When Junior's Deli closed in late December, longtime customers lined up for a last, nostalgic nosh at the 53-year-old Westside institution.
But Brian Won's main reaction was "meh."
"The food was unremarkable," said the West Los Angeles IT specialist, 32, who visited to use up a Groupon voucher. "Given that there are so many good places to eat in L.A., I have a really hard time saying yes to that."
Increasing apathy, particularly from younger patrons, has driven traditional Jewish delicatessens from their mid-century pinnacle. The decline seems to be accelerating partly because of health concerns over the schmaltz-spread fare and partly because bagels are now available in every supermarket.
Add sides of restaurant-industry slump and rising lease rates, and even local landmarks aren't immune.
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