Canter's Deli — Restaurant in Los Angeles

Canter’s Deli (Original, Fairfax District)

Canter’s is a Los Angeles legend—and for good reason. From the moment you walk in, you sense the history: spacious booths, a bustling crowd, and a menu so vast it feels like a culinary journey through Jewish‑style comfort food. It's fun to come any time of day or evening!

We started with blintzes, stuffed kishka, and a crisp Cobb salad, all delicious and generously portioned. We also ordered stuffed cabbage with baked beans and kasha varnishka. To go, we ordered sliced tongue and pastrami, plus rugelach to go—perfect for indulging later.

Our server, Maria, has been there 15 years—friendly, professional, and attentive. She and the whole team made us feel at home.

This is the kind of place you bring family and friends to—open for breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner, and even late-night hangs. On Fridays and Saturdays, they're open 24 hours, ensuring no midnight cravings go unsatisfied!

Here are some Menu Highlights Breakfast & Appetizers: Matzo Brei, Potato Pancakes Delicatessen Favorites: Pastrami Reuben, Corned Beef Reuben Signature Sandwiches: Monte Cristo, Philly Cheese Steak, Avocado Melt Burgers: Pastrami Burger, California Burger, Veggie Burger Salads: Cobb Salad, Chopped Salad, Caesar Salad, Wedge Salad Fish Plates: Smoked Salmon (Lox), White Fish, Fish Platter Bakery Treats: Russian Coffee Cake, Cheesecake, Carrot Cake, Rugelach

A Rich History Founded in 1931 in Boyle Heights, the Canter brothers moved to Fairfax in 1948, then expanded into a former Yiddish theater in 1953—and never looked back

A third-generation family-run business, it’s hosted everyone from rock stars to political figures. The Kibitz Room lounge opened in 1961 and became a famed music venue

Their legacy is legendary—millions of pounds of pastrami, corned beef, lox, matzo balls, and more have passed through these doors

Why You Should Go Historic site with authentic atmosphere and spacious, comfy booths

Massive menu—from hearty deli classics to fresh salads, burgers, fish, and bakery sweets

Friendly, seasoned staff like Maria, who bring warmth and expertise

Always open late nights Fri/Sat, and nearly always open otherwise

A family and community staple—its survival ensures this living piece of LA history remains vibrant

Support this iconic spot—then wander over to the nearby newsstand, another rare throwback gem. Bring family, reminisce about generations past, feast, and be part of Canter’s ongoing story. Highly...

Famous Canter's Deli hidden in this run-down corner strip mall. For years, I've driven by this plaza and stopped by to order Ono Hawaiian BBQ. But a few doors down in the corner unit, hidden next to the massage parlor (!) is the restaurant. I say restaurant, but its mainly a take-out. Quite a few take-out orders, actually.

When I walked in, it was empty. There were 3 people busy filling orders, slicing meats, busy in the deep back corner of the building. No one to greet you or take your order. Just 2 big touch screen monitors to take your order.

Simple and easy. I ordered, paid and sat enjoying the nostalgic photos of Canter's Deli main store in its prime days. On the other wall, photos of Famous Jewish foods and meals. Honestly, someone should take better, more appetizing photos. More food delivery guys picking up orders for others. That's a good sign.

I felt like I was in a true Deli kitchen. The guy who handed me my sandwich looked "fully Cal-OSHA and Food-Serv certified": hair cap, white uniforms and bibs, gloves, full PPE. Like a surgeon.

The sandwich met/exceeded my expectations. Nice crispy toasted rye bread with a side of mustard and 2 full pickle slices. Perfect for my toasted Reuben sandwich. Expensive, but you get you get good quality meat. You get one side order (regular fries, Cole slaw, salad.) Sides sweet potato fries and other sides (+$1.) The self order menu allows one to customize their sandwiches too: Add this and that for +$1, or +$2. Many options.

I think it's better than Langer's in DTLA and Bay City Market's hot pastrami sandwich. And now a great sandwich its so close to me. No need to drive to Langers anymore. But like Langers and Bay City, parking is not easy and the area around the restaurants are not so good (dirty old locations); but the foods are worth...

Honestly I was disappointed in this restaurant, especially after hearing such good things about it. The menu was vast, parking was ample and the service was great, but the food itself lacked taste. The matzoh ball soup was fine, but the broth didn't blow my mind. Reminds me of a basic chicken stock you get from the store. The Marilyn sandwich was very plain, not seasoning or sauce to enhance the cheese and tomato. The side salad was actually the best part because the dressing had flavor and wasn't too oily. Overall, I'd suggest ordering something else than what I listed. Can't say from experience, but I bet the potato pancakes and pastrami Reuben are better since they're more popular menu items. Either way, they need to add more flavor to their dishes. Jazz it up!

Also, I was frustrated with the amount of single use dishware in an establishment that clearly has the ability to serve on real plates and provide silverware. They serve their soups in bowls, so why is everything else automatically provided in to go boxes when ordering in?

Side note: this is the smaller restaurant in Santa Monica, not the original off Fairfax that is bigger. This place lacks charm of the...