About us

We are a family owned restaurant, serving handmade deli favorites for almost 60 years, spanning three generations. After moving to California, Arnie Fromin opened The Encino Deli in 1962 when his son Dennis was just 20 years old.  A few years later, Dennis took over the family business and in 1977 he decided to expand by simultaneously scouting out a new location in Encino as well as a second location in Santa Monica. Through hard work, hiring great people and concentrating on quality food, both restaurants were an immediate success. In 2004, Fromin's of Encino was sold and Dennis focused all his attention on the Santa Monica store and has been sharing the same philosophies of customer service and good food with all employees, some of which have been employed since the doors opened in December 1978. In 2018, Dennis's son-in-law, Bruce (married to his daughter Lorin) and daughter-in-law Cynthia (married to his son Troy, who also works at the deli) joined the Santa Monica store to keep his values alive and continue the Fromin's legacy in Santa Monica.