Los Angeles is the city of stars, yet the pastrami at Langer’s Delicatessen in Los Angeles is a star in its own right. The best way to enjoy it is in the form of a sandwich called the No. 19. The deli opened in 1947, and its founder, Al Langer, developed the flagship sandwich. The No. 19 combines hot pastrami, Swiss cheese, coleslaw, Russian dressing, and rye bread. The item gained acclaim during the 1950s and ’60s, and it has become a favorite among entertainers, food critics, and screenwriting royalty like Nora Ephron.

Today, Langer’s is run by Al’s son, Norm Langer. In a glowing 2002 New Yorker article written by Ephron, Norm shared that most delis would steam their pastrami for 30 to 45 minutes. However, Langer’s goes farther with the process. “We take that piece of pastrami, put it into our steamer, and steam it for almost three hours,” Norm explained. “It will shrink twenty-five to thirty percent, but it’s now tender — so tender it can’t be sliced thin in a machine because it will fall apart. It has to be hand-sliced.”

The whole hand-slicing component is part of what makes the pastrami so succulent and prevents it from becoming rubbery. The deli’s founder honed that skill while working at New York delis. Another key to making the sandwich scrumptious involves using par-baked bread that Langer’s finishes baking on site, ensuring it is piping hot.

Read More

Los Angeles rallies behind Central Texas communities in one of the deadliest disasters in state history

LOS ANGELES, CA — In a powerful show of generosity and compassion, Angelenos stepped up on

It is with profound sadness and a deep sense of nostalgia that I learned about the impending closure of Cole’s French Dip — a beloved Los Angeles institution that has stood the test of time for more than 100 years.

At Langer’s Deli, we’ve always viewed our customers as family and believed that upfront and candid conversation is the only way to go. Earlier this year, when the cost of eggs skyrocketed due to

We’re thrilled to be named to Eater LA’s “27 Epic LA Sandwiches, Winter 2018” edition!

“An easy choice for the most popular pastrami sandwich at this historic deli in Westlake, just west of Downtown. This near-perfect Jewish deli sandwich features house-baked rye bread, russian dressing, cheese, coleslaw and freshly sliced slivers of the most achingly perfect, smoked pastrami on earth. There is simply no equal when it comes to this pastrami.”

We agree! Thank you, Eater! – The Langers

“Late writer Nora Ephron once described Langer’s No. 19 special as “the finest hot pastrami sandwich in the world.” It includes tender, hand-sliced pastrami, coleslaw, Russian dressing, and Swiss cheese wedged between warm, crunchy rye bread. The result is a sandwich that’s smoky, tangy, crispy, and soft all at once. Langer’s has sold more than seven million pounds of pastrami since Al Langer opened the deli in 1947. What makes the meat so special is its preparation: Langer’s sources its meat from a deli in Burbank; the cured beef is then steamed for nearly three hours at Langer’s, ensuring the tenderness needed to slice it by hand. Much of Langer’s interior remains the same as it did when it opened in Westlake: The vinyl brown booths and padded black bar stools still seat both residents and tourists who travel to get a taste of the famed sandwich. Following Langer’s death in 2007, his son Norm Langer has been leading the family business.”

Full article.

A big thank-you to the fine people at Mashed for including Langer’s Delicatessen-Restaurant in their recent “Mashed: The Absolute Best Delis In The US” list:

“Opened in 1947 and currently located in the Westlake neighborhood of Los Angeles, this Jewish deli has been well beloved and affectionately regarded as the best hot pastrami sandwich in Los Angeles. The generations of patrons who have enjoyed Langer’s Deli would argue that the sandwich is the best in the world, suggests David Shaw for the James Beard Foundation. In a piece for The New Yorker, the late Nora Ephron praised the already-acclaimed sandwich for its “exquisite combination of textures and tastes” and with highest commendation said it is “a work of art.”

If you read the Langer’s menu, you’ll find their famous #19 sandwich has “Pastrami, Swiss Cheese and Cole Slaw Russian Style Dressing,” a deli classic. As Tasting Table notes, Langer’s cuts each slice of peppered brisket meat with tremendous care to ensure quality texture and preserve the robust outer crust. Other specialties include traditional Jewish fare such as cheese blintzes (thin, rolled pancakes similar to crepes) and Kasha Varnishkes. On Yelp, they have nearly 4,000 reviews with an overall 4.5 rating out of 5. One reviewer credits Langer’s as “The best pastrami in Southern California” because of its thick-cut and tender meat, fresh rye bread “with the proper crunch of the crust”, and an old-world, no-frills atmosphere. Langer’s is a true gem to SoCal.”