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Our famous Rosemary Dinner Rolls. Breadworks has been making these deliciuos rolls for some of LA's most well known grocery stores for years
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Since I didn't grow up on the east coast I knew deli through the Canter family's eyes. Yeah... Every family occasion wouldn't be complete without a Canters deli or fish platter. The Bagels, pastries and deli counter is superb and I usually will take food back up to SF with me when I visit the folks. I've had almost everything on the menu...
The best: Corned beef... Slaw... Russian Dressing on what else.... Fresh Canters Rye bread!
The potato salad takes me in a way back machine. If chopped liver is your thing it's fantastic as well.
A trip to LA isn't complete with a visit to the institution on Jewish fine dining.
I've spent the last three years of my life plodding away in an academic dungeon hashing out an advanced degree in economics... or as my family will happily point out, a degree in Jewish Engineering. So, while not a Jew by my mother's legacy, I have learned that if one wants to succeed in the art of robbing people of their money (see Wall Street managers for most recent success stories) and I want to complete my degree before I qualify for an AARP card, it best to bone up on all matter of deliciousness that is the Jewish delicatessen. This of course, brings us to Canter's on Fairfax... the one and only.
I love this place. It's a time warp to a by gone time. If I'd had a Jewish grandma, I'm certain she would have waited tables here when she first arrived in Amer-eeka from Ukraine. I love that they validate parking. I even love the bathrooms upstairs. When I'm tired of all the streamlined, shiny and new that is the redevelopment of Hollywood as we know it, I come here. It's familiar, it's open at all night and it feels like home.
Yes, the prices on the high side, sure. It's what my people do... gauging you for a pastrami sandwich so I can send my grandchild through another 4 years of college is how we roll. But we all do it. You want a real Jewish pastrami on rye, this is the price you pay.
Aside from the restaurant, I really want everyone to grasp the greatness that is the Canter's bakery. All the great old world breads my real grandma used to make can be found here.
Never tried their poppy seed desert bread, no? You should.
Cheesecake by the pound. Check.
The cookies: excellent (pay particular mind to the prune and apricot ones)
And then there are the brownies... out-of-this-world.
More often than not, my sisters and I will roll down here to pillage the bakery, then head home loaded up with carby sugary goodness. And why not? Atkin's is so 2000 and 6.
I'm going to have to say that this is by far the best Jewish deli on the West Coast. I beg, and plead to go to this restaurant the minute any one suggests going anywhere near down town LA.
The service is always entertaining - no matter what time you go, the server will most likely be an older woman who does not have time for your silly ignorance of the menu. Who reads those things anyways?! While entertaining, I never felt the service was rude or lacking.
The matzo ball soup is great. Bagel chips and pickles come with sandwiches. The sandwich will be as big or bigger than your head. You really can go wrong with anything here. YUM!
"I've never had a $15 sandwhich before, I wonder what it tastes like"
That was my reaction when i saw the menu. $15 for a freakin sandwhich and a SMALL side of coleslaw or potato salad? Granted, that was the most expensive sandwhich on the menu, but come on. I ordered it out of curiosity, it was the John Canter's Special or something like that, the one with corned beef, pastrami, turkey, ham, and cheese on rye. This was a large sandwhich, probably enough meat to make 2-3 sandwhiches at another deli, but still, it's probably like $3-4 worth, so how do you get to a 500% markup on that? I don't know. Seems like a rip off to me. And it wasn't even anything special, just meat, cheese, and bread. Big whoop. A nothing special sandwhich.
I understand that this place has a lot of history and i'm guessing that's what you're paying for if you come to eat here. I've read that they do have some great waffles and monte cristos, but i'm not really into those dishes... oh well. What i tried was just so-so.
One cool thing was that we came here with a group of almost 30 people and the accidently put in 2 extra orders of potato pancakes to the kitchen that no one ordered. So after everyone was served, they were just sitting there on a cart by our table. After we were done eating, i asked the waitress what was going on with them, she said that they were extra...and asked if i wanted them. i was going to ask her for them, but she offered them to me anyways. I thought that was pretty cool. We had a bunch of potato pancakes for a midnite snack that night thanks to the waitress.
Went for breakfast this Sunday morning but should have stayed in bed. Immediately turned off when I walked in because the place looks old,I mean REAL OLD and not too clean either. The entire wait staff looked the same and not especially happy about working there. Prices are above average, portions about average and not nicely displayed. Rather shabby I guess. The fact that I was turned off when I entered added to the fact that the breakfast experience was not pleasurable. I'm trying to think of something nice to say about this place...give me a minute....I'm trying....,but hell, I can't. No,... wait,..... it's open 24/7. There are many great breakfast places in and around LA, but sadly, this ain't one of them.
Food is good but very dirty establishment!!
Felt weird eating anything!
Dear Canter's Gods,
Thanks so much for filling my Hungarian mouth with your tasty Hungarian Cheesecake which was true to form with what I grew up with in the old country. Ricottta cheese, cream chesse, YELLOW raisins, sugary crust... Finally. In this melting pot of Los Angeles cultures, I finally get to fill my mouth with the food of MY people.
Thank you.
Regards,
One satisfied stomach
There's better pastrami and corned beef in town, but you aren't getting it at 3AM and that is precisely why Canter's exists and has been holding it down for so long.
They have a complete deli menu and bakery that they offer 24/7. It is a beautiful thing. My two favorite items on the menu are the potato knish, which I have yet to find a better one in Los Angeles, and the potato salad, if you like it sweet, it rivals only Philippe's in my book.
The pastrami reuben is fantastic, but I think Langer's has the better pastrami. People rave about the monte cristo, but you really have to be hungry and little nuts to order and conquer that thing. However, the turkey pastrami is possibly their best meat.
The pancakes and french toast are both great, and make sure you get some pickles regardless of the time of day.
You pay for everything at the front. Splitting the bill and paying with a credit card and some cash is always difficult so try and figure all that out in advance. The waiting staff and cashiers here don't have any patience, as with any good deli.
The bakery has a enormous selection too. I always snag a few things on the way out, but I'm slowly coming to realize that there are far better bakeries and places to get my sweet fix, although options are limited late night.
Love that it's 24 hours and has free parking.
Food is fine, nothing spectacular. I always order the same ol' thing: Matzo Ball soup with those bagel crisp things and you get a plate full of pickles. I usually go in the early afternoon--during the week and it's deserted by this time. Once in awhile I'll go at about 2am or whatever. I like this place. Nothing fancy about it. Slightly divey. I just read my newspaper while I eat here (if I'm alone) and it's just fine. I love looking at the wierd leafy "stained glass" looking walls. It's bizarre.
It might have been good twenty years ago, but not now. I felt like I got zilch and the waiter was a putz. Before I left, I used the 1950's restroom that was up two flights of stairs. Being somewhat aggravated, I was slightly tempted to see what would happen if I flicked the circuit breaker switches in the open utility closet I passed.
A few days later I saw a billboard on Sunset Boulevard. It was advertising a book about a hard rock band on sale at the restaurant. This might seem out of place in a deli, but Guns N' Roses and Canter's deserve each other.
I lived in LA for 7 years. Never been to Canters.
This past weekend i was down in LA for a wedding and someone mentioned late night eats and someone else suggested Canters.
I was skeptical but my friends were local jewish brothers so i figure if they're talking Canters as if it were the deli of all deli's in LA that i'd have to give it the benefit of the doubt and try it.
Prior to arrival they said that the Reuben with Pastrami is the deal so i sat down without even looking at the menu and that's what it was.
I have to say, the Pastrami Reuben with Sourkraut, Toasted (which is the key i think) is the real deal there at Canters. Highly recommended. I have a craving even now thinking about it. Dayam living 400 miles away from LA and all it's good food accessible at all hours of the day and night...
The fries were also good. Steak fries cooked the the perfect crispy texture was a good way to top it all off.
So next time you're in LA. Canters for the TOASTED Pastrami Reuben with Sourkraut.
DO IT!
Pastrami sandwich - Pastrami meat and 2 slices of rye bread. I am not screaming for joy or anything. 70's decor in a Godfather meets hospital style service kinda way. Cubed Jello I'm sure my Grandpa would order if still alive. Menu prices my Grandpa would throw a tizzy fit over if still alive.
Mushy pickles.
I'm sure this place is a lot more delicious and exciting when drunk and hungry at 3 am. Will try that aproach next time.
I wish Orange County had a deli that could come close to Canter's (yeah, Jerry's deli, not so much). Their reubens here are pure heaven. I've tried a reuben at Carnegie Deli in New York and it compare to Canter's perfection. The meat is piled so thick I can barely fit it into my mouth. And the pickles are perfect, a bit spicy and perfectly crisp.
Yeah service sucks here but that's all part of the experience so that's not an issue with me at all. I can't bear taking away a full star for this because the food is so good but be prepared this place is pricey! Its pretty hard to get out of there for under $25 a person.
Make sure to stop by the bakery and grab some cookies to go. They have a huge selection and they're all good.
PS: This place is extra awesome now that I know Guns N Roses hung out here all the time in the 80s.
Canter's is resting on its laurels as a Hollywood landmark. Food-wise they aren't doing anything that someone else isn't doing better. The service sucks and the servers all seem like they are in a huge hurry to drop your plate on the table and run away. The decor is . . . well . . . old.
Oh, the prices are outrageous to begin with AND everything costs extra. Want butter for your bread? Extra. Onions in your eggs? Extra. You get the picture.
As much as I like delis, there are better options than Canter's.
Say it with me?..
OVERRATED (clap-clap-clap)
OVERRATED (clap-clap-clap)
Seriously people. I think that we are brainwashed with the reputation and history of this place. It is a Hollywood landmark. Perhaps I'm not being fair. But When I was an omnivore I had their sandwiches and matzo or whatever soup. I wasn't impressed at all. Kind of bland. I think it's just the hype.
Growing up as an Israeli Jewish guy eating real "Jewish food" all of my life I can assure you that Canters has nothing to do with Jewish food!!!
It is a wanna be Jewish Deli which thrives on the business of many ignorant people who has no idea what's a real deli all about!
It is the same as olive garden being a real Italian restaurant, what a joke!
Listen to the reviews who's bashing this place, they know what they are talking about!
Yes they are some good reviews as well made by ignorant people who has no clue, the same crowed who'll get excited even if you'll show them a finger!
They are the reason bad restaurants with bad costumer service are still in business!!
Don't be a fooled and follow the LA monkyhood which pretend being something their not while primitively can not see the difference between authentic & fake!
Pros:
Hmmmm...
Not that I can think of.
I tried this place 4 times (few times too many - got invited)
Each experience was worst than the previous one
Cons:
- Food is mediocre. Runny eggs, tasteless matzaball soup.
- Decor: Sad, stuck in the 60's. Not in a complimenting way.
- Menu: Too big, old, dirty. unnecessary!
- Prices: Are way high - Make people believe it's fancy while jacking prices up
- Check out: Weired lines for old S registers. Time consuming.
- Service: Oh boy I got some stories for ya.
SERVICE: NONE!
This would not pass as a service even in central Africa!
We got invited late night to meet good friends at our last visit in this atrocity (after swearing do not go there ever again)
We joined our friends who already ordered.
It was 5 of us & the booth was not big enough so we added 2 more chairs to the front of the booth (which was located far in the corner).
As our old S nasty, rude server showed up to take our order, she rudely snapped saying:
Old Server: Y'all can not sit like that!
Us: Ok, what do you want us to do? There is not enough space.
Old Server: I don't know but you can not sit this way!
Us: Even though we sit very close to the table? There is no other tables behind so were clearly not interrupting anybody...
Old Server: Do not argue with me!
Us: Lady, so what should we do????!
Old Server: Part of your group should move to a different table!
Us: What? we are here to be dining together, not separately! May we speak to your manager?
Old Server went to bring her manager who was even nastier!
Now we knew where they learn about costumer service!
Manager comes: You can not seat like that, it is against fire department regulations!!
Us: But we have only 2 chairs attached to the booth, whats the big deal? Let us eat already!
Old Server Grabbing on my friends chair from behind while dragging it violently on the floor away from the table for my friend to loose balance and get up!!!
We were all appealed, shocked and speechless!
Never in my life had such a rude & embarrassing situation!
If I would see that B I would B slap her so bad up her face, she would swallow her plastic teeth and learn her lesson!!!
We left that nasty horrible place, with food & drinks spilled all over the table, without paying a dime!
Canters! You lost me as a customer a while back, but now you lost 4 more of my friends as customers and now when it is online you probably loose dozens more!!!
That's a lesson about stupidity!
You old nasty hag, if you had some brains in your lil head you would switch us to a bigger table momentarily, apologize for the inconvenience, get a nice tip & save everybody in the resturant this kind of drama that you created in your own hands!
Shame on you canters. You are far away from being anything resemble a Jewish Deli!
Fix your morals before even using the word Jewish!
Bottom line: Avoid this place at all costs!
If you want a real good Jewish good food go to Shula & Ester few blocks away or drive up to Pico and try some real quality food like Haifa restaurant, Jeff's gourmet sausage factory and many more, you will thank me for this tip!
All the best,
Yalla Bye!
GROSS!!!!
I'm not even going to begin with how I dragged to this place at 4am, I'm just going to stick to the facts:
1- It smelled like MEAT. I'm no vegetarian here, I'm just saying that is smelled like how I envision "Meatball" from "Aqua Team Hunger Force" smelling after he's run a marathon, played football, and not showered for a week. This was no "steak on the grill/ turkey in the oven" smell, this was FOUL.
2- The fiance ordered a hot chocolate and it was SWISS MISS. I don't remember how much it cost, but I remember thinking that I could buy a whole damn box of Swiss Miss for that price.
3- We split a peace of cherry pie and it was more fake and synthetic than the Hostess "fruit" pies they sell at the gas station. GROSS!!!
4- It seemed pretty dirty
5- What's with the "leaves." Like I remember the decor has all of this weird fall foliage, faux stained glass stuff. Wtf?
6- Every other dish I saw looked gross. We will NOT be back.
7- Service wasn't good for friendly either.
Always taking a chance at this place, but when most of L.A.'s restaurants close by 10pm I end up going back one more time.
We arrived just after midnite on a Friday after picking my cousin up from LAX (visiting from Vancouver, BC) and she was DYING for something to eat that wasn't McDonald's.
We were sat in the middle of the restaurant in a booth. The place was packed and none of the waiters seemed to want to pick up one more table. We had to ask a busboy to send a waiter over (who was on his dinner break and not supposed to wait on us to begin with).
Sonya ordered the pastrami sandwich and I got the eggs florentine. The sauce on the florentine was a little too yellow (almost orange) but other than that, tolerable.
Again, when we were through, we had to ask for "to go" boxes from a waiter from another station who seemed very "put out" that we would ask him for two containers. We also had to ask for our check.
Of course, the people watching was hilarious and entertaining as usual.
This is a hard one to review because I would eat here again just to people-watch, but the food (especially for me, as I'm a vegetarian) is certainly not the draw.
So, the ambiance that won me over: step into the restaurant, and you are immediately in the '70s. The dark wood, the gold, textured glass, even the lighting indicates this place hasn't changed. And, the crowd is terrific! There were a couple of old men at the table behind us, with thick, New York accents. There was a guy wearing a nylon jumpsuit with gelled hair - if he had a gold chain around his neck, I would have sworn he was in the mafia. As I said, the setting alone is worth it.
But, the food: not bad, but not worth driving for. It's a deli, so vegetarian options are not as prevalent as other places in L.A. (My friend picked the place, if you're wondering why I ate there to begin with.) Again, it was fine, and the prices are fairly reasonable, but I'd rather eat somewhere I actively enjoy my food, rather than putting up with it.
I had the Canter's reuben, with pastrami, and a chocolate egg cream to wash it down. The pastrami was SO good. Dare I say, better than my go-to deli, Mattern's. The egg cream was pretty good, too. It's the only place I've seen that actually serves egg cream.
It was EXPENSIVE, though. My sandwich plus egg cream came out to just under $20.
Their menu is also very, very busy. Check out my pictures for an example.
What can I say? They have the best sandwiches in Los Angeles and I am not exaggerating. This is not your subway or quizznos. If you are looking for a fresh sliced meat sandwich on rye bread, then you would love Canters. They pile the meat on very thick, so you can make an extra sandwich.
My favorite is the Corned Beef on Rye...... I go here atleast once every two to three months. I would go more but I have to watch my figure. :)
Open 24hours, so it doesn't get any better than this.
my fling with Langers is over and if you still want me i promise not to go anywhere in socal for a pastrami on rye. for about two months we've been going to Langers because the first two times we went many years ago wasn't enough to convice me while it looked the closest to what i've been eating most of my life, it didn't taste like it. so we came back to Canters last saturday after a long absence.
the one thing i look for in any pastrami is flavor and juiciness, if it doesn't have both you might as well smoke and corn a pound of rubber bands because it will taste the same.
what's great about Canters in the 6 years every bite had flavor and its always mouth watering juicy to the bite and i love them for that. they're always consistent but it also helps the food i think that they're always busy because nothing irks me more than a luke warm pastrami on rye, there's a reason why its called a "Hot Pastrami". guess what happens to pastrami when its sliced/carved for one sandwich and it takes another 5 maybe 10 minutes for another sandwich to be made.
as soon as we sat within a few minutes our waiter dropped a plate of sour pickles that made my wife and i nod in unison after the bite, " now that's a sour kosher pickle". it doesn't happen all the time with the waiters and it depends on who you get but others will bring you pickles after you order.
the brisket that my wife ordered as usual was amazing and if your wondering if it was juicy, it was even after i was done with half of my sandwich. i'm lucky that she shares so i get the best of both, how can you go wrong with a hot pastrami and hot brisket on rye.
coleslaw was perfection because this time there was no caraway seeds ++. if you don't like stringy fries or steak fries canters has it just right and they're always hot a crispy and they taste amazing smothered in heinz.
i don't know what it was about this particular visit to canters where it seemed like they knew we haven't been there for awhile and needed a "kosher deli experience" again, so the pickles arrived on the table before we ordered, to the deli meats being hot and served on the middle slices of the rye loaf (very key), to the no caraway seeds in the coleslaw, to the guldens mustard that was brought to the table when the food arrived without even asking for it, to the no-charge for an extra black cherry soda in the bill ("don't worry about it"). i don't know maybe we were just lucky or we got the greatest mono-tone deli waiter ever, either way it was an amazing deli experience.
and for the people that look at canters and say its dated, to me it screams character and i hope it never changes because there are fewer and fewer places like it in the land of le klint light fixture franchises.
this is my bronx pizza of pastrami. moving to san diego almost 9 years ago it took us 3 years of… Read more »
Wow, 611 reviews. Make that 612.
Went to see GF's pal do her improv show in Hollywood and we were freaking hungry afterward. Decided to chow down at Canter's.
I love this place. I got a corned beef Reuben and fries. Girlfriend got pastrami on rye. She doesn't like pickles, so I got her's, too. Delicious. Okay, the service was a little spotty, but the place was packed to the rafters on a weekend night. We weren't in a hurry anyway.
If you're in a big hurry, go to Mickey D's or someplace with a drive-thru. Sometimes, it's nice to just take in the atmosphere and do a little people watching. There's plenty of that to do at Canter's.
GF stopped at the bakery counter and bought a big ol' bag of sweets. Good stuff!
I love delis (as I have said in every one of my previous deli reviews) and this is a good deli. Nice, hearty sandwiches are prepared with tasty meats and breads. Meat is piled high, justifying the $10-15 cost for a deli sandwich. Pickles are tasty too. Certainly an added benefit that they are open at all hours, since so many delis seem to close at 4pm.
The best corned beef sandwich I have ever eaten! I grew up on the east coast, so I am know all about the NYC deli hype and without question Canter's delivers the goods in spades! Besides the sandwiches the matzoh ball soup far exceeds the average.
The prices are steep which normally would lower my rating but since Canter's is open 24/7, serves cocktails, and the food is out of this world, I am willing to give 5 stars.
I'm a fan of Canters day or night. I used to frequent this place a lot back when I lived in LA. Matza-ball soup, potato pancakes, corned beef sandwiches its all good. I will say that Canters is a little on the pricey side, but its actually better priced than a lot of the Jewish delis in LA and is my favorite. Another plus is the adjacent Kibitz room next door... good times.
A great place to stop for a bite after a movie at Cinefamily, which is just a block or two away. We hesitated by the cocktail lounge entryway, through which some jazz singing floated, but we went to the main dining room.
I had a chocolate phosphate (!!!) and a hot corned beef sandwich. C. had water and the avocado, tomato, etc. sandwich. The corned beef sandwich, at $12, is basically a heap of meat, with two slices of rye bread for handles. Not sure if it was worth the money, but it was delicious, and I'll return to try other items.
The pickles are on the sour side -- not as garlicky and cucumber as my faves in New York -- but get a plate, regardless.
As good as the food is, and as skilled as the wait staff is -- these are hardcore, career waitresses -- look around at the other patrons and eavesdrop a little, if you can. To our right was a guy who was going to court to fight an eviction and restraining order. And a ways away were three felas who'd just gone to the comic shop (Golden Apple?). After making their buys, they went to Canter's to read and flip and chat.
Open for 24 hours. Spend at least 30 minutes here.
Canter's Deli is a very good late night spot (they don't close!), so if you're jones'in for some food at night, you can definitely try them out.
The Good: Pastrami / Corned Beef Sandwich, Matzo Ball Soup, and Napoleon.
The Bad: Spaghetti w/ Marinara, Pesto sauce of any kind, anything other than their sandwiches.
The Ugly: The majority of their pastries that LOOK amazing, but are dryer than chewing sand. Add milk to make it feel like WET sand.
Don't expect to go to Canter's for a quiet night. On most nights, it's a bit rowdy... especially on weekends when the drunks arrive post-bar-hopping lookin' to score them some Matzo!
The following review was written by my boyfriend in my "voice", making fun of me and my yelptastic ways as we were sitting in Canter's together at 5am. Enjoy :)
Firemen (so hot), police men (no comment), teachers, doctors, soldiers - Things we normally associate with heroism.
I'm excited to report that this morning I was pleasantly surprised by the most uncommon of heroes.
Stranded in the concrete jungle of LA, finding myself inhumanely awake at 430am and STARVING, I fought through blackberry's crap internet experience to find the only thing open at this hour was Canter's Deli in West Los Angeles. Much to the chagrin of my "date", we made the brave move of putting ourselves in the position of having to drive back west in rush hour traffic. Said "date" only whined 72 times on the way to the joint, and 23 times during his first cup of coffee.
Okay, so you get the picture. I'm a damsel in distress. The only thing that could rescue me at this point? Canter's potato cakes - the recipe for which I'm beginning to suspect was written on the same tablets God gave to Moses so many years ago. This tightly guarded secret, known only to the faithful patrons of this always-open diner, were more than good. They were my "bread of life" - my hero.
(Blah blah blah observations about the ingredients/adjectives for the food, the waitstaff, etc, etc...)
From the cheery, eccentric waiter to sitting at the counter side by side, to the bizare "fall leaves" ceiling tile that requires an LSD tab to fully appreciate...Canter's is, if not worth the drive going back in traffic, a totally great "experience". Even whiny/grumpy "date" was smiling by the end...
Being a jew and from New York, I'm always excited to try a new Jewish deli. I was a bit skeptical in the beginning since it's hard to beat the NY delis, and it turns out my skepticism was not unwarranted. I did not like Canter's. The pickles were so bitter I could hardly eat it, and my sandwich had so much cream cheese on it, I could not even taste the smoked salmon. To top it off, just these two things cost me over $20!
Also, what kind of Jewish deli serves Penne pasta?
Update: according to my friend Josh, Canter's "deserves another star because of the stained glass ceiling and it's history." There you go.
Canter's is an institution in Los Angeles, but it feels like the black sheep of the Fairfax District. It's the only place on the block that's open on Saturday, and the sheer bulk of pork served with breakfast - bacon with a side of giant slab of ham - is offensive even to this pork-eating shiksa.
Four stars for the hours, the bar, and hot and cold service - I'll get you to love me one of these days, Canter's employees.
I still like Canters. Love the cheese bagels and the chicken soup.
Parking lot attended, may be full, if not 90 minutes are free with validation. Open 24/7. A deli, bakery, and restaurant. Old school charm, a bit worn, and a bit warm inside. The matzo ball soup is therapeutic, full of flavor, good size and texture. The potato pancakes with apple sauce are also very flavorful, maybe a bit overcooked. Service was fine, pay at the cashier, one line for cash, one line for credit. I'll be back to try sandwiches and more. Delivery is available.
I love this deli, but honestly I rarely get farther than the bakery take out. I have ordered some yummy sandwhiches (e.g. corned beef on rye) in the 20 plus years I've been a customer. But a diabetes inducing bakery is what I love. Canters reminds me so much of the many wonderful bakeries in the Big Apple. If variety is the spice of life then the selections at Canters is like hyper spice, I mean - how can you top the five or so varieties of just poppy seed pastries? Everytime I have to take a physical for a job, I get tempted to eat a whole loaf of that poppyseed danish to see it it could really make you show a false positive on a drug test. OK I'm not dumb enough to do that, but I've been tempted. Actually it' would just be an excuse to eat that delicious poppyseed danish by myself in one disgusting gulp like a boa constrictor.
They also have great bagels. For example, they have two types of full flavored onion bagels - egg bagels or regular whith pieces of onion on top of a great bagel. So many bagels made here in LA are way too chewy and doughy. Theirs is not, it's perfect. If you like fruit pastries, there is apple, cherry, berry, apricot, and also, cream cheese - they're all here, much to the chagrin of my internist who tells me to stay away from too much white flour and sugar. But if you're restricted from too much of something, you should really eat good versions of it, right? I love their NY cheesecake. It's taller and lighter than the regular cheesecake.
What more could you want? Free parking? Of course. They validate your parking too (the lot is a half block south of the restaurant.)
And don't forget the many types of cookies. There are also many
breads to make sandwhiches or rolls to eat with soup or a salad.
I told the guy behind the counter I have to watch my sugar intake, but he had no sympathy for me. He says, "I'm a diabetic, but I still love to work here. Instead of trying to make be cut back, he realizes I'm a fan
and tells me some background on the restaurant. Finally, I am done with my short errand to take things back to OC. I am walking out with several bags of goodies. I thankfully share it with my friends who are in pastry heaven. There is nothing in OC that comes close to Canters
bakery take out in IMO in terms of just plain goodness.
Pretty good considering my meal scared the crap out of me by being so big - I had the corned beef and cabbage. The four slices of corned beef were fine, but the cabbage was an actual head of cabbage... almost jumped in my lap! Very good eatery in the Fairfax District which is mostly Jewish, though the owner made sure the waitresses reported their tips to the desk for income tax puposes... oy-vay!
They have free parking,
And that's good enough for me.
Twenty-four hours? Sold!
I need to go here more often.
Desserts are classic and yummy.
Canter's is the best deli in LA. I've been going here for years- and I'm usually a late night patron, well past midnight and the place is always filled with at least 10 or more tables that time too. I love going to Canter's and don't be surprised if you run into someone famous sometimes...I always see Rodney from KROQ here :)
I'm always torn between ordering breakfast or a deli sandwich. If I'm starving, I go for the sandwich because sandwiches are HUGE. They're kinda pricey, usually more than $12 each, but I always save the other half for lunch the next day. You can never go wrong with the Canter's Fairfax that's a pastrami sandwich, or my favorite the For Dedicated Fressers Only that has corned beef and pastrami and you get both potato salad and cole slaw. I like that their potato salad is sweeter than most potato salads I've had. For breakfast I LOVE their corned beef and hash with scrambled eggs. There's only one other place I've had it better and that was in Portland- so for Los Angeles- this is the best, hands down.
The service is usually good here. If they're ever slow, it has to be because it's too busy, but otherwise, they're always asking if everything's ok.
I love nostalgia, places that are open 24 hours, and great food.
Two outta three ain't bad.
oh, yeah. And I adore pickles, something they do up in a most excellent fashion here.
Ive been going to Canters since I was 10 years old. The older I became, the later I went because canter is a true Night Spot. Back in the days, On Tuesday nights, there would be people overflowing into the street, thanks to late night pastrami sandwiches and their bar called the Kibitz room. People from Janis Joplin to Bob Dylan, his son (wall Flowers which i took the pleasure of jamming on the mic with once lol) tonic and the list goes on. Back in the day, they were rated as the worst food in town, but they have since cleaned up their act. Their sandwiches are huge and fresh (known for their pastrami sandwiches) best fruit cups ever(they use a special refrigeration process to bring out the sweetness in the fruit) and the best bean and barley soup ever. Great memories, cool people, Come to Canters.
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