Chattanooga Restaurant Bringing “Pure Persian Flavor” To Santa Monica

Ever since the beloved landmark Izzy’s Deli closed at 1433 Wilshire Blvd. in Santa Monica, people have been peppering me with questions about what would take its place. In 2020 there was a brief promise of a re-opening, but nothing happened. Then in 2022, the for lease signs went up and we all came to the painful conclusion that after 50 years, the famed “Deli to the Stars” simply was no more. After all these years of no perceptible activity, readers are excitedly writing to tell me that window paper is now up revealing a new eatery, Chattanooga Restaurant, is setting up housekeeping at the famous address. With little information out there except the promise of “Pure Persian Flavor”, you can get an idea of what the new restaurant will look inside like by checking out the artist’s rendering below.

Izzy’s Is No More…

There’s one question that I literally get asked daily: “When will Izzy’s Deli reopen?”  You may recall that Santa Monica’s storied  Izzy’s, at 1433 Wilshire, closed back in 2020 for what I reported at the time was an earthquake retrofit.  Soon afterwards, a cheery “We’ll be back” was painted on the windows and Santa Monicans let out a collective sigh of relief.  Well… you may want to sit down for this:  Those cheery signs have been taken down and replaced with for lease signs.  So even though their website still promises a June return, The Santa Monica Observer has confirmed the sad news that after almost 50 years, Izzy’s Deli is permanently closed.  My condolences…

Izzy’s Deli In Santa Monica…

People have been wondering what was going on with beloved institution Izzy’s Deli, at 1433 Wilshire Blvd. in Santa Monica.  A while ago, plywood covered the entire front, they appeared to be closed, and there was no explanation.  (At the time, it wasn’t unusual for businesses in the area to be boarded up.)  Some were concerned that the 24-hour eatery was permanently gone.  Well, you can all breathe a collective sigh of relief.  Recently a large banner went up informing us that they are in the midst of a “mandatory earthquake retrofit”.  So, starting in February when they plan on reopening, not only will you be able to get their classic egg salad again, you’ll be safer as well.