Many times I return to places that I once loved only to be disappointed by what they turned into. This is not the case with Canters Deli and the Original Farmers Market on Fairfax Avenue in Los Angeles, only a few blocks apart from one another. If anything, I like the places better now. Somehow these huge tourist attractions managed to keep their charm, quality and uniqueness while keeping their local core of customers.
Canters Deli:
When I visited, I hadn’t been to Canters Deli in years but the place looks exactly the way I remember it. And the sandwiches are even better than I remember. They really have some of the best deli sandwiches anywhere. Only negative is sandwiches are a bit pricey, but they are well worth it.
The Canter family opened a deli in Jersey City, New Jersey in 1924. When they came west, they opened a deli in the Boyle Heights Neighborhood in Los Angeles. After World War 2, a large Jewish population went to the Fairfax District in West Hollywood and the restaurant followed. By 1953 they moved to the former Esquire theatre on Fairfax Ave. Canters expanded in 1959 and opened the Kibitz Room cocktail lounge in 1961.
Canter’s is open 24 hours a day and has attracted rock musicians, actors and politicians. Even President Obama visited in 2014.
Original Farmers Market:
We really enjoyed the market on our last visit. The food selection changes as Los Angeles changes and that’s what is so neat about this historic market.
The Original Farmers Market started in 1934 with merchants selling fresh produce out of the back of their pick up trucks. It now has over 100 vendors. Grocers, ready to eat foods and tourist shops that keep the crowds coming. It is open 7 days a week. It’s really a great place to get ethnic foods and a great place to eat if everyone in your group wants something different.
It too has a great mix of customers, Local foodies, people working at the nearby CBS Television City, tourists and celebrities all are customers.
The farmers market is right next to the Grove outdoor shopping mall that even has an electric street car.
Enjoy these LA gems!
Canters menu is expansive, their bakery is great and it’s open 24 hours a day. I’ll leave it to others to decide which deli is best but I think it’s one of those iconic places that won’t let you down.
My Cantor’s story is one day in the late ’80s while living in LA, I got a call from the manager of the restaurant. I had a wallpaper installation business and Cantor’s wallcovering needed repairs. So I and my worktable spent an afternoon in the dining room, surrounded by people enjoying their sandwiches. I also have fond memories of the Farmer’s Market, where I first went with my Aunt Ruth and many times thereafter. Thanks for the memories, Rob.
Somehow, I never knew about Canters…have to try them next time! How do you feel they compare to Langers, which is my favorite (I tell people the pastrami is as good as but different from Katz’s, and the bread is better).