Canter's

Canter's, also known as Canter's Deli, is a family-managed deli and restaurant in Los Angeles, California. The business traces its history to 1931, when Ben Canter and his two brothers opened Canter Brothers Delicatessen in Boyle Heights, then a center of Jewish life in Los Angeles. The official story also traces the family's earlier deli experience to Jersey City, New Jersey, in 1924. After losing a deli in the 1929 stock market crash, the brothers moved to California with $500, according to the restaurant's account. Canter's is known for traditional Jewish deli cooking and a broad menu that includes pastrami, corned beef, brisket, Reuben sandwiches, matzo ball soup, potato pancakes, salads, burgers, and all-day breakfast. The restaurant says it makes its food on-site and bakes items from scratch, including rye bread, black-and-white cookies, and rugelach. It also offers online ordering for pickup or delivery and catering for gatherings ranging in size from small parties to larger events. The deli moved from Boyle Heights to its Fairfax Avenue location after the neighborhood changed. Its current address is 419 N Fairfax Avenue. Canter's describes the Fairfax restaurant as a landmark with a lively, welcoming atmosphere and nostalgic 1950s decor. The business says it remains hands-on managed by third- and fourth-generation members of the Canter family. The supplied material establishes the restaurant's Los Angeles presence and its online ordering and catering services; it does not specify a broader chain footprint or ownership outside the family.

Canter's family deli story begins in Jersey City, New Jersey, in 1924, according to the restaurant's official account. The business later suffered a setback when a deli was lost in the 1929 stock market crash. Ben Canter and his two brothers then moved to California with $500. In 1931, they opened Canter Brothers Delicatessen in Boyle Heights, a neighborhood the restaurant describes as the Jewish center of Los Angeles at the time. That opening is the foundation date the current business uses for its Los Angeles deli tradition. As the character of the Boyle Heights neighborhood changed, Ben Canter's daughter, Selma Udko, and her then husband, Harold Price, partnered with Ben and his wife, Jennie, to acquire a location at 439 North Fairfax Avenue. The official history presents this move as a step in the restaurant's evolution from a small storefront into a larger Fairfax operation. The supplied account does not provide a date for the move or for the later change to the current street number. Canter's developed a reputation around the traditional Jewish deli experience and a menu of deli meats, sandwiches, soups, breakfast dishes, and baked goods. Its current website highlights pastrami, corned beef, brisket, matzo ball soup, potato pancakes, rye bread, black-and-white cookies, and rugelach. The business says that items are made on-site and that bakery-case goods are made from scratch. Its Fairfax location is also presented as part of the experience, combining contemporary comfort with the nostalgic character of 1950s decor. The restaurant describes itself as one of California's oldest delis and says it is still lovingly managed by third- and fourth-generation members of the Canter family, who take a hands-on role in maintaining the business. In addition to in-person dining and walk-in deli-counter service, Canter's offers its menu online for pickup or delivery and provides catering for events. The official material supplied here does not establish specific dates for these service developments, leadership appointments, or other corporate changes.

• 1931

  Canter Brothers Delicatessen opens in Boyle Heights

• 1929

  Deli lost after the stock market crash

• 1924

  Canter family deli story begins in Jersey City

• The business moves to Fairfax Avenue

A longstanding, family-managed Los Angeles Jewish deli emphasizing traditional recipes, made-on-site food, scratch baking, and a nostalgic landmark dining experience.

• Pastrami and corned beef

  Signature deli meats highlighted on the restaurant's website.

• Reuben sandwiches

  Menu offerings include pastrami and corned beef Reuben sandwiches.

• Matzo ball soup and potato pancakes

  Traditional dishes featured among the deli's menu items.

• Bakery goods

  The deli says it makes rye bread, black-and-white cookies, and rugelach from scratch.

1. 1Canter's Deli | Best Deli in Los Angeles, CA | Deli near mecantersdeli.com
2. 2Canter's Deli | Our Storycantersdeli.com