Izzy's Deli

Matzo Ball Soup - thanks to Bill via Yelp

Izzy's Deli
1433 Wilshire Blvd
Santa Monica, CA 90403
Menu

Type: Deli, Restaurant
Category: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Late-Night, To-Go
Company: Everyone loves Izzy's
Cost: $5-$15/pp
OTC Tip: Open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Review:
Every hometown needs an Izzy's. If images of double-decker pastrami sandwiches, the smell of potato pancakes with sour cream and apple sauce, the steam of matzo ball soup, and the promise of a deeply-brined pickle make you stand and ask "Where is this??" then, you too probably grew up with a neighborhood jewish deli. Back in Berkeley ours was called Saul's, and it was at this narrow and bustling restaurant/deli that I experienced the beauty of the latke, the importance of mustard, the potential for rye, the crave for salami, and the savior that is the milkshake - and without which I would never have understood or appreciated Izzy's.

Naturally, Izzy's menu is huge, and since none of it is ever off-limits, I recommend that you go with a theme in mind. "Breakfast for dinner," "Stew," "Cheeseburger," are the most popular, but it's to note here that there are several things that will never stray you amiss:

1. Matzo Ball Soup: Chicken, carrots, noodles, baseball-sized matzo balls. Order the bowl and you'll receive   a helmet-sized vat big enough for two to share. For dinner.

Pastrami on Rye thanks to Robert K

2. Beef Stew: It's not always available but you should always ask. Get it with mashed potatoes, and brace yourself for the most comforting and satisfying meal you've had all day.

3. Breakfast: Any of the eggs+meat+toast+potatoes combinations will impress and turn you in to a glutton all at once. Whoever decided that every person should have a few plates of enough food to feed three stomachs is so wrong...yet absolutely right. Get the bacon extra crispy, and swap your toast for a bagel.

4. Burgers: Oh-so-good. The cheeseburger is the way to go, and it comes as you like it with a stack of fries.

5. Dessert: Don't skip. With an array of milkshakes, cakes, pies, floats, and whatever else you want to combine (try cake, warm, a la mode) you'd be a fool walk out before the deed is done.

Sure, it's not every day that you want to eat and then not eat for the 12 hours following, but sometimes, if you are feeding your body and nourishing your soul, then technically you are eating for two. So, dig in - and remember, if you can't decide, then pick something and get the other thing to-go!