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Langer's
Category: Restaurants Delis Delis [Edit]
704 S Alvarado StLos Angeles, CA 90057
Neighborhood: Westlake
(213) 483-8050
- Hours:
Mon-Sat 8 am - 4 pm
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street, Validated, Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
1379 reviews for Langer's
Review Highlights
"Love this place the best Pastrami Sandwhiches ever."
(in 289 reviews)
"Gotta love that rye bread with the crispy crust."
(in 324 reviews)
"The Russian dressing is worth mentioning as well."
(in 254 reviews)
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1377 reviews in English
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Review from Tony T.
Downtown, Los Angeles, CA
2/9/2012
My favorite business in McArthur Park. Wasted Oppulent corridor laced remants mingling with Modern migrations. The Lake. The People. Its calmed down since the day's Narco's hustled side by side with the fake document sellers. Or the random body fished from the waters. The jumps. The dives. Hey it is Rampart. There's a reason Langer's offers curbside service. Which Ive done, but mostly is a quick validated park, one block east, and a wonderful walk to known quantities. If you listen you'll hear an cacophony of sounds, all senses primed to enter a parqueted booth. For me it's simple, #19, (House specialty), Lean, mean Pastrami, basked on home baked Rye, Nippy American Cheese, please, and topped with crunchy cole slaw.
Add some Thousand Island dressing, And you've got on of the best sandwiches in the world. Have a cup of Red Cabbage Soup, to aid digestion. Of Course Cream Soda. Which they refill.
It's a handfull. but perfect.
Langer's is a Deli, and they offer Breakfast, Other lunches, Entree's, Desserts, but I come her for Just one piece of foodie perfection
And I love the environment. The Smells. The sights.
love to listen here.
Enjoy -
Review from Lou E.
Burbank, CA
2/7/2012 2 Check-ins Here
It wasn't until I was in my late twenties that I finally came to Langer's which was really an eye opener. Good food and service with pricey, yet completely worth it sandwiches. I can never give Langer's a 5 though. It doesn't deserve it! Parking is a pain. They close at four. The natives can be filthy and ask for money or hand you flyers as if you were in Vegas. Other than that, a slice of heaven.
No. 44
No. 16
Try those two for a good time. They're top choices and won't let you down.
The parking for the explorers and first timers is found east of Langers across the street. You have to walk to the block Langers is on from it. If it's full then just go home because you'll be too upset to eat after scouring for a parking spot.
There is curbside pickup but I've never tried it. That's the way to go if you come at pique hours.
I had the blintzies (sp) recently and those were quite a surprise. Sugar coated desserts with cream filling I believe.
This is a place everyone in LA should go to just once for obvious reasons.1) LA staple. 2) Jewish deli (west coast). 3) Best Pastrami sandwich. 4) Old LA vibe. 5) Glowing reviews.. etc. -
Review from Jimmy C.
Palo Alto, CA
2/5/2012
Come here
Order #19
feelsgoodman.jpg -
Review from Cindy D.
Los Angeles, CA
2/9/2012
Langer's absolutely packs 'em in. Which is no small feat considering the shady neighborhood it's nestled in. But it is probably as close to a New York deli as you're gonna get while in LA so I can see why they flock to the place in droves. It is definitely worth the trip to Sketchiville.
Anyway, the pastrami here is the stuff of legend. It's a thick cut version that I haven't seen anywhere except for Katz's back in NY. The corned beef was also quite good but in a different class than the pastrami. Oh the pastrami... Good lord the pastrami! Okay, so it's overpriced and you really shouldn't go there without packing heat, but have I mentioned the pastrami? -
Review from Ari K.
2/3/2012
There is always a line, but it moves quick (10 minutes max). Best thing to do here is to sit at the counter, they can almost always sit you right away if your willing to do that, and it does not effect the experience, it probably enhances it.
Once you sit down, your thinking should stop. Get the #19, delicious thick cut pastrami on rye with amazing cole slaw. Don't forget to get the crinkle cut fries, reminds you of those ore ida fries that used to come in a redb brick shaped box.
This place is not cheap, sandwhich cokes and shared fries bring you up to about $20 per person. Still worth it. Go enjoy! -
Review from Bob T.
1/29/2012
This is the way pastrami is supposed to be!!
My wife and I were lucky enough to be invited to a group gathering @ Langer's put together by Dave G. and Dan H. If not for Dave G's invite, we probably would have never visited this place - but with a bunch of friendly, interesting yelpers going - we knew it would be a "can't miss" good time.
You have all the hassles of going to LA, traffic, parking, distance (for us) - thank goodness for Langer's private lot - a little down the street - we were the last ones to get a spot - parking is free when you show your receipt.
There was a line - but it seemed to move pretty quickly. That comment is from my observation - we weren't in line due to having a large party. The size of the place, seating, vintage decor, pretty much everything looks the way you would expect it to at a place that is a family owned local landmark and has been open since 1947.
My wife had Corned Beef on Rye. I had a Pastrami Dip on a French roll. I also got to try the Matzah ball soup and the cole slaw. I enjoyed the soup and liked the cole slaw as well as the taste of my wife's corned beef. Everyone says how great the rye bread is - well I would agree, because I don't care for rye - picked a bit at my wife's and didn't dislike it, so it must be good! I was glad I had the French roll. On that French roll was the star of the show - thick cut pastrami, moist, meaty, a lot of flavor - and once again - thick cut! I like The Hat, (sound effect of Steven N. dropping dead), but The Hat's pastrami is to Langer's pastrami as DiGiorno pizza is to Tony's Little Italy's pizza.
As much as I loved the Pastrami Dip, I wouldn't go all the way up there just to have it again. Mostly due to the distance and hassle, but also because Langer's is pricey in regards to value for the dollar spent. I would go back, maybe once a year, if there was a group trip or something. It is one of those things that I believe is a "must try" though - but now all other local pastrami sandwiches will be 2nd class citizens!
Very glad we were able to go - had a great time - Thanks again Dave G.!!! -
Review from CP P.
Santa Clarita, CA
2/4/2012
Best pastrami sandwich in town! Once you've head Langer's pastrami, you will be a pastrami snob! Other menus are also delicious but I always default to the pastrami on rye with coleslaw! The matzo ball soup and cheese blintzes are also delicious!
Their prices have gone up, but still worth it! -
Review from Tony L.
Torrance, CA
2/6/2012 4 Check-ins Here
#19 Best pastrami sandwich ever!!!!! I've had my share of pastrami sandwiches and none of them comes close to how good this one is. The thick juicy cuts of pastrami just overflowing out of the two pices of rye bread is very intimidating. The chili cheese fries is the prefect compliment for the perfect pastrami sandwich. Yes the price are high but thats what you have to pay for the perfect pastrami sandwich.
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Review from D L.
Los Angeles, CA
1/30/2012
This place is hands down the best place for deli style pastrami.
My usual go to place for pastrami is Oinkster in Eagle Rock or Top's Burger. I think the Hat is crap. The pastrami at Langer's is much leaner and basically deli style on crispy rye bread. The #19 is amazing and their coffee is fantastic.
The scene is like a classic deli. Kinda like the Filipe's of pastrami. Nothing fancy, straight forward deli cuts, no cheap ~$15 per sandwich, but totally worth it. This isn't the place for the hipster scene and microbrew scene...just good deli eatin'. -
Review from Chad A.
1/14/2012 7 photos
SE corner of 7th and Alvarado
No you won't see a check in...even for this L.A. institution/Yelp must do. Well that's because my phone was dead, but that doesn't change how delicious this hand carved pastrami sandwich is!!!
Thank you Dave G. for not only organizing this get together, but also for driving and allowing me to cross yet another bookmark off my list!
I had the number 44: http://www.yelp.com/bi... which of course is the naturally prepared and hand sliced Pastrami, Sour Kraut, and Nippy Cheese on Grilled Rye as opposed to the ever popular and trendy #19. At $14.50 the price tag is pretty hefty... especially since you do not get a side other than one pickle that has been chopped in half, but after having one; from the size and quality you'll feel much better and more justified about doing so. If you've ever wondered what heaven tasted like then just have one of their sandwiches!
Dave and his lovely wife were nice enough to order a small side of the house's fries as well: http://www.yelp.com/bi... which are a decent size, but still a rip off at $2.75. For regular crinkle cut fries that are not seasoned these are still expensive. I don't recommend the fries.
Parking is validated for a nearby lot that is still a block away, but you can also try your luck at street parking as there are also meters
Decor is minimalistic and offers itself to an era long gone by, but what the hell ;this place knows it does not have to focus on that since they are still delivering a quality product that most people still seem to love! Seating comes in the form of regular tables and booths to sit at. There is no outdoor seating. You can also sit on short bar stools at their counter if you like! They serve breakfast, lunch, and a very early dinner (closing at 4.)Listed in: I Eat My Sammie B***h!, Los Angeles
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Review from Mary R.
1/14/2012 1 Check-in Here
The sign for the restroom tells you it's upstairs and disabled people please go next door to "The Tango Room". Kinda cruel asking disabled people to go Tango, especially since The Tango Room is a scary looking dive bar where Dan went to down a pre-lunch beer. I would not send my people, disabled or otherwise, to that place to pee.
Also, I fell down the fucking stairs on the way back from the toilet. Fell forward from halfway up, grabbed the railing in terror and then crashed onto both my knees and splatted dramatically on the bottom step. Ouch. I should've gone to the Tango Room.
...
We were a party of nineteen people...and our waiter Ari/Paul-from-The-Wonder-Years did a great job of handling our overwhelming group. He split the check into four but then there was all kinds of confusion at the end...apparently. I was already outside people watching. This place closes at 4pm and they lock the door so you have to be asked to be let out and then you get to watch people trying to get in. I stood there like the door bitch saying "they're closed" and watching excited faces turn sad.
I ordered the #19 and split it so I also got to try their beef brisket french dip. Both sandwiches were really tasty, the french dip had a nice salty "Au Jew" and tender meat. I did favor the pastrami sandwich though. Succulent meat, cheese, coleslaw and amazing Rye. And the Russian dressing, which Ari/Paul-from-The-Wonder-Years brought us extra of, is to die for. It's a messy sandwich, but it was worth the battle. It was even worth falling down the stairs for. -
Review from Siqi Z.
The #19 wasn't good. It was great! The combination of pastrami meat with swiss, slaw, and Russian dressing is so yummy. I'm not really a fan of the rye bread and recommend trying a different bread if you are like me.
Free parking for an hour and 1/2 is a block away with validation. I almost lost my ticket, but went back to the register and they found it there. We had nice service from our waiter, however, the hostess wasn't. Who cares? We came to eat.
I hate the hours for Langer's and really wish not only did they serve dinner, but also that they were open late. I'd become a regular if it fit my schedule. -
Review from Eugene S.
1/21/2012
Best Pastrami sandwich I've had since Katz's in New York. I'm gonna have to warn you, DO NOT GO HERE! This place will change your whole standards of what Pastrami should be. Forget all that thin-sliced/rubbery/cold play-meat most sandwich places will serve you and call by the same name. Some may come close, but none can compare.
Like everyone else, we got the #19= Soooo gooood! We also got macaroni salad and fries= Not bad! The restaurant itself is awesome= Old school feel that only helps the taste of the food seem more authentic. Our server was super nice. The surrounding area kinda sucks, but if you can get passed that, Langer's is awesome! -
Review from Chris S.
Rancho Palos Verdes, CA
2/6/2012
Go to Langer's, order a #19, and you will be a believer. Worth every cent. I also enjoy the cream soda, made in house. If you want to avoid the lunch rush, plan to visit before 11am or after 3pm. (They close at 4pm.)
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Review from Victor L.
1/19/2012 1 Check-in Here
With a line out the door, almost perfect yelp score, and my friend hyping their sandwich to be the most amazing I would ever eat I was expecting food fit for a king. What I got was a sandwich that was good, but nothing that was so amazing that I would slap my mama over.
I think my friend's hype put their pastrami sandwich on too high of a pedestal and made me expect more out of my meal. I am not saying what I got wasn't good though. The pastrami was thick, soft, and very tasty and worked very well with the cole slaw, but it didn't really blow me away. Pretty average sandwich. Also what I ordered was a 'hot" pastrami sandwich and mine was definitely not hot. My friend informed me that the best way to eat it was when its steaming hot. Next time I guess i should ask them to heat my sandwich up for me, but if they can't make it right the first time then why should I order it a second time?
Their food seems inconsistent. It's great if you get it hot and just okay if it's not. I also got a matzo ball soup and it was not that great. Broth was good, but the matza ball was bland. For the price I paid and the distance traveled it did not seem worth it. If I come back I hope I can get the same food that has impressed my friend time and time again. For now I still have Brent's for my pastrami fix. -
Review from Lorraine P.
Los Angeles, CA
1/5/2012 2 Check-ins Here
The #19 is a must! But you already knew that, didn't you? It's definitely one of the greatest pastrami creations known to man: soft sensual rye bread, coleslaw, Swiss cheese, creamy Russian dressing and salty, meaty love ($14).
Grilled Cheese ($9) pick your bread, pick your cheese. If you don't go with the sourdough and the Tillamook cheese, don't blame me if it's not as perfect as I thought it was.
Fries ($3) are crinkle cut, just how my inner third grader likes it!
Finally, I must tell the world about the BEST chocolate milkshake to have ever hit my lips ($4)! Damn right, it's better than yours. AND to top it off, they give you the overflow that comes in the silver blender cup. YESSS!
The service is always on. It's friendly, fast, and accurate... they are a well-oiled machine.
If you have trouble finding the place, just look for the long line full of white people across the street from MacArthur Park. Oh, and there's a free parking lot 1 block east of the deli with Langer's validation! Go get 'em. -
Review from Tom W.
Los Angeles, CA
1/12/2012
Is Nirvana just a theological state of being, or is it something you can taste? Langer's Deli has the answer to this riddle in sandwich form.
Don't get me wrong; I still love Johnny's Pastrami in Culver City and Canter's Deli in Fairfax District, but Langer's has them beat if for only one reason: Langer's pastrami is not too lean; Johnny's and Canters' is. Trimming all the fat from pastrami kills the flavor, so if you care more about your cholesterol intake than you do about flavor (in other words, you're one of those damn metrosexuals that always make me want to punch something, preferably them and ruin their ultra-styled hair and makeup), go eat a tofu burger and pretend you like it, bozo.
If I have one complaint about Langer's, it's the price. I wouldn't pay $14 for one sandwich (a satisfying sandwich, but hardly enormous) unless it was one hell of a sandwich. And as this was my first time eating at Langer's--and I can't WAIT to go again--this qualifies as such. Sure, Johnny's is a better deal at eight or nine bucks (and they ARE huge), but as much as I like them, they just can't compare. And Canter's sandwiches may contain more meat and cost about the same as Langer's, but when the meat is that lean, it simply lacks flavor, so I'll stick to the roast beef when I go to Canter's.
So if you're not a stinking metrosexual or dim-witted member of PETA and are able to exercise a modicum of moderation (meaning try not to have more than five pastrami sandwiches a week), you will adore Langer's sandwiches as much as I do. Just be sure to ask them to be sure NOT to put coleslaw on your sandwich, because sometimes they just can't help themselves. -
Review from Jennifer L.
Cypress, CA
1/9/2012 1 Check-in Here
Give me lots of meat and sauce!!!! I l love Langers! After hearing my boyfriend talk about espn 710's review of the #19 and last minute shopping in the Fashion District on Christmas Eve, we decided to finally indulge in some hot pastrami and spicy mustard!
My boyfriend of course ordered #19 which included pastrami, swiss cheese, coleslaw, and russian dressing. I ordered #44 which included pastrami, saurkraut, an nippy cheese, and a extra side of Russian dressing all on rye bread.
Our order arrived extremely fast and the sandwhiches were huge!! They were bigger than the size of the head! I quickly jumped on the spicy mustard and Russian dressing saucing that baby up for a foodgasm like no other.
It was insanely delicious! I ate the first half of the sandwhich in less than 5 minutes..then as I looked on the final half I was still hungry and craving some more of the melt in your mouth pastrami. I finished the entire sandwhich like a champ and was content and suprisingly not bloated and full to induce a food coma, after all I had to cook a 10 person prime rib dinner with all the sides and fixings later that evening!
Overall great pastrami and would definitely be back again!!! -
Review from Michael S.
Marina del Rey, CA
Langer's is legendary for a reason. It's good.
#19 - Pastrami, Swiss Cheese, Cole Slaw, & Russian Dressing ($14.45) was as good as advertised. I loved the combination of flavors with the juicy, tender pastrami. It might be better next time to get it on different bread as the crust was an issue. (4 stars)
Hot Tongue (Beef) Sandwich on Roll was even better. The soft and flavorful tongue was a great match for the French Bread Roll ($14.50 + $0.75 for the roll). I'd definitely get this again and would add some extra toppings like the slaw and a cheese. (5 stars)
A small side of French Fries costs $2.25 extra. They aren't special, but were filling. No reason not to get them again (3 stars).
One nice discovery was the parking lot at the Northeast corner of 7th and Westlake which allows 90 minutes free with Langer's validation. (4.5 star parking)
Our waiter was fantastic. He was so relaxed, yet helpful. I wish all servers could be like him. The only service negative was the hostess (Ericka) who was seating couples that came in after of us at window booths before sending us to a table at the back of the restaurant. Not sure what was going on there. (5 star waiter service; 2 star hostess service)
The only reasons it isn't 5 stars are the prices, the hostess, the atmosphere, and the rye bread, but make no mistake. I'm a fan of Langer's.Listed in: America's Got Talent
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Review from Brad F.
Mars, CA
12/15/2011
The #19 is the BEST FUCKING SANDWICH ON EARTH. Hitler hated Jews because they made him envious of their medieval meat mastery. PERFECTION.
SHUT UP AND EAT! -
Review from Steph H.
Had it not been for Dan H and 17 other good Yelp friends who got me down here I might still be a Langer's virgin, and what a shame that would be! I must confess, I'm not a big pastrami person. I think it's delicious, sure, but I usually don't seek it out. But since this is supposed to be Ground Zero for pastrami in LA, I had to try it. I opted for the #10, so I could get the cole slaw on the side. Took a little while for the sammy to come out, but wow, when it did was it good. The pastrami itself was quite lean, which I guess it always isn't the case, and to tell you the truth I could've used a little more fat in there, but it was still quite delish. What really made the sandwich for me though was their rye bread with the wonderful crunchy crust! And the Russian dressing was a tangy creamy treat as well. It was so good I ended up eating the whole thing, even though just a half would've been quite enough to satisfy. Dan H and I were saying later we should've just split a sandwich between us--oh well! Their cole slaw was quite good as well, fresh, crisp and sweet with just the right amount of mayo. I think I prefer slaw that has cabbage sliced a bit more substantially with more celery seeds, though, so I can't say this was the best slaw I've had. Next time I want to try their tongue sandwich and the chopped liver, as those are usually the items I go for at a Jewish deli.
Getting here and finding parking's no picnic, so prepare yourself. It's a SUPER-busy intersection teeming with more pedestrians than you've ever seen in LA, probably. I thought I was on Avenida Revolucion for a sec (that's Tijuana, folks). Even though their parking lot was full I was able to find free street parking a couple of blocks away, which is probably a good thing, considering how much I pigged out. The decor and ambiance is nothing to write home about, although it's clean and comfortable. The prices are kind of steep too, but those are all small matters considering their awesome food. It was definitely worth it and will have me coming back for more!Listed in: Worth the Drive from Long…
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Review from Angela S.
1/1/2012
Parking lot is at 7th and westlake. 90 min free w validation(!)
The pastrami was excellent, but pretty pricey. Fries were regular frozen fries, nothing amazing. But their menu is huge - they have stuff I've never heard of like egg cream soda (wtf?). Don't worry if you see a line outside, it moves very quickly and they have outdoor heaters. -
Review from Dave G.
Updated - 1/15/2012 2 Check-ins Here
Table for 19 please and our Hostess didn't even blink. Being that this special day was National Pastrami Day and there was a pretty decent line still waiting at 2:30 pm, I thought for sure we were going to have to split up. Sure enough it only took maybe 20 minutes or so and they had cleared out a nice section for us.
Having made the rounds doing Pastrami comparisons between all the major delis in LA, Langers wins hands down. Best rye bread? Langer's hands down. Best Matzo Ball Soup (especially the chicken broth)? Langer's wins hands down. In fact I'll put any of these 3 things up against any deli anywhere in the world. So it was time to try something else. Plus I knew I'd get some of my wife's Pastrami sandwich too. At that point, I'm playing with the house's money. So Lox, Cream Cheese, Tomato, and Onion on a Bagel.
My first worry is that the menu doesn't say Nova, it says Lox. Most deli's have both Nova and Lox. Both are smoked salmon, but Lox is generally salty because it's cured longer in a brine and Nova (which is usually considered finer quality) is smoked at a low temperature thus giving it a more "Sushi" like melt in your mouth texture. When a deli doesn't have both, you usually get something in between the two. And that's exactly what happened here. It's good smoked salmon, but not even close to the best Nova I've had. Brent's deli in Northridge puts it to shame. I was also disappointed with the bagel and the tomatoes. There wasn't much crust to the outside of the bagel. To be honest it wasn't much better than a sara lee bagel. For all the trouble they go to with their fine rye bread, their bagels could use some love. Perhaps they don't move enough of them to really care. That said, tomato slices that aren't red? Not good. I'm picky about good tomatoes and at $15 for a sandwich, I kind of expect them. These were almost white in color with a tough center. I can only give their Lox, Bagels, and Cream Cheese Sandwich 3 stars. For top deli standards, it's average at best.
So why don't I drop them a star? Well, when there are so many 5 star items on the menu, I think they deserve a pass here. Plus my wife's Pastrami on Rye was just perfection. But I do think I have to drop them to 2nd place behind Brent's again in my Best SoCal Deli list.Listed in: Lunch for Breakfast, And the winner is..., Best SoCal Deli
2 Previous Reviews: Show all »
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11/25/2011
I am long overdue for an update on Langer's. I wrote my first review after only one trip there.… Read more »
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Review from Regina K.
Fremont, CA
12/28/2011 1 Check-in Here
It's more than a DELIcatessen. It's freaking DELIcious.
In the middle of a town with pollo joints and Mexican hot spots, you'll see Langers on the corner of S. Alvarado Street. It's really hard to miss.
Ordered #19, which is a popular fave. Inside two deliciously seasoned moist pieces of rye with crispy edges are layers of pastrami, swiss cheese, their cole slaw, and dressing. Meaty goodness. I usually don't go gaga over deli sandwiches but WOW it was good. All I was thinking while eating it was "How can anything like this taste so good?!" I was left dumbfounded. Simply amazing.
It's kind of on the pricier side. $15 for a sandwich!!! But before you say anything about the price, you have to try it first. It kind of justifies why it was so expensive to start with. But I still kind of think they should charge a little less, but then again, if they did, they would have A LOT more customers than they have already!! Oh, and one more thing. Call in ahead of time if you're picking up a to-go order.. the line is very long when you arrive. You'll save so much time. :)
Langer's: Please do me a huge favor and open a shop in NorCal!! -
Review from Robert P.
1/15/2012 1 Check-in Here
Many years ago I had read that Los Angeles was 3rd on the list in terms of the population of Mexicans behind Mexico City (1st) and Guadalajara (2nd). I've been to both Mexico City and Guadalajara but I doubted what I had read that Los Angeles was third on the list until Saturday, Jan 14, 2012. I grew up in So. Cal and have been to LA many times but my goodness that neighborhood around McArthur Park (where Langer's resides) on a Saturday afternoon has soo many of my peeps that it's almost overwhelming I'm like "yo" is this Mex-cutta. Anyway enough about the neighborhood, if you are coming to Langer's they have a parking lot on 7th and Westlake, you can park their for free as long as you spend $5 or more at Langer's (which shouldnt be hard) and make sure you get your ticket validated. They close at 4:00 p.m. which is weird until you visit here and see the neighborhood, good on ya Langer's "safety 1st"
I visited Langer's with a large group of about 20. Considering the size of the group I think the service was pretty darn good. Our waiter Ari, didn't seem frustrated or flustered as he serviced the entire group considering all the special requests. I thought he did pretty good considering. My wife and I split the coveted #19 (pastrami, coleslaw, cheese, russian dressing) and the beef brisket french dip. The french dip was pretty good, that au jus sauce was pretty special, probably the best I've ever had, very meaty and enhanced the flavor of the sandwich quite well. A local teen that was with us that had grown up in LA's City Centre said she thought Langer's French Dip was better than Philippe's which I've heard is the birthplace of the French Dip sandwich.
The #19 however is pretty darn good, I see why it's the house favorite (they have a sign as soon as you walk in, proclaiming this). I'm not a fan of rye bread but my goodness, soft on the inside, crusty on the outside and combined with the pastrami and other ingredients, it's absolute perfection. By far the best pastrami i've ever had, I wasnt aware pastrami was meant to be this colour.
The restaurant inside is what I would imagen a NY deli would look like, if I ever come here again, I think i would eat at the counter and mistakenly call the waitress Flo. Worth the drive for me from OC. Gracias Sr. Esposo! (Sr. = señor and not senior ok, I respect) -
Review from Ina B.
Los Angeles, CA
1/24/2012
Best pastrami dip in all of LA.. HANDS. DOWN. It has been in the same location for about a million years and it's still going strong. The only drawback, is that it's not open in the evenings. So, plan ahead and go to Langers - no place else in LA comes close. Tips - get the pastrami dip and chili cheese fries (you may shorten your life span by a couple of days, but you'll go with a smile on your face). Also, to avoid the Saturday afternoon line outside, try going at 3-ish, when the crowds have died down a bit. Enjoy!
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Review from Lili K.
12/29/2011 1 Check-in Here
I'm so glad I went on a weekday during the holidays--apparently the wait is out the door (okay, it was when I left the place) and takes forever to drive to (it took 2 minutes versus the 20 others are used to in crazy LA traffic).
I got the famous #19 pastrami with swiss cheeese and cole slaw. We split it, which was just the right amount for lunch! The server was friendly and to the point. We ordered and received our sandwich after a couple of minutes-it was that quick! Haha.
Absolutely delicious and I would definitely eat here for lunch breaks, if I worked around the area! -
Review from Tim S.
12/7/2011
This may have been the best pastrami sandwich I have ever consumed in my life!
My buddy Dave G wrote an updated review on this spot a few days ago. His descriptions and review set off a red flag in my head. I need to try this place soon! Ive always wanted to come here and try it out, so those 2 things combined, I knew I was going to get a sandwich!
We parked out on the street and then walked up and waited in line. 5 minutes later we sat down. My buddy was full so he didn't get anything, and I was super stuffed too but had to try it out. Placed my order for a pastrami on rye and a Coke. A few minutes later my sandwich came out.
Its a basic looking sandwich. Meat and bread served along with some pickles. I really enjoyed the double crust rye bread. It was soft in the middle and crunchy and delicious on the crust. The pastrami was the king of the show! It was hand sliced, thick, tasty, fatty, flat out delicious! I was super stuffed from eating pizza just an hour before, but I finished this sandwich no problem! Yes...it was that good! For a sandwich and 2 drinks it was about $18 bucks. Well worth it! I'm really glad I finally got to try this place out, and look forward to coming back someday in the future.Listed in: Amazing Sandwiches, Los Angeles
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Review from Donna D.
Dave had the great idea of making Black Friday a Black Pastrami Friday. What an excellent idea! He even drove us all there!
Upon first glance, it isn't that much to look at. I don't think that they have remodeled since the day they opened. But the minute we sat down and looked at the plentiful menu, it caught my interest. And when they brought my #10 Pastrami sammy with a pickle I was in heaven! I don't think I have had Pastrami that just melts in your mouth like this. So much flavor, holy crap, this sandwich was all I needed. The table was in silence as everyone savored bite after bite. It was just to good to stop and talk! I think I heard Steven murmuring to himself over and over again..."hhmmmm, so good...so good.....hmmmmm". Yep, it was that good.
I couldn't even make it to those delicious looking homemade pies and cakes that they have spinning in the temptation rotator.....I was too full from my sandwich. They don't skimp on those puppies!
This is definitely a 4 and a half star...I just docked a bit for the ol fashion decor.
But, don't let the exterior and decor scare you away. This place serves the best Pastrami around. Enough said!
Go early, I think they close at 4pm. -
Review from Stephanie L.
San Diego, CA
12/6/2011 1 photo
The first time I had pastrami, it was at The Hat. And it wasn't good. My impression of pastrami was that it was very salty.
My second experience changed though when I had pastrami with Sophia W. at the Hillcrest Sandwich Co.
SO, it seems fitting that my third time having pastrami would be at the highly rated Langer's with Sophia W. again! It seems this girl knows where good pastrami is because this place lived up to its' ratings.
When I first arrived in Langer's I was a bit thrown off my the neighborhood. It wasn't necessarily the safest or nicest hood and I immediately regretted walking down the street because I don't think people appreciated my Marc Jacob shades or my Lululemon gear by the death glares they gave me. (I swear I'm not usually this pretentious looking..really, I actually use yoga pants for fitness so, this qualifies me to wear them! I'm not wearing it to JUST be snooty..it's more of a combination of the two).
Stepping in Langer's though, it was a quaint (and huge) restaurant. You could tell it's been here for a while and it's definitely a local favorite! We ordered the chili cheese fries to share and of course, the #19.
There was something nostalgic about the crinkle cut fries. This was an awesome dish..definitely heavy (duh) but, so good. We both agreed that it could use a bit more chili and cheese though cause by the end of it, we only had fries left.
The #19 absolutely stole the spotlight though. Thick slices of pastrami, stacked on rye bread with Russian dressing and coleslaw. Oh my. The pastrami was tender, it was flavorful, it wasn't too salty..it was perfect. The coleslaw and dressing gave a nice bite and sweetness to the soft pastrami.
Langer's pastrami compared to The Hat's pastrami is like comparing In n Out to Mcdonalds. There is just no comparison. If you think you don't like pastrami, it's just cause you haven't had good pastrami..at Langers.
Our bill came out to about $40. It's not super cheap with sammies marked as high as $25 but, I would still come back once in a while.
Parking is a little confusing. They have a lot on 7th ave once you round the corner to Langers and it has a sign. -
Review from Sarah W.
Updated - 12/19/2011
#19 is my favorite sandwich in all of Los Angeles. It's a bit pricey, but not pretentious, and all delicious. At $14, it's well-worth the belly-ache at the end (cuz i eat it alllll yo). So yeah. It's a big sandwich.
I really appreciate Langer's. It's quite a staple in the dinghy neighborhood and attracts people from allover. In one of my three trips over there my eave's droppin' bf and i were surrounded by a french couple (from paris!), some alabamans, and an asian family from who knows where cuz they didn't talk (lolol i can make asian jokes cuz i'm asian). I appreciate't, Langers.
I also really appreciate their committment to making a good sammich. #19 comes with nicely warmed and fresh rye bread, russian dressing (tastes like thousand island?), cole slaw that's not too liquid-y, swiss cheese, and a HUGE mound of succulent pastrami, cut fairly thick.
Get #19 and be happy.
They also have an awesome pick-up service if you don't want to wait in line nor dine in whilst worrying about your car getting jacked. Just go to their website and call them. They don't even ask for your credit card #!1 Previous Review: Show all »
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5/19/2011
Meat dream, mang.
Langer's is a packed jewish deli in a very hispanic/latin area. I LOVE the… Read more »
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Review from Marvin M.
12/22/2011 1 Check-in Here
The best pastrami you'll have in SoCal. I ordered #19 (pastrami, swiss cheese, cole slaw, and russian dressing) on toasted rye. I had my doubts about this place because my local deli, Brent's, has been my favorite. However, the pastrami at Langer's is the most tender and flavorful meat. The combination of the sweet slaw with the salty meat is perfectly balanced.
I will give the nod on fries to Brent's. They have curly fries and steak cut fries. I think the fries at Langer's are previously frozened fries. -
Review from Stacey Z.
Los Angeles, CA
1/26/2012
Wow - #19 - hands down the best sandwich I've ever had!!!! EVER, in my life. Rocked my world! The rye bread must of been made that day. It was fabulous! I will become a regular at this place. The free parking validation one block away on Westlake and 7th is great too! The slaw, the pastrami, the swiss, the rye... I just experienced a glimpse of heaven! Cheers to Langer's - a FABULOUS institution!!!
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Review from Chris D.
I hate "black Friday"... the dreaded day after Thanksgiving. It's a day I stay home. I don't want to be trampled to death for a deal. Dave G. sent me a message saying "Let's do black pastrami Friday at Langer's"! Holy shyte! Genius! Not only do I get to try the famous Langer's deli but I don't have to drive! Hell yeah!
My wife Donna and I met up with Steven N, Dave G, and Dave's daughter. We headed down a fairly empty freeway to a fairly empty downtown LA. Even Langer's was pretty empty! I guess there are perks to black Friday after all! Parking is about a block from the restaurant and they validate. It's a short walk to the restaurant but when you're walking back to your car it feels like such a long walk due to being stuffed with food. Restaurant is in a nasty scary ghetto area.... no wonder the restaurant closes at 4pm. Restaurant interior hasn't changed since they opened the door by the looks of it. As soon as you open the door the wonderful aroma of pastrami hits you right int he face.
Since I grew up eating "Jewish" food I had to sample a few Jew staples. One is potato latkes. My grandma used to make these things from scratch with a hand crank grinder from the late 1800's. Even to this day my Aunt makes them with the same grinder. We all shared a plate. Langer's kicks my Grandma's and Aunt's latkes out of the ballpark. Sorry Grandma(and Aunt) but these perfectly cooked potato pancakes were awesome. Crispy outside, tender inside, perfect onion to potato ratio, delicious topped with apple sauce and sour cream.
Next was a bowl of chicken soup with a matzah ball and kasha(buckwheat). I make chicken soup at home and this blew mine away along with any other chicken soup I've had at Jewish delis. Wow.... such rich wonderful broth. Why can't Katella Deli close to where I live make it this good????? Wow. Matzah ball was fluffy as a cloud and the kasha added some texture.... that is until I sucked some down my windpipe.
Ok... now onto the hype. The pastrami made onsite by Langer's. Holy mother of cured meats. This pastrami is on a whole other level. I'm not even going to compare it to other restaurants because it's in a whole other category. This isn't thinly sliced chewy pastrami, no, this is 1/2" thick melt in your mouth pastrami. It's like a thick cut of brisket cured with the tears of angels. I had this mind blowing meat in the #44 which was pastrami, "nippy" cheese, and sauerkraut served on rye bread. Magical. All these ingredients mated perfectly together in a culinary orgy of flavors. The pastrami makes me sad since it's such a far distance away. Why can't my local delis serve pastrami like this?! Funny thing is per the website they'll overnight you their sandwiches fedex.
Katella Deli has better pickles but I still liked them here. Very mild brine flavor. I bought a jar for home from the take-out deli. Also got a chocolate chip cookie and a macaroon cookie. Both tasty.
Seriously, you must check this place out at least once. It was great sharing this experience with my wife and my friends and hopefully we can do it again! Just a warning... they will not split checks so if you're with a group bring cash! Thanks Dave for not only suggesting black pastrami Friday but also driving!Listed in: Matzah Balls!!!!!!
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Review from Sarah K.
South Pasadena, CA
1/23/2012
This ain't Katz.
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Review from Steven N.
As long as they keep making their double baked rye bread, Langer's will remain 5 Stars in my book. I came back here the day after Turkey Day with Dave G, and the Ds. Dave and I have been here before, but it was the Ds cherry popping time.
I ordered the #10 again. Hot pastrami with Swiss, Russian dressing on their famous rye. http://www.yelp.com/bi... Once again, this sandwich was delish and perfect. The double baked rye really gives it a super crunch. Some might not like it this way, but I absolutely love it. I love it because it is the complete opposite of the rest of the bread, which is soft and moist. These two opposites somehow go together so well. And in between the two slices of heaven are tender, tasty, thick cuts of pastrami. Once again, some may not like such a thick cut, but I absolutely love it. When you have a good quality meat, you can cut it thick. Langer's pastrami is delish enough to pull this off. The thick cut really brings out the brisket taste. You quite don't have that on thin slices of pastramis.
Chris D was kind enough to share his potato pancakes with us. http://www.yelp.com/bi... This dish was a first for me. It was pretty tasty. Crunchy on the outside and moist on the inside with a light onion taste. This came with a side of sour cream and applesauce. Two sides I never thought would go together, but I topped my potato pancake with them and they went together decently. Thanks Chris for sharing!
The next time you are in town, this place is a must try. Make sure to get here early. They close at 4 PM and are closed Sunday. You may even see a line with a rope outside like you would see at the clubs. But unlike the clubs, the line moves pretty fast because they turn tables here quickly. Also don't forget to park in their complimentary parking lot one street down on 7th and Westlake. Bring your ticket to the cashier to get validated.Listed in: My LA, How about OR?!, Looking for a Sammich?!, Ghetto Fabulous
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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2/15/2010
IMO, the best pastrami around. After eating at Langer's, I feel I need to go update my review of The… Read more »
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Review from Rubin K.
A dream come true.
Me and my friend probably annoyed the hell out of a lot of people who saw us keep talking about this mystical place expressing our yearning to devour some juicy pastrami we've heard about.
The time finally came this Saturday. After being a little blind sided by the neighborhood even though I knew it was next to MacArthur Park, I found parking around the corner. They apparently do have a lot that can be validated for the first hour, but I parked on the street. The lot is just one block down on the corner of Westlake and 7th st. I was scared something would happen to my car, but I parked next to a Lexus, so I was hoping that would be the first go go. It's not an awful area, but definitely would be sketchy at night, which is why I now understand the hours of this place.
Now let's get down to what really matters. I got the famous #19 while one of my friends got the corned beef and another got the #1, which is basically the #19 without cheese (you don't want her to have cheese). Anyways, the food came out and it was just what I imagined. The pastrami was thick cut, which I am usually not a fan of, but b/c it was so tender and delicious, you really couldn't tell Then the meatyness of that contrasted with the coleslaw and the russian dressing. Perfection. They even give you a little side of russian dressing in case you want more. What really made this sandwich though was the fresh rye bread that was so soft. I could eat that bread plain for days. Plus after a little bit, it soaks up the juices, but doesn't get too soggy and the sandwich just blends into this cohesive heavenly mold.
As for the other stuff, the corned beef was good and simple. Usually I'm not a big fan of sauerkraut, but it wasn't too overwhelming in this sandwich. We all definitely enjoyed it, but the star of the show was definitely the pastrami. My friend also ordered a side of fries, which were pretty standard fries, but a nice addition to the sandwich.
The only downfall was the price, which was $14.45 I believe for the #19, but it was such a good sandwich, it's hard to complain. I really don't understand the price especially since the area it's in isn't that great. I doubt the rent is that much, but whatever.
To end on a good note, don't sell yourself short, get Langers! -
Review from SheLMonsta H.
Montebello, CA
11/26/2011
BESTEST, BEST, BEST, BEST, French Dip/Beef of Brisket sandwich in my world. The beef is cook perfectly and falls apart to the point that you barely have to chew! The Au Jus is the darkest, most tastiest dip. I've eaten plenty of mediocre beef dip, french dip and I tend to order it regardless, but Langer's is like the Mercedes of French Dip. LOL
Dip the fries in the Au Jus, Yum. The pickles they give there are even good! If you eat Philipe's beef dip, after Langer's you'll say, where's the beef?, leave and drive to Langer's.
Downfall, pricey for a sandwich and its in a neighborhood that most people wouldn't like walking thru... But to compensate, they offer Curb-side Pick Up! Love Love Love, Langers. -
Review from Craving C.
Stamford, CT
1/24/2012
3 stars is A-OK...which is what this place was. I tried the # 19 (how could I not after all the hype) and a regular pastrami sandwich (relax...I shared everything) along with fries, a side of cole slaw and a kishke appetizer.
The best thing about the sandwiches was the bread...nice fresh rye with a (how did they get it so) crunchy crust. IMHO the #19 was unnecessary...too busy...the regular pastrami (with nothing but mustard) was much better. The cole slaw (side order...not on the #19) tasted OK...very creamy but no real 'wow' factor. Fries were good. Kishke was a OK but too vegetal...as if someone decided to 'healthy' it up a bit and grate in a few carrots. Why? If I wanted healthy I would have had the salad.
Service was good...friendly and efficient.
Just so happens that I went to Canter's later in the week and had the waiter bring over a few slices of their pastrami. A little better than Langers but still nothing amazing. But let's face it...it's LA...not NY...not Montreal. -
Review from Angelica D.
Los Angeles, CA
1/9/2012
ugh, i really didnt want to do this, but i have to.
per boyfriend, it's delicious.
per nursing instructor, "heavenly sandwich."
per me, MEH.
it's.... good. i mean the flavors, the tender pastrami, the softness of the bread, the cole slaw, yeah, it's really well put together. but whatever food orgasms they were experiencing i never had it. my pastrami was not steamy. my sandwich was not that heavenly. why and how some of you had mythical, steamy sandwiches will remain a mystery to me. and unfortunately it was just a normal cold subway like sandwich to me.
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