1. Using String.StartsWith or String.Endswith
var query = from c in ctx.Customers
where c.City.StartsWith("L") && c.City.Contains("n")
select c;
generates the statement:
SELECT CustomerID, CompanyName, ...
FROM dbo.Customers
WHERE City LIKE [L%]
AND City LIKE [%n%]
2. Using SqlMethods.Like method
System.Data.Linq.SqlClient
var query = from c in ctx.Customers
where SqlMethods.Like(c.City, "L_n%")
select c;