At Langer's, perfection starts at #19 - Review - Los Angeles - The Infatuation

"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 #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. photo credit: Holly Liss 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. 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. photo credit: Brant Cox" - Brant Cox