Alan Canter, Owner of Canter’s Deli, Dies at 82

Alan Canter, whose father, Ben Canter, opened the original Canter’s Brothers deli in 1931 in Boyle Heights with his brothers, has died at age 82.

The Canter’s Facebook page announced:

Our beloved owner, Alan Canter, has passed away at age 82. He kept his family legacy alive and built an LA landmark. He worked 18 hour shifts and took pride in hand-cutting each fruit cup. He taught his children how to run this business just as his father taught him. We are deeply saddened by this loss. A memorial will be held Monday, the 28th at 12:30 at Mount Sinai Memorial Parks, 5950 Forest Lawn Dr. Los Angeles CA 90068

In 1953, the restaurant moved to its current Fairfax location and changed its name to Canter’s Fairfax. The deli was known for its connection to local politics as much as for its pastrami

Al’s son, restaurant co-owner, Gary Canter, died in 2017. The deli, which has hosted many celebrities over the years, has been featured on HBO’s “Entourage,” “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” “Be Cool,” Enemy of the State,” and Neil Simon’s, “I Ought to be in Pictures.”