Iconic Jewish deli Greenblatt’s closed after 95 years

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Greenblatt’s Deli and Fine Wines closed permanently Wednesday after being in business since 1926.

The closure was the result of the difficulty of running the business and finding staff, the food news website Eater reported, citing a source at the iconic West Hollywood Jewish deli.

There was no immediate response to a message left with the deli.

Greenblatt’s dining room had been closed until a few months ago because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Food & Wine Magazine once described Greenblatt’s as “an old-school deli from the 1920’s attached to a outrageously good wine store.” Food critic Colman Andrews wrote that it had the “best pastrami in the country.”

Oscar-winning actress Halle Berry told Esquire it was her favorite deli and housed “the finest wine in the city.”

Greenblatt’s Delicatessen was established by Herman Greenblatt in 1926 and purchased by the Kavin family in the early 1940s, which continued to operate it.

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Greenblatt’s is located on Sunset Boulevard, next to the Laugh Factory. It long catered to the entertainment industry, with customers including Marilyn Monroe, Joe DiMaggio, Groucho Marx, Errol Flynn, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Janis Joplin, Bing Crosby, Boris Karloff, Marlon Brando and Orson Welles, according to its website.

Because of its proximity to late night clubs and comedy venues, Greenblatt’s traditionally stayed open until late, often until 2 a.m.

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Analu
Analu
1 year ago

Can anyone tell me where Greenblats got their lemon cake from or did they bake it on site?

A. Deru
A. Deru
3 years ago

This is a catastrophic loss for our community. If I had known they were struggling I certainly would have ordered a few more sandwiches and more slices of Lemon Cake. AKA heaven on a plate. Not to mention their rye bread is the best this side of the Mississippi. Maybe instead of reporting on their closure this media and others should have been supportive and reported on their need for business and other needs to stay open. Maybe the city can tear down that block of history and build another apartment building with unaffordable apartments and a few restaurants with… Read more »

Observer
Observer
3 years ago
Reply to  A. Deru

It’s the same thing that happened to the French Quarter. People stopped patronizing the establishment and then cried crocodile tears on WeHoVille as to why it closed.

CHLOE ROSS
2 years ago
Reply to  Observer

I can hear a very despondent Tevye sitting on bus bench. “Oi. where is the life that late I lived????”

Harambe’s Vengeful Ghost
Harambe’s Vengeful Ghost
3 years ago

Thanks, Gavin Newsom and the Long March for Progress!™️

Stephen
Stephen
3 years ago

Or more accurately, thanks Republicans for thoroughly downplaying Covid and letting what could’ve been a controllable outbreak become an uncontrollable plague

CHLOE ROSS
2 years ago
Reply to  Stephen

The GOP likely, made a deal with Beijing and was assured the plague had auto delete when it came to Those with an immunity clause. Remember the song of olden time”Can’t TouchMe”.. did not translate well.

Davedi
Davedi
3 years ago

Our government loves watching small businesses die so everyone can either become dependent on them, or worse, work at Facebook, Twitter and Amazon. Because we know Covid doesn’t spread in those giant companies…and they’re essential. Unlike the rest of us.

Jonathan Simmons
Jonathan Simmons
3 years ago

What does Gavin Newsome have to do with this to story?

A bitter Republican using fake news to stir up resentment for a, to date, OUTSTANDING CALIFORNIA GOVERNOR WHO SAVED CA FROM COVED BETTER THAN COULD BE EXPECTED

TomSmart
TomSmart
3 years ago

Brents in the valley is incredible but too far. Factors is good on pico. A lot of people love Canters and I like the history, but the food is crap. OY VEY IZ MIR!!

Joshua88
Joshua88
3 years ago

A tragedy. They had great chicken noodle soup.

Joan Henehan
Joan Henehan
3 years ago

I guess they don’t have enough take-out or on-line business to maintain a different kind of operation, without the exorbitant expense of running traditional set-up.

Phillip
Phillip
3 years ago

Such a shame that another institution had to close. Where is the city of West Hollywood to help longtime business? I guess they look into approving another hotel because West Hollywood doesn’t has enough hotels yet. Everyone at the city council should be fired immediately. the corruption that goes on tin the city of West Hollywood is legendary and apparently people are ok with that as we vote for the same idiots over and over again.

Ruth Williams
Ruth Williams
3 years ago
Reply to  Phillip

Greenblatts is actually in Los Angeles and not in West Hollywood.

Jonathan Simmons
Jonathan Simmons
3 years ago
Reply to  Ruth Williams

Yup!

CHLOE ROSS
2 years ago
Reply to  Ruth Williams

She’s right. RIP dear Ruth.

Stevie
Stevie
3 years ago
Reply to  Phillip

Why should West Hollywood assist this establishment? It’s in the City of Los Angeles, let them bail out their own businesses.

Sad for Greenblatts
Sad for Greenblatts
3 years ago

So, so sad. How could this happen to a favorite institution?

carleton cronin
3 years ago

That leaves us with few choices. LangerS? DAUGHTER’S DELI? …AND ONE ON FAIRFAX.

Ruth Williams
Ruth Williams
3 years ago

The one on Fairfax is Canters that has been there since I was a kid in the 50’s. We used to go there after school when I was at Fairfax Hi, I still go for breakfast and hope after I’m healed and can drive again, I can start going back. Great matzo ball soup, pastrami is the best.

:dpb
:dpb
3 years ago

This is so sad.