Canter's Fairfax Restaurant, Los Angeles

There are two things that I love about Canter's: (1) their pastrami sandwiches on rye and (2) the most delicious fruit cups to be found in the U.S. I've been going to Canter's for almost 40 years, starting when I was a grad student in film at UCLA: We always gathered there after films because the place never seemed to close. Canter's is where I was first introduced to kasha varnishkas, which I now cook for myself. The neighborhood has changed a great deal in the time I've been going to Canter's, but the place is still my favorite deli in the L.A. area. By the way, their bakery on the premises is also tops, if you can eat rich pastries, which I can't.

It's a good thing I don't live any closer to Canter's because my butt would always be in one of those funky old booths with a big bowl of matzo-ball soup & a gigantic deli sandwich in front of me. The BEST pickles! The BEST bagel chips, I always pick up a big bag to go. (And maybe a few brownies, and OK, twist my arm, I'll have some N.Y. cheescake, too) The last time I went there I order the Philly Cheesesteak sandwich; it was gigantic, piles & piles of succulent thinly-sliced roast beef on a nice crusty sourdough bread. Great. Another thing to crave from Canters! Love love LOVE it, my kind of place!

Canter's Deli in Los Angeles is the absolute best deli in Southern California. They not only have the best sandwiches (huge by the way), but they also have one of the best bakery's i've been too as well. If you are looking for macaroons - look no further. I cannot say enough about them and I visit every chance I get. They should have a picture of the them in the dictionary next to delicatessen. Canter's!

Go ahead and enjoy the grouchy wait staff. Just hope that you get one of the more extreme old gals that have been there since the beginning of time. Giant, yummy pastrami sandwiches and lots of pickles. My cold cure has always been their big bowl of Mish Mosh with chicken - matzo ball soup with kreplach (dumplings), rice and chicken. It is good for what ails you. This is also one of the last places around that still serves a Monte Cristo sandwich - an insane invention of turkey, ham and swiss cheese fried up in a french toast-like batter with strawberry jam to spread on it. After that, pick up one of the great pastries in the deli - you know you will be hungry later. If a dive bar is your thing or you would like a gina dn tonic with your meal, spend some time in the Kibitz Room (the adjoining bar). They seem to usually have some interesting live music and ALWAYS a great cast of regular characters.

ALl I can say is this-I've never had a bad experience at the restaurant.

I've been visiting Canter's since before I became a Los Angeles resident in '03. Every time, I enjoy the food and get lost in the magic ceiling. The matzo ball soup is the best in town and my girlfriend claims they're the home of the best sandwich in the world.