1. Yes, the AS Lounges over-all have done a relatively good job with increasing the food options, especially hot food. Besides the pancake maker which is available at all hours, they usually have both scrambled (hot) eggs and hard boiled eggs, a variety of breads, oatmeal with fresh fruit (strawberries), etc....the last time I was there they had a build your own breakfast burrito bar which included sausage, cheese, etc.
2. As for hot options later in the day, there is always soup and a hot option--I don't frequent the LAX lounge very often but at PDX I've seen a pasta bar, baked potato bar, and on super bowl Sunday they had a chili dog bar--how cool is that?
3. If you frequent any cities with Admiral's Clubs (like at least 3 or 4 times a year), then I would think it's worth it--you also need the AS + membership to access the odd-ball partner lounges like the lounge at SAN.
In my opinion, the #1 factor that makes the Lounge membership worth it for me is the fact that I frequently travel with my spouse and two teenagers so the amount of food and beverages consumed by the 4 of us over the course of the year more than makes up for the lounge membership fee. I can't comment on the quality/value of the paid menu items in the lounge because I've never purchased them--the amount and type of food available on the lounge buffet is enough to fill us all up--I don't even think my kids know there is a paid menu...lol. After being in a few first class lounges overseas recently where you strictly ordered from a complementary menu and had your food brought to you, I honestly prefer the buffet option since it's faster, I like to see the food before I choose it, and I can control the amount on my plate....but then again our family has always loved buffets.
https://www.today.com/food/restauran...back-rcna99462