The story
Langer's Deli has anchored the corner of 7th and Alvarado for nearly eight decades, serving what Jack’s Dining Room calls “the most iconic sandwich in LA since 1947.” That’s the Number 19, a towering creation built with pastrami steamed for five and a half hours. This old-school, no-frills counter has become a pilgrimage site—Only Scrans declares it “the best sandwich I’ve ever had, a must-eat in LA.” With no reservations and a takeout-friendly ethos, the focus stays squarely on the food.
Yet there’s a bittersweet edge: the owner has stated that “when he passes away, the shop closes forever.” Every bite of that five-and-a-half-hour pastrami carries the weight of a singular, irreplaceable history. Come for the sandwich, but stay for the sense that you’re tasting something that won’t be replicated—a living museum of a deli and a truly one-of-a-kind LA landmark.
Synthesised by AI from every creator’s review. First reviewed 2024.
Most-loved dishes
AI summary of what 4 dish mentions say about the food
Reviewers rave about the Number 19, a pastrami sandwich that delivers pure, old-school comfort. The overall vibe is of a beloved, no-frills institution where every bite feels like a warm embrace.
“The number 19 is pastrami on rye with Swiss cheese, coleslaw, and Russian dressing. Oh my god, that is delicious. I've never had a sandwich like it in my life. The meat is so juicy, peppery, beautiful. It's the best sandwich I've ever had. I would come all the way to California just to eat this again.”
“I've honestly waited years to try this. It's the world famous Number 19 — pastrami, Swiss cheese, coleslaw, and thousand island dressing on rye bread. The pastrami is steamed for five and a half hours, then hand-sliced by a guy who's been doing it for 37 years. The bread is soft, the meat is incredibly tender and flavorful. This is the most iconic sandwich in all of LA.”
What creators say
3 creators have covered Langer's Deli. Most active: Jack's Dining Room , Only Scrans
Shorts 1
Videos 2
Langer's is a temple to pastrami, and the Number 19 is the best sandwich I've ever had — a must-eat in LA.
Dishes mentioned
Number 19
The number 19 is pastrami on rye with Swiss cheese, coleslaw, and Russian dressing. Oh my god, that is delicious. I've never had a sandwich like it in my life. The meat is so juicy, peppery, beautiful. It's the best sandwich I've ever had. I would come all the way to California just to eat this again.
- Jack's Dining RoomLoved
Trying the most famous sandwich in LA PT.2 📍Langer’s Deli #sandwich #pastrami #deli #food · @ 0:17
Jack visits the iconic Langer's Deli in LA and tries their famous pastrami on rye plus a creative pastrami, tomato, and cream cheese sandwich, praising both.
Dishes mentioned
Pastrami on Rye
The rye bread is so soft and pillowy. Look at the bark on the pastrami — the pastrami alone is insane. This is pretty much as close to the peak as you're going to get. It's a tough one between Langer's and Katz's, like Mahomes vs Brady, but I'm liking some aspects of Langer's a little more.
Pastrami, Tomatoes and Cream Cheese
This is a sandwich his mom created: pastrami, tomatoes, and cream cheese. I thought it could be wildly horrible or good, a total coin flip. Wow, this is actually kind of amazing. The cream cheese kind of melts with the pastrami. This had to be one of those late-night designs where you come home stumbling from the bar and just throw something on a sandwich and it hits.
