19510 Nordhoff Street, Northridge, 818/993-7306 (across from the Northridge Fashion Center)
12345 Ventura Blvd (just east of Whitsett on the south side), Studio City, 818/506-7400
The Northridge location of The Good Earth is either owned, managed or both, differently from the Encino and Studio City locations. Even the menus vary. But the Northridge location is miles ahead in terms of service, convenience, and good food. So let me just tell you the deal with them first.
The Northridge "branch" hasn't been remodeled since 1974 or so, and it's so out of date that it's cool. They have a HUGE macrame woven Scene From the '70s thing, all dark-stained wood panels and sky lights. The place is gigantic and although it fills up on Saturdays and Sundays for breakfast, it is so big we have never once waited for a booth. It's almost all booths -- all comfortable. Parking is ample because it's in one of many failing mini-malls (but it's next to a nice little newsstand which I'm certain picks up all of its business from meandering customers of The Good Earth -- eating hint: they have gum and candy in case you get a yen for it).
Breakfast is the meal that Northridge Good Earth does best. And cheap!! Our favorite is the Breakfast Burrito for $5.95. It's a huge burrito filled with eggs, tomatoes and the most amazing turkey sausage you ever tasted. Steven made fun of me and my constant urge for the stuff, until he got a nibble of it and now he's hooked too. They top this sucker with cheese, give you a side of potatoes (or for .65 extra they will give you air fries instead -- french fries that are baked and lower in fat and calories -- or get a side of them for $1.95 -- yum) AND pancakes or an English muffin. We usually split this and order an extra order of pancakes -- the 12 grain are unusual and delicious with nuts and whatever else makes them multi-grain. They also serve buttermilk for traditionalists...I would also recommend the excellent Eggs Benedict ($6.50), which is made with the lovely and satisfying Turkey Sausage and also comes with pancakes and potatoes (belch).
Northridge now features a Gourmet Buffet -- can you be trusted? I cannot. Endless eating to somehow validate the $5.99-9.99 price isn't worth it. From a foodie standpoint, it's all about the dead pasta and leftovers anyway. Get the real food, from a real person.
Dessert? The tofutti is good and dairy-free, the chocolate cake is so-so, the carrot cake is great (look, I sampled all this on YOUR behalf, or at least, that's how I justified it), but the BEST: apple cobbler. You'll see it in the case looking like a plastic sample, but it's really good and good to share (and it's $2.95). Get it heated, of course.
Other recommendations: Garden Vegetable Saute ($7.95, a dollar more with Tofu or cheese and worth it), Cashew Chicken Sandwich ($6.95) and the Planet Burger (which they'll make with beef, turkey, or veggie (my preference) and it's BIG and $5.95.
Studio City: If you want a funky, loud ambience (and don't mind a waterfall drowning out your conversation, sketchy service or impossibly bizarre but good-looking wooden seating designed to move you right out of there), you can hit that place. The fact that we live nearby yet run out to Northridge should tell you all you need to know.
The Vegetarian Update: Can you believe all that turkey sausage idolatry?! Anyway, if you eat that sort of thing, it's good. If you don't, here's the deal: they make a splendid burrito, ask for it without the useless iceberg lettuce and with the spinach instead (it's enough for a full salad!). If you eat the occasional egg, go to town on one of their breakfasts (the Planet breakfast with the veggie patty is good), and make sure you get air fries instead of the regular potatoes -- them's good for ya and they're like good wedge french fries! Even the side of beans is great -- ask for them without the canned red sauce...a great place for vegetarians and their carnivore friends to co-exist in peace (brother).