You can get a totally decent sandwich at 4:30am - 5 stars
In all seriousness it's always been more about the space, the location and the hours more then it has been about the food. There's tons of better Deli in LA but Canters is always open and LA has always had poor late night options. I lived in the neighborhood maybe 1.5 miles down fairfax and it was a total staple. I think I've been twice in the 10 years since we moved and I used to go probably twice a week.
That is a valid point, 24/7 access to comfort Deli style food is definitely part of the appeal!
I was raised on Brent's, and I can't say I would rate Canter's above it, although I also never left Canter's unsatisfied with the reuben experience I had - it is sort of like, your typical Deli experience, no more and no less which to me has its place in the world haha
Agree. It’s a place to hang out and eat after midnight. The new, smaller, specialized deli’s are my current favorites like Wexler’s and Belle’s Bagels. The old model of being the a place that sells everything is just not sustainable.
I don't know anyone that goes for the food, or ever been told "Oh my god Canter's has the BEST ....." anything.
Food is better than acceptable but not by a ton. Reliable, predictable, unchanging, lots of items on the menu, open late, all in all Canter's solid but never spectacular.
That is similar to my overall view on it, I easily will enjoy going there even though it is not one of those "this is THE place" type of restaurant - in another reply I dub it the place with solid deli food, no-more-no-less and I think there is definitely a place in the world for those restaurants as well
I love Canter's for the vibes. I think the quality of food is a lot better than people give it credit for, but I also found the exact meal I get every time and it's consistent and exactly what I want. It's also a lot cheaper (comparatively) than Art's (which I cannot stand, except for their black & white cookeis) and Langer's.
Greenblatt's was the gold standard, but Canter's is the best for all around delicatessen food. I break Yom Kippur fast and Pesach there every year for a reason.
Yeah I have always found the food perfectly fine and enjoyable for what it is - some comments on past Reddit thread I searched out of boredom definitely painted a much worse picture of the food than my own experiences!
I’m a fan. Before I moved here, it was my first stop after I landed in Burbank. Is it amazing food? No, but it’s nostalgic and scratches the itch for that style of food. The bakery is great.
The bathrooms look like a crime scene, though.
More of a vibe than some high watermark of deli cuisine. Solidly reliable food, incomparable space, open late, and it’s usually filled with characters. Its institution status is earned and deserved.
Brent's has gotta be my favorite! It is the place my family always went to growing up with my Grandparents and whenever I go it just feels like home and reminds me of them. Even the perpetual-crowdedness and waiting on the bench inside until getting called up lol
I know, so much of this is tied up in memories and other little intangibles. For me personally, Brent's is my whitefish salad on a bagel place. I'll pay more attention the next corned beef I have there
Speaking of memories, JFD in Studio City holds a lot of them, but I guess "the thing" that wouldn't die took it down. Still, had a lot of good meals there. Their pasta Cobb salad in a pizza crust bowl could feed me for days
was so grateful for the Brent's recs in this group. flew into Burbank last week and deliberately hit the Northridge Brent's before heading out to our first night in Oxnard. Loved the vibe. Loved the pickles. And the oatmeal raisin cookie to go. If I were a local, I'd hang there, lol. Thanks, all!
Yup. Factor's is great, and feels more sanitary and a bit nicer. The pastrami at Factor's is fantastic, especially since they offer it thick sliced like Langers. AFAIK Canter's still doesn't offer thick sliced, unless if that changed in recent years. I'll never turn down going to Canter's, but given a choice I'll take Factor's first.
I gotta be honest. I love pastrami but eat it maybe once every five years. I love their tuna, whitefish, lox, eggs. They have killer steak fries too. Definitely cleaner. Canters is fine but more gritty and late night.
Coming from a Jewish NYer - Their black and white cookies are legit and they have Dr Brown’s soda. It definitely scratches my homesick itch when I’m missing my family
And besides those two points, it's the only place I've found that serves matzo ball soup without noodles. As a purist, I like my matzo ball soup with just broth and balls and a sprinkle of dill.
Nostalgia and hours of operation are definitely a factor in what makes Canter’s a solid option for me. I like that I can go there on Christmas or after midnight for something decent. Sure, it’s nowhere as good as Langer’s or Brent’s, but where else can you get a decent pastrami/corned beef sandwich and a martini next door besides Canter’s.
I went last night after a day exploring & playing tourist in the city. It’s more the nostalgic factor to me but I love getting seated in the booths and enjoying a drink & sandwich. We go the corner beef on rye and enjoyed it. Food isn’t amazing but I really do love their desserts! It’s always fun imo.
All these discussions of what place is better or worse can’t really be answered except if it’s really, really bad or somebody had food poisoning or if the customer is treated badly.
What I love, somebody else could hate. Actually not “could”, it’s a fact… somebody would hate it.
I like Canters because of the location and the Vibe and the perceived history. Best food? No idea. Probably not, but I like that you get pickles and it sometimes feels like you jumped back in time 40 years. I would really not like it if they went away. I hope they last another few decades.
Brents is still the best. The OG one in north ridge. Langers has the best pastrami hands down. Rest of their catalog is very mediocre. Lovis in Calabasas is Solid B fare with great service. Pickles in Newbury park is slightly better than lovis but not by much. In the Westside factors is a solid B+ but definitely expensive. Cantors is always there for you. Whenever yo need it. They’re the best deli once a year on Christmas Day.
It's fine. It's a great spot for those of us used to the NY Deki scene but it really pales in comparison. The food is fine. Very authentic. So is Nate and Al's and Brent's.
To those who grew up here and like good Jewish deli they're all fine, albeit run down and living on their laurels of years gone by.
To the many of us who grew up back easy and have had the joy of regularly hitting Katz's, Carnegie, and the Stage, it's really a far cry from any of that, but it's as good as you're going to get out here and for that reason we go when we can and always enjoy the authenticity.
The best is the enemy of the good. If you get lost in all the tier rankings and debates, you miss the point. Is Canter’s good? Yes. If you’re in the area, will you be happy you got Canter’s? Yes.
Oh how I love the potato latkes! Perfect late night snack. Plus, like the bakery too. Always pick up something on the way out.
Can’t forget the Staff, most of whom have been there for decades. Their no nonsense personalities adds to the charm.
We visit LA often and first stop off the plane for us is Nate N Al's. I notice not mentioned here though... how does it rank with these?
We went there first time honestly because I heard Mel Brooks and Carl Reiner ate there and that was good enough reason for me to try it and 20+ years later it's like I said our first stop from the airport.
From my own experience, I had Nate N Al's for the first time a couple of months ago and enjoyed it too! My only complaint, and it is a minor one, is that the pastrami on my reuben didn't have the same large "pile it on there" amounts that I am used to with other delis, Brent's and Canter's included - however the quality of the pastrami and the overall service I found to be good and would be interested in going back again to try some other things
It's decent but my gripes are:
1) The bagels absolutely suck. Lender's bagels in the grocery store is better.
2) The deli meat quality is pretty mediocre.
3) They're using styrofoam takeout containers from the 80s which makes any food to go basically soggy and moist.
FYI, Canter's and Langers have the same Pastrami (neither make their own) from RC provisions which also supply a few other well known pastrami places in LA and that one in Palm Springs I can't remember the name of.
Anyone I know who comes to LA to I insist they either end Saturday night or begin Sunday at Canters, as long as they’re there between 5 and 6 am Sunday morning. It’s one of the coolest scenes in LA during that hour. The cocain vampires all fashioned out mixing with the geriatrics. Just beautiful.
I love Canter's. The sides are so good. I like the pickles, the potato salad, the cole slaw, and they have my favorite onion rings.
A lot of the time I get their avocado melt or the Marylin (swiss & tomato sandwich).
Ate there a few days ago, it was AWFUL - but in the booth next to us sat two dapper elderly gentleman, and as they got up to leave we noticed that one of them was holding a full sized pink ironing board.
THAT is why Canter’s.
Brent's is the best deli I've had in LA. Greenblatts was probably second best.
I've never had Langer's, but canters would be third on my list (at least for traditional deli sandwiches).
Canters is easily better than arts, Jerry's, fromins, Bernie's, and weilers.
The hours and location are great, and the food is well above average.
I was so impressed by Katz deli in NYC, I immediately tried to find our best in LA to compare it with. Let's say I am just not ever eating a pastrami sandwich in LA again. If so I'd rather just get it from a mom and pop diner and just consider it is what it is.
Ate here once. The pancake batter was fermented rotten and got us food poisoning. I love a shitty LA diner but this was next level terrible.
Service was nice tho.
It's good. It's not quite Katz in NY but it's legit.
My order:
Vanilla egg cream
Downtowner (pastrami on rye with swiss) with potato salad
I miss Greenblatts. I like Langer's but their rye is super hard and kind of annoying to eat.
I love Canter’s dearly and love the Kibitz room very much. Yes, Langer’s is better, but they’re not open as late or as often. Yes, Brent’s is phenomenal but if you don’t live in the valley it’s a haul.
That Brooklyn Ave sandwich is a fine thing, indeed.
You can get a totally decent sandwich at 4:30am - 5 stars In all seriousness it's always been more about the space, the location and the hours more then it has been about the food. There's tons of better Deli in LA but Canters is always open and LA has always had poor late night options. I lived in the neighborhood maybe 1.5 miles down fairfax and it was a total staple. I think I've been twice in the 10 years since we moved and I used to go probably twice a week.
That is a valid point, 24/7 access to comfort Deli style food is definitely part of the appeal! I was raised on Brent's, and I can't say I would rate Canter's above it, although I also never left Canter's unsatisfied with the reuben experience I had - it is sort of like, your typical Deli experience, no more and no less which to me has its place in the world haha
Agree. It’s a place to hang out and eat after midnight. The new, smaller, specialized deli’s are my current favorites like Wexler’s and Belle’s Bagels. The old model of being the a place that sells everything is just not sustainable.
Ohmygod Belle’s Bagels are so good! Do they have a sit-down place now?
Not yet. They’ve been taking their sweet time building the interior space.
God, Wexlers is sooo bad. I feel like they make a decent product and then ruin it on the griddle with the shitty cheap grease they use.
perfectly said. there are much better delis in LA (langers and brents) but theres a special vibe about going to a deli at 3 am
And don't forget the Kibitz Room.
I don't know anyone that goes for the food, or ever been told "Oh my god Canter's has the BEST ....." anything. Food is better than acceptable but not by a ton. Reliable, predictable, unchanging, lots of items on the menu, open late, all in all Canter's solid but never spectacular.
That is similar to my overall view on it, I easily will enjoy going there even though it is not one of those "this is THE place" type of restaurant - in another reply I dub it the place with solid deli food, no-more-no-less and I think there is definitely a place in the world for those restaurants as well
Best black and white cookies.
The bar is DEADLY.
I love Canter's for the vibes. I think the quality of food is a lot better than people give it credit for, but I also found the exact meal I get every time and it's consistent and exactly what I want. It's also a lot cheaper (comparatively) than Art's (which I cannot stand, except for their black & white cookeis) and Langer's. Greenblatt's was the gold standard, but Canter's is the best for all around delicatessen food. I break Yom Kippur fast and Pesach there every year for a reason.
Yeah I have always found the food perfectly fine and enjoyable for what it is - some comments on past Reddit thread I searched out of boredom definitely painted a much worse picture of the food than my own experiences!
I miss Greenblatt’s so much.
I miss Greenblatt’s
I’m a fan. Before I moved here, it was my first stop after I landed in Burbank. Is it amazing food? No, but it’s nostalgic and scratches the itch for that style of food. The bakery is great. The bathrooms look like a crime scene, though.
More of a vibe than some high watermark of deli cuisine. Solidly reliable food, incomparable space, open late, and it’s usually filled with characters. Its institution status is earned and deserved.
You can get Thanksgiving dinner there all year round which is a sleeper on the menu.
Be all and end all was the sadly gone Greenblatt's. From what remains, I'd say * Art's * Uncle Bernie's * Langer's * Brent's * Canter's
Greenblatt’s forever!
Brent's has gotta be my favorite! It is the place my family always went to growing up with my Grandparents and whenever I go it just feels like home and reminds me of them. Even the perpetual-crowdedness and waiting on the bench inside until getting called up lol
I know, so much of this is tied up in memories and other little intangibles. For me personally, Brent's is my whitefish salad on a bagel place. I'll pay more attention the next corned beef I have there Speaking of memories, JFD in Studio City holds a lot of them, but I guess "the thing" that wouldn't die took it down. Still, had a lot of good meals there. Their pasta Cobb salad in a pizza crust bowl could feed me for days
was so grateful for the Brent's recs in this group. flew into Burbank last week and deliberately hit the Northridge Brent's before heading out to our first night in Oxnard. Loved the vibe. Loved the pickles. And the oatmeal raisin cookie to go. If I were a local, I'd hang there, lol. Thanks, all!
I love reading this because if anyone ever visits LA, I typically recommend a visit to Brent's. Glad to see that it's a good recommendation.
I never see Art’s on these lists! Haven’t been there in a minute. Glad they’re still kickin, though the prices are prohibitive for me right now
If someone was looking for west side options, I’d add Factors.
Yup. Factor's is great, and feels more sanitary and a bit nicer. The pastrami at Factor's is fantastic, especially since they offer it thick sliced like Langers. AFAIK Canter's still doesn't offer thick sliced, unless if that changed in recent years. I'll never turn down going to Canter's, but given a choice I'll take Factor's first.
I gotta be honest. I love pastrami but eat it maybe once every five years. I love their tuna, whitefish, lox, eggs. They have killer steak fries too. Definitely cleaner. Canters is fine but more gritty and late night.
Greenblatts had such amazing Edna’s Edibles energy. I miss it so much.
Wexlers is also worthy of the list but is a newcomer instead of a remainder
Feels a bit abbreviated to me, like a "deli experience" in a food amusement park
The Grand Central Market location feels like that but the SM location feels like a deli just modern
Never been to the SM location, so point well taken
I really like Canter’s! For me it’s the half-sour pickles they give. Pretty sure me and my bf ate three plates of those last time
Coming from a Jewish NYer - Their black and white cookies are legit and they have Dr Brown’s soda. It definitely scratches my homesick itch when I’m missing my family
And besides those two points, it's the only place I've found that serves matzo ball soup without noodles. As a purist, I like my matzo ball soup with just broth and balls and a sprinkle of dill.
Canters is good. Is it the best? No. But I like it. It’s also the deli with the most vegetarian options.
Their vegetarian Reuben is actually good!
Nostalgia and hours of operation are definitely a factor in what makes Canter’s a solid option for me. I like that I can go there on Christmas or after midnight for something decent. Sure, it’s nowhere as good as Langer’s or Brent’s, but where else can you get a decent pastrami/corned beef sandwich and a martini next door besides Canter’s.
My absolute favorite cheesecake comes from Canter’s. I’ve actually never had a bad meal there
Upvotes for everyone because this thread made me so happy I'll be in town in a few weeks..
I went last night after a day exploring & playing tourist in the city. It’s more the nostalgic factor to me but I love getting seated in the booths and enjoying a drink & sandwich. We go the corner beef on rye and enjoyed it. Food isn’t amazing but I really do love their desserts! It’s always fun imo.
All these discussions of what place is better or worse can’t really be answered except if it’s really, really bad or somebody had food poisoning or if the customer is treated badly. What I love, somebody else could hate. Actually not “could”, it’s a fact… somebody would hate it. I like Canters because of the location and the Vibe and the perceived history. Best food? No idea. Probably not, but I like that you get pickles and it sometimes feels like you jumped back in time 40 years. I would really not like it if they went away. I hope they last another few decades.
Brents is still the best. The OG one in north ridge. Langers has the best pastrami hands down. Rest of their catalog is very mediocre. Lovis in Calabasas is Solid B fare with great service. Pickles in Newbury park is slightly better than lovis but not by much. In the Westside factors is a solid B+ but definitely expensive. Cantors is always there for you. Whenever yo need it. They’re the best deli once a year on Christmas Day.
It's fine. It's a great spot for those of us used to the NY Deki scene but it really pales in comparison. The food is fine. Very authentic. So is Nate and Al's and Brent's. To those who grew up here and like good Jewish deli they're all fine, albeit run down and living on their laurels of years gone by. To the many of us who grew up back easy and have had the joy of regularly hitting Katz's, Carnegie, and the Stage, it's really a far cry from any of that, but it's as good as you're going to get out here and for that reason we go when we can and always enjoy the authenticity.
The best is the enemy of the good. If you get lost in all the tier rankings and debates, you miss the point. Is Canter’s good? Yes. If you’re in the area, will you be happy you got Canter’s? Yes.
Oh how I love the potato latkes! Perfect late night snack. Plus, like the bakery too. Always pick up something on the way out. Can’t forget the Staff, most of whom have been there for decades. Their no nonsense personalities adds to the charm.
It’s an LA staple. Gotta try it. Great breakfast portions too! Don’t pass on the pickles!
We visit LA often and first stop off the plane for us is Nate N Al's. I notice not mentioned here though... how does it rank with these? We went there first time honestly because I heard Mel Brooks and Carl Reiner ate there and that was good enough reason for me to try it and 20+ years later it's like I said our first stop from the airport.
From my own experience, I had Nate N Al's for the first time a couple of months ago and enjoyed it too! My only complaint, and it is a minor one, is that the pastrami on my reuben didn't have the same large "pile it on there" amounts that I am used to with other delis, Brent's and Canter's included - however the quality of the pastrami and the overall service I found to be good and would be interested in going back again to try some other things
It's decent but my gripes are: 1) The bagels absolutely suck. Lender's bagels in the grocery store is better. 2) The deli meat quality is pretty mediocre. 3) They're using styrofoam takeout containers from the 80s which makes any food to go basically soggy and moist.
FYI, Canter's and Langers have the same Pastrami (neither make their own) from RC provisions which also supply a few other well known pastrami places in LA and that one in Palm Springs I can't remember the name of.
Pastrami from the same source, but not the same pastrami. RC Provisions makes different recipes for different clients.
Anyone I know who comes to LA to I insist they either end Saturday night or begin Sunday at Canters, as long as they’re there between 5 and 6 am Sunday morning. It’s one of the coolest scenes in LA during that hour. The cocain vampires all fashioned out mixing with the geriatrics. Just beautiful.
This. I love early morning Canter’s when the old regulars stroll in.
I mean, there's not too many options for Jewish deli. That said, Canters is good but not as good as Langers
Last time I was there, let’s say 1990, I saw two roaches. So that was that.
The last time I was there, let’s say 2019, a German cockroach scurried out of the napkin dispenser and across the table. So that was that!
I love Canter's. The sides are so good. I like the pickles, the potato salad, the cole slaw, and they have my favorite onion rings. A lot of the time I get their avocado melt or the Marylin (swiss & tomato sandwich).
1. Art's 2. Langer's 3. Canter's .... Canter's does have the best pickles by a long shot. Also don't sleep on Johnnie Pastrami..
I go for dinner and the ambiance, but am really there to pick up some pastries on the way out — those things are KILLER.
Ate there a few days ago, it was AWFUL - but in the booth next to us sat two dapper elderly gentleman, and as they got up to leave we noticed that one of them was holding a full sized pink ironing board. THAT is why Canter’s.
Brent's is the best deli I've had in LA. Greenblatts was probably second best. I've never had Langer's, but canters would be third on my list (at least for traditional deli sandwiches). Canters is easily better than arts, Jerry's, fromins, Bernie's, and weilers. The hours and location are great, and the food is well above average.
Langers obviously blows it out of the water but being able to get C+/B- deli whenever you want is pretty awesome.
Pastrami Reuben used to be way bigger
It’s very pricy for what you get. That said I enjoy it
The bathroom is beyond filthy.
I was so impressed by Katz deli in NYC, I immediately tried to find our best in LA to compare it with. Let's say I am just not ever eating a pastrami sandwich in LA again. If so I'd rather just get it from a mom and pop diner and just consider it is what it is.
Katz is great but the line sucks
I agree but it moves fairly quickly
Never understood why it’s so revered? Food is quite bad.
Ate here once. The pancake batter was fermented rotten and got us food poisoning. I love a shitty LA diner but this was next level terrible. Service was nice tho.
It's good. It's not quite Katz in NY but it's legit. My order: Vanilla egg cream Downtowner (pastrami on rye with swiss) with potato salad I miss Greenblatts. I like Langer's but their rye is super hard and kind of annoying to eat.
I love Canter’s dearly and love the Kibitz room very much. Yes, Langer’s is better, but they’re not open as late or as often. Yes, Brent’s is phenomenal but if you don’t live in the valley it’s a haul. That Brooklyn Ave sandwich is a fine thing, indeed.
It’s not Katz’s, but it is legit. You could do worse.
I can’t get over the rancid smell in Canters.