Langer's - PlaceBee :

Address: 704 S. Alvarado St.
Zipcode: 90057
Phone Number: 213-483-8050

Even jaded New York deli connoisseurs acknowledge Langer’s as one of the best artery-clogging outposts west of the Mississippi. As you walk past pawn shops blasting Tejano music, the location will throw you; it’s been a long time since 1947 when the restaurant opened and this downtown-adjacent neighborhood was upscale. Across the street, you can see that McArthur Park, with its lake and paddleboats, was once elegant and beautiful. Langer’s clientele isn’t local – it’s old Jewish couples who make the trek from other parts of town, cool urbanites from the big apartment houses in Koreatown, and suit-and-ties from downtown office buildings. The corned beef here is fine, the matzo balls are superb although, unfortunately, not given an up-to-par soup to float in, and the huge menu offers ludicrous choices such as PB&J and Chinese chicken salad, as if anyone would bother. It’s the pastrami that’s the raison d’etre, served hot on crackly, chewy corn rye bread. Thickly cut and black-crusted, the meat brings to mind Southern smokehouses more than it does typical shaved deli. The pastrami’s flavor is lush and succulent and unique; resist the urge to obscure it with mustard or order it with cheese. The sandwiches are not mile high; you’ll be able to finish your own. Another Langer’s perk – if you call ahead, they’ll pack up your food and deliver it to your car curbside.