November 13, 2024 The Best Source of News, Culture, Lifestyle for Culver City, Mar Vista, Del Rey, Palms and West Los Angeles

Izzy’s Deli: Making Deli Dreams Come True

Westside staple celebrates 45th anniversary.

By Sam Catanzaro

Izzy still has the original IZZY’S DELI menu from 1973, when the restaurant opened. 45 years later, while a pastrami sandwich may no longer cost $1.70, and the name has changed from“Kenny’s” to “Izzy’s,” not much else has changed at this iconic Santa Monica restaurant on the corner of Wilshire Boulevard and 15th Street.

“Our food is prepared by the same family of chefs since 1973,” said owner Izzy Freeman.

In addition to serving top-notch, overstuffed “New York style” pastrami sandwiches 24/7, one constant at Izzy’s Deli is Izzy Freeman, who can be found most days greeting the customers and making sure that every item is the highest quality and served perfectly. Izzy, known as “The Deli Lama”  was born and raised in Brooklyn and moved with his family to Los Angeles in 1953.

“The big sandwiches, the pickles, the smells and tastes, they were part of my childhood,” Izzy said. “I dreamt that one day I would own a deli.”

Izzy opened the Deli in 1973 with Kenny Horowitz. At the time, Izzy owned two IHOPS in Los Angeles and the intent was for Kenny to run the Deli and Izzy to run the IHOPS. “I helped him open the deli on Monday morning and I never left,” Izzy said.

Izzy’s was the first major deli in Santa Monica in many years, and from the start, it was a success. Customers were waiting in line for overstuffed corned beef and pastrami sandwiches, matzo ball soup, freshly roasted turkeys and of course the best New York style rye bread. In the decades since, the popularity of the Deli has only increased, being featured multiple times on Larry David’s “Curb Your Enthusiasm” and winning numerous awards including “Best Designed Restaurant” to “Best All Night Restaurant.”

In August, Izzy’s celebrated its 45th Anniversary and while much has changed in Santa Monica over the years, walking into Izzy’s is like stepping into a delicious-smelling time capsule. A number of the waiters and waitresses have been working at the Deli since the day they opened and several second-generation family members are also working at Izzy’s.

“There are some good restaurants in Santa Monica but they come and go and so does the staff. At Izzy’s, everybody knows the customers. Some people come in here every single day,” Izzy said.

Over the years, Izzy’s has served loyal customers nearly 5,000,000 matzo balls, 6,000,000 kosher pickles and 3,000,000 corned beef sandwiches on rye.

Celebrities from all walks of life have come into Izzy’s to enjoy breakfast, lunch, dinner or dessert, with their photos donning the deli’s walls on Izzy’s Celebrity Wall of Fame.

“45 years is an accomplishment,” Izzy said. “After 45 years, my customers and employees are like family.”

To find out more about Izzy’s Deli, visit their website at izzysdeli.com, call (310) 394-1131 or just walk in, say hello and grab a delicious meal. They are located at 1433 Wilshire Boulevard in Santa Monica.

Related Posts

Family Searches for Missing Actress Chanel Maya Banks; Asks For Public’s Help in West LA

November 13, 2024

November 13, 2024

Relatives Search for Chanel Maya Banks, Last Heard From on October 30 The family of an actress based on the...

Court Halts Order for Expedited Veteran Housing in West LA, Citing VA’s Budget Constraints

November 13, 2024

November 13, 2024

Former Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger Criticizes the VA on Veterans Day The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals has temporarily paused an...

Armed Robbery in Culver City: Suspects Flee with $12,000 Rolex in Early Morning Incident

November 12, 2024

November 12, 2024

Two Suspects Targeted Man in Parking Lot, Brandishing Firearms, Demanding Valuables Culver City police are investigating an early morning armed...

Metro’s New Bus Lane Camera Enforcement Aims to Speed Up Commutes for LA Riders

November 12, 2024

November 12, 2024

Pilot Program Begins With 60-Day Warning Period to Clear Bus Lanes The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro), in...

Legendary Actor Tony Todd, Known for Iconic Horror Roles, Dies at the Age of 69

November 12, 2024

November 12, 2024

Star of Candyman and Final Destination Remembered by Fans and Peers Iconic actor and Marina del Rey resident Tony Todd...

LAUSD Teacher Charged with Sexual Assault on a Minor, Police Believe There May Be Other Victims

November 11, 2024

November 11, 2024

Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón announced on November 8 that a middle school teacher, Colleen Jo Matarico, is...

Suspect Arrested, Another at Large After Culver City Vehicle Burglary

November 11, 2024

November 11, 2024

Police Ask Public for Assistance to Aid the Investigation Early morning on November 7, Culver City Police responded to reports...

Beverly Hills High Limits Student Gatherings After Pro-Trump Rally Disrupts Campus

November 11, 2024

November 11, 2024

Principal Cites Safety Concerns Following Post-Election Demonstration Beverly Hills High School has put limits on student gatherings after a pro-Trump...

LAX Runway Closures in November May Lead to Increased Aircraft Noise for Nearby Residents

November 10, 2024

November 10, 2024

Temporary Runway Shutdowns for Maintenance and Upgrades May Alter Flight Paths Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) has announced temporary runway...

Racist Text Messages Target Students in Santa Monica, West LA, Raising Alarm Among Schools, Families

November 10, 2024

November 10, 2024

Outrage Spreads as Disturbing, Racially Charged Messages Reach Students and Others By Dolores Quintana Schools on the Westside of Los...

8 Things to Do in Big Bear Lake: A Local’s Guide to Adventure and Relaxation

November 8, 2024

November 8, 2024

Nestled in the San Bernardino Mountains, Big Bear Lake is a true gem for nature lovers, families, and adventurers alike....

Governor Newsom Convenes Special Session to Protect California Rights Against Future Federal Policies

November 7, 2024

November 7, 2024

Special Session Called To Defend Civil Rights, Reproductive Freedom, Climate Initiatives Governor Gavin Newsom has announced a special session of...

Megacity Review: Genaro Trejo’s Global Platform for Urban Arts and Literature Launches in Los Angeles’ Westside

November 7, 2024

November 7, 2024

Santa Monica, CA – A new voice has arrived on the Los Angeles literary scene with the launch of Megacity...

Chinese Chemical Company and Executives Indicted for Allegedly Fueling Fentanyl Crisis in Los Angeles

November 7, 2024

November 7, 2024

U.S. DOJ Charges Hubei Aoks Bio-Tech and Executives With 13 Counts  A federal grand jury has indicted Hubei Aoks Bio-Tech...

Free Flu and COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic Coming to Culver City on Nov. 12

November 7, 2024

November 7, 2024

Get Free Vaccine Shots for All Ages—No Appointment Needed Culver City, in collaboration with the Los Angeles County Department of...