and once you do, you’ll become a regular.

My first time here, I’ve passed the place lots of times, but today I decided to stop and get a hamburger, the customer service was great the cook conversating with me as she was preparing my burger which by the way was fantastic it was just like an old school hamburger you would make in your kitchen I was happy, I will definitely be ordering another burger from there again it’s a very small place but grab a burger on the go is great

I’ve had a cheeseburger and I love it. I haven’t had a cheeseburger for a while and I’m glad I had this one.

no stars! worse customer service ever! i do not recommend this place to anyone! i support black businesses but i will not spend a penny of mines here. this place needs to be closed down.

Service is on point! Idk what others are talking about! I had a small breakfast, comes with 1 egg, choice of meat, choice of toast or pancakes. bomb! Food was ready quick, and ambiance is great! Feels like home

Never Again! The only reason this place is still going is because they are across the street from a high school. The guy that works here is fucking rude. I had turkey burger that was okay. I definitely could have made it at home. Nothing special. They have a «if you change your order we will kick you out vibe.» If you want something prepared differently than they are used to preparing it, be ready to beg the cook or deal with a nasty look followed by a «your lucky I’m doing this for you!» Literally. They most certainly do NOT willingly serve breakfast all day. Again… you will get the «you better be lucky speech.» Like I said… never again. EVER AGAIN. I am so turned off I am writing this as I am still here. 1 star goes for the okay food and the fact the guy at least thanked us for coming.

Big breakfast… bomb. Turkey burger combo… bomb. Food is awesome. Service??? Food is good so, I can overlook the questionable service. Lol. Prices help, too.

i like nakas the food is great especially the tacos and burgers and the lemondae taste homemade however sometimes «dave» can be really mean especiall to the female cook the older black ladt which she have been there for many years. i also attended centennial high school… excellent food… service is good… small place… new owner a bit mean to cooks

My car broke down right by this little gem and that gave me the opportunity sample something special. I really loved the atmosphere in here, Dave was a wonderful host and bantered with everyone; a real neighborhood feel in there.
I tried the pork chops and eggs with pancakes. Pancakes were hot, fresh and fluffy. My pork chops were well spiced, and cooked nice and juicy with a bit of crunch. The potatoes were good as well.
Next time, I try the burgers. Maybe a turkey special.

Good turkey tacos. dave can b a lil mean @ times n poor maria

Naka’s is a cool place to go to get a burger in Compton. The dining area is small. You can easily reach to open the door from several of the seats. I would go more often if it wasn’t for the fact that the grill makes the place dense with the aroma of charbroiled goodness. The few times that I have eaten there are work days and I am a dry clean kinda woman. When I left there I smelled like I had made the burger. I cant stand that smell in my hair and clothes for the rest of the work day. The burgers are good, fresh patty and produce.

Last summer (’07), LA Times published an article on Mdme Katherine Banks and the beloved restaurant she owned with her husband (until 1991).
In between chasing rib tips and other soul food, Naka’s was forgotten in the background; figured it ain’t going nowhere. Then I read a Unilocal thread that went full f-​tard:
, remembered a random burger joint mentioned in this Chowhound thread:
, and set forth on my red Italian iron steed while wearing green jacket (for the a total CYA effect ya know). As a point of reference, Naka’s Broiler is across Centennial High School.
The result? Holy mother of god. how did I miss this place? You have your typical burger shacks ala Mom’s, Master’s, The Burger Stand, Fred’s Downhome, etc, and then you have this: an actual ‘hood diner! Please note the usage of ‘hood, and not ‘ghetto. There is nothing ghetto about Naka’s. It’s a self-​respecting joint. Mr. Fisher, who bought the place in ’91, runs a tight/​clean/​neat ship. He brushes and wipes the broiler between grillin’ and the there’s nary a dribble of graffiti in the vicinity.
The cook is the «daddy» and the visiting diners are all «playahs». You know some hip hop artist grew up eating Naka’s. You know the LA Riots didn’t touch Naka’s. It’s an institution. However! Some doofus decided to order a turkey burger with turkey bacon. Who does that! In Compton! Yes turkey burgers is the preferred ‘hood burger of choice but. turkey bacon!#$@%@ Ugh! My bad. Really. It’s a solid burger tho. Not spectacular ala Mom’s, but hand formed patty on a Wonderbread-​esque bun, topped with crisp Iceberg, tomato, wayyyyy too much raw white onion and a wee bit of mayo.
A full breakfast menu is also served all day. And yes, you can sub turkey bacon for regular bacon with your eggs and grits…
(Consecutive 100 FTRs…)