Troubling news out of the restaurant world in Beverly Hills – the legendary Nate ‘n Al restaurant, a fixture in the 90210 area code for more than 72 years, is rumored to have been sold!
Nate’n Al opened in 1945 – run by Al Mendelson with his friend and business partner Nate Rimer. The restaurant is currently owned and operated by Al’s grandsons, Mark and David Mendelson.
This classic deli is a fixture on Beverly Drive in the heart of Beverly Hills.
Here is more of the story as reported by The Beverly Hills Courier:
“Rumors were swirling Monday morning that the legendary Nate’n Al delicatessen is on the market and has either already been sold, or is very close to a completed sale.
An e-mail to the restaurant’s owners has not been returned as of late Monday morning. The Courier has also reached out to powerhouse retail broker Jay Luchs – who rumors say is behind the sale – but has not yet heard back.”
The story includes updates by L.A. food writer Jordan Okun (@JordanOkun on Twitter) who tweeted on Saturday:
“I’ve spoken to owner. They are currently in discussions. No sale yet. No talk of buyer or intentions. Pray.”
As The Courier reports:
One day later, Okun tweeted: “Sale is almost done. Talk of moving Nates to a different location.”
This is really shocking news, as Nate ‘n Al is a classic deli, with terrific sandwiches, and everything else you want from a deli – one of the best places to having out in Beverly Hills.
On Feb. 21, a story surfaced that Beverly Hills may step in to protect the iconic location.
Eater has the latest:
“City Council member and former Beverly Hills mayor John Mirisch is trying to introduce a measure at the March 6 council meeting that would determine the possible landmark designation of Nate N’ Al’s. The five-member council can take up these proceedings at any time to nominate a property as iconic, and as Mirisch tells Eater: “There isn’t a lot in Beverly Hills which is more iconic than Nate ’n Al’s.”
If the motion to move to a vote is approved, it would require four out of five council members to say aye in order for the landmark designation to pass. That’s certainly not a guarantee (nor is it 100% confirmed that the vote itself will even happen on March 6), but given the amount of LA-wide outcry over the possibility of losing the 73-year deli legend, it seems the Beverly Hills City Council will offer something at their upcoming meeting.”
Let’s hope there is a happy ending to this story – Los Angeles, Hollywood and Beverly Hills have rapidly been losing iconic buildings, restaurants and theaters.
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I have posted about other legendary locations shutting their doors in LA and Hollywood. Here is what I posted about efforts to save the famous Formosa Cafe:
Here’s hoping that something can be done to save this iconic deli in the heart of Beverly Hills 90210!
Categories: Books / Media, Food, food blog, Food Review, Hollywood, Los Angeles, Memoirs, Restaurants, Travel, Travel Memoir, Wacky Food
johnrieber 
Speaking as one who has witnessed the erosion of cultural landmarks for decades in my home country and then the tears before bedtime as people reminisced I will say what I say repeatedly ‘once its gone, it’s gone’ so bravo to you for highlighting this … it would clearly be tragic if Nate and Al closes
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You are so right – once they are gone, there is no going back – the new trend in LA are poke fish bowl shops…already one opened and closed a block away from Nate ‘n Al
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Damn same here. I dont even know what a poke bowl is but when I examine Deliveroo or Uber they are studded with them. I order French. Because this is France (or Vietnamese because of the mess we made with them 😉))
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Ha! Look, I’m all for progress, but in LA we are inundated with Starbucks, Chase banks, and the “hot right now” food or fashion trend…pushing out businesses that have thrived for decades, but the cost of doing business is just too high unless you are part of a huge chain…
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That’s the issue globally. The power belongs with the corporates and it is almost impossible for small independents to compete. Here in France they are still plentiful but I see the march on an almost daily basis and I keep saying under my breath ‘don’t go there, France, just don’t’ but I know it is a futile whisper and it is only a matter of time before the French are wishing they hadn’t allowed all those little business’s to go under. So sad.
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We were in Paris over New Year’s and love seeing all the small shops…and we buy from them to help ensure they stay around as part of the unique culture of France!
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Good job! I thank you both on behalf of the future of France 🇫🇷
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Seems a shame to lose such iconic establishments with some real history behind them. But running a business in 2018 isn’t easy of course, and high property prices might tempt anyone to take the money and run.
Best wishes, Pete.
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That’s exactly it, Pete….the cost of doing business in Beverly Hills 90210 is high – but it will no doubt be replaced with a “hip for the moment” shop or mega-business – which just continues to destroy what makes “the village” unique – that’s what Jimmy Stewart’s wife used to call Beverly Hills
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