Fromin's Delicatessen and Restaurant has been a Santa Monica institution since 1979, when it was founded by Dennis Fromin. He eventually sold the restaurant in 1990 to current owner Maurice Solomon. Both owners had grown up working in delis in 1950s Cleveland.
The menu here offers a large selection of breakfast items, with 19 different omelets, various blintzes, open-faced bagels with toppings and a special brunch platter that serves two. Sandwiches are also a big deal here. All sandwiches are served on rye, roll, wheat or egg bread and come with various sides.
Special sandwich selections include the Sky High, combinations and hot sandwiches. Fromin's Special Dinners include soup or salad, choice of side, dessert and beverage, with choices such as corned beef and cabbage, Hawaiian chicken breast, grilled orange roughy, grilled liver and onions, skirt steak and seafood fettuccine.
A section for weight-conscious patrons offers low-calorie fare. The deli in the front sells sliced meats, salads, cheeses, pickles, fish, kishka, knishes and stuffed cabbage.
Bud's Famous Deli & Desserts is a sandwich shop and deli located in a small retail plaza just off Ocean Park Boulevard in the community of Ocean Park in Santa Monica. Bud's Famous Deli & Desserts offers a menu of deli items including sub sandwiches, chips, a full salad bar and desserts. Bud's specializes in party platters, catering and fresh squeezed juices. This shop is best known for its selection of frozen yogurt, ice cream and milk shakes.
Brooklyn-born Izzy Freeman opened his New York style deli with Santa Monica developer Ernie Auerbach in 1973. It has since become a Santa Monica institution, with food available 24 hours every day, attracting many celebrity figures over the years.
Breakfast is served all the time, with many egg dishes, pancakes, potato pancakes, lox, corned beef, blintzes and fresh baked goods available. You can even create your own omelet. A large portion of the menu is devoted to the many sandwiches made here, including overstuffed sandwiches and dip sandwiches, with choices like pastrami, turkey, salami, bologna, roast beef, beef tongue, ham, meat loaf, knockwurst, tuna, lox and cheeses. Dinner entrees feature chicken dishes, corned beef and cabbage, beef stew, goulash, kishka, turkey, beef liver and onions, meatloaf and country fried steak. All these are served in the relaxed, diner-style atmosphere of the dining room, with images of New York on the walls, and pictures of Izzy with various celebrities.
The deli counter just inside the entrance sells various meats and cheeses by the pound, along with fish, kishka, knish, blintzes, salads, olives, bagels, puddings and baked goods. Catering is a specialty here, with various platters available for large groups.
Cafe Zella is a little cafe set back a little off Wilshire and 16th St. Quick, fresh food is made here, from breakfast dishes to sandwiches and salads. Breakfast is served all day, including breakfast burritos, bacon paninis, ham with swiss paninis, and vegetarian paninis. Along with egg dishes and omelettes, the cafe has bagels and freshly baked croissants, both of which can be used for breakfast sandwiches. The lunch combo special includes any 1/2 sandwich with mixed greens, and either soup or strawberry lemonade. Comfort soups are made from scratch here, with daily selections that may include turkey vegetable, chicken tortilla, butternut squash, tomato basil, or lentil bean. Cold, hot and vegetarian sandwiches are made-to-order, served on ciabatta, sourdough or whole wheat bread, and served with mixed greens. Coffee and espresso drinks can be served over ice or ice blended.
This Santa Monica branch of Subway restaurant is located in the Ocean Park Courtyard just off of Ocean Park Boulevard. Subway's menu features sandwiches, fresh green salads and personal pizzas. Subway also offers cookies, danishes and muffins, as well as a variety of soft drinks, juices and water. This location has shaded outdoor patio seating.
This Santa Monica branch of Subway restaurant is located in the Ocean Park Courtyard just off of Ocean Park Boulevard. Subway's menu features sandwiches, fresh green salads and personal pizzas. Subway also offers cookies, danishes and muffins, as well as a variety of soft drinks, juices and water. This location has shaded outdoor patio seating.
Classic Pizza is an Italian restaurant that offers pizza and pasta dishes. Its specialties include Cajun chicken and chicken spinach penne. The restaurant is open for eat-in, take-out, catering, and free delivery for orders of $8 or more.
Sweet and freshly made donuts are sold at Donut King in flavors ranging from glazed to chocolate to cinnamon and sugar. Other pastries are available as well, including fritters, croissants, danishes and bagels, all baked on the premises every morning.
Sandwiches are available for lunch or breakfast, and specialty bagels like pizza bagels are offered as well. Flavored coffees can be paired with pastries or sandwiches, and yogurt and fruit-based smoothies round out the breakfast drink offerings. Ice cream and milkshakes are sold here for a sweet pick-me-up, and sundries like cigarettes, tea and medicine can also be purchased.
The Bookmark Café is located in the Santa Monica Public Library, on the ground floor near the west entrance. The café serves coffee and tea, breakfast items, salads, sandwiches, wraps, smoothies, and other beverages. In the center courtyard with outdoor tables, chairs and shade umbrellas, Bookmark is a great place to sit and read. There are few indoor tables, but they're nearly always in use. The cafe is clean and well-maintained, with friendly servers.