Pastrami Dips, Langer’s Signs, and Friedman’s

A wee bit of randomness for this monday. I just got an email from my delectable friend Sara Wilson, who is working for Los Angeles Magazine, and was recently sent on assignment to Culver City, to check out Johnny’s Pastrami. Here she is in all her adorability…”pigging out”, as she put it, on one of Johnny’s famous pastrami dip sandwiches. Said Wilson: “I’d never enjoyed a meat sandwich by the warm glow of an open firepit. Only in L.A.”

Such is the pastrami dip experience, a unique LA institution that is common at places like Johnny’s Pastrami and The Hat. These places are to pastrami in LA, what Gray’s Papaya is to hot dogs and knishes in New York. They are cultural hybrids, or goyish appropriations of Jewish deli in the best sense. Pastrami, popularized by great LA delis like Langer’s, Canter’s, or Nate n’ Al, has been taken to the California burger pit drive in format, married with a french dip, and turned into something completely different. A pastrami dip is basically a thinly sliced pastrami sandwich on a roll, slathered in roast beef jus. I’ve never had one, but I imagine it’s a messy delectable treat. Not entirely deli, but if you’re in LA, they’re worth checking out.

Johnny’s Pastrami
4017 Sepulveda Blvd
Culver City, CA 90230
(310) 397-6654

The Hat
Various Locations
www.thehat.com

Also, to follow up my post about the Langer’s Square naming, Norm Langer has sent me the video from that day. Check it out.

Finally, I have received word via the Kosher hotlines that Friedman’s in Chelsea is now officially open. Check it out pastrami fans!
75 Ninth Avenue
Between West 15th Street and West 16th Street
Chelsea (10011)
212.929.7100