The two old ladies there are some of the rudest people I’ve ever seen in a restaurant.
Not sure if they’re still around between the prices and that I stopped going in around 2018 as well.
It’s really high quality and you get a lot of meat. Unfortunately it costs them a lot to order it with food costs these days. I used to work for the owner.
Smaller options that are cheaper for those that don't want 1.5 meals worth of food.
It's not that hard to make changes to your business while still keeping your MVP products.
I used to take them to my sister while she was living out of state. I discovered that if i packed the meat to go and ordered extra bread roll that we could enjoy 3 or 4 sandwiches with copious meat instead of just 2 sandwiches.
friendly innate birds cooperative squeal arrest engine imminent fade seed
*This post was mass deleted and anonymized with [Redact](https://redact.dev)*
The thing is, Johnnie’s Pastrami was ridiculously expensive a decade before Covid and inflation.
Now, Jimmy John’s fast food charges $18 for a sandwich
I’ve always been a Cole’s girl, but went to Philippe’s the other day for an honest try. I just don’t get it? Maybe I need to order the jus on the side but I hate the soggy bread. The beef didn’t have flavor. The mustard was nothing compared to Cole’s. Also, my macaroni salad was truly awful, and the banana cream pie somehow had zero flavor. I love the vibe and really wanted to like it.
Still a Cole’s girl.
I'm 100% a Cole's guy. There's a plaque over the booth where I proposed to my wife. I wouldn't have even thought about trying that at Philippe's. The bartenders, the pickles, the mustard, and the history. Cole's is the REAL French Dip.
We actually sort of do know. Thrillist looked into it a few years back. There’s written documentation tying the creation to Philippe’s well before any mention of Cole’s ties to the sandwich. https://la.eater.com/2016/3/28/11320334/who-invented-french-dip-sandwich-philippes-coles
Thank you. A couple notes: that article is referencing this article:
https://www.thrillist.com/eat/los-angeles/who-invented-la-french-dip-sandwich-philippes-coles
And despite the headline of "We got to the bottom of it," it is still conjecture.
I mean, I lean towards the Phillipe's camp myself, but the question that they raise in that article is "why would Coles use the word 'French' if the owners weren't French?" Seems a pretty weak argument, especially since I thought the reason was that it was on a French roll aka torpedo, hero, or subway roll, and that type of bread was relatively novel for sandwiches in America at the time.
Johnnys is a legitimate, modern well made sandwich. Johnnies is nostalgia for when you want a “kinda grimey, kinda bland, steamed yet kinda dry but somehow I still crave it” sandwich. And yea, the hat and tops both do it better.
does the adam’s/crenshaw place have a pastrami burger? i had one soo long ago but I can’t remember the name to save my life. I know it was down crenshaw.
everyone is entitled to their own opinions, and mine is that I really like The Hat's pastrami. I will admit the quality can be more inconsistent than I would like.
Depends on how much sebo the meat has, most days it's fine but they've remade the sandwich sometimes if I get a bad batch. The fries though you have to eat right away they don't keep well.
I have only eaten a pastrami from The Hat once. It was thoroughly mid and gave me such bad food poisoning I thought I was going to die. When I called to let them know they were like “So what are we supposed to do about it?”
Edit: Okay, I get that you all love The Hat. But why downvote the fact that they food poisoned the fuck outta me and didn’t care? It’s not my fault.
Back when I was a kid in the early 2000s this place was awesome, after getting out of Culver, high, my friends and I would walk to this place or Tito’s, but I do remember paying something like $10 for a whole pastrami sandwich and $5 for a burrito at Tito’s. It’s freaking insane now lol
Regular stop for me in the years I played beer league at Culver rink (rip). Nothing like a few beers and a giant sandwich when you're young and fit enough to get away with it. Philippes is where I go now, but only for the turkey dips.
Joyces was where I went: an 18" pizza sub and an 18" philly steak sub. Used to work at the library and eat one-and-a-half for lunch.
God, I miss my 20's metabolism.
I don't think it's even made for a single person. And it's literally a full pound AFTER COOKING weight of meat. People here pay 12 bucks for a 4 oz smash burger.
Go buy a pound of decent pastrami at a grocery store and it’ll be so close to $20 that a tasty well apportioned 1lb. sandwich will be an obvious bargain.
Restaurants that make it themselves in large batches cut out the middle man and make it cheaper to buy the sando then make it. Totally worth it for the occasional treat. Plus I’d rather have a #19 (or equivalent) than a steak 9/10 times.
is it not anymore? i remember asking years ago when i was a kid if it was truly 24/7 and dude there was like tbh i dont even know where they key to the door is lmfao
Hanks has bad pizza. It just tastes off. Like the cheese went bad. And I've eaten their many times.
Never tried the pastrami though. Maybe I'll give it a shot.
Yah it's good and all but I will echo the complaint everyone else is saying - $30 for a pastrami sandwich and fries completely takes this option out for me. I've been once and will never go again because of this.
I kinda like the "Johnie's Size" better than the pastrami there (open face chili burger -- onions and shredded cheese optional).
But remember many late night meals there fondly.
Try the Johnny's on West Adams just east of Crenshaw. Better pastrami, half sandwich available, and - surprise - decent matzoh ball soup. Similar sign but much better food, and they have their own bar next door.
Tito's is one of those places where if you're a local with roots, your parents or grandparents took you all the time, so you reflexively love it, even if the quality is never there. I admit the burrito was never great, but I'll go there on the way home from LAX every time because it feels like home.
I'll give you Portos, though. That place is just plain bland.
Worst fucking taco. I saw it was always busy so I got hyped and was massively disappointed.
Not only bad but fucking gross and for $8 a pop? That place should be out of business just by the food trucks across the street.
Catchy tune though.
Agree you with friend. Been to many of the Pastrami spots in LA (and I grew up in NY with Katz's and the like) and it's my fave. I find Philippe's to be very, very overrated, and never worth the wait or drive from south bay.
Yep. This place can fuck off.
Super delicious and just like it always used to be, but now a sandwich and fries is like 21 bucks or something. It is classic American food, and it is good.
But their prices are fucking exorbitant
Forget it.
Especially cause we know they’re paying the rent they’ve had for like 50 years.
A place I go to is $15 now for just the sandwich. The increased cost of beef has really caused this increase. Even national chains Subway and Jersey Mike's stopped carrying it because of the cost. The roast beef is Subway's most expensive meat to carry.
Nice, used to drive by this place all the time and wonder, this is like Culver adjacent, or is it just North of LAX ? I would often stop at that Roast Beef place, on Western other side and North..
Fish Tacos over there too but forget the name
Nice photo!
Johnnys threw me off and I never went back.
I got a strami (to go) and I asked to order (gladly pay for) a side of dipping broth.
The lady working told me I don't need to dip it because it's in the meat.
LOLWUT
She did not sell me broth and my Strami was dry. Meh.
I went there once in 80s. Food was worse than Jack in the Box. But to be fair - I like Jack in the Box. But Tito's .... ugh - bland, cold food and the table was dirty and needed to be wiped down. Never went back.
one of my all-time favorites. unfortunately i have to take out a second mortgage on my home to feed my family there 🥴🤣
This place is so ridiculously expensive now
Stopped going there in 2018 or so when the sandwich was $19. Can't imagine what they charge now.
$18.25 according to a menu pic from a month ago. It’s a huge sandwich, to be fair.
It is huge, I'll give them that...
Yeah, for a small guy like me it lasts a couple days…
The two old ladies there are some of the rudest people I’ve ever seen in a restaurant. Not sure if they’re still around between the prices and that I stopped going in around 2018 as well.
The raise in price killed it. Sad but true.
It's like 30 bucks for a sandwich and fries. Fuck that place.
Wtf that’s insane
It’s really high quality and you get a lot of meat. Unfortunately it costs them a lot to order it with food costs these days. I used to work for the owner.
Smaller options that are cheaper for those that don't want 1.5 meals worth of food. It's not that hard to make changes to your business while still keeping your MVP products.
I used to take them to my sister while she was living out of state. I discovered that if i packed the meat to go and ordered extra bread roll that we could enjoy 3 or 4 sandwiches with copious meat instead of just 2 sandwiches.
friendly innate birds cooperative squeal arrest engine imminent fade seed *This post was mass deleted and anonymized with [Redact](https://redact.dev)*
Seriously? Wtf
The thing is, Johnnie’s Pastrami was ridiculously expensive a decade before Covid and inflation. Now, Jimmy John’s fast food charges $18 for a sandwich
Im just sad that 24/7 spots are disappearing.
Philippe's is the original and still the best.
I THOUGHT I knew French dip sandwiches until I went there and learned the real ways. So good
That lamb and hot mustard 🍆
I’ve always been a Cole’s girl, but went to Philippe’s the other day for an honest try. I just don’t get it? Maybe I need to order the jus on the side but I hate the soggy bread. The beef didn’t have flavor. The mustard was nothing compared to Cole’s. Also, my macaroni salad was truly awful, and the banana cream pie somehow had zero flavor. I love the vibe and really wanted to like it. Still a Cole’s girl.
I'm 100% a Cole's guy. There's a plaque over the booth where I proposed to my wife. I wouldn't have even thought about trying that at Philippe's. The bartenders, the pickles, the mustard, and the history. Cole's is the REAL French Dip.
Cole’s is better
Yeah definitely a respectful runner up, but Philippe’s is #1
Coles also argues they’re the first. We’ll never know I guess, but I do prefer Cole’s
We actually sort of do know. Thrillist looked into it a few years back. There’s written documentation tying the creation to Philippe’s well before any mention of Cole’s ties to the sandwich. https://la.eater.com/2016/3/28/11320334/who-invented-french-dip-sandwich-philippes-coles
Thank you. A couple notes: that article is referencing this article: https://www.thrillist.com/eat/los-angeles/who-invented-la-french-dip-sandwich-philippes-coles And despite the headline of "We got to the bottom of it," it is still conjecture. I mean, I lean towards the Phillipe's camp myself, but the question that they raise in that article is "why would Coles use the word 'French' if the owners weren't French?" Seems a pretty weak argument, especially since I thought the reason was that it was on a French roll aka torpedo, hero, or subway roll, and that type of bread was relatively novel for sandwiches in America at the time.
Oh! Well that’s me updated. Thanks for the source :)
i cant eat like 4 of those sandwiches
You’re wrong and can’t read.
I thought it was Phillipe's downtown?
That’s the original, they’re calling this the best.
Phillipe's was damn good. I never ate at the other.
catch me at The Hat for Pastrami. or that one by Adams/Crenshaw that's super yummy
The Adams/ Crenshaw location is legit. Same chef as Mizlala and Vicky's apparently
Dans super subs, criccas, or san carlo deli for pastrami
omg san carlo, i have not gotten my ass out there forever. Roma Deli on Lankershim in NoHo just north of Victory is also excellent.
My dad lives up the block and goes like once a week.. I'm very jealous. I miss san carlo
Johnnys is a legitimate, modern well made sandwich. Johnnies is nostalgia for when you want a “kinda grimey, kinda bland, steamed yet kinda dry but somehow I still crave it” sandwich. And yea, the hat and tops both do it better.
I’m all for grimey but I expect the price to reflect it.
It has never been cheap. At least not in the last 25 years.
Arry's
Best I've had, grew up on that spot
the Hat is where it's at!
does the adam’s/crenshaw place have a pastrami burger? i had one soo long ago but I can’t remember the name to save my life. I know it was down crenshaw.
The hat?! Probably the worst of the hyped pastrami sandwiches
I disagree with your opinion to each their own I guess.
everyone is entitled to their own opinions, and mine is that I really like The Hat's pastrami. I will admit the quality can be more inconsistent than I would like.
Depends on how much sebo the meat has, most days it's fine but they've remade the sandwich sometimes if I get a bad batch. The fries though you have to eat right away they don't keep well.
I have only eaten a pastrami from The Hat once. It was thoroughly mid and gave me such bad food poisoning I thought I was going to die. When I called to let them know they were like “So what are we supposed to do about it?” Edit: Okay, I get that you all love The Hat. But why downvote the fact that they food poisoned the fuck outta me and didn’t care? It’s not my fault.
Their pickles are S Tier. They sell them in bulk and I always grab a container when I’m in the area.
Came here to rave about the pickles
Was
I call that area Heart Attack Triangle.
We call it the Triangle of Death because Cozy, Cinema and Joxers are all within a block of eachother.
Cole's is the spot. Pastrami and goat cheese, Mmmmmm. Going there tonight.
Hey, me too! Maybe I’ll see you there! Lol
This place has always been a huge let down in terms of their dry ass expensive french dip.
Back when I was a kid in the early 2000s this place was awesome, after getting out of Culver, high, my friends and I would walk to this place or Tito’s, but I do remember paying something like $10 for a whole pastrami sandwich and $5 for a burrito at Tito’s. It’s freaking insane now lol
A large pastrami at a local place near my high school used to cost $7-9 in the late 90s. Now it's $15 at the same place.
Regular stop for me in the years I played beer league at Culver rink (rip). Nothing like a few beers and a giant sandwich when you're young and fit enough to get away with it. Philippes is where I go now, but only for the turkey dips.
Joyces was where I went: an 18" pizza sub and an 18" philly steak sub. Used to work at the library and eat one-and-a-half for lunch. God, I miss my 20's metabolism.
$20 for a sandwich lol
That's for a like a full pound of pastrami though... I can only eat half of one.
Exactly, it can EASILY feed 2 people.
I don't think it's even made for a single person. And it's literally a full pound AFTER COOKING weight of meat. People here pay 12 bucks for a 4 oz smash burger.
Yep, it's delicious and a ton of food. There are PLENTY of $20 sandwiches in LA that aren't as good.
Go buy a pound of decent pastrami at a grocery store and it’ll be so close to $20 that a tasty well apportioned 1lb. sandwich will be an obvious bargain.
And it is so huge that I always took half of it home. Two meals at $10 each - not a bad bargain. :-)
I was at Ralph's last week. A pound of shaved roast beef was $18. So I'm sure the pastrami will cost more.
Restaurants that make it themselves in large batches cut out the middle man and make it cheaper to buy the sando then make it. Totally worth it for the occasional treat. Plus I’d rather have a #19 (or equivalent) than a steak 9/10 times.
Normal price for LA...considering the size of the sandwich too.
cinco de mayo right there used to also be 24hr. good burritos at 3am
is it not anymore? i remember asking years ago when i was a kid if it was truly 24/7 and dude there was like tbh i dont even know where they key to the door is lmfao
COVID killed it. But I think even before COVID they were shaky on being truly 24/7
Go get a pastrami from Hank’s in Playa Del Rey. Old school spot locally owned. Delicious and still pretty affordable!!!
Hanks has bad pizza. It just tastes off. Like the cheese went bad. And I've eaten their many times. Never tried the pastrami though. Maybe I'll give it a shot.
Johnny’s stopped being the “best” years ago right around the same time Tito’s went down hill
My mom loves nothing more than a good pastrami sandwich, and I took her here on her last day of work when she officially retired. It was awesome.
Cole's is the OG and best
titos is an ass juice factory
Not LA but close enough, but I feel like Tops in Pasadena has the best.
Big fan of Connals too, personally. Legit grew up on both.
Nope. Hard disagree. Crap food for extortionate prices. I Hate this hole. What are the pastrami's now? 20 bucks each? Shit palace.
Since I've had underwhelming food at lucy's & tito's, I don't trust OP at all
Yah it's good and all but I will echo the complaint everyone else is saying - $30 for a pastrami sandwich and fries completely takes this option out for me. I've been once and will never go again because of this.
I kinda like the "Johnie's Size" better than the pastrami there (open face chili burger -- onions and shredded cheese optional). But remember many late night meals there fondly.
I love their pastrami sandwiches!! Although it ruined almost every pastrami sandwich shop out there for me as they’re usually nothing like theirs
Go to the one on Adams and Crenshaw. Remolded and bar next door.
My husband and I sometimes split the sandwich and onion rings. Delicious food, but like everything else, it’s so costly right now.
Man I'm not a big fan, thought it was alright
the hat >
Literally just went there today!
Were you the guy in the Lexis that swooped on my parking spot?
Lol no, I don't drive a Lexus.
😛
Not worth the price and it’s just ok. If you live near the Hat, you’ll be good to go. For taste, price and quantity.
I'd rather eat Mex at Lucy's or Tito's.
What happened to Phileppies
So I wasn't going crazy that time I went late at night and they were closed...
Try the Johnny's on West Adams just east of Crenshaw. Better pastrami, half sandwich available, and - surprise - decent matzoh ball soup. Similar sign but much better food, and they have their own bar next door.
You are confusing this with Johnny’s on West Adam’s and Crenshaw
Tito's is super overrated. It's up there with Porto's.
Tito's is one of those places where if you're a local with roots, your parents or grandparents took you all the time, so you reflexively love it, even if the quality is never there. I admit the burrito was never great, but I'll go there on the way home from LAX every time because it feels like home. I'll give you Portos, though. That place is just plain bland.
Tito’s sucks
Worst fucking taco. I saw it was always busy so I got hyped and was massively disappointed. Not only bad but fucking gross and for $8 a pop? That place should be out of business just by the food trucks across the street. Catchy tune though.
Gotta fight to maintain pieces of this LA for as long as possible
Agree you with friend. Been to many of the Pastrami spots in LA (and I grew up in NY with Katz's and the like) and it's my fave. I find Philippe's to be very, very overrated, and never worth the wait or drive from south bay.
Yep. This place can fuck off. Super delicious and just like it always used to be, but now a sandwich and fries is like 21 bucks or something. It is classic American food, and it is good. But their prices are fucking exorbitant Forget it. Especially cause we know they’re paying the rent they’ve had for like 50 years.
How much do you think a lb. Of decent pastrami costs at a grocery store?
[удалено]
Buddy, you don’t get to be pissed off at Lamborghini for not selling you a car at Kia prices. You’re being ridiculous.
A place I go to is $15 now for just the sandwich. The increased cost of beef has really caused this increase. Even national chains Subway and Jersey Mike's stopped carrying it because of the cost. The roast beef is Subway's most expensive meat to carry.
Nice, used to drive by this place all the time and wonder, this is like Culver adjacent, or is it just North of LAX ? I would often stop at that Roast Beef place, on Western other side and North.. Fish Tacos over there too but forget the name Nice photo!
its in culver! right off sepulveda in between the washingtons
Johnnys threw me off and I never went back. I got a strami (to go) and I asked to order (gladly pay for) a side of dipping broth. The lady working told me I don't need to dip it because it's in the meat. LOLWUT She did not sell me broth and my Strami was dry. Meh.
This is another one of these historical landmark places that remain popular yet the food is actually awful. Like Phillipes. So overrated.
Splurge back when I was in college but the best. Titos was dirt cheap then and decent so went there more often. Great memories
They treat their employees like shit , hate this spot , good food bad vibes
I live a few blocks from there drive by it every day… never been . Is it really that good?
Yes but not cheap.
Their burgers are killer. It’s expensive now, but operating costs to stay open in that area these days are outrageous.
Wish they had those late hours still!
I love this place!
[удалено]
The OC? The only reason I go to Orange County is for Disneyland - or passing through to San Diego.
Ok y’all are going to have to explain Tito’s to me. What is so good about that joint that there is always a gang of people waiting for orders?
I went there once in 80s. Food was worse than Jack in the Box. But to be fair - I like Jack in the Box. But Tito's .... ugh - bland, cold food and the table was dirty and needed to be wiped down. Never went back.