Edwin Cho: Langer’s World Famous Pastrami

Blogger Edwin Cho recently posted a terrific review of his visit to Langer’s Delicatessen-Restaurant, which was prompted by his cousin’s visit to Katz’s of New York. He sampled a variety of our menu, which makes for a great, all-around review, but of course, the focus was on our world famous hot pastrami:

Langer’s is a Jewish style deli that serves pastrami and corned beef the right way. If you think pastrami is that thin-sliced, salty luncheon meat you get in your sandwiches, you’re mistaken.   Notice how the meat actually looks like meat. The meat actually tastes like meat too. Oh, and it’s not overly salty. In fact, it’s not salty. It really just tastes like meat. I know, this may be revolutionary to some of you.

Click here to read the complete review at Edwin’s blog

Thank you for the great review, Edwin – be sure to say hello next time you visit us! – the Langers

Langer’s on KTLA’s Morning News Oct. 26

Norm Langer and Jaime Castaneda of Langer’s Delicatessen-Restaurant appeared this morning on KTLA Channel 5’s Morning News to receive our award for being one of Los Angeles’ Top Delis – a contest held earlier this summer by KTLA.

For our appearance, Jaime hand-cut steaming-hot pastrami right on set and built #19 sandwiches for co-anchor Frank Buckley and weather anchor Mark Kriski, while co-anchor Michaela Pereira and longtime Langer’s fan and entertainment reporter Sam Rubin looked on from the anchor desk.

We’ll have video shortly, but in the meantime, here are some still shots from the segment.

All of us at Langer’s would like to thank everyone at KTLA for their hospitality and kindness to us during our visit. We would especially like to thank producer Janet Hill for all her efforts on our behalf – we are grateful, Janet.

– The Langer Family

Zagat.com: Langer’s Deli named in Top 8 Downtown LA Restaurants

Langer’s Delicatessen-Restaurant is pleased to announce we have been selected in a round-up of the 8 Top Downtown Los Angeles Restaurants by Zagat.com.

You can see the entire list of eight by clicking here, or click here to visit the Langer’s page at Zagat.

All of us at Langer’s would like to thank the Zagat team for their kindness in selecting our restaurant as one of Downtown LA’s best. We are humbled and very appreciative.

– The Langers

Daily Trojan: City park provides range of eateries

The University of Southern California is a close neighbor to Langer’s Delicatessen-Restaurant – just a short trip down Alvarado to Hoover, under the 10 Freeway, and you’re there – so we’ve been pleased to welcome so many Trojans and their friends and family over the years. The Daily Trojan, the university’s student newspaper since 1912, recently did a food profile on the MacArthur Park area, and Langer’s was included in their coverage:

The most famous restaurant would be Langer’s Deli, the Jewish restaurant so beloved that Langer’s Square is dedicated to it. Like a typical Jewish deli, Langer’s offers a huge menu, but locals know exactly what to order: the No. 19, a multi-layered sandwich of tender, hand-carved pastrami, sharp Swiss cheese, crunchy coleslaw and piquant Russian dressing.

The article also includes mentions of Mama’s Hot Tamales Cafe and other neighborhood eateries, so make sure you click here to check out the entire piece. Thank you, Daily Trojan!

Santa Monica Daily Press’ Michael Ryan: It’s a Family Affair at Langer’s

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The Santa Monica Daily Press, the leading local newspaper for the Santa Monica community, publishes a regular column called “Tour de Feast” that includes a unique angle: the author, Michael Ryan, visits local eateries on bicycle. His pieces are fun, witty and well researched, and belie the fact that he arrives at every article subject on two wheels (instead of the more Los Angeles-centric four).

Langer’s Delicatessen-Restaurant is the subject of his most recent article, and it’s just terrific – we encourage you to visit SMDP.com to read the entire piece – it’s that good:

What makes Langer’s great is the food. What makes Langer’s an institution is how it’s run. The delicatessen was established by Al Langer back in 1947. Three dining room expansions and 4 million pounds of pastrami later Al Langer’s son Norm has made a definitive point to preserve what his father worked all his life to build.

“I’m here six days a week. I’m here to watch the product, I’m here to tailor it, to make sure it goes out the way my dad originally prescribed it. The minute I walk away it’s subject to change,” Norm said.

I cannot imagine Mr. Langer takes many days off. Imagining the restaurant on one of Norm’s vacation days is like “The Tonight Show” with Johnny Carson when he had guest hosts. It just does not seem appropriate. Being the consummate professional Norm is, you will never hear him utter the “F” word — franchise.

“To open up more restaurants means the product is going to suffer. Anytime something is run by family, it’s a living, breathing part of you and that’s what makes it a success,” Norm said.

In addition, Michael created an accompanying video profile to the story, which you can watch right here.

Click here now to read Michael’s complete article at the Santa Monica Daily Press website.

From all of us at Langer’s Deli, thank you, Michael, for a wonderful article and video.

– The Langers

GastronomyBlog.com: Langer’s Deli

GastronomyBlog.com recently featured a profile of Langer’s Deli, featuring the authoress, her astronomy-focused husband (“the Astronomer”), and two friends – all of whom had never been to Langer’s before (but did have familiarity with the smoked meats of Canada):

I couldn’t resist ordering the #19, the most popular sandwich on the menu. Tucked in between two impressively sturdy slices of rye bread were pastrami, Swiss cheese, coleslaw, and Russian dressing. It was a monstrously portioned creation, and I was beyond thrilled to dig into it.

Whereas my dining companions needed to add a smear of mustard to their sandwiches, mine arrived dressed to the nines and sensational from top to bottom. It was impossible to discern the pastrami’s flavor and texture amidst all the fixings, but I didn’t care because the entire package was so damn satisfying.

I loved how the meat married with the tangy dressing and coleslaw, while the bread valiantly held together all the saucy stuff. The #19 lived up to the hype and then some. Open wide!

Click here to read the complete article and view the delicious photos at GastronomyBlog.com.

Alejandro Marquez: Langer’s Visits Katz’s

Chuck Spence, loyal Langer’s fan, peruses the options at New York’s famous deli, Katz’s, showing LA pride in Langer’s colors

Some things are just too good for words, and this image is one of them. Captured by true Langer’s Deli fan Alejandro Marquez, the image is a total classic depicting a Langer’s Deli fan, far from home, weighing his options at the “other” great pastrami deli, Katz’s of New York.

We absolutely love this image, and hope you do too. Thanks again, Alejandro, for sending it in, and thanks to Chuck for allowing his image (well, his back, anyway) to be portrayed on our site forever!

– The Langer Family

Jewish Daily Forward: Danyelle Freeman Interview

The Jewish Daily Forward’s “Jew and the Carrot” blog recently featured an interview profile of “Restaurant Girl” Danyelle Freeman.

In this lively coverage of all things Jewish food, Danyelle mentions her favorite Los Angeles Deli as…

Do you still enjoy Jewish food now?

Are you kidding? I love it. I think Jewish food is underrated— I love chopped liver, deli, knishes, derma and babka. I want to write a book on American cuisine next and I’d love to include Jewish food.

Any favorite delis in NY or LA?

I like Langer’s in LA so much. I think in New York, Katz’s is probably my favorite for pastrami. I also love smoked fish, so Russ and Daughters and Sable’s and Barney Greengrass in New York are all great.

Click here to read the complete interview

ShalomLife: Adam Gertler Interview

Canadian Jewish lifestyle blog ShalomLife.com recently published an interview with Food Network’s Adam Gertler, who is a Friend of Langer’s for many reasons, not the least of which was his hosting of our “Best Thing I Ever Ate” segment during their “Between Bread” episode – the highest-viewed portrayal of Langer’s Delicatessen-Restaurant in our 64-year history.

Adam is now hosting Kid in a Candy Store on Food Network, and during his interview he had nice things to say about Langer’s:

Since you’re a food lover, I have to ask: what’s your favourite Jewish dish?

I think our greatest contributions to the culinary world are appetizing and deli. I love few things on earth more than an everything bagel, slightly scooped, smeared with scallion cream cheese, topped with lox, tomato, red onion and a sunny side up egg and maybe a slice of muenster. Best breakfast sandwich ever.

As a native New Yorker I have great fondness for Katz’s and 2nd Ave Deli, but as a Californian transplant, my favourite is Langer’s deli, which I spoke about on Best Thing I Ever Ate. They have the best pastrami on the planet next to my own, which we used to serve at the Smoked Joint in Philadelphia. Now that our restaurant isn’t around, Langer’s rules the pastrami kingdom.

Thank you, Adam! See you soon at Langer’s.

Click here to read the complete interview at ShalomLife.com