The Best LA Deli’s, and a Side of History
The Best LA Deli’s, and a Bite of History
Jewish deli’s are a memorable part of Los Angeles history. LA Times aptly titled a 2018 piece on LA deli’s: The Deli Capital? It’s LA. And in my mind, that will continue to hold true. It’s history in every bite.
According to the LA Times, deli’s flourished with 1930s wave of immigrants. It started as kosher deli’s then evolved to kosher-style deli’s - which gave birth to the Rueben, termed the ultimate assimilation food.
Being from the South where the Jewish population is significantly smaller, I wasn’t aware of the culture of deli’s. Thus when I moved out here, it was a joy to stumble upon the late night counter service, heaps soul-warming sandwiches with a pickle, coleslaw and egg salads.
Deli’s are all about
Nostalgia
History
Culture
Tradition
Nourishment
So it’s no surprise, when we’re seeking late night, comfort food - the first eateries that come to mind are LA’s spacious deli counters.
Read on for my running list of LA’s best, notable, iconic deli’s:
Canter’s Deli
The Marilyn Monroe of LA deli’s! The most well-known, iconic compound with an attached cocktail lounge and bakery. They’ve sold over ten million pounds of corned beef since opening their doors in 1931 and make their own pickles (yassss). The atmosphere is true to form with red booths and stain-glass-like drop ceilings. Popular dishes are the giant matzo ball soup, pastrami sandwich, and the corned-beef sandwich. My go-to is the tuna melt sandwich. Open 24/7, perfect for those late nights.
Philippe’s Deli
Most well-known for their French Dip Sandwich. Story goes, that the cook accidentally dropped a sandwich in a hot juice gravy - and then returned the next day wanting more “dipped sandwiches”. So, the dipped sandwiches were invented using house-made mustard.
I still remember one of my welcome-to-LA moments, unwrapping the piping hot sandwich and biting into its juicy French roll. A burst of the past meeting colliding with the present.
More, Deli’s Deli’s Deli’s
Wexler’s Deli - one of the newer, stylish LA additions in the ever-popular Grand Central Market. Hand-smoked, hand-sliced meat and fish.
Eastside Italian Deli - first opened in 1929. Best Italian Sub Sandwich in 2020.
Let me know what you think if you eat there! I’m always curious what you like/dislike :) linhdy@outlook.com