WexlersDeli Archives

Circa Dishes Up The Perfect Thanksgiving Feast

Thanksgiving is right around the corner, and we’re dreaming of a fabulous feast with all the trimmings! If cooking is not on your radar, your favorite DTLA restaurants near Circa are dishing up some delicious dining options, from elegant chef-driven menus to Thanksgiving meals to-go, and luscious desserts to cap it all off. Need advice in the kitchen? We’ve gathered some tips and tricks to put on a spectacular spread, including plant-based dishes. You’ll also find opportunities to give back, such as Turkey Trot LA, which benefits The Midnight Mission, St. Vincent Meals on Wheels, and GivingTuesday on December 3.

Mastro's Ocean Club DTLA Thanksgiving near Circa residences in Downtown Los Angeles

Mastro’s Ocean Club DTLA 1200 S. Figueroa St. Los Angeles, CA 90015

For Circa residents, there’s no place like home. Mastro’s elegant Downtown L.A. location on the ground floor of our of building will be open on Thanksgiving, serving a full dinner menu including their famous USDA Prime Steaks, Delectable Seafood, and Award-Winning Wine & Cocktails. You can also order their specialty Thanksgiving sides to-go, including Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Creamed Corn, Creamed Spinach, and Green Beans with Sliced Almonds. Complete your Thanksgiving table with a decadent pecan pie!

The Palm Restaurant Thanksgiving near Circa residences in Downtown Los Angeles

The Palm Restaurant 1100 S. Flower St. Los Angeles 90015

Located in Downtown LA just steps from L.A. LIVE and Crypto.com Arena, The Palm is serving a decadent three-course Thanksgiving Dinner complete with both traditional holiday dishes and Palm classics. Thanksgiving Dinner starts with a choice of soup or salad, such as Lobster Bisque or The Palm Caesar. The main course is Oven Roasted Turkey complete with Cornbread Stuffing, Whipped Sweet Potatoes, Green Beans, Fresh Cranberry Sauce, and Gravy. For dessert, choose from Pecan Pie or Junior’s New York Style Cheesecake. The Palm’s full dinner menu will also be available.

San Laurel at Conrad Los Angeles Thanksgiving near Circa residences in Downtown Los Angeles

San Laurel at Conrad Los Angeles 100 S Grand Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90012

San Laurel, a Michelin-rated dining experience from Chef José Andrés, offers the flavors of Spain as seen through a California lens, featuring the beautiful ingredients of the abundant Golden State. The restaurant is offering a sumptious Thanksgiving feast that highlights Spain meets California. Start with their coca idiazábal and hiramasa crudo and follow it up with Mary’s Farm Turkey served with all the trimmings. Heralded by the vision of legendary architect Frank Gehry, Conrad Hotel is an elegant oasis framed by dramatic views of the Walt Disney Concert Hall and downtown LA.

Manuela restaurant Thanksgiving near Circa residences in Downtown Los Angeles

Manuela 907 E 3rd St. Los Angeles, CA 90013

Located at the Hauser & Wirth art complex in the Downtown LA Arts District, Manuela is serving a prix fixe Family Style Thanksgiving Feast. First course is a Ham Hock & Potato Soup with Cream Biscuits and Baby Market Lettuces. For mains, choose from Smoked Turkey Breast & Dark Meat Confit, Col. Newsom’s Preacher Ham, Liberty Farms Duck Breast, Diver Scallops, or Oyster & Trumpet Mushroom Popover. Family-style sides include Mashed Yukon Potatoes & Gravy, Calvados Cranberry Relish, Chicken Sausage Stuffing, Sweet Potato & Delicata, and Braised Green Beans. Dessert options include Pumpkin Pie, Cardamon Cheese Cake, Flourless Chocolate Torte, and Apple Gateau with oat crumble and vanilla glaze.

71Above restaurant Thanksgiving near Circa residences in Downtown Los Angeles

71 Above 633 W 5th St. Los Angeles 90071

Elevate your Thanksgiving celebration with a three-course dinner that starts with a choice of Farm Salad, Japanese Sea Bream Crudo,, Chilled Asparagus or Grilled Octopus. The entree is roasted Mary’s Turkey Breast, and sides for the table include Black Truffle Mac ‘n Cheese, Grilled Broccolini, Mushroom Stuffing, and Pomme Purée. For dessert, choose from Milk Tea Granita, Kabocha Squash Pie, Gianduja Fig Moose, or Cheese Plate. 71Above is the highest restaurant west of the Mississippi and boasts spectacular ocean views from Malibu to Laguna Hills, along with the Los Angeles basin and the surrounding mountain ranges.

Majordomo restaurant Thanksgiving near Circa residences in Downtown Los Angeles

Majordomo 1725 Naud St. Los Angeles 90012

Chef David Chang’s Majordomo is offering Thanksgiving Pick Up Packs to-go, featuring the Half Smoked Bo Ssäm (Reheat at Home) which feeds 4-6- people) and the Whole Smoked Bo Ssäm (Reheat at Home) which feeds 8-12. Packs include bone-in smoked & glazed pork butt; ssäm (bibb lettuces, perilla leaf) and condiments: ssamjang, ginger scallion, escabeche, hoisin and kimchi. Save room for the Whole Chocolate Pie. Reheating and serving instructions are included.

Wexlers Deli Thanksgiving near Circa residences in Downtown Los Angeles

Wexler’s Deli 317 S Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90013

Located in the Grand Central Market, Wexler’s Deli is offering a Smoked Bird Thanksgiving Dinner to-go, featuring a whole smoked turkey that serves 4-6. The dinner includes all the fixin’s including Drippings Gravy, Mashed Potatoes, Roasted Green Beans with shallots & thyme, Challah Stuffing, Santa Monica Farmers Market Big Salad with champagne dill vinaigrette, Autumn Squash Soup, and Sourdough Rolls. Every Smoked Bird Dinner includes a free Thanksgiving Leftover Kit to make Turkey Reubens, including Rye Bread, Russian Dressing, Sauerkraut and Swiss Cheese. There’s also a Pumpkin or Pecan Pie from Cake Monkey and Wexler’s Caviar from Poland.

Fat & Flour Thanksgiving near Circa residences in Downtown Los Angeles

Fat & Flour 317 S Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90013

While you’re shopping at the Grand Central Market, make sure you visit Fat & Flour, a tiny pie shop from Los Angeles chef and author Nicole Rucker. Rucker is known internationally for her rustic desserts and has won several awards for her homespun pies, including the 2012 National Pie Championship, KCRW Good Food Pie contest, and a Star Chef award for baking. Her first cookbook, Dappled: Baking Recipes for Fruit Lovers, was recently nominated for a James Beard Award for baking.

DTLA Cheese Superette Thanksgiving near Circa residences in Downtown Los Angeles

DTLA Cheese Superette 363 S Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90013

DTLA Cheese Superette is a full-service cut-to-order cheese counter, market, and eatery. Their cheese case, curated by Lydia Clarke, showcases the best that cheesemakers across Europe and the United States have to offer, from centuries-old classics to brand new innovations. DTLA Cheese offers an array of platters, from Mini to Mega Boards, to accommodate the size of your guest list. Boards can be made either all cheese, or cheese + charcuterie, and will include pickled goodies such as olives, cornichons, and piparra peppers, plus some whole grain mustard and sweet accoutrements.

Butterball Turkey Thanksgiving near Circa residences in Downtown Los Angeles

Butterball Amazon Alexa Skill

Ready to talk turkey? Ask Alexa. With the Butterball Skill for Amazon Alexa, Butterball Turkey Talk-Line experts will help you host like a boss with turkey preparation how-tos, tips, and recipe inspiration. Butterball Turkey Talk-Line experts are poultry pros that have been giving sage advice for years, and they’re here to help you put a little swagger in your stuffing! If you own an Echo Show, the Butterball skill will also cue up short how-to videos that make it easy to choose, thaw, roast, stuff and carve a turkey. They’ll even show you where to place a meat thermometer, and give you a pep talk to boot!

Inhabitat lifestyle resource offering green design ideas and innovations

Plant-based recipes for Thanksgiving

For most of us, Thanksgiving dinner is not complete without a turkey on the table. But if you trend toward vegetarianism, veganism or flexitarianism, luckily there are amazing plant-based dishes that you can prepare for a mouth-watering Thanksgiving feast, making it easier than ever to skip the turkey. Inhabitat, an online guide to green design ideas and innovations, offers some fresh ideas for main dishes that will replace the turkey on your table, plus some side dish and dessert ideas that will keep the food at your celebration completely plant-based.

Turkey Trot LA

Nov 28 Trot before you feast, and help fundraise for The Midnight Mission. The 12th Annual Turkey Trot Los Angeles offers a 5k, 10k, Widdle Wobble, and One Mile Dog Jog on Thanksgiving morning with a post event festival located in Grand Park. See Los Angeles like you’ve never seen it before. Imagine no morning traffic while you run past the world-famous Disney Concert Hall, Broad Museum, Museum of Contemporary Art, and down historic Spring Street, one of the oldest streets in the city.

St. Vincent Meals on Wheels

St. Vincent Meals on Wheels prepares and delivers nutritious meals to homebound seniors and other vulnerable residents across Los Angeles, regardless of age, illness, disability, race, religion or ability to pay. Every meal meets or exceeds all federal and local nutritional standards, and is high in fiber and low in sugar. Clients receive special meals tailored to their medical protocols including low sodium, renal for kidney patients, and low vitamin K for heart patients. They also cater to clients’ personal preferences, including vegetarian meals.

GivingTuesday

Dec 3 GivingTuesday is a global movement unleashing the power of radical generosity. GivingTuesday was created in 2012 as a simple idea: a day that encourages people to do good. Since then, it has grown into a year-round global movement that inspires hundreds of millions of people to give, collaborate, and celebrate generosity. Whether it’s making someone smile, helping a neighbor or stranger out, showing up for an issue we care about, or giving some of what we have to those who need our help, every act of generosity counts and everyone has something to contribute toward building a better world.

Photo credits:

Photo #1: Butterball

Photo #2: Mastro’s Ocean Club DTLA

Photo #3: The Palm Restaurant

Photo #4: San Laurel at Conrad Los Angeles

Photo #5: Manuela

Photo #6: 71 Above

Photo #7: Majordomo

Photo #8: Wexler’s Deli

Photo #9: Fat & Flour

Photo #10: DTLA Cheese Superette

Photo #11: Butterball

Photo #12: Inhabitat

Photo #13: Turkey Trot LA

Photo #14: St. Vincent Meals on Wheels

Photo #15: GivingTuesday

Celebrate Your Thanksgiving Feast in DTLA

Thanksgiving is upon us. Still making plans? If cooking is not on your radar, your favorite DTLA restaurants near Circa are dishing up some fabulous fare to share, from elegant outdoor dining to Thanksgiving Feasts To Go. You’ll find a cornucopia of choices, from traditional homestyle meals to creative menus with a twist. Some restaurants are offering vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options. Check their websites for details. If you decide to prepare Thanksgiving dinner at home, we found some great tips from Butterball to put a little swagger in your stuffing. Ready to give back? Consider making a donation to a local charity and spread your gratitude this season.

Grand Central Market Thanksgiving near Circa apartments in Downtown Los Angeles

Grand Central Market Thanksgiving To Go 317 S Broadway Los Angeles, CA 90013

Grand Central Market vendors have teamed up to provide everything you need need for an unforgettable Thanksgiving dinner, perfectly packaged and ready to go. Belcampo is selling 8-pound turkeys and Horse Thief BBQ is making sides like sweet potato casserole and potato salad. DTLA Cheese is offering three wedges of cheese with jam and a box of crackers for four; Lucky Bird is making mashed potatoes, biscuit stuffing, cranberry sauce, gravy and tamales; and Nicole Rucker is baking double crust apple pies. You can order all the items a la carte or as a package for four. Order by November 20 for pick up November 25 HERE

Wexler's Deli Thanksgiving near Circa apartments in Downtown Los Angeles

Wexler’s Deli Grand Central Market 317 S Broadway Los Angeles, CA 90013

Another option from Grand Central Market is the Thanksgiving Takeout Pack from Wexler’s Deli. This feast contains a full meal for four to six, featuring a smoked turkey and assorted fixings. And don’t worry about having turkey leftovers. Your order includes artisan rye bread, homemade Russian dressing, sauerkraut, mustard and Swiss cheese so you can make the most delicious turkey Rueben sandwiches for days to come (recipe included). Thanksgiving menu HERE

Redbird Restaurant Thanksgiving near Circa apartments in Downtown Los Angeles

Redbird Thanksgiving To Go 114 E 2nd St. Los Angeles, CA 90012

Redbird is offering a heat & serve holiday feast from Chef Neal for pickup or delivery on Thanksgiving Eve for you to enjoy on Thanksgiving Day. Dinner for four ($68 per person) features pumpkin quince soup, sage-rubbed turkey roulade, stuffing, and Parker House rolls. You can also order add-ons such as prime rib roast, pecan pie, apple pie, wine, and cocktails. Order HERE

Manuela Thanksgiving near Circa apartments in Downtown Los Angeles

Manuela 907 E 3rd St. Los Angeles, CA 90013

Manuela is open Thanksgiving for dine-in on their outside patio and terrace as well as take-out. For those dining in, Chef Kris Tominaga is serving a Southern-influenced family-style feast for $68 per person. Reservations are available between 2:30pm – 8pm. See menu HERE For curbside pick-up, orders must be placed through Tock by Tuesday, November 24. More details HERE Located in the Arts District of Los Angeles, Manuela unites chef, farmer and artist to create an authentic and original dining experience, celebrating seasonal ingredients sourced from the best farms and producers in Southern California.

Bar Ama Thanksgiving near Circa apartments in Downtown Los Angeles

Bar Amá 118 W 4th St. Los Angeles, CA 90013

This year, Chef Josef Centeno is putting a Tex-Mex spin on his Thanksgiving dinner menu with Tex-Mex turkey roulade, house made stuffing with hoja santa, Ruby grapefruit cranberry sauce, cornbread johnnycakes, and more sides. Dinner is $75 per person with a four-person minimum. For an additional $30, you can get a pumpkin pie with Ibarra chocolate graham cracker crumble crust. Order by Nov. 22 for pickup on Nov. 25. Details HERE

Orsa & Winston Thanksgiving near Circa apartments in Downtown Los Angeles

Orsa & Winston 122 W 4th St. Los Angeles, CA 90013

Named LA Times 2020 Restaurant of the Year, Orsa & Wineston’s Chef Josef Centeno is offering a Japanese and Italian inspired set menu for two ($137.50 per person), for four or for eight ($100 per person). Your feast includes involtini of duck, sage and chestnut stuffing, and apple-kumquat crostata. Order by Nov. 22 for pickup on Nov. 25. View menu and place your order HERE

Moos Craft Barbecue Thanksgiving near Circa apartments in Downtown Los Angeles

Moo’s Craft Barbecue 672 S Santa Fe Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90021

Acclaimed by LA Times and Eater LA as perhaps the best underground barbecue cooking in Los Angeles, Moo’s Craft Barbecue is happy to do the cooking for you this Thanksgiving. Their online store is live and ready to take your preorders. Contactless curbside pickup will be available on Thanksgiving Day from their commissary kitchen in DTLA. All meats are smoked and fresh. Choose from two different size options for the sides and whether you’d like your sides chilled and ready for the oven (instructions included), or baked and ready to serve when you get home. Moos also offers scratch made desserts. Order online HERE

Nick + Stef’s Steakhouse Thanksgiving near Circa apartments in Downtown Los Angeles

Nick + Stef’s Steakhouse 330 S Hope St. Los Angeles, CA 90071

Nick + Stef’s Steakhouse is open on Thanksgiving for dine-in or takeout. Holiday specials include Diestel Farms organic turkey, JBS potato puree, stuffing, candied yams, pickled cranberry compote, and turkey gravy, along with other seasonal dishes. And of course, you can always have a steak! Make sure you order their delicious pumpkin pie with Chantilly crème and candied pumpkin seeds. Menu and ordering information HERE

Cafe Gratitude Thanksgiving near Circa apartments in Downtown Los Angeles

Cafe Gratitude 300 S Santa Fe Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90012

If you’re looking for vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free alternatives for your Thanksgiving feast, Cafe Gratitude is offering delicious selections from butternut squash and lentil loaf to vegan pumpkin pie. All holiday sides and pies are 100% plant based and organic, made in house in their downtown LA location. Order HERE

Butterball Thanksgiving near Circa apartments in Downtown Los Angeles

Butterball Amazon Alexa Skill

Ready to talk turkey? Ask Alexa. With the Butterball Skill for Amazon Alexa, Butterball Turkey Talk-Line experts will help you host like a boss with turkey preparation how-tos, tips, and recipe inspiration. Butterball Turkey Talk-Line experts are poultry pros that have been giving sage advice for years, and they’re here to help you put a little swagger in your stuffing! No Alexa, no problem. Butterball Turkey Talk-Line expert Karen has teamed up with a lifestyle influencer Rosalynn Daniels. Together, they’ll share all kinds of juicy tips to make your Thanksgiving all kinds of good. More info HERE

Los Angeles Mission Thanksgiving near Circa apartments in Downtown Los Angeles

Los Angeles Mission 303 E 5th Street Los Angeles, CA 90013

The Los Angeles Mission’s annual Thanksgiving celebration serves over 3,000 pounds of turkey, 700 pounds of mashed potatoes, 800 pounds of green beans and 600 pies to their neighbors experiencing homelessness. They also give out over 1,400 blankets and over 1,200 tarps in preparation for the colder winter months. Now that we’ve seen an increase in homelessness across Los Angeles, the Mission is expecting more people to attend their Thanksgiving event than ever before. If you can’t volunteer this Thanksgiving, you can still help by making a donation.

Photo Credits:

Photo #1: Butterball

Photo #2: Grand Central Market

Photo #3: Wexler’s Deli

Photo #4: Redbird

Photo #5: Manuela

Photo #6: Bar Amá

Photo #7: Orsa & Winston

Photo #8: Moo’s Craft Barbecue

Photo #9: Nick + Stef’s Steakhouse

Photo #10: Cafe Gratitude

Photo #11: Butterball

Photo #12: Los Angeles Mission

Essential Guide to Downtown’s Grand Central Market

Located at 317 S Broadway in the heart of DTLA, Grand Central Market has been a downtown landmark since 1917. Bringing together the wealth of cuisines and cultures of Los Angeles, the Market provides a national-caliber eating experience that showcases California’s best ingredients, chefs, and entrepreneurs. The 30,000 square-foot arcade in the historic Homer Laughlin Building encompasses a food emporium and retail marketplace that continues to grow, by offering downtown a shared gathering place and a dynamic hub for public programming and events. With some 38 vendors, you’ll find everything from grocery essentials to prepared foods, sweets & treats, beverages, and even jewelry!

Here are a few of our favorites!

Eggslut Stall D-1

Start your day with a protein-packed breakfast at Eggslut. Founded in 2011, Eggslut is a chef driven, gourmet food concept inspired by a true love for eggs. The menu is a balance of comfort and innovation, celebrating food that appeals to both novice and extreme foodies through classic comfort fare with a twist, all encompassing the key ingredient eggs. No longer just a breakfast staple, Eggslut make eggs appetizing all day, everyday.

La Frutería

What’s more refreshing than a bowl of delicious watermelon, jicama, mango or cucumber! La Frutería brings the Mexican street-snack tradition of spicy and healthy fruit cups that beat the plain,old fruit routine. This authentic Mexican frutería from the team behind Villa Moreliana and La Tostadería offers a wide assortment of exotic fruit salads, licuados (fruit shakes) and more. A highlight of the La Frutería menu are Biónicos, tasty bowls of seasonal fruits, drizzled with a combination of yogurt, sweetened condensed milk, and Mexican crema. La Frutería is also the place for the best aguas frescas in town!

Lucky Bird

The market’s first-ever stall dedicated solely to fried chicken and its accoutrements, Lucky Bird features their famous citrus-brined chicken recipe developed by Chef/ Owner Chris Dane. Everything is made from scratch, from the buttermilk biscuits to the house made hot sauce. Ingredients are locally sourced to ensure the freshest and highest quality product, from Mary’s Organic Free Range Chickens to their organic produce and spices. Beverages include local craft beers. Happy Hour takes place Monday through Thursday from 3 PM to close!

McConnell’s Fine Ice Cream Stall D-4

For 70 years, McConnell’s has been making dense and pure-flavored ice creams, with smooth, consistent texture and a rich, velvety mouth feel – all made from scratch with a few, simple ingredients. McConnell’s mission is to produce the finest ice creams in the world, in the most responsible and sustainable way possible. In the process, they aim to enrich and enliven the communities in which they operate, and leave the world just a little bit “sweeter” than they found it.

Ramen Hood

This ramen and pho shop by Chef Ilan Hall of The Gorbals is 100% vegan. The broth is made by simmering kelp and shiitake mushrooms to extract their maximum umami. Roasted sunflower seeds with white miso are combined with the kelp/mushroom stock, then the mixture is pressure cooked to release the natural oils and starches from the seeds. What’s left is a rich, creamy, broth that rivals it’s non-vegan counterparts flavor and texture. The “egg” is completely vegan, made in two parts using a little magic, so that the yolk pops just like the real thing!

DTLA Cheese and Kitchen Stall A-7

DTLA Cheese is Downtown’s first full-service cheesemonger, specializing in domestic and imported cheese plates, griddle sandwiches and seasonal salads. DTLA Cheese is the passion of Lydia & Marnie Clarke and Chef Reed Herrick, who opened their first store in 2010 in the historic downtown Claremont Village with the mission to bring something exciting to the culinary forefront.

Torres Produce Stall D-7

This is the perfect time of year to dust off your recipes for homemade soups, salads, snacks, and sides! Stock up on healthy ingredients at Torres Produce, a produce stand offering a bountiful selection of seasonal fruit and vegetables.

Wexler’s Deli Stall D-5

Wexler’s Deli stands for three things: tradition, craftsmanship, and quality. Born of a desire to serve classic Jewish deli food made by people who care, Wexler’s uses old-school methods to handcraft their pastrami and smoked salmon. After curing in a special blend of salt and spices, the meats and fish are slowly smoked in-house over apple wood and sliced by hand in front of your eyes. Wexler’s also serves breakfast sandwiches, and a selection of sides including coleslaw, potato salad, egg salad and tuna salad. Wash it all down with a good old fashioned Chocolate Phosphate or Chocolate Egg Cream.

Belcampo Meat Co., butcher shop and restaurant at Grand Central Market, Los Angeles, CA.

Belcampo Meat Stall F-9

Part country cafe and part full-service butcher shop, Belcampo Meat presents organic, grass-fed meats that have been raised on their own 10,000 acre ranch near Mount Shasta, and custom-butchered in house. Grab a seat at their modern-meets-retro counter service diner for breakfast or lunch. Indulge in the signature organic grass-fed burgers while people watching and enjoying a glass of beer or wine. Or stop by after work to pick up their ever-changing rotation of Grab & Go foods and convenient reheat & eat options to bring home for dinner.

The Oyster Gourmet Hill Street Platform

The Oyster Gourmet Kiosk is the realization of Christophe Happillon’s dream of creating a forum to share his passion for the oyster and the ocean. Designed by The Los Angeles Design Group, The Oyster Gourmet Kiosk was created to be a a hybrid restaurant and performance piece with Happillon on stage in the center, akin to the pearl within the oyster. The menu of the new Oyster Bar displays oysters, of course, but also clams, shrimp, sea urchin, and some raw fish. Most of the seafood is sourced from the West Coast, with each selection certified ecologically sustainable.

G&B Coffee Stall C-19

From champion baristas Kyle Glanville and Charles Babinski, G&B Coffee serves up coffees, espresso drinks, and teas selected from the world’s top roasters and farms. If you’re craving a special treat, G&B’s coffee milkshake and hop-infused carbonated ice tea are instant Market classics. Stop by for weekly cuppings every Tuesdays at 2pm to taste the range of G&B coffees from around the world. Parking Tip: Miraculous free 5 minute parking in the drop-off lane in front of the G&B stall.

Delicious DTLA: Delis, Diners & Dips!

Do you ever get the urge to dive into a big juicy sandwich, stacked a mile high and dripping with gastronomic goodness? How about whiling away a lazy Saturday morning over blueberry pancakes and a fresh brewed cup o’ joe? Or do you prefer your meal with a side of noir?

DTLA is the ultimate destination for vintage diners, authentic delis, Prohibition-era eateries, and legendary French Dip spots–some even have a shady past! Delicious DTLA has many fascinating stories to reveal, told through the language of great food!

Cole’s French Dip 118 E. 6th St, Los Angeles, CA 90014

Cole’s, Originator of the French Dip Sandwich, opened in 1908 in the Pacific Electric building. Evoking the spirit of an early 20th century saloon, the welcoming 40-foot Red Car Bar boasts original glass lighting, penny tile floors, and historic photos, preserved in the restoration of the cherished landmark. During Prohibition, Cole’s was a favorite hangout for gangsters like Mickey Cohen (If you were a regular customer, your “coffee” came with a little something extra!). Today, continuing the tradition of the Golden Age of American cocktails, the Red Car Bar’s ample selection of premium spirits, drafts, and historic cocktails compliment the saloon’s classic French Dip sandwiches, appetizers, salads and sides.

The Original Philippe 1001 North Alameda, Los Angeles, CA 90012

Philippe The Original is one of the oldest and best known restaurants in Southern California, established in 1908 by Philippe Mathieu, who claimed the distinction of having created the “French Dipped Sandwich.” One day in 1918, while making a sandwich, Mathieu inadvertently dropped the sliced french roll into the roasting pan filled with juice still hot from the oven. The patron, a policeman, said he would take the sandwich anyway and returned the next day with some friends asking for more dipped sandwiches. And so was born the “French Dipped Sandwich,” so called either because of Mathieu’s French heritage, the French roll the sandwich is made on, or because the officer’s name was French. The answer is lost to history.

Nickel Diner 524 S. Main St, Los Angeles, CA 90013

Featured on Diners, Drive-In’s and Dives, the Cooking Channel and Jonathan Gold’s 101 List, this cozy vintage-style diner serves updated versions of old-school comfort fare, such as maple-glaze bacon doughnut, baked eggs, steak sandwich, and catfish, plus creative desserts. Located on a historic stretch of Main Street between Fifth and Sixth streets, the restaurant occupies the site of a long-forgotten diner, with the original hand-painted wall menus still intact. High ceilings, vintage wallpaper, wooden tables, scuffed tile floors, cushy red leather booths and an old-school, lunch counter-style open kitchen evoke a picture-perfect model of a pre-WWII-era diner.

The Original Pantry 877 S. Figueroa St, Los Angeles, CA 90017

Established in 1924, The Original Pantry has spent eight decades providing its customers with generous portions of traditional American cuisine. More than just a casual eatery, The Pantry offers diners an atmosphere rich in character and history. An integral piece of Los Angeles culture, The Pantry has served many movie stars, politicians and other celebrities and continues to be a gathering spot for the city’s movers and shakers. As The Pantry’s current owner, former Los Angeles Mayor Richard Riordan likes to boast, “We never close. We’re never without a customer.”

Nick’s Cafe 1300 N. Spring St, Los Angeles, CA 90012

Nick’s Cafe started back in 1948 by Nick, his Navy buddy, and Lois the server. Nick was just out of Navy and decided to open a little diner across from the River Station freight yards. Known for serving bone-in ham at the horseshoe counter, customers started calling the little cafe the “Ham House.” After a successful run, Nick sold his diner to a couple of LAPD detectives who put in a train that ran around the ceiling. After many good years, the place fell into dark times–the old rail yards were grown over and the freight buildings were empty. Flash forward to 2009, when the current owner took over. Over 60 years later, Nck’s is still known for the ham, the smiles, and the coffee.

Wexler’s Deli Grand Central Market 317 S Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90013

Wexler’s Deli stands for three things: tradition, craftsmanship, and quality. Born of a desire to serve classic Jewish deli food made by people who care, Wexler’s uses old-school methods to handcraft their pastrami and smoked salmon. After curing in a special blend of salt and spices, the meats and fish are slowly smoked in-house over apple wood and sliced by hand in front of your eyes. Wexler’s also serves breakfast sandwiches (Cheezy Eggs, Bagel with Lox) and a selection of sides including coleslaw, potato salad, egg salad and tuna salad. Wash it all down with a good old fashioned Chocolate Phosphate or Chocolate Egg Cream.

Mel’s Deli 548 S. Spring St #114, Los Angeles, CA 90013

This unassuming, counter-service standby is known for its hearty, deli-style sandwiches with an Italian flare. Indulge yourself with the spicy Mel’s Melt (Russak Roast Beef, Habanero, Jack Cheese, Horseradish, Pepper Spread, Dill Pickle). Or settle into the generous Mel’s Italian (Genoa Salami, Mortadella, Capicola, Jamon, Soppressata, Provolone, Homemade Mustard). Other zesty choices include Prosciutto & Burrata (Prosciutto di Parma, Burrata, Arugula Dressed, Olive Oil, Balsamic Vinegar); Caprese (House Made Pesto, Fresh Mozzarella, Tomatoes, Balsamic Vinegar), and Muffaletta (Genoa Salami, Mortadella, Provolone, Olive Tapenade, Mayo, Lettuce, Tomato, Onion). Delivery is available through these apps: Postmates, DoorDash, Caviar, Grubhub, Eat24, and ForkSpot.