Canter’s Deli marked its 95th anniversary Tuesday with 95-cent pastrami sandwiches, attracting hundreds of patrons to the Fairfax District landmark eager to claim a deal that had been decades in the making.
The promotion ran from 6 p.m. to midnight, offering the sandwiches at a fraction of their usual $22 price. Inside the deli, staff worked steadily through the day and evening to prepare and serve the discounted sandwiches as a line of customers stretched down the sidewalk.
Aerial video from AIR7 showed loyal patrons camped outside for hours, with the queue extending past several neighboring businesses.
“It’s a special moment for Canter’s Deli,” owner Mark Canter said. “You take a bite, you’re kind of hooked.”
Canter inherited the business from his grandfather. The deli is considered one of the oldest sandwich establishments in America.
“Canter’s is a place where grandkids grow up and bring their grandkids,” Canter said. “I’ve seen people in their late 80s tell me they had their first birthday party here.”
Photographs displayed throughout the restaurant document its long history on Fairfax Avenue. The diner retains its classic appearance, having remained largely unchanged across nine decades.
It has stayed open through major historical events, from the Great Depression to the COVID-19 pandemic.
After dark, the line continued to wrap around the block, with customers waiting outside for hours. Among them was Judy Diamond of Northridge, who said she waited three hours to become the first person to receive the discounted sandwich.
“It’s fun, and it’s part of the history of Los Angeles. I’m 84 years old. Why not celebrate with something that’s been here longer than I have?” Diamond said.
She attributed the deli’s longevity to its consistency.
“It’s homemade, and it’s made with love. The family has been doing it the same way forever,” Diamond said.
Another customer, Irene Eason of Santa Monica, wore a custom-made Canter’s shirt while waiting in line.
“I got this five years ago. Every time I come to Canter’s, I wear it,” she said. “The history, the warmth, the community — it’s just a good feeling to be here.”
Gilbert Fajardo, who drove in from the San Fernando Valley, said the trip proved worthwhile despite spending more on gas than on his sandwich.
“It’s a reason they’ve been here for 95 years. You have to try it,” Fajardo said, laughing as he licked his fingers.
Looking beyond the anniversary, Canter noted that part of the deli’s space is also available for customers to rent for special events.
“I’ve been doing this all my life, and I will see it through as much as I can,” he said.
He expressed hope that future generations of his family will continue running the business and keep it tied to the community for years to come.
“I have other family and my own children, so we’ll see what they can do with it,” Canter said.