Langer's Delicatessen-Restaurant

"Perennially considered the best pastrami sandwich in the country, Langer’s produces some of the finest deli meats anywhere. Open since 1947, the legendary #19 sandwich is a crowd-pleasing favorite, with hand-sliced pastrami, Swiss cheese, Russian dressing, and coleslaw served between two plush slices of rye bread. It’s a big sandwich that can easily be shared between two people. Don’t sleep on the corned beef or any of the other classic deli plates either because they’re all excellent." - Rebecca Roland

"There’s nothing more liberating than seeing the look on a New Yorker’s face when someone says LA has the best pastrami. So we’ll go ahead and say it again: LA has the best pastrami. And you’ll find proof at Langer’s, an LA landmark that has been making the best pastrami in the world for over 70 years. The pièce de résistance is the #19 sandwich with pastrami, swiss cheese, and Russian-style coleslaw stacked between two perfect pieces of rye bread." - brant cox, garrett snyder

"We won't get into the weeds of the wider LA vs. NYC debate, but if we're talking pastrami, Langer's makes what we'd argue is the best in the world. That seems like a bold statement, but if you disagree, you probably haven't had the #19. The most famous sandwich at this 1940s Jewish delicatessen in Westlake—with its thick, hand-cut slices of meat, swiss, russian dressing, and coleslaw between soft slices of double-baked rye—is greatness embodied. The experience of eating it Langer’s is its own ritual, too, between the staff’s white diner uniforms, the well-worn booths, and regulars hiding behind their newspapers while nursing a bowl of matzo ball soup. #19, matzo ball soup, egg cream" - brant cox, cathy park, garrett snyder, sylvio martins

"Let’s get one thing clear. Langer’s does not need this review. You do. Many folks outside LA would be surprised to learn the number of great Jewish delis in this city. Sure, you can find a $25 celebrity-sponsored smoothie if you want to, but finding a fantastic pastrami sandwich is our thing, too. And at Langer’s, you aren’t just eating the best pastrami in LA, you’re eating what might be the best pastrami in the world—an icon of hand-cut smoked meat that beats anything you’d find at Katz’s or Zingerman’s. What sets Langer’s further apart from the pack though is what'll you find at 7th and Alvarado every day. No tourist melee or commercial shtick. Just a 1940s-era diner filled with regulars sipping coffee and reading newspapers. Show up alone and you’ll probably be telling your life story to an employee within ten minutes. And there’s a decent chance that employee will be Norm Langer, the founder’s son—now near retirement age himself—who floats from table to table with the ease of a cruise director. Langer’s menu is filled with solid versions of classic delicatessen specialties, but the clear standout—and arguably the most famous sandwich in LA—is the #19: thick, salty slices of pastrami so tender they jiggle, crisp housemade coleslaw, a not-quite-melted slice of swiss, and a subtle spread of russian dressing on soft double-baked rye. We’re certainly not the first to call this the best pastrami sandwich in the world and we certainly won’t be the last, but in this case, the hyperbole fits. Food Rundown photo credit: Holly Liss #19 We’ve eaten this sandwich over a hundred times, and each time we bite into it, the same thought enters our head, “Good god, they’ve done it again.” This is the main reason Langer’s is so highly regarded and why, if you’re reading this outside of California, it’s time to start looking at flights. photo credit: Holly Liss Macaroni Salad Along with cole slaw and potato salad, Langer’s sides are all solid, but you don’t need to go out of your way for them. If you’re by yourself or one other person, stick to the sandwiches. And maybe a soup. photo credit: Holly Liss Matzo Ball Soup Our favorite thing at Langer’s that isn’t between bread. Do you need to make a specific trip to Westlake solely for a bowl? No. But you’ll be thrilled when one hits your table next to your #19. photo credit: Holly Liss #54 Think of this sandwich as a hack, because it gets you both pastrami and corned beef on one sandwich. Yes, the pastrami is the star, but the corned beef is a close second. Hot Pastrami Sandwich Any other restaurant selling pastrami on rye with a kiss of deli mustard for $24 would be cause for anarchy. At Langer’s, it’s a order worth considering for the purists out there. photo credit: Brant Cox Cheese Blintz & Potato Cakes Langer’s latkes are delicious. They’re moist, crispy, and a good quarter-inch thick. The blintzes, however, are another story. A dry, very bland story." - Brant Cox

"Langer's Deli is a historic delicatessen in Los Angeles, famous for its pastrami sandwiches and classic deli fare. Since its opening in 1947, it has been a staple in the community, known for its quality and tradition." - Matthew Kang