Jerry's, Jerry's, Quite Contrary
There are those times when Gregg and I get hungry after the senior citizen dinner hour (which is what we consider normal LA dining times), and are forced to dig deep to find a place to eat. (Once, we got to a "French" restaurant in the Valley at about 9:03pm, and they told us we could only stay if we ordered and ate in 20 minutes.) When we're really, really desperate, like last night, at 10:44pm, we sometimes end up at Jerry's Deli.
Turns out the Jerry's in Marina Del Rey was redecorated since we were there last. And perhaps the prices have always been this odd, but we just noticed exactly how odd they are. Check out the $8.15 hot dog. Eight fifteen? First of all, it's absurdly expensive, yes...but what's with all the weird increments in change on their menu? Was this the result of some marketing genius who thought people would order more, or they'd make more, or absurdly expensive prices wouldn't seem so absurdly expensive if they were simply weird?
And come on, grilled cheese, $7.65? And then...grilled cheese and ham, $13.45? So that's a $5.80 slice of ham? I would go hungry a long time not to pay that $5.80.
If you want real deli food, at prices that don't make you want to hurt the people who came up with them, go to Canter's.
Canter's chicken soup could heal you from SARs. And since Kaiser Permanente is stockpiling Tamiflu, the bunwads, but won't give any out -- if I get bird flu, it may be my only hope.
Jerry's is such a ripoff. Rollin'Rye in Culver City is worse. It's true; there are not a lot of choices after 9pm around here.
deja pseu at May 25, 2006 6:06 AM
You're both correct. LA is such a tremendously diverse, rewarding and cosmpolitan city that there's no need to defend its sophistication... Until you try to feed someone after 10p. And then you wind up at Jerry's. And you'd better be drunk, because most of the other patrons are, and they're trying to squeeze an extra half-hour out of the mood. The food's plain as dirt, with similar seasoning but more cholesterol.
This will be sacrilege, but I have similar feelings about Canter's. Look at that sandwich: Could you ever want to take more than a fifth of that thing into your body? Generations of LA hipsters (from my beloved Zappa to Paris Hilton) have gone to Canter's for a predawn snack because there's NO OTHER CHOICE.
We all know too much about Jerry's & Canter's! I can't believe that some entrepeneur hasn't done something about this after all these years. Maybe they're afraid of attracting the homeless or something.
Crid at May 25, 2006 7:42 AM
I'm all about Pico Kosher Deli, but I don't think they're open that late.
Jackie at May 25, 2006 9:20 AM
I grew up in NYC, lived on the Lower East Side for several years (just around the corner from Schimmel's Knishes on Houston), and I think Cantor's is TOTALLY over-rated.
And, yes, Jerry's Deli is a bogus ripoff. What's a wannabe jew to do? I'M JUST FAMISHED!
Lena Cuisinastein at May 25, 2006 9:31 AM
And why is a corn dog cheaper than a hot dog? I would think that would be more expensive what with the labor costs involved with the batter dipping.
ginger at May 25, 2006 10:26 AM
Izzy's in Santa Monica isn't bad, and it's 24 hours, and it was in a few episodes of Curb Your Enthusiasm (as the most Jewish place ever, Hassidim in every booth).
I miss the bad service, bad food, high prices, and too loud music of Larry Parker's in Beverly Hills, though.
Frankly, I don't mind at all that most folks around here actually sleep at night, being a 24HR city is vastly overrated.
XWL at May 25, 2006 12:21 PM
I'm not big on the round-the-clock life either, XWL. I try not to eat too much in the evening, so that I can get a restful sleep.
Lena Cuisinawitz at May 25, 2006 1:16 PM
Not only expensive and oddly priced, but good grief! Don't they have anything to eat for those of us who are trying to live to see middle age?
Patrick at May 25, 2006 4:41 PM
Izzy's has performed acceptably as a post-alcohol, pre-coital way station, but it's no better than Jerry's or Canter's. Specifically, there are stricken families of cancer and accident victims drifting in from the hospital across Wilshire at all hours.
This can harsh the mellow when you're trying to say that one last clever thing over a limp sandwich before dragging her sodden ass back to the bachelor cavern.
I have done the Walk of Shame in Jerry's as late as 2pm the next afternoon. In defense, it was January First, and it was the Beverly Hills-adjacent one.
Crid at May 25, 2006 4:45 PM
I have lived to see middle age, Patrick. I suggest that you quit while you're ahead.
Lena at May 25, 2006 5:02 PM
Ah, SARS... Good times! Whatever happened to that?
Jim Treacher at May 26, 2006 2:07 PM
That's insane. I will never set foot in the place. I like a brisket sandwich from Nate n' Als now and again for old times sake, but when hunger hits late (as it does only very rarely), I usually hit someplace in Thai Town, or maybe Fred 62.
Pat Saperstein at May 26, 2006 2:20 PM
Yo, that's what's up ttruhfully.
Cheyenne at November 30, 2011 4:58 PM
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