OMG.. It’s geriatric food! Not for those of us that still have some real living to do.. :/
It’s been 30 years since I’ve had Canter’s.. could it really have been this bad b4 and I was simply blissfully (drunkenly) unawares all those spontaneous late 90’s nights..
They forgot my cranberry sauce (which couldn’t have saved this dish, so I didn’t even bother wasting my time to go back for it)..
I literally feel I’ve been swindled out of my hard earned money! For a 1/4 c-note I mistakenly was looking forward to a bit of a treat (not a trick) grrr….!
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 4
Aaron Rozenfeld
I ordered one chicken noodle soup with extra noodles, extra chicken, and extra broth—all of which I was charged extra for. What I received was the exact opposite: no chicken, no extra noodles, and a random matzo ball I never ordered.
For a soup that ended up costing over $18, the absolute minimum expectation is that the staff can correctly prepare a single-item order. Apparently, that’s asking too much here.
This experience was enough for me to decide I won’t be returning, and I’d urge anyone considering this place to look elsewhere—preferably somewhere that can handle the most basic level of service and accuracy.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Peter Chao
Ordered delivery, the chicken soup was very bland, literally tasted like water. The shredded chicken was super dry, even in the broth. Last but not least, the carrots were under done.
Fromins is a much better choice if you are looking solid Jewish deli food.
Food: 1
Tim John
Overpriced and overrated. I make a better Reuben at home. 🤷♂️
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 2
Service: 3
Dumpis Malone
Cookies - what more can i say, absolutely delicious, texture was great, flavorful, and downright addicting.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Katelin Chesna
I’m obsessed with their cookies!! Perfect for a treat or do the cookie platter for a party!! Soooo good!!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Debi
Rude staff do not recommend, awful experience. I went in the store to collect an order and there was an older man who wears glasses and has a beard who shouted at me ‘if you don’t know how to speak english do not come here’. This is not the first bad experience i have had with this member of staff. Rude and racist staff. Do not go to this restaurant.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Frank Mercer
Lox not smoky/salty like many pretender restaurants. Cole slaw light and crispy, well above average. Pickles crispy and perfect. Friendly service, and thoughtfully prepared bag for this to-go order. Would return.
Food: 5
Service: 5
Thomas Hall
This place DOESN’T have a restroom for customers. When I found this out, I tried to cancel my order, but they refused. They had a sign that read “no public restrooms”, but I didn’t realize that ment customers too. 😡 I love Canters, but this place is nothing like the original.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 2
Service: 1
PAUL J.
One of the best Jewish Deli around. It is an institution. Has a great bakery and Deli meats to go. Our favorite thing to start our meal is the half chicken in a pot with extra Matzah Balls for the leftover soup to bring home for another day. I love the dresser sandwich and make sure to ask for their yummy pickles with it. If they have them I like to buy a bag of bagel chips to take home for the leftover soup. The have magnificent hamtashins, great carrot cake, fantastic chocolate dipped macaroons. The list goes on and on. My wife loves their Monte Cristo sandwich. It is always a special treat to go to Canters in the Fairfax area of LA. I feel like I am going back to my grandma's house force meal. My wife is not Jewish and she loves this place. The waiters and waitresses work very hard to make you feel special!
Very beautiful establishment, with kind staff. However I'M SUPREMELY disappointed in the food. I ordered a tuna sandwich, with potato salad. Unfortunately, both were flavorless, with no seasoning. I also wasn't given the cheese, on my sandwich that I paid for.
Thank you for the pickle however.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 1
Service: 5
Jon Obeso
Don't be offput about the reviews or not being the original location, this place still has the same great food. The service was 2nd to none - Kevin recommend a few items and helped another table with a large party put tables together. There aren't many guys like him left in this world that truly care about his job. My reuben pastrami, fries, saurkraut, and cookie were all delicious that I would definitely come back for.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Ed Dart
Don't waist your time or money, this NOT Canter's Deli. This is some hole in the wall, that serves a few sandwiches. I had the Hot Pastrami, which was really fatty. It came with a bag of potato chips, that were in a seal-a-meal bag. There are no serving staff. I asked the guy in the back if I could use the restroom, he told me it was broken. This place looks like it might have been a donut shop at one time. I cleaned my own table when I was done. /////Sadly I got a reply from the owner and they tell me that this is Canter's Deli, just a remote location. That just means the quality has gone way down from what Canter's used to be.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 2
Wendy Brickman
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 recommended!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Isabel Yanes
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 larger space.
OMG.. It’s geriatric food! Not for those of us that still have some real living to do.. :/
It’s been 30 years since I’ve had Canter’s.. could it really have been this bad b4 and I was simply blissfully (drunkenly) unawares all those spontaneous late 90’s nights..
They forgot my cranberry sauce (which couldn’t have saved this dish, so I didn’t even bother wasting my time to go back for it)..
I literally feel I’ve been swindled out of my hard earned money! For a 1/4 c-note I mistakenly was looking forward to a bit of a treat (not a trick) grrr….!
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 4
I ordered one chicken noodle soup with extra noodles, extra chicken, and extra broth—all of which I was charged extra for. What I received was the exact opposite: no chicken, no extra noodles, and a random matzo ball I never ordered.
For a soup that ended up costing over $18, the absolute minimum expectation is that the staff can correctly prepare a single-item order. Apparently, that’s asking too much here.
This experience was enough for me to decide I won’t be returning, and I’d urge anyone considering this place to look elsewhere—preferably somewhere that can handle the most basic level of service and accuracy.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Ordered delivery, the chicken soup was very bland, literally tasted like water. The shredded chicken was super dry, even in the broth. Last but not least, the carrots were under done.
Fromins is a much better choice if you are looking solid Jewish deli food.
Food: 1
Overpriced and overrated. I make a better Reuben at home. 🤷♂️
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 2
Service: 3
Cookies - what more can i say, absolutely delicious, texture was great, flavorful, and downright addicting.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I’m obsessed with their cookies!! Perfect for a treat or do the cookie platter for a party!!
Soooo good!!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Rude staff do not recommend, awful experience. I went in the store to collect an order and there was an older man who wears glasses and has
a beard who shouted at me ‘if you don’t know how to speak english do not come here’. This is not the first bad experience i have had with this member of staff. Rude and racist staff. Do not go to this restaurant.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Lox not smoky/salty like many pretender restaurants. Cole slaw light and crispy, well above average. Pickles crispy and perfect. Friendly service, and thoughtfully prepared bag for this to-go order. Would return.
Food: 5
Service: 5
This place DOESN’T have a restroom for customers. When I found this out, I tried to cancel my order, but they refused. They had a sign that read “no public restrooms”, but I didn’t realize that ment customers too. 😡
I love Canters, but this place is nothing like the original.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 2
Service: 1
One of the best Jewish Deli around. It is an institution. Has a great bakery and Deli meats to go. Our favorite thing to start our meal is the half chicken in a pot with extra Matzah Balls for the leftover soup to bring home for another day. I love the dresser sandwich and make sure to ask for their yummy pickles with it. If they have them I like to buy a bag of bagel chips to take home for the leftover soup. The have magnificent hamtashins, great carrot cake, fantastic chocolate dipped macaroons. The list goes on and on. My wife loves their Monte Cristo sandwich. It is always a special treat to go to Canters in the Fairfax area of LA. I feel like I am going back to my grandma's house force meal. My wife is not Jewish and she loves this place. The waiters and waitresses work very hard to make you feel special!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
Very beautiful establishment, with kind staff. However I'M SUPREMELY disappointed in the food. I ordered a tuna sandwich, with potato salad. Unfortunately, both were flavorless, with no seasoning. I also wasn't given the cheese, on my sandwich that I paid for.
Thank you for the pickle however.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 1
Service: 5
Don't be offput about the reviews or not being the original location, this place still has the same great food. The service was 2nd to none - Kevin recommend a few items and helped another table with a large party put tables together. There aren't many guys like him left in this world that truly care about his job. My reuben pastrami, fries, saurkraut, and cookie were all delicious that I would definitely come back for.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Don't waist your time or money, this NOT Canter's Deli. This is some hole in the wall, that serves a few sandwiches. I had the Hot Pastrami, which was really fatty. It came with a bag of potato chips, that were in a seal-a-meal bag. There are no serving staff. I asked the guy in the back if I could use the restroom, he told me it was broken. This place looks like it might have been a donut shop at one time. I cleaned my own table when I was done. /////Sadly I got a reply from the owner and they tell me that this is Canter's Deli, just a remote location. That just means the quality has gone way down from what Canter's used to be.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 2
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 recommended!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
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 larger space.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 2
Service: 3
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