Matzo Ball Soup

Warm, comforting and delicious--nothing warms the belly like a good bowl of matzo ball soup.

* Langer’s: This classic downtown deli offers a soup based on a thick, rich broth made from chicken, brisket, carrots and celery. It’s served with one or two large, light matzo balls. (Matzo ball soup, cup $1.70; bowl $2.75; to go, 12 ounces, $2.70; quart, $5.50.) Langer’s, 704 S. Alvarado St., Los Angeles, (213) 483-8050.

* Victor’s: At this popular neighborhood spot, you get a hearty soup heaped with pieces of dark and light chicken, chunks of carrots and celery, all flavored with parsley. It contains one giant, light matzo ball and comes with a stack of garlicky bagel chips. (Matzo ball soup, bowl, $4.50; to go, quart, $5.50.) Victor’s Delicatessen, 1915 N. Bronson Ave., Los Angeles, (323) 464-0275.

* Art’s Deli: Art’s daughter Roberta makes her stock fresh every day from whole chickens and fresh vegetables. She even makes a vegetarian broth. If you want a chunkier soup, you can add chicken, noodles, kasha or carrots. And if you’re looking for a soup with everything, there’s the “I want it all” soup, which includes noodles, rice, kreplach, kasha, chicken pieces and carrots, and a matzo ball. (Matzo ball soup, chicken or vegetarian, bowl, $5.50; “I want it all” soup, bowl, $7.95; soup to go, quart, $7.50; extra matzo balls, $1.50 apiece.) Art’s Deli, 12224 Ventura Blvd., Studio City, (818) 762-1221.

* Greenblatt’s: At this deli that’s been serving matzo ball soup since 1926, the classic soup is made with a rich chicken stock and served with big chunks of vegetables and large pieces of chicken--along with, of course, a tasty large, dense matzo ball. (Matzo ball soup, bowl, $3.75; to go, pint, $3.75; quart, $6.50.) Greenblatt’s Deli & Fine Wines, 8017 Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, (323) 656-0606.

* Brent’s: At this authentic New York-style deli, tasty stock is made daily with whole chickens, carrots, celery, egg noodles and peas. The large, fluffy matzo ball is served in the flavorful broth with noodles and carrots. (Matzo ball soup, bowl, $3.95; to go, quart, $3.95.) Brent’s Deli, 19565, Parthenia St., Northridge, (818) 886-5679.

* Barney Greengrass: The New York deli and transplanted to the top floor of Barneys serves an elegant version of the classic matzo ball soup. The kitchen makes a homemade broth flavored with dill, and served with finely diced parsnips, carrots, onions and celery and a large, moist, parsleyed matzo ball. (Matzo ball soup, bowl, $4.50; to go, pint, $6.) Barney Greengrass, Barneys New York, 9570 Wilshire Blvd., 5th floor, Beverly Hills, (310) 777-5877.