Jerry's Famous Deli facts for kids

Jerry's Famous Deli was a popular chain of Jewish delicatessens. A delicatessen, or deli, is a store that sells special foods. The very first Jerry's Deli opened in Studio City, California, in 1978. It was started by Isaac Starkman and Jerry Seidman. Isaac's son, Guy Starkman, later became the CEO.

Many famous people visited Jerry's Deli. Some of these celebrities included Adam Sandler, Will Smith, and Shaquille O'Neal. Even the cast of the TV show Seinfeld ate there! The famous comedian Andy Kaufman once worked at the Studio City deli as a busboy.

While most of the Jerry's Deli locations have closed, one similar place still operates. It is called Jerry's Patio Cafe & Bar. It is in Marina del Rey, California, and is now owned by Jonathan and Mandy Mitchell.

Where Jerry's Deli Was Located

Over the years, Jerry's Deli had many different locations. These included places like Encino, Pasadena, Marina del Rey, and Westwood. There was also a Jerry's Deli in Miami Beach. Other California locations were in Costa Mesa, Woodland Hills, and West Hollywood.

Opening in Miami Beach

In 1996, a Jerry's Deli opened in Miami Beach. This location was special because it took over the building of another famous Jewish deli. That deli was called Wolfie Cohen's Rascal House.

Fire at the Original Studio City Deli

In 2002, the first Jerry's Deli in Studio City had a big fire. The fire caused about $2,000,000 worth of damage to the building. But the deli was rebuilt and reopened on September 16, 2003. The founders, Isaac Starkman and Jerry Seidman, were there for the reopening. Los Angeles City Councilman Zev Yaroslavsky also attended. Some celebrities, like actor Robbie Williams, were there too.

Later Closures

Over time, several Jerry's Deli locations closed down. In 2012, the Costa Mesa branch closed for good. This happened because the building's owner did not renew the restaurant's lease.

In May 2013, the West Hollywood location also closed. It had been open for 20 years. On October 16, 2016, the Woodland Hills Jerry's Deli closed permanently.

The Last Remaining Location

In August 2020, the Jerry's Deli in Marina del Rey reopened. It was renamed Jerry's Patio Cafe & Bar. This change allowed it to offer outdoor dining and takeout. This helped the restaurant continue to operate during the COVID-19 pandemic. Today, this is the only remaining location that is similar to the original Jerry's Deli. However, it is not officially called Jerry's Deli anymore.

On October 30, 2020, the very first Jerry's Deli in Studio City closed permanently. It had been open for 42 years. This closure was also due to the COVID-19 pandemic.