John Hopkins opened the first location of Oh Happy Days on El Molino in Pasadena in 1977, then moved it to South Lake Avenue before settling on its current location on North Lake Avenue in Altadena in 1990. The energy inside is calming and quiet. By the afternoon, customers trail into the cafe, which one local describes as an “eclectic bohemian enterprise” with “the ambiance of an old-school beatnik hippie vibe.” Hopkins knows many of these customers by name because they eat here so often. The menu is handwritten on cards that are tacked up by the cash register counter; and customer-favorite dishes include the tofu and tempeh stir-fry served over brown rice and steamed greens, a salad with a creamy dressing, and the Great Noodle Mix-Up: a combination of two different noodles with tofu and greens. Hopkins cooks all the hot food, while his assistant, Ann Earhard, bakes bread in-house. Tap the link in bio to read the local legend feature by Eater LA contributor @saltychipspress 📸: @saltychipspress