Canter's Deli

Canter's Deli is truly a classic LA establishment. Sure, it isn't in the original 1931 location, but it moved there in 1951 and nothing much has changed since then. Well, the prices are a tad higher of course, but everything else is the same.

We love all their classic stuff. Every winter I get cravings for their mishmosh soup (which is matzo ball soup only with noodles and carrots) and of course their pastrami and corned beef. They are famous for their "Canter's Fairfax" which is a mile high 1/2 pastrami and 1/2 corned beef sandwich but I'm partial to the classic reuben. No matter what we order, we always get it with Dr. Brown's rootbeer or cream soda. Classic. Let me warn you though, their menu is huge. I mean really huge and has just about eveyrthing on it, even things like peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and beef tongue. Their salads are surprisingly good too. There is truly something for everyone.

One way that this classic place is still, well, classic is because they still make their own stuff on the premises. They pickle their own pickles every morning (find another US deli that does that!) and give you a tray of them when you sit down. Their bakery is awesome and everything is always freshly made - don't forget to take a few goodies home on your way out.

Josh (the more silent voice behind this website) used to go to Canter's weekly when he was a wee boy with his great grandfather (aka Popper) and eat kishkas or bagels and lox. It is a family place with a lot of history. It is still family owned too.

If it is famous people you are after, we've seen a ton of them at Canter's. Why? Because everybody goes there. It is open 24 hours and it has been a popular "after the bars/clubs close" place for years and years. Everyone from Marilyn Monroe to Elizabeth Taylor to Stevie Wonder has hung out here. We love the mix of people at the tables and this is something that you'll find at any "classic LA" place. Last time we went, one side of us was a table of elderly men speaking Yiddish and the other side of us was a bunch ex-rocker guys (who still sported the 80s glam band look) and that dude from Guns N Roses. Hilarious! Sigh. Gotta love LA.