It's our fourth edition of Gothamist's travel content, Gothamist Getaways. A few times a year, we'll have a week of posts featuring looks at travel, food, products and tips—near and far—for making your trips more enjoyable. So sit back, dream of your next journey and let us know if you have any hints for us—email travel@gothamist.com.
With places like Café Edison on the brink of eviction, it's almost impossible to find restaurants that evoke the old school charm of the city or to order a good bowl of matzo ball soup. Like many native New Yorkers, I hate to admit when another city offers something I can't find here. But if you're a fan of atmospheric Jewish Delis, you'll find plenty to satisfy your pastrami and pickle cravings on the streets of Los Angeles.
Although the beloved Junior's Deli closed at the end of 2012, there are still many of places to order a knish. From Art's Deli in Studio City to Brent's in Westlake and North Ridge, and there are bunch in and around central LA.
Canter's Deli
419 North Fairfax Avenue
Open twenty-four hours, the iconic Canter's Deli serves everyone from the lunch rush to night owls enjoying a drink in the adjoining cocktail lounge at the Kibitz Room. The enormous deli has a menu to match its size, with everything from paninis to pastrami. Order the matzo ball soup, which comes with bagel chips. Don't leave without a visit to the bakery and be sure to pick up some chocolate chip rugelach.
If you're in the mood for music rather than matzo ball soup, head to famed Kibitz Room for evening entertainment. The Kibitz room opened back in the 60s and has a timeless appeal. The Wallflowers, Joni Mitchell, Slash and many others have either hung out or played on their small stage. The framed photos of a young Bruce Springsteen and many other celebs displayed on the walls of the lounge adds to the feeling that you are drinking in a truly historic haunt. Unlike the deli, the Kibitz Room isn't 24hrs, it's open from 10:30am—1:40am.
Langer's
704 S Alvarado St, Los Angeles, CA 90057
Located in a section of Los Angeles filled with pawn shops and across from MacArthur Park, this James Beard Award-winning deli boasts having the best pastrami. Although Langer's has the feel of an authentic Jewish deli, it's not kosher. They have ham on the menu and you can order pastrami with swiss cheese and Russian dressing. If you're not a pastrami fan, sip a homemade cream soda and fill up on blintzes, potato pancakes, and other deli specialties. Langer's is a popular lunch spot and closes at 4pm. If you're in search of a cheap musical instrument, there are plenty on display at the neighboring pawn shops.
Greenblatt's Deli
8017 Sunset Blvd
Since the 1920s, Greenblatt's has been serving deli food to folks in LA (on their website they list celebrities that have visited the restaurant over the years and names include the likes of Marilyn Monroe and Lenny Bruce). Located on Sunset Boulevard, next to the Laugh Factory, the deli also doubles as a wine shop. The downstairs area has a counter for takeout and a couple of tables, but is basically a very well stocked wine shop.
If you want to stay for a formal meal, you can dine in the wood-paneled dining room upstairs. On the way out, pick up a Greenblatt's corkscrew as a souvenir. Besides the fantastic triple-decker sandwiches and home-style dinners that are served all day, I also love Greenblatt's because of their free parking lot located behind the deli.
Factor's Famous Deli
9420 W. Pico Boulevard
Although Factor's Famous Deli is on the same street as a Judaica store, the deli is not kosher. The diverse menu includes tacos and bacon burgers. The menu still has its fill of matzo brei, blintzes, corned beef, pastrami and tongue, amongst other old school Jewish deli staples. The framed thank you note from Sammy Davis Jr. on display by the bathrooms is not to be missed.
If you like to deli hop, you're in luck. This stretch of Pico Boulevard also houses another deli, Label's Table, only one block from Factor's Famous Deli at 9226 Pico Blvd. Further down the road is Pico Kosher Deli
at 8826 W. Pico Blvd, which has kosher deli food. Both Label's Table and Pico Jewish Deli are a lot more casual than Factors and are a perfect spot for takeout.
Alison Lowenstein, Gothamist Getaways editor, is the author of NYC guidebooks, and travel articles for National Geographic Traveler, Newsday, NY Daily News, etc. When she isn't planning trips, she enjoys jogging around the streets of NYC. Despite her athletic pursuits, her favorite food is the donut. You can find her on Twitter at @cityweekendsnyc
