Ford's Filling Station

Three words to describe this place: WORSE SERVICE EVER I came to this place this afternoon looking for a decent lunch place. Tender greens was closed so we decide to try this place. We walk in and ask to be seated outside since it was a gorgeous day. The host told us that outside seating was all reserved. I see a couple of empty tables and asked about one in particular. ""Yes, it's reserved"", he repeats. So fine. He seats us next to the restroom. That's fine too. The waiter is pretty good and get us our drink orders pretty quickly. We order and then we sat and waited. We waited and waited and waited. Keep in mind that we were seated around 12:40pm. By the time I asked how much longer the food was, it was 1:20pm. The waiter was sympathetic and checked on the kitchen. He came back and said that it's coming out and he's sorry. He did explain that there were two cooks that didn't show up that day and they weren't expecting that many customers. Ok I guess that was fine too. About 10 min later, I flagged him down again and asked about the food. He tells us he'll let the manager know. I see him talk to the host and the host goes to the kitchen. Btw, everything is annoying at most at this point because the waiter is attentive and sympathetic about the whole thing. HOWEVER, this is when it turned HORRIBLE. The host guy proceeds to ""explain"" that he can't make the chef cook any faster. (I'm repeating what this guy told us verbatim.) They are short on staff and it's going to take up to 10 more minutes for the food to be ready. We let him know that it's already been about 45 min. He ""corrects"" us and says ""well, it's ONLY been 30 min that you've been waiting....so another 10 min wait should be ok."" REALLY?? That's ok?? What low standards are you comparing to?? Meanwhile I see the table next to us, who showed up after we did, getting their food. I ask the guy how come the other table got their food first. And his response is this ""we can go back and forth on this...but there's nothing i can do."" So we get up to leave. It gets even better. As we are walking out the door, I over hear him talking sh*t about us to the waiter. I turn around and say that was out of line...his response: ""I already talked to you about this, so goodbye."" WTF. I ask him his name...and he says in a haughty manner ""actually....i'm the owner of this place...so..."" So? So f*cking what. It's WORSE that you're the owner and acting this way. What DECENT human being treats people this way MUCH LESS PATRONS OF THEIR BUSINESS? This guy was horrible to say the least. No manners, no class, no decency. After reading some of the many bad reviews on this place....I won't be surprised if this restaurant gets shut down SOON. There are too many good eateries in that area with GOOD service and NON a$$hole owners for people to come here. Seriously, people if you come to this place...you are basically saying that it was OK for ""DEREK"" the owner to treat customers this way. And a note for ""DEREK"", what an awful attitude and behavior you've portrayed in front of your own customers and your staff. Shameful. Oh and one more delightful detail. As I'm writing his name on the business card, I threw the pen down on the table and it bounces off and falls on the floor. He then screams out like a woman ""you threw a pen at me! you threw a pen at me!"" And follows us out of the restaurant saying that....lol. Derek - stop being a little b*tch and grow up. more

Huevos rancheros + dogfish head on tap = a good morning more

I've heard great things about ford's but unfortunately my first time here was for a quick lunch. Looks like... more

Great Drinks.. atmosphere.. fav spot more

While visiting LA a friend and I stopped at Ford's Filling Station. The restaurant was my first dining... more

Went to a seating on New Years eve and had a wonderful time. Went back two days later for my birthday to order the kobe beef cheek again and received a plate of food that was sloppy and missing components. The waitress then argued with me about the meal missing parts even though my friend who accompanied me and ordered the same thing had a complete plate. Then she brought the missing part and said ""if you want more you will have to pay for it."" Birthday dinner ruined. I will not spend 35$ on a plate of food to be treated like crap. When I emailed two managers there about it I was told we care and we will get back to you. Then one of them said come back and we will buy you a round of drinks. I responded that my fiance and I don't drink and that I just felt like the service was lacking. She never responded again. I guess Fords filling station doesn't really care about its guests. If they really felt bad, they would have offered something other than a drink. Thanks but no thanks, there are plenty of wonderful restaurants I can go to that will deliver good food and good service when I spend 50$ a person for a meal. Pros: The Kobe Beef Cheek is delicious Cons: Service, Followthrough, Do not care about their customers more

Ford's Filling Station is a great little gem, with great bar food and an intimate setting. However, don't think that its crappy bar food. Its 2 steps above, with some really gourmet takes on ""bar food"". I went with a few friends for the Dine LA event, and ordered off the special menu. I got the braised Lamb, which was REALLY good. A little bit of a spicy kick, but not too much. The food overall was really good, the service was great, and I would totally go back. Pros: Good food, great service, good wine selection Cons: Small space more

The new menu is amazing. we had the Duck Turrine and the Red Shrimp Pil Pil. Shared the simple salad and then the Quail and the Skate. Really really good. I heard Ben Ford was in the kitchen - we hated to leave even though we were crazy full - so we each had a Mexican coffee. Oh my gosh - this restaurant has come into it's own. It's warm but it is gourmet. Going for brunch this Sunday. Pros: The Chef is amazingly creative more

things i love about this place: cheese plate dessert braised kobe beef cheeks things i hate about this place: crazy bar area cramped dark seating slightly snotty service Ford Fillings station consistently provides a menu that is fresh and up to the current trends. I have never had a bad meal here and its my go to place for a nice sit down dinner. It can get pretty crazy here at night for dinner with a lot of professionals piling in to the bar after work. Love their cheese and charcuterie plate. I sometimes stop here for coffee and dessert. The service is inconsistent. Sometimes the hostess and servers are nice and respectful. Other times, they're snotty and seem to be inconvenienced by simple requests. Its hit or miss. for the most part I've had good experiences here, so 4 stars because the food is superb. Pros: cheese plate and banana split Cons: inconsistent service more

Being a chef, very cool sighting at my favorite neighborhood spot..... Alice Waters!!! It looked like she asked for a table for 4 even though she had 6 people. The Chef was bringing food to the table and enjoying a glass of wine with her in between courses. One of my friends had no idea who she was and the two were in awe of the relevant chef in the US if not the world. Pros: cool sightings Cons: none here more

A few days ago I went to Ford's for happy hour, which turned into a long dinner when some colleagues walked in. We were sitting in the middle of the main room minding our business about to sign the check after the most delicious meal when one of the servers brought out a dessert to the table next to us. Since I had opted for no dessert, I was curious to see what they ordered. It was a jewelry box!!!!! His girlfriend was so surprised when he proposed. I looked around and every women around had tears in their eyes. It was such a beautiful moment. Life is beautiful. Pros: sweet vibe, food and music more

I went to Ford's Filling Station on Saturday afternoon with 2 friends for lunch. The menu has a good selection but the food was only ok (nothing so delicious that I would go back). The servcie was slow and they were not busy at 1pm on Saturday, so we really didn't understand why it took so long for her to take our order or deliver our food. They also messed up one order when the hamburger is supposed to come with carmelized onions and the burger was delivered without what the menu said it came with. It was an ok lunch but with only one alcholic drink, the bill was $72, so I don't really have a need to try this place again. Pros: Located in a cute area in Culver City Cons: Slow service, waitress got our order wrong more

i really liked the BAR. more

Our party of four arrived for dinner and was completely ignored at the door by several staff members. The hostess and waitress (Marie) were so rude and unprofessional that we almost left in disgust before finishing our meal. The food was decent, especially the meat and cheese platters and the flatbreads, but there are too many other really great restaurants in the area to put up with such bad service! Pros: Bar Cons: Service, staff more

I'm a local thats been a regular at this place and they never dissapoint me. Their meat and cheese platters and their flat breads are so good! Whenever a friends comes into town i always bring them here and they love the place. once in a while you get to see ben ford.. the owner of the place! Pros: everything more

So the last time I was there... more

I really liked this place. It was a lot more casual than I expected and that was kind of refreshing. I loved the menu and thought the platter of assorted meats and cheeses was awesome. I'm still not brave enough to try the head cheese but I have every intention of going back and taking the plunge. Try it. more

Last night was awesome at the filling station. We had a great time sitting at the bar. It was my friend's first time, and he said it felt like we were sitting in his living room. The music selection was stellar. We played a couple games of backgammon while sipping on some delicious wine. After an hour of after watching everyone's plates be devoured around us, we decided to go with the rabbit and octopus specials. THey were both to die for. Pros: great games and menu Cons: lot of people on friday nights more

I'm definitely a foodie, and I enjoy going to all of the local food and wine events in the LA area. I have been lucky enough to have quite a few chats with some big named chefs in this area. So, that is the reason why I finally made it to this restaurant, which is a bit of a drive from where I live in Brentwood. Ben seems to be a very warm, down to earth person the few times I have seen and chatted with him. Pros: Food Cons: Bad service, and Management more

You know how you find a place and want to back again and again because there's always something new - and it's always good? Well, I found my place in LA...and here are my thoughts. I was in LA for 10 days - 5 of us ate at fords the second night. Came back for lunch 3 times - yes - I made the drive all the way from Hollywood - it was my comfort spot in this beautiful little neighborhood. Jamon Serrano, Hot Sopressata, and Mortadella - little olives - ate the plate clean - delicious! Also tried this new dish they recommended called Sturgeon Confit with smoked tomatoes and olive and leek compote on a crostini - yikes it was incredible!! I was skeptical but it was major delicious. 4 Cheese Pizza on flatbread - light and savory! Kusshi Oysters - small and succulent - (usually I get tough big ones in other restaurants) great! Roasted Beet Salad - my mother used to force to eat beets - so this is the first time since a kid to eat them on a dare at the table - I loved them!!! (in shock) Buttermilk Fried Chicken - I am from the south so I wondered about this one but decided to try because our server recommended it - but it was crispy and boneless - on top of great potatoes and succotash .... I have died and gone to heaven! Polenta Cake - wow - I had no idea polenta could be so delicious. Fish and Chips - Every bite was perfect! We also tried the Shrimp Curry - as a curry aficionado I have to admit this is really good - the bacon on top and the toppings on the side make it perfect. And something that brought me back for lunch 3 more times ( I am now addicted) - the Pulled Pork Panini! Unbelievable! I hated to see the last bite go. For dessert we had dark chocolate Tobblerone ice cream. Silky and rich!!! Also had the banana split - we all devoured it too...with three scoops of all the Toblerone flavors in it. Yummy and big! And one more thing - they make fresh lemonade there - couldn't resist! I am so crazy about this restaurant. It feels so good and comfortable. Pros: It feels so comfortable and alive. Consistency is key. Cons: Ford's is in LA and I am in Texas. more