Langer's is very good for pastrami. I think Brent's Deli in Northridge is equal in quality and you get a better deal.

Wouldn't turn away a free Langer's pastrami though!!!

My father worked in Westlake and eastern Mid-Wilshire for a long time (back when they were neighborhoods where major corporations had their offices) and he swore by Langers and the steakhouse (Stevens? Edwards?) that used to be there as well.

Langers is still pretty good, but I agree that Brents' has a real neighborhood atmosphere. Weiler's (also in the SFV) is a nice place to nosh as well.

Westlake could be one of the signature public spaces of Los Angeles, with the combination of the park, the lake, and the surrounding 1930-50s architecture ... I wonder if it will get "discovered/gentrified" someday.

With Hancock Park still a very desirable neighborhood (and maybe West Adams as the southern boundary?) I would think the areas between the two may be worth watching in the next decade or so.

If it can happen to Silver Lake, can Westlake, Ardmore, or Rosedale be far behind?

That steakhouse moved to Rosemead/El Monte-it's very visible on the south side of the 10 Freeway

I thought Johnny's in Culver City was master of the Pastrami genre?

For that subgenre of sandwich the pastrami dip, nothing beats The Hat in Pasadena. But it's no pastrami on rye.

Brad, you may be thinking of Taylor's Prime Steaks on 8th St. It was one of my dad's favorites, too. Haven't been by for a while, but I think it's still there and still open -- there's a White Pages listing, anyway.

There and thriving, according to a recent review I think by Sherry Virbila in the LAT. Might have been the Weekly. Where it was, made me want to go give Taylor's a try.

I'll have to give Brent's a try, being a Northridge boy.

You must go to Brent's, Kevin. It is far and away the best deli in the L.A. basin. Johnny's, though, gets high marks in the goyim pastrami division. But if I'm on Johnny's corner of Washington and Sepulveda, I'll drop my dough at Tito's Tacos nine times out of ten.
And yes, Taylor's is still open, and it still rocks. The Cullote is nirvana!

Taylor's steaks *is* good. and still in business. The 8th street localation is dark and red inside, like a steak. There's a second one, I think, not sure where. Closer to Langers is the Pacific Dining Car, could that be the steak house referred to? An institution in its own right.


It'd be nice if Westlake/MacArthur park turned around, but its a loooooong way from comfy living. If Downtown can rise up from the dead(remains to be seen, but showing good vitals thus far) maybe MacArthur can be revived. For now I just wish LA Superoir Court would fix that darn sign on the side of their building there.

Being a Hancock Park resident, I just went to Langer's for the first time in years yesterday and the pastrami on rye was fantastic (much better than canter's, johnny's or any other place). Philippe's is one of my other favorite sandwich places, but its a totally different taste than a traditional pastrami on rye. And for a true italian style sandwich, by far the best place is Larchmont Wine and Cheese Shop on Larchmont. I actually go to Taylor's on a regular basis for an excellent prime rib at an affordable price (with free valet I might add). Also, in the vicinity, is the classic El Cholo restaurant with chea and delicious mexican food.

Being a Hancock Park resident, I just went to Langer's for the first time in years yesterday and the pastrami on rye was fantastic (much better than canter's, johnny's or any other place). Philippe's is one of my other favorite sandwich places, but its a totally different taste than a traditional pastrami on rye. And for a true italian style sandwich, by far the best place is Larchmont Wine and Cheese Shop on Larchmont. I actually go to Taylor's on a regular basis for an excellent prime rib at an affordable price (with free valet I might add). Also, in the vicinity, is the classic El Cholo restaurant with chea and delicious mexican food.

Interesting site - finally people who eat like I do. Here's my 2 cents: Langers is the best pastrami I've ever had, Brents the best overall (Jewish deli). Tito's over Johnny's. Also, in that neck of the woods, I'd take Howards Famous Acacado burger over Johnny's too (The Hat in Pasadena is also a better pastrami, but not even in the league of Langers). Phillipes is great, but they can really over soak the bun sometimes - next time I go I'll ask for aus ju on the side. Just to add something, I'll recommend Seoul Grindz in Gledale for a great Hawaiian Plate Lunch.