11/02/2008
A quality pastrami is something everyone should get to know. Born from the combination of beef brisket, herb, spices, and brine, the holistic effect of the immersion causes the meat to tenderize into a delectable form.
Sliced thickly, with the sinews of the meat falling apart gently with the slightest pull, with a slight salty taste, and usually with the mild bite of pepper, a perfect pastrami often lends one to ponder the days gone by, when lack of refrigeration lead to techniques such as these, but with the side effect being of pure culinary joy. With each passing chew, one ruminates upon the marvels of human know-how and the domestication of cattle. A quality pastrami is something everyone needs to try at least once.
Langer’s has this pastrami. Founded in the 1940′s, by someone reasonably assumed to be some guy with a first or last name of Langer, this Los Angeles landmark is not to be missed.
Some people may turn their noses up at the location, located across the street from MacArthur park. In fact, I was asked if I wanted fake government documents right in front of this deli. These philistines– these taste-challenged sad sacks of water and flesh (are they human?) are not to be trusted, and do not take them with you on your pilgrimage to this west coast monument of beef brisket enveloped by bread, as they will just complain about the neighborhood, the interior design, and other things that have nothing at all to do with the food.
I’ve been to Katz Deli in New York. It’s somewhat similar (I do have to give the nod to Katz), but the service here is ahead by miles, without the abrupt, heavily muscled, heavily accented New York meat slicer guy with a loud booming voice telling you to speak louder and clearer because he has little time.
The service personal is nice– albeit a bit old skool, if you catch my drift. They look like they are character actors dropped in from a film that Quentin Tarantino might direct, and the interior of the diner matches them as well.
In short, Langer’s is an experience not to be missed.
704 S Alvarado St
Los Angeles, CA 90057
(213) 483-8050
www.langersdeli.com
