Canter's
Los Angeles, CA 90036-1799
Phone: (323) 651-2030
- Price:
- $
- Cross Street:
- Oakwood Avenue
- Hours:
- Daily 24 hours
Editorial Review for Canter's – by Jane Tunks
The Scene
This L.A. institution is a classic example of mid-century diner decor--replete with a kaleidoscopic, tree-patterned ceiling and flying saucer-like lamps. Open all night, the sprawling eatery is packed 24-7. After last call, it's loaded with barhoppers slurping away on hangover preventions, and by sun up, it's filled with noshing retirees.
The Food
The menu has a Talmudic level of complexity, but stay away from traditional diner fare like burgers and fries and stick to the cold cuts--these mile-high deli sandwiches are near godliness. A study in excess, Eddie Cantor's Delight is a skyscraping arrangement of pastrami, corned beef, ham, Swiss cheese and turkey on rye. Mishmosh, a bowl of matzoh ball soup loaded with kreplach, rice, noodles, chicken and carrots, is a full meal bobbing in chicken broth. An artery-clogging masterpiece, the Reuben sandwich is hot corned beef slapped with Swiss cheese and sauerkraut on grilled rye bread.
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Insider Tips
ParkingGet validation for the lot, and you'll get an hour and a half of free parking. After that, it's $1 an hour.
The ExtrasAdjoined to Canter's secondary dining room, the Kibitz Room serves bargain-basement beer on tap. There's also a small stage where local bands, including the Wallflowers, cut their teeth.
User Reviews for Canter's
08/29/2008 Posted by lbctx
Canter's rivals any deli in NYC ... and may be even better than some! We went on Frommer's recommendation and weren't disappointed. Extensive menu. 24/7 food availability; reduced hours for full bar service. Excellent value for the price, as all lunch and dinner entrees include an appetizer (or soup), potato, vegetable, bread and dessert (ice cream or sherbet). Selections ranged from $12 (spaghetti) to $17 (salmon), with almost everything imaginable in between. The wide variety of breakfast offerings have enormous portions and are also reasonably priced. The potato pancakes shine! Only the fish platters seem relatively expensive ($20-ish), but the quality is exceptional and the pricing competitive with other delis and/or sushi places. The bakery and deli counter offer great items to go: sky-high pies, crisp/chewy bagels and oversized pastry, as well as tender meats and tasty salads and sides by the pound. If chopped liver is your thing, Canter's is great. If not, be sure to try the tuna salad, sliced brisket, or matzo ball soup. Wait staff is knowledgeable about the menu and eager to make your dining experience a good one. The somewhat too-dark decor is totally 60s, with padded vinyl booths and framed newspaper clippings about Canter's history. Parking is available in the small lot or in metered spaces along Fairfax. With so many options, you're certain to leave full and happy.
Pros: Food, value, service, easy parking
Cons: Dark, warm dining room
06/11/2008 Posted by man4pnw
This is a kosher deli much like you might find in NY. I'm not sure who would order cheese fries but go with the corned beef, or pastrami, smoked turkey, matza ball soup or blintzes. Their pickles are great. One of the only places in the west to get an egg cream soda. Everyone who I have ever taken to Canters has raved about it since. Look if you go to a chinese restaurant don't expect great pizza. When you go to Canters get some short ribs or a ruben or even potato pancakes and stay away from cheese fries. Know where you're going and order what fits.
Pros: great food, hugh sandwiches, good value
Cons: can't get to Canters as often as I like
