Canter’s Deli is a Los Angeles institution.

Established in 1924, over the years, it has become a haven for celebrities, producers, directors, musicians, local residents, regular customers, tourists, and just everyday people.

Open 24 hours per day, its menu varies from bagels and lox, to corn beef sandwiches, to fresh baked goods.

For this morning, I decided to have a good, hearty breakfast, so off to Canter’s I went. Their breakfast special of an egg white/mushroom omelet with a side of hash browns topped with fresh salsa really hit the spot. On a cold morning like today, the freshly brewed coffee really seemed to warm both my body and soul.

Sitting in an old-fashioned booth, surrounded by restaurant history, I couldn’t figure out what to take pictures of first, but seeing as I was hungry, the menu was my initial stop.

Next to arrive, via a friendly waitress, was my hot coffee and glass of water.

As you can see, I drank a little before I even snapped the picture. Although I don’t take sugar in my coffee, I do love the old-fashioned sugar containers.

After only a few minutes, my breakfast arrived, this included my omelet, plus a delicious toasted onion bagel:

After only a few minutes, my breakfast arrived, this included my omelet, plus a delicious toasted onion bagel:

Much to my surprise, I discovered I’m not the only one to have ordered a bagel at Canter’s. In fact, over the years, they’ve sold:

2 Million Pounds of Lox

9 Million Pounds of Corned Beef

10 Million Matzo Balls

20 Million Bagels

24 Million Bowls of Chicken Soup

I feel great knowing that I’m in good company!

On the south side of Canter’s, is a mural. It’s a collage in black and white, sponsored by the Jewish Federation Council of Greater Los Angeles. The collage is based upon old photographs which served to document the Jewish history in Los Angeles, from 1841 to 1985.

The 7 panel mural is located on the south wall of the Canter’s building on the corner of Oakwood and Fairfax. The designer and artistic supervisor was Art Mortimer, who collaborated artists such as Stephen Raul Anaya and Peri Fleischman, and over 50 neighborhood volunteers, to complete the fine de siècle of the Mural.

Here is one of the panels:

Over the years, many celebrities have passed through Canter’s doors:

In the 50’s Marilyn Monoe and Arthur Miller ate here, as did Jack Benny and Elizabeth Taylor. Other celebrity noshers have included Sydney Poitier, Mel Brooks, Wilt Chamberlain, Charlene Tilton, Brooke Shields, Jackqueline Bisset, Catherine Oxenberg, John Travolta, Prince, Stevie Wonder, Buddy Hacket, Olivia Newton John, Muhammad Ali, Monty Hall, Bill Cosby, David Brenner, Rodney Dangerfield, Dick Van Dyke, Shelly Winters, Elizabeth Montogomery, The Cars, Henry Winkler, Greg Morris, and the producer of Miami Vice, Michael Mann, who has written from inspiration for up to 3 hours at a time when he was writing for Vegas.

Many celebrities who prefer to go "incognito" sneak in around 3:00am for a late night nosh!

So, if you’re ever in LA and want to take a chance of spotting a late night snacking celeb, drive on over to Canter’s. In addition to everything else, they also have free parking.

It’s an institution—no matter what you’ll be able to have a great meal, to check out the local scene, and to ponder and pause for a few moments during these tough times.

So, now that breakfast is over, it’s time to work up my dinner appetite—as we’re on the good eatery theme; at least for today.

Where to go, what to do, these thoughts are racing though my mind as I plan the next Travelin’ Local destination and pleasurable spot.

You’ll soon find out in the next entry, until then keep coming and commenting about those things in your neighborhood, and of course mine, that pique your interests.

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